Overlord
- Overlord (1990 on TRS-80 CoCo)
- Overlord (1990 on Atari ST)
- Overlord (1994 on DOS, Amiga)
- Overlord (2007 on Windows, Xbox 360)
Description official description
Overlord is a real-time strategic warfare game where the player must manage large standing armies, economic capital, and political stability throughout a number of extra-dimensional star systems.
As the dictatorial ruler of the Epsilon Galaxy, the player has obtained complete, indisputable authority. However, during a scientific experiment in hyperdrive technology, Epsilon scientists discovered four "buffer" dimensions, each containing a number of barren planets that exist between the Epsilon Galaxy and another alien dimension. Unfortunately, the most powerful empires from these alternate dimensions have also just discovered these zones through their own experiments. The player must battle these alien species for control of these buffer worlds, to ensure that their rule in the Epsilon Galaxy remains intact.
To make the new planets useful in the player's campaign, they can purchase terraforming equipment which can transform them into tropical Gaian-esque worlds which are ideal for agriculture, mineral-rich and heavily volcanic worlds, desert planets capable of producing vast amounts of energy, or ecologically balanced planets that can support large cities which are readily able to generate significant income through taxation. In addition, the player can mine for resources and tax their citizens to raise money, construct spaceship-buildings to feed the populace, enlist soldiers and equip them, buy battle cruisers or other craft to move from planet to planet, and so on. The player can fight battles, colonize planets, and even spy on alien races. The end goal is to ensure that the other alien races do not gain the upper hand by conquering these four new dimensions before the player can.
The player cannot retreat from battle, as the only way to shut down the hyperspace link from their universe to Epsilon would be by vaporizing the player's homeworld, which is where the hyperspace generator is located. Politically (at the very least), this is not an option.
Blood will have to be shed for supremacy of the hyperspace planets, and for the player to become Overlord of these four new dimensions plus their own.
Screenshots
Promos
Credits (DOS version)
28 People · View all
Original Concept | |
PC Programming | |
PC Music | |
Amiga & C64/128 Programming | |
ST Programming | |
Visual Design & Computer Graphics | |
Music / Sound Programming | |
Additional Design | |
Programming Support | |
Introduction Sequence - Graphical Support & Design | |
Hardware Support | |
Manual | |
Manual Design | |
Packaging & Artwork |
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[ full credits ] |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 74% (based on 19 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 28 ratings with 2 reviews)
The Good
The graphics are bright and colorful - especially given the time that this game was released (c. 1990). The most striking visuals are in the still screen graphics that pop up from time to time, though, so don't expect to see in-game animated sequences or anything flashy like that. The rousing musical score that accompanies the introduction is complemented by some appropriately subtle background music while you play the actual game. Overall, Overlord shines in the audio-visual department.
The Bad
Alas, all of that chrome is for nothing! This title is sorely lacking when it comes to gameplay. It sounds good, of course: rule the universe as benevolent dictator or malevolent conqueror, square off against 4 different (AI-controlled) alien opponents, outfit your military with your choice of equipment, and plot your strategy for invading and conquering unoccupied or enemy worlds. So what could possibly be wrong?
Let me count the ways. The game is riddled with major design flaws that cancel out Overlord's considerable potential. For some reason, the game is real-time, and that is the first sticking point. The speed was not properly tuned for computers at the time of first release (too fast), and so naturally this problem has only gotten worse since that time. There is no way for the player to adjust the game speed, and pausing the game prevents you from issuing any orders. You can use a slowdown utility like Mo'Slo, but that can be tricky, so getting Overlord going on your PC at the right speed can be quite a bitch.
If you can get past that serious screw-up, you will notice that the game just doesn't make much sense as a 4X "spaceploitation" strategy title. Reach for the Stars, Imperium Galactum, and Master of Orion set the standard for fun by letting you research techs, design and build ships, engage in strategic and/or tactical combat, and enter into diplomatic negotiations with other civilizations. Guess what? None of these things are possible in Overlord. It's almost as if they were working on Master of Orion and then decided to jettison all of the cool stuff, leaving only the most boring resource management aspects in place.
The dumbest thing about Overlord - and perhaps one of the dumbest design decisions in any game ever - is that there is no ship-to-ship combat PERIOD. That's right, those epic naval battles from Star Trek and Star Wars that we all loved seem to have had absolutely no influence on the makers of Overlord. It's all about shipping armies and island hopping your way through the galaxy until you invade the enemy homeworld - which, by the way, is always located in the same place. I guess there is no need for randomness or replayability when you have all of that spreadsheet-quality fun to look forward to every game. Finally, the whole "ethical dilemma" aspect that the marketing people promised on the box wasn't included in the actual game. You have absolutely no incentive to focus on your own people's happiness or to win peacefully (which isn't even possible); you MUST be ruthless and crush your enemy into extinction. How banal!
If you can't tell by now, I didn't like Overlord. You might squeeze some fun out of it, but I would recommend you play just about every other similar game before this one.
The Bottom Line
Great graphics and sound don't mean a thing when the game is boring and doesn't make sense.
DOS · by PCGamer77 (3158) · 2007
This game beat the pulp out of me...
The Good
I loved the story, the intense "holy cow, I'd better get a move on or this alien is going to absorb all of my planets" atmosphere. Simple graphics, simple combat - you tell them where and when and they tell you if you won, not-at-all-simple gameplay.
The Bad
I hated the fact that even at easy I got the floor mopped with myself. I recognize the fact that I stink at strategy games... stink on ice, in fact. This game, however, seemed even harder than most I've played. I also hated the combat being automated... you send some guys, the alien sends some guys, something happens to your guys, you're informed that you've won or lost (usually lost).
The Bottom Line
I have the version of the game titled "Overlord" - much cooler cover art IMHO. This is a challenging strategy game with several skill levels and gameplay that leaves you staring at the clock and saying "It's WHAT time in the morning?" The sense of urgency you get in this game really adds to the fun, you always know how much more powerful your enemy is becoming (their face becomes more visible in the background of the interface screen as they gain power). If you're into strategy games or cool sci-fi exploration/ planet management/ kill aliens game then I suggest you check out this one.
DOS · by Paul Kostrzewa (13) · 2004
Discussion
Subject | By | Date |
---|---|---|
Suggestion of a new game group | 1xWertzui (1135) | Jan 30, 2017 |
Strategy guide | Andrew McGuiness | Apr 9, 2012 |
Trivia
Awards
- Commodore Force
- December 1993 (Issue 13) – #71 “Readers' Top 100”
- Enchanted Realms
- September 1991 (Issue #8) – Distinctive Adventure Award
Extras
Some versions of the game came with a free color poster featuring original box cover artwork.
Graphics
Although it was not revolutionary in terms of gameplay, Overlord was revolutionary in terms of its presentation. It was the first space empire-building game to have striking visuals, and it boasted a graphical (rather than text-based) interface
NES version
A year or two after being released for the PC (and also a few other computer platforms), Overlord resurfaced in a slightly modified form as Overlord for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). The detailed troop organization and management aspect was replaced with arcade-like, real-time combat sequences.
Information also contributed by Garcia
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Longwalker.
Amiga added by EboMike. Commodore 64 added by B.L. Stryker. NES, Atari ST added by PCGamer77.
Additional contributors: PCGamer77, SAGA_, Alaka, Silverblade, Narushima, FatherJack, heather sturmer.
Game added May 10, 2001. Last modified January 23, 2024.