Overlord
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Joystiq hands-on: Overlord: Dark Legend
click to enlarge "Not a port." Those were the words used by Overlord: Dark Legend producer, Carl Johnson, used convey the fact that the Wii's first taste of the darkly humorous action-strategy series is, well, not a port of the upcoming Overlord II for the HD crowd. No, this is every bit its own game -- apart from the basic premise, that is -- that takes good advantage of the Wii's controls, doesn't phone in its visuals and, so far, is a fun (yet sinister) adventure best described as a sort of "Pikmin Gone Wild."%Gallery-45512%
Codemasters talks Overlord, working with Wii
It might not be a good time to port your game to the Wii right now. With Dead Rising causing many jaws to hit the floor in disgust, confidence isn't in ready supply. Enter Overlord: Dark Legend brand manager Dan Robinson, who doesn't want you to think his game is just being slapped together.Codemasters "realized quite early on if we just did a port of 'Overlord' or 'Overlord 2' onto the Wii, we'd get slighted," Robinson told MTV Multiplayer. The most important thing for his company is that "the game works with the control system." He explained that when making a game on a Nintendo console, a developer has to "make sure that it hits all the buttons that Nintendo fanboys want," because it can be "dead in the water before you've even started." Viewing the Wii as something more than a system to make a quick buck on ... that is a good start! Codemasters, like Sega, is looking for that hardcore buck, too. "I think it's definitely more of a hardcore game than you've got on the Wii at the moment," he said. "I think this gives us an opportunity to show them that the Wii can actually do games like this, and it actually works and it can make good fun." Casual players need not feel left out, however, as he thinks there are "elements of it" that will appeal to them.Overlord: Dark Legend is currently slated for release this summer.%Gallery-29623%
GameTap Thursday: Tuesday brings the Overlord for free
This week's additions to GameTap aren't all that exciting, but if you didn't take the opportunity back in October, now's your chance to play Overlord one week for free. The game's minions may be a little glitchy and frustrating at times -- but for free, it's worth a test drive. Stronghold Crusader Extreme (Windows) - Like Stronghold Crusader, but extreme! Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine (Windows) - An adventure game where the protagonist reminds us of Leisure Suit Larry. The game's description notes Al is a 42-year-old who lives with his parents and travels to "dusty Anozira out west to pick up his mail order bride, Ivanna." Check out the full free games list after the break. Remember that last week's A Christmas Carol episode of Grimm is free to play until New Year's Eve.
GameTap Thursday: Full Supreme Commander experience; Overlord for free
GameTap brings the goods this week with the addition of Supreme Commander and its expansion Forged Alliance. There's also an extra evil treat for the freeloaders out there. Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance (Windows) - The well received RTS by Gas Powered Games in one package. Die By The Sword (Windows) - Treyarch's sword fighting game from a decade ago. World Poker Championship 2 (Windows) - That title couldn't be any more descriptive. This week temporarily adds Overlord to GameTap's free-to-play titles for one week. Give it a spin, there's definitely a "love it or hate it" division about the title. The service also adds Penumbra Overture for the foreseeable future to the gratis list, which can be found after the break.
Overlord footage features minions, bosses, pumpkin armor
The first video of Overlord: Dark Legend might be off-screen and a bit blurry, but we don't require high-resolution, direct-feed footage to tell us that the game will keep all the charm and personality of the original Xbox 360 title.Producer Dean Scott can be heard commentating throughout both this and the video after the jump, enthusing about how nicely the Wii's controls suit Overlord, and discussing how Climax want to avoid fashioning a Morrowind-esque grey and brown fantasy world. So far, it's working; this looks visually closer to Fable. We'll be keen to see how many minions we'll be able to gather at once in Dark Legend -- the first game on the 360 allowed players to assemble around forty or fifty at some points, and a similar number would be welcome here. Also worth noting: Scott currently thinks this will be ready in time for June or July next year.To see a boss battle in action, arm yourself with a pumpkin and charge past the break.%Gallery-29623%
Overlord overload: Sequel incoming, new versions planned for Wii, DS
Triumph Studios' excellent (but flawed) Overlord will receive a sequel on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, along with new versions for the Wii and DS, all scheduled for 2009. IGN reports Overlord II will have smarter minions who can ride mounts, use war machines and sail ships. The scope of the game world has been broadened in the sequel and the controls for the Pikmin-style gameplay have been "greatly improved." We loved the first game, and it's great to hear about all these improvements for the sequel, but we hope "polish" is a word that Triumph doesn't forget this time around.The Overlord franchise will also spawn Overlord Dark Legend on Wii by Climax Studios, an "all new game" penned by Rhianna Pratchett. The game seems to be set in the original Overlord's world with many of the same characters, but with the inclusion of some fractured fairy tale aspect. Finally, on DS (and also by Climax Studios), Overlord Minion will present players with a puzzle action game. OK, does that about cover all the Overlord info? Good, all hail the Overlord!Source -- Overlord 2: Xbox 360, PS3, PCSource -- Overlord Dark Legend: WiiSource -- Overlord Minion: DS
Overlord to quench your insatiable thirst for power
Power. Glorious, undiluted, corrupting POWER. That's what we crave as we slave away at our tiny desks working for The Man, and that's what Codemasters will be bringing us soon. The publisher has announced a DS version of the Pikmin-inspired Overlord, in which players must use a crack team of minions to maintain control of their kingdom.Giblet, Blaze, Stench, and Zap are your unquestioning servants throughout Overlord Minions, and instantly win points with us by resembling the Gremlins. Unlike the home console editions of the title, you'll be controlling your willing slaves remotely with touches of the stylus. By combining their scaly assets, the four can help you solve puzzles, duff up enemies, and generally further your despotic desires. The polygon-saving omission of an Overlord avatar aside, this looks pleasingly close to the fairly well-received original, and we're promised that all of that game's humor and physical comedy will have made the leap when it releases next year. We command you to hit the jump for a second screen.
