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US, February 7, 2009 - Well, if you haven't finished the last Overlord add-on, we're going to go ahead and spoil this much for you: the Overlord isn't around to be the villain in this sequel. You'll begin this game as his unknowing heir, the Overlad. He's got his dad's powers but he still isn't quite sure how he got them or how to use them yet. Over the course of the game, he'll develop and mature and eventually become an even nastier, meaner version of the first Overlord.

At the beginning of the story, the Glorious Empire is working to stamp out all the magic in the world. And since you're obviously displaying some magical abilities, the folks in your town happen to tie you up and make some plans to turn you over to the authorities. Luckily, the minions recognize the Overlord's legacy within you and conspire to rescue you before the Empire gets their hands on you. Your quest now is to uncover your powers, seek revenge on the townsfolk who turned you in and then take down the Glorious Empire.

Fans of the original game had wanted things to be a bit nastier and the developer is working to make the choices a little more villainous. First and foremost, you'll have an opportunity to choose between destruction and domination. You can make a choice to enslave towns or burn them to the ground and that choice will have an impact on how you develop, the spells you can use and the options available to you in the Netherworld.

The minions have improved as well. Their mobility has increased so they'll be able to climb walls and make use of mounts that let them jump over rivers. New scripting gives you the option to send them off on independent missions through possession powers. Better still, the minions that you become particularly attached to can even be resurrected when they die.

Finally, the Overlord will now have the chance to sit on the throne in their stronghold and listen to the petitions of their various subjects. You might have a townsperson come in and tell you about the arrogant actions of a nearby town. This type of thing will open up a side quest for the Overlord to go out and take down the rival town.
Overlord II is currently scheduled for a summer release.