We’ve Overlooked One of the Year’s Best RPGs: A Strategy Game Worth Remembering

Writing about video games might sound like a dream job, and in many ways, it is. However, like any gig, it has its less glamorous aspects. One of the challenges is that I sometimes struggle to find games that truly excite or motivate me. Playing games that don’t align with my personal tastes as often as every week for thorough coverage can shift me into ‘work mode’ rather than ‘fun mode.’ I mean, clocking in 50 hours on a Call of Duty title in one week can be daunting, especially when balancing it with editing chores, meetings, and deciphering Google’s latest Core Update with colleagues.

Yet, earlier this year in March, Unicorn Overlord arrived like a breath of fresh air. This game sparked a level of enthusiasm I haven’t felt in quite some time. From the moment I got my hands on the preview, and later the review copy, it captivated me. It was easy to pour a hundred hours into it in just two weeks—playing in bed, on trips, or during lulls at a concert. It pulled me out of the rut of ‘meh’ work games and genuinely enriched my life.

Now, if I were to describe Unicorn Overlord, I’d liken it to an exquisite meal savored at an upscale restaurant you might only visit on special occasions. It’s polished, indulgent, and a bit eccentric—not something easily replicated at home or found among less prestigious eateries. It masterfully combines familiar elements with unexpected twists that delight your senses.

Unicorn Overlord is a tactical RPG with a unique twist—it’s almost like a game that plays itself at times. It gives you the sensation of commanding a small army, focusing more on recruitment, management, and deployment rather than the nitty-gritty of battlefield combat. It cleverly combines the best aspects of Final Fantasy 12’s Gambit System with the favored elements of the Tactics Ogre series, throwing in ideas from Fire Emblem for good measure.

The game carries a nostalgic 1990s essence, echoing classics like Langrisser and Shining Force. Yet, in Vanillaware’s signature style, it takes the expected norms of the genre and reshapes them into something fresh and exciting. The magic of Unicorn Overlord is that it feels like nothing else I’ve ever played.

Take the combat for example. You can skip battles entirely if you desire. The game calculates outcomes behind the scenes using hidden algorithms. You can dedicate countless hours to fine-tuning your characters, forming the perfect squads, and directing your units with confidence that they’ll crush their foes. But winning battles isn’t the sole focus here, is it?

Much like Fire Emblem, there’s a rich narrative layer driven by pairing characters and witnessing their interactions. Observing how their skills synergize—or clash—is captivating, almost addictively so. Playing Unicorn Overlord on the Switch, aiming for perfection on the game’s maps, I found myself missing my stop on the Tube multiple times in a single week. It’s that engrossing.

What sets Unicorn Overlord apart is how it transforms even the simplest battles into critical engagements. On higher difficulties, you’ll need the knowledge of your entire army akin to a seasoned commander just to progress. This game urges you to think strategically, every easy encounter disguised as life-and-death stakes.

It’s evident Unicorn Overlord is a superb RPG because it elicits emotions over slight gains or losses. You’ll cheer when a minor tweak results in your air unit’s damage output increasing by 5%, and grumble when a 95% accuracy attack misses, forcing a complete reevaluation of your strategy. Vanillaware deftly balances challenge with reward, crafting one of the most complex, engaging RPG sandboxes seen in years.

This year has been stacked with standout RPGs, yet Unicorn Overlord has flown somewhat under the radar. If you’re on the hunt for something truly outstanding and distinctive this holiday season, I would suggest diving into this game, even over my top pick for Game of the Year. It’s a fantastic way to reset and refresh your mind for the year ahead.