However, the game was rated for ages 16+. The game can also be ended without affecting the neutral pieces. But even if you take on the role of a potential villain in the game, you are not forced to do evil all the time. The appearance of the overlord and his tower adapts accordingly. Similar to the Lionhead games Fable or Black & White, the player can decide at several points in the game whether he wants to act good or bad. Ä«etween the combat-oriented missions, the player returns to his tower in order to further expand it there with the help of his loot or to learn new skills and improve his equipment similar to a computer role-playing game.
The game mechanics of Overlord and the control of the minions are very reminiscent of the Pikmin series from Nintendo. A total of four different types of minions with their own strengths and weaknesses are available to the player in the course of the game, from which he can build an army of up to 50 minions.
During the missions, they are primarily the ones who take on the battles for their master, plunder villages, attack opponents, open doors and drag in treasures. At his side are the so-called henchmen, small goblin-like beings who, on the orders of their master, throw themselves into combat under AI control or perform small puzzles. In the character of the player character, a new overlord is born, who from now on endeavors to rebuild his tower, bring the seven heroes to their just punishment and usurp world domination. With the help of his hordes of minions equipped with various skills, the overlord begins a campaign of revenge against the heroes.
But the success and the admiration of the people went to the head of the former heroes and so they developed themselves into tyrants who exploited the people even worse. Originally the overlord was the oppressor of all the surrounding lands until he was defeated by the heroes. The player slips into the role of the overlord, a classic antagonist whose predecessor was defeated by seven heroes and whose home, his tower, was completely destroyed.