Overlord II

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,102 reviews

story96 positive mentions

grinding57 negative mentions

story
408 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
6%
The story of "Overlord II" is a mix of humor and dark fantasy, featuring a lighthearted narrative that allows players to embrace their role as an evil overlord. While some players appreciate the engaging and witty dialogue, others find the plot repetitive and lacking depth compared to its predecessor. Overall, the storyline is entertaining but may feel short and linear, with limited impact from player choices.
- “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 takes you through various locales and introduces you to different races, each with its own quirks and challenges.”
- “The story is nothing to miss in your life.”
- “The story isn't particularly noteworthy, and actually feels quite short.”
- “Its sequel feels like it had a lot less thought put into the idea which makes the story feel kind of empty.”
gameplay
358 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The gameplay of "Overlord II" is a mix of action and strategy, featuring a variety of mechanics that enhance the experience, such as minion management and new abilities like possession. While many players appreciate the humor and unique gameplay elements, some criticize the controls as clunky and the overall execution as inconsistent, leading to moments of frustration. Overall, the game is seen as a solid sequel that builds on its predecessor, though it may not fully capture the charm and polish of the original.
- “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 dark humor, mischievous gameplay, and minion mechanics are better than ever.”
- “It's clear they were added to make gameplay more varied, but controlling them is just annoying: they turn too slowly, and it’s hard to aim precisely, which makes using them frustrating instead of fun.”
- “With some serious quality of life changes and generally looking surprisingly beautiful for its time, it still lacks the same charm and has a much more inconsistent and buggy gameplay loop compared to the original.”
- “The gameplay can be very buggy, and while the humor may be a matter of personal taste, the game mechanics and setting certainly aren't.”
humor
308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
The humor in "Overlord II" is characterized by its dark, irreverent tone and satirical takes on traditional fantasy tropes, often resulting in hilarious and memorable moments. While many players appreciate the witty dialogue and the comedic antics of the minions, some feel that the humor is less effective than in the original game, with a mix of juvenile and clever jokes that may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with gameplay, creating a unique experience that invites players to embrace their inner villain while enjoying a comedic narrative.
- “Who knew being evil could be so funny?”
- “The mix of dark humor, minion mayhem, and moral flexibility makes it an unforgettable experience.”
- “The narrative is filled with dark humor and satirical takes on traditional fantasy tropes.”
- “Irritatingly unfunny, repetitive gameplay, and the story feels like a 6th grade boy's wet dream.”
graphics
167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visual fidelity and charming art style that enhances the dark fantasy theme. While some players note that the graphics are dated compared to modern standards, they still hold up well for a game released in 2009, featuring vibrant environments and better animations than its predecessor. However, issues such as graphical glitches and clunky controls have been pointed out, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The art style is consistent with the dark fantasy theme, enhancing the game's immersive quality.”
- “The game's graphics have also seen a significant upgrade from the first game, with much more detailed and immersive environments.”
- “Despite being 14 years old, it holds up extremely well in terms of gameplay and stylized graphics.”
- “The graphics really look outdated by today's standards and gameplay is clunky.”
- “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.”
- “Choppy graphics and poor gameplay that does not compare to the original.”
grinding
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
3%
93%
The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when seeking upgrades or completing side quests. While some noted improvements in resource management and a reduction in grinding compared to the previous installment, others still felt that the game required excessive farming for materials and upgrades, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, the grinding mechanics received mixed feedback, with some players enjoying the challenge while others found it detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “However, resources are in such short supply that this is unrealistic unless you love grinding, so it's easy to end up settling for a mediocre weapon.”
- “The amount of choices is way smaller and simplified (aka obvious) and way, way more grindy.”
- “But after some time, you will need to start grinding if you wish to get better weapons and upgrade anything, and that mainly killed the game for me after a while.”
stability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely reported to be plagued by numerous bugs, affecting gameplay, controls, and camera functionality, which can lead to frustrating experiences. While some players find the glitches amusing or manageable, many express that the overall stability is significantly worse than its predecessor, with issues ranging from minor inconveniences to game-breaking errors. Despite its charming elements, the game's stability issues detract from the overall enjoyment and can make it feel outdated.
- “The game is filled with glitches, such as minions and enemies getting stuck, objectives not triggering.”
- “Extremely buggy, terrible minions.”
- “Not worth the anger it will cause you due to bad controls, horrible camera, buggy unit selection, and really bad level design.”
music
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
The music in the Overlord series is generally praised for its magical and epic quality, with many tracks being memorable and fitting the game's tone. However, some players noted inconsistencies, such as moments of silence and a lack of variety in the soundtrack, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack is often described as enjoyable and a highlight of the game, enhancing the whimsical and humorous atmosphere.
- “The music is fantastic, magical, and epic at the same time.”
- “An utter pleasure from start to finish, soundtrack included.”
- “The story and characters are wonderfully witty and riddled with sarcasm, the gameplay is challenging, and the soundtrack is gold.”
- “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.”
- “There are also numerous bugs throughout this game, the most notable being the music constantly cutting out and the awkward lighting issues.”
replayability
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
63%
21%
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 meaningful replay value, particularly compared to its predecessor, leaves some players wanting more.
- “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 different outcomes based on your 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.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering and poor performance during saving and loading, particularly at the main menu. However, others report stable performance with consistent framerates and no crashes, suggesting that experiences may vary based on individual hardware setups. Overall, while some users find the game well-optimized, many express frustration with its performance issues.
- “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.”
- “Let's be real, if you have performance issues in this game in 2022, it's your own fault.”
- “Poor performance in saving and loading, really frustrating!”
- “As soon as I get to the main menu, it starts stuttering.”
- “Fun and funny, but performance is terrible, even on an above-spec machine.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the preservation of the original's fairy-tale charm and the humorous contrast with darker themes, others feel that the sequel lacks the unique character and depth of its predecessor. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both charming and comical, but some reviews indicate a decline in its richness and customization compared to the first game.
- “The second game does a great job of preserving the style and fairy-tale atmosphere of the original, which is nice to see, though the gameplay is noticeably faster and more intense.”
- “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.”
- “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 development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
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 growth. Overall, the character design has seen improvements, adding diversity to NPC appearances.
- “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.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and happiness, often reminding them of their youth. It resonates particularly well with those who are introspective or emotionally sensitive, making it a compelling experience for complex thinkers and emotional individuals alike.
- “It just made me feel oddly happy.”
- “The summer smell in the air and my youth days playing this has made me feel quite nostalgic.”
- “If you are a bit of a smart ass, complex thinker, or an emotional wreck, then this game is definitely for you.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its focus on delivering a complete single-player experience without the interference of microtransactions or excessive DLC, reminiscent of a time when gaming prioritized enjoyment over profit-driven practices.
- “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?”