Next year, the minions will return in Overlord II
Great news for the Minion slave driving fanboys among us! Codemasters just announced Overlord II and that it is currently in development for release on the 360, PS3 and Wii sometime in 2009. Huzzah!Developer Triumph Studios promises that the sequel "massively increases the scope of the original concept," being a much more realistic, less fantasy driven Overlord where players will encounter political problems and environmental issues all while remaining true to Overlord's unique style of Minion commanding humor. Fart jokes included. And, heck, the sequel looks much prettier too. We can't wait![Thanks, Dark Caboose]
Overlord moving his minions over to Wii
Click to see more screens Remember that PS3 and Xbox 360 game Overlord? No? Well, you aren't alone (it was kind of like Pikmin, only less good), but Codemasters has decided to bring the IP over to Wii anyway. Thankfully, though, they're building a new title from the ground up.Development for the new game, titled Overlord: Dark Legend, will be handled by Climax Studios. They're aiming for a 2009 release, and the producer of the game, Dean Scott, assures that this is "an all new game, designed especially for Wii," with a "new story, new characters," and "new gameplay." Based on his brief chat with IGN, it sounds like a majority of the game will be a pointer-based affair, with gamers using the Wiimote's IR sensor to direct their horde of minions. And what about those minions? "It's the same four minion types, but we've given them new abilities," said Scott. "Some of these may be themed around bodily functions that childish folk like us find hilarious."Be sure to check out first screens from the upcoming game in our gallery below!%Gallery-29623%
The Overlord and his minions will return in 2009
Think you've seen the last of Overlord? Think again. Codemasters has announced that a sequel, Overlord II, is now in development at Triumph Studios. The game will retain the same gameplay of the first title, whilst increasing the scale of the game dramatically. Emphasis seems to be on epic battles between The Overlord and his minions and a new, Roman-esque, civilization that has set out to thwart him.Minions are now able to ride into battle on various different creatures and the environments are promised to vary far more than in the original. Overlord was a pretty decent title, considering how early in this generation's cycle it was released, so we're looking forward to finding more about Overlord II between now and its 2009 release.[Via Press Release]
News from the Starcraft II panel at the Blizzard Invitational
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Starcraft_II_info_explosion'; Amid all the hype for Diablo 3, you may have missed hearing about the StarCraft II developer panel helmed by Blizzard's Rob Pardo at this weekend's Worldwide Invitational in Paris. Joystiq was there to catch all the details on the latest build of the game. See what team Blizzard had to say about the newfound power of the Zerg Queen, the upgraded Protoss Mothership and the reason behind de-emphasizing heroic classes. All this after the jump.%Gallery-3311%
Exclusive Overlord PS3 content detailed ... on the day of release
Hear that? Silence. That's the sound you hear when the hype train is nowhere near you. Overlord hasn't had a particularly trumpeted release and have kept the PS3's exclusive content pretty close to their chest. Perhaps a little too close to their chest. Only today, on the day of release, do we know what extra stuff fills the game's Blu-ray. The PS3 version contains new levels (one new level for each of the game's five kingdoms) and enemies, as well as new features such as 7.1 surround sound support. There's also a new online co-op mode, online head-to-head battles and "enhanced visuals." To top it off there's also a new mini map and hints and tips which pop up throughout the game to prevent the player from getting stuck. Not a bad update, really. It certainly makes the game more tempting, whether you've already played it on the 360/PC or not.
It's deals time! Bourne, LEGO Indy and more
You've been waiting for it and now it's finally here. It's Sunday deals time where we dig through the Sunday newspaper, pull out the retail ads for the week, toss the actual news part of the newspaper in the garbage, look for Xbox 360 deals and share with you our findings. It's always good times! So, let's get to the money savings fun ...This week, Best Buy is offering Guitar Hero III for $75, a chance to buy an Indiana Jones DVD for $5 with the purchase of LEGO Indiana Jones, a free Bourne DVD with the purchase of The Bourne Conspiracy, $5 in concession money with Kung Fu Panda and they're still offering a free $50 gift card with purchase of an Xbox 360 console and GTAIV. Circuit City is giving out a free tshirt and a character unlock with LEGO Indiana Jones, a free Bourne DVD with the purchase of The Bourne Conspiracy, a free plush toy with Kung Fu Panda, Overlord for $15, a free Ryu wall graphix with Ninja Gaiden II and a $10 gift card with the purchase of either The Incredible Hulk or GRID. Finally, Target is giving away a $10 gift card with The Bourne Conspiracy. Phew!As always, feel free to comment about any deals you find when you are on your own weekly Xbox 360 deal search. Happy shopping!
