Overlord II

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,641 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Overlord II Game Cover
Wickedly funny and diabolically evil, Overlord II may not be a true evolution of the fantasy series, but it still offers a refreshingly entertaining gaming experience.
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In Overlord II, players once again assume the role of the Overlord, a dark and powerful commander of minions, as they conquer and dominate the world. With new minions, abilities, and a more comprehensive command system, players can wreak havoc in both linear and open-world environments. The game features a blend of action, strategy, and black humor, resulting in a unique and entertaining experience.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,641 reviews
story75 positive mentions
grinding44 negative mentions
  • The game expands on the original with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics.
  • The humor is dark and satirical, providing a fun and entertaining experience.
  • The addition of minion mounts and the ability to resurrect minions adds depth to the gameplay.
  • The controls can be clunky and frustrating, especially when commanding minions.
  • There are numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
  • The story feels shorter and less engaging compared to the first game.
  • story306 mentions

    The story of "Overlord II" has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its humor and engaging characters, while others find it lacking compared to its predecessor. Many noted that the narrative is entertaining but feels shorter and less impactful, with a linear progression and repetitive quests. Overall, while the game retains some charm and wit, it struggles with bugs and pacing issues that detract from the storytelling experience.

    • “The story is engaging and humorous, with memorable characters and witty dialogue that keep players entertained throughout their quest for domination.”
    • “The dark humor, engaging storyline, and richly detailed world make it a standout title.”
    • “The story is fun and witty, allowing you to make your choice of being good or evil.”
    • “The story is not as long as the one in Overlord, but it has its own twists and turns, some humor, and some small changes to the minions as well.”
    • “The game lacks heavily in any meaningful side content, with the handful of quests outside of the main story being completed with minimal effort.”
    • “The story feels short, like you barely did anything.”
  • gameplay280 mentions

    The gameplay of "Overlord II" is a mix of action and strategy, featuring a unique minion management system that allows players to command various types of minions in combat and puzzle-solving scenarios. While many players appreciate the humor and charm of the game, criticisms include clunky controls, inconsistent mechanics, and a lack of polish compared to its predecessor. Overall, the game offers a fun experience with new mechanics, but it can feel repetitive and occasionally frustrating due to its execution.

    • “The gameplay of 'Overlord II' is a delightful blend of action and strategy.”
    • “Its combination of direct combat and strategic minion management provides a fun and engaging gameplay experience.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, the writing is funny, lighthearted, and entertaining.”
    • “Of course it's dated, the graphics aren't so good anymore and the gameplay can be very buggy.”
    • “I got softlocked like 3 times, the game expects you to know new mechanics that it never introduced or gave any tutorial. The controls are not listed for PC correctly; I had to search in forums how to do the spells because the game sucks at explaining it.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, not much has been improved, for better and for worse. The 'send minions to smash the crap out of x' mechanics are still wonky as all hell and could use a general improvement.”
  • humor250 mentions

    The humor in "Overlord II" is characterized by its dark, satirical tone, which contrasts with traditional fantasy narratives, making it a standout feature of the game. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, memorable characters, and the amusing antics of the minions, which contribute to a charming and often comical atmosphere. While some find the humor to be hit-or-miss or dated, many agree that it provides a refreshing and entertaining experience, especially for fans of the original game.

    • “The narrative is filled with dark humor and satirical takes on traditional fantasy tropes.”
    • “The story is engaging and humorous, with memorable characters and witty dialogue that keep players entertained throughout their quest for domination.”
    • “The humor is well-executed, providing a refreshing contrast to more serious fantasy games.”
    • “The humor in the game falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I expected more clever jokes, but most of the humor is just cringeworthy.”
    • “The attempts at humor often miss the mark and can be quite annoying.”
  • graphics114 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visuals and charming art style compared to its predecessor, while others note that the graphics feel dated and exhibit some bugs. Overall, the vibrant and unique design enhances the dark fantasy theme, though some players find the controls and animations lacking. Despite its age, the game still manages to deliver a visually appealing experience, particularly for fans of the genre.

    • “The art style is consistent with the dark fantasy theme, enhancing the game's immersive quality.”
    • “The game's visuals are vibrant and the design is unique, making it stand out in the fantasy genre.”
    • “For a game that's considered 'old' now, its graphics are quite good and the game runs absolutely fantastic, maintaining a high, smooth and extremely consistent framerate.”
    • “Graphics feel like Warcraft 3 but clunkier, which is unfortunate as a third-person over-the-shoulder perspective game. Horrible controls, unsatisfying combat, annoying voice actors.”
    • “Couldn't play much with 16 fps, even when lowering the graphics quality.”
    • “If you've never played an Overlord game before, don't start with this one: the graphics have aged terribly and the game altogether probably more so than its predecessor.”
  • grinding45 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the reduced grind compared to previous titles, many find it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when pursuing upgrades and completing side quests. The game features a variety of grinding tasks, from farming resources to completing repetitive quests, which can detract from the overall enjoyment and pacing. Overall, while some players enjoy the grindy elements as part of the experience, others feel it becomes a chore that hampers the game's potential.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “After beating the game (which was very tedious), there's really nothing else left to do but finish some lame quests.”
    • “The amount of choices is way smaller and simplified (aka obvious) and way, way more grindy.”
    • “I ended up only upgrading/forging the arcadium gear because I didn't want to spend hours grinding for gold and life force.”
  • stability36 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, such as unresponsive controls and AI issues. While some players find the bugs amusing or manageable, many agree that the overall stability is poor, with frequent game-breaking glitches and awkward mechanics detracting from the enjoyment. Despite its charm and potential, the game's age and technical shortcomings make it a less favorable experience compared to its predecessor.

