In Overlord II, the new Overlord and a more powerful Minions horde take on the Glorious Empire, an advanced Romanesque nation, in a truly epic yet familiarly warped adventure. Ever since the events at the end of Overlord: Raising Hell, the Overlord has been absent from the world and, without his firm grip on the kingdom, the lands have being conquered by the Glorious Empire. On the surface, the Glorious Empire is a civilisation driven by righteous politicians and supported with a mighty military force. However, in practice the Empire is decadent, corrupt and dangerous. And if there's one thing the Glorious Empire hates, it's magic and magical beings.
As the game opens, the Empire’s Inquisition is on the hunt for anyone who has magical resonance. In the Arctic wastelands, where Yetis roam, lies the snowy town of Nordberg. Here a young lad is singled out by the Inquisition and accused of possessing a magical force (what with him having strange glowing eyes and everything). However, as he is led off, the Empire guards come under attack from a band of strange little leathery, big-eared, yellow-eyed beasts: it’s the Minions! With a rousing cry of “Master” the devilishly charming critters carry the boy off – they’ve found their new Overlord.
The ‘Battle Rock Nemesis’ downloadable content installs the imposing ‘Battle Rock’ arena in the Netherworld which plays host to a series of new combat challenges as the player progresses through the game. Gamers harvest life force as they wreak havoc upon Nordburg Hunters and Gnomes in practice rounds and then take on fearsome foes, including the Satyr, the Empire’s Champion, and the fabled Phoenix in a series of boss battles which unlock new rewards including more powerful spells and in-game items for the Overlord and his Minions. On Xbox 360, players can earn Achievements worth 100 points through winning the boss battles.
The ‘Battle Rock Nemesis’ downloadable content is available now from PPlayStation Store (£3.19 / €3.99 / $5.00) and today on Xbox Live Marketplace (400 Microsoft Points).
Details of downloadable content for the PC edition of Overlord II will be announced shortly.
After some years of intensive Minion training, players will step into the now-adult sized boots of the Overlord. Initially it’s a rag-tag band of Minions under his command but off they go, looting, destroying and laying waste to the lands around Nordberg, scoring victories where they can, before setting sights on the lands at the very heart of the Empire.
As the Overlord’s powers grow, the secrets of the Empire, and those of his own origins, will be revealed and then it’s time to go Minion maximus on the Empire’s collective ass. Players will be able to choose how to wield the Overlord’s evil forces. Do they plunder and pillage across the lands, burn cities on a whim in wild acts of destruction? Or do they follow a path of domination, enslaving towns and exerting their will upon the people? Only true despots will be able to make the ultimate choice between being a ‘destructive’ or a ‘dominating’ dark lord.
Overlord II is in development for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, currently scheduled for release in North America on June 23, 2009, and Europe on June 26, 2009.
More articles about Overlord II