Despite the current strength of the RPG genre, the 1990s marked a golden era for JRPGs. Developers like Square, Enix, and Atlus produced timeless classics that still hold a special place in fans' hearts. Last year's Sea of Stars captured the essence of this era by blending nostalgia with innovative ideas. Now, Unicorn Overlord follows suit, paying homage to the strategy and tactics RPG gems of the '90s.
The creators behind Unicorn Overlord from Vanillaware aimed to revitalize the tactical RPG landscape by drawing inspiration from a plethora of games within the genre. Similarly, Sabotage's Sea of Stars not only reveres the iconic Chrono Trigger but also borrows elements from other SNES and PlayStation-era JRPGs, offering a comforting familiarity to players.
Honoring RPG Legacy
Both Sea of Stars and Unicorn Overlord stay true to the roots established by their predecessors. These titles don't just replicate the past; they amalgamate influences from various renowned games while incorporating modern advancements to craft something fresh. While Sea of Stars draws from Chrono Trigger and Unicorn Overlord nods to Ogre Battle, their inspirations extend across the RPG spectrum.
Among the games inspiring Sea of Stars are:
- Chrono Trigger (world map, music, narrative)
- Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario (combat system & character growth)
- Golden Sun (puzzles & dungeon design)
- Secret of Mana (exploration, character & enemy design)
While this list is not exhaustive, each title contributes a unique aspect that Sea of Stars revitalizes with a contemporary twist.
Conversely, Unicorn Overlord set out to distill the essence of legendary strategy RPGs to forge a novel experience. Building on the success of Dungeon's Crown, which reimagined classic beat 'em ups, the developers turned their attention to the TRPG genre, drawing from titles like Fire Emblem, Tactics Ogre, and Final Fantasy Tactics, as well as lesser-known gems like Dragon Force and Dragon Force 2.
Like Sea of Stars, Unicorn Overlord has a primary inspiration in Ogre Battle but incorporates a blend of influences that could lead to its own success story, echoing the triumph of games that pay tribute to RPG history.