    • “The game is definitely buggy from time to time, but at worst they are inconvenient while at best they are amusing.”
    • “I suspect such impeding glitches could still happen on this PC version; better be careful with saving on multiple slots just in case.”
    • “The game is filled with glitches, such as minions and enemies getting stuck, and objectives not triggering.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in the Overlord series is generally well-received, with many praising its humor and memorable tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players noted instances of missing background music and sound effects, the overall composition is considered a significant improvement, contributing to the game's unique atmosphere. The soundtracks are described as fitting and enjoyable, with a mix of peaceful melodies and engaging themes that complement the game's dark humor and action.

    • “Humorous, hilarious even at times, very well voiced, excellent music.”
    • “The story and characters are wonderfully witty and riddled with sarcasm, the gameplay is challenging and the soundtrack is gold.”
    • “Just like the first game, the music is fitting but not overbearing, but this time around much more memorable and even a treat to listen to out of the game.”
    • “Half of the game had no background music, which was boring when it was the case.”
    • “There isn’t a fancy soundtrack here unfortunately; the game does, however, have background sound and melody as you play, plunder, and explore.”
    • “The greatest disappointments for me were the credits and ending cinematic, major boss fights, the soundtrack which was okay, and the side quests of controlling a town.”
  • replayability19 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the hidden objectives and the ability to revisit areas, many feel that the linear storyline and lack of significant choices limit its long-term appeal. Although it offers enjoyable gameplay and some comedic elements, the absence of varied endings and a robust multiplayer experience leaves it with a weaker replay value compared to its predecessor.

    • “It's not some never-ending rabbit hole of a game, but it has just the right amount of hidden objectives and tricks to learn that keep it replayable.”
    • “So much replayability, so it is definitely worth the price.”
    • “Overlord the original was better in my opinion, but choices affecting your social standing and army power is still probably one of the greatest concepts in video games. Even so, Overlord 2 is still very enjoyable and gives many hours of storyline and strategy, with decent replayability such as going back to see what happens when you make different choices.”
    • “The only drawback to this game is in how replayable it is.”
    • “Great game, but no replay value outside of achievements.”
    • “The only con is there is not much replayability, which is sad because I would like to explore my conquered world.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report stable performance and consistent framerates, others experience significant stuttering and performance issues, even on high-spec machines. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be inconsistent, with some users finding it well-optimized and others deeming it nearly unplayable.

    • “The game runs stable with no crashes or performance issues experienced by me.”
    • “Overall, the game is well optimized with consistent framerates and good looking visuals.”
    • “As soon as I get to the main menu, it starts stuttering.”
    • “It's a good game, but expect massive unplayable stuttering.”
    • “Fun and funny, but performance is terrible, even on an above-spec machine.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a unique blend of humor and malevolence, creating a charming yet comical environment. While some players appreciate the cute and funny elements that contribute to a chill vibe, others feel that the sequel lacks the charm and character of the original, resulting in a more bland atmosphere overall.

    • “The contrast between your malevolent actions and the humorous world around you creates a charming and often comical atmosphere.”
    • “Absolutely fantastic game with an atmosphere that's rare to capture.”
    • “The minions are cute and funny, it makes the atmosphere of the game kind of chill and evil, of course.”
    • “It completely lacks the atmosphere, charm, and character the original exuded.”
    • “However, story-wise and atmosphere, I feel Overlord 2 is a bit more bland.”
    • “The atmosphere and the customization are also lacking!”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted as a strong point, with a fantastic storyline that explores the player's role as an overlord commanding minions. While the character designs and animations are praised for their quality and variety, some players note that the game may not offer infinite replayability or deep character arcs. Overall, the character design is improved, showcasing diverse looks and sizes among NPCs.

    • “The character designs and animations are really good and it always reminds me of classic Disney films turned mature in terms of how they're animated.”
    • “The character design has been improved as well; we have several different looks and sizes for the NPC characters in the game.”
    • “The story and character development is fantastic as you dive into the story of the overlord (you) and his role as the commander of evil and minions.”
    • “If you are expecting infinite replayability, character development, and a deep and meaningful storyline, you will probably be disappointed.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its focus on delivering a complete single-player experience without the intrusion of microtransactions or excessive DLC, reminiscent of a time when gaming prioritized enjoyment over profit-driven practices. Players appreciate the absence of mandatory multiplayer and the traditional monetization strategies that have become prevalent in the industry.

    • “A game between indie and AAA that cleanly encapsulates an era of single-player gaming before mandatory multiplayer, microtransactions, and massive DLC projects.”
    • “Remember when games were about having fun and not about how much they could cut out of a game to sell as microtransactions later?”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game resonates strongly with players who are complex thinkers or emotionally sensitive, offering a rich emotional experience that appeals to those who appreciate depth and nuance in storytelling.

    • “If you are a bit of a smart ass, complex thinker, or an emotional wreck, then this game is definitely for you.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Overlord II

Play time

13hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
16hMain story
25hCompletionist
6-34hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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