Rule your own world with this Overlord video
If you didn't get enough of this game when it came out for the 360 last year, it's safe to say the PS3 release of Overlord will be the definitive version. Why? All the extra content we talked about before, including some tweaked and enhanced graphics. The only real way to judge that claim is to see it in action -- thus the video. Well, after you sit through the forty-five second intro we saw on TV last year. Not much else to say, really, so check it out and let us know if this is something you'll be looking into!
Overload on new Overlord media
Click for high-resolution image. Overlord: Raising Hell is coming to PS3 this June. This enhanced port of the Xbox 360 original contains new features not found in the original, such as newly detailed visuals, 7.1 surround sound and feature additions, such as the new on-screen mini-map. It will also include all the levels from Raising Hell.Players must take their minion horde and take over each abyss to claim the underworld throne, vanquishing all that get in the way. Yes, you'll have to get rid of pesky "hero" types as well. Our friends at X3F described the process of controlling your minions as "Pikmin-like." But more evil, of course.Check out new screens in our gallery below, and check out the new trailer at www.codemasters.com/overlordraisinghell.%Gallery-16953%
Overlord confirmed for PS3
It's taken them a while to admit it, but publisher Codemasters is finally ready to confirm the existence of Overlord on PS3, due for release this summer.Titled Overlord: Raising Hell (ouch), the PS3 version will include all the downloadable content previously released for the Xbox 360 and PC versions on one shiny, blu-ray disc. Aside from this additional content, the game will remain unchanged from its predecessors, for better or for worse. Minions ahoy![Via PS3 Fanboy]
Well what do you know? Overlord IS coming to PS3
We totally didn't see this one coming (oh wait, yes we did) - CVG is confirming that Overlord will be coming to the PS3 this summer. Thanks to the storage capacity of Blu-ray the game will come bundled with all of the downloadable content that's currently available for the 360 and PC versions on the same disc as the game. The PS3 version will be released under the name Overlord: Raising Hell to reflect the extra content.It's nice to get confirmation, even if Codemaster's vague quote all-but confirmed the game was coming. Sadly a more specific release date than "summer" isn't available, so it could arrive in four months or seven. Whichever happens, we'll be happy to finally get our hands on the game for our console of choice.
Rumour: Overlord coming to PS3?
Dutch site PS3 Party is reporting that Overlord, originally only for the Xbox 360 and PC, might be heading for the PS3. With no official announcement, this remains to be a complete rumour for now. We contacted Codemasters who gave us the following, very vague, statement: "After the release of the Overlord: Raising Hell expansion pack on Xbox Live Marketplace last week, there's been a definite increase in interest surrounding the dark adventures of the minion master. However, although we won't comment on rumour and speculation, I can certainly confirm that you haven't seen the last of the Overlord just yet."So we haven't seen the last of the Overlord. But wait, we haven't seen the Overlord at all, yet. We're not going to read too much into it, but at least there was no outright denial. Overlord, or some form of a sequel, would be really nice to see on the PS3.
Three Overlord DLC packs on Live Marketplace
In last year's onslaught of groundbreaking, AAA titles, there was a a good chance for smaller gems to get lost in the shuffle -- case in point: Overlord. With wallets tightened in preparation of the year's later blockbuster releases, not many people shelled out the cash to pick up this clever Pikmin-esque treat, and our hopes for the previously announced trio of downloadable expansions for the game faded as the winter months passed.However, just as surreptitiously as the game hit American store shelves, the three Overlord DLC packs recently crept onto Xbox Live Marketplace. For 800 MS Points you can grab the "Raising Hell" expansion, which adds some new levels and challenges to the single player campaign. The "Challenge Pack" goes for 400 MS Points, and adds 7 new multiplayer maps and a new campaign difficulty. And, for the low, low price of free, you can download a split-screen multiplayer mode to enjoy with a good friend, or better yet, your most trusted minion.
Better late than never: Overlord DLC on XBLM
Triumph Studios' quirky title Overlord was fairly decently recieved when we got our hands on it. The humor worked, the formula was fun, plus you got minions. The Pikimin-like gameplay worked so well that the devs figured it would be a worth endevor if they put resources into DLC development. However this DLC has taken much longer than expected to get here, so it may not sell as well as it might have back in November. The two packs that were slated for last year are here, along with a third, which is new. The "Raising Hell" Pack will be 800 MSpoints and is a single player expansion, adding new locations and goals. The "Challenge" pack will be 400 MSpoints and adds 7 multiplayer maps, and a harder single-player difficulty. Finally, the "Split-Screen" Pack will enable local split-screen play, and includes a single new map.The official, in-depth, DLC description after the break:
