We have all the time been large followers of Vanillaware right here at Push Sq.. The gifted Japanese developer has been crafting bangers for many years now, and its newest launch, a stunning technique RPG referred to as Unicorn Overlord, is arguably one among its finest video games thus far.
So, after we had been handed the chance to interview somebody who’s labored carefully with the studio for fairly a while, we merely could not refuse. We requested producer Akiyasu Yamamoto concerning the long-term relationship between writer Atlus and Vanillaware, the developer’s internal workings, and Unicorn Overlord itself.
Push Sq.: To begin with, are you able to inform us about your position at Atlus and Vanillaware? The 2 firms have partnered on a whole lot of video games at this level.
Akiyasu Yamamoto, Producer: Hi there, Push Sq. readers! I’m honored that you’re taking an curiosity in Unicorn Overlord. I’ve been the producer and challenge supervisor for ATLUS x Vanillaware titles since Odin Sphere for the PlayStation 2, along with Dragon’s Crown, Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir, Dragon’s Crown Professional, and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.
It seems like Vanillaware is an extremely constant studio, all the time releasing top quality video games. How do you assume the group has maintained this degree of high quality through the years?
Vanillaware is a superb studio and I’m proud to work carefully with them. To your query, I feel the keenness of Vanillaware’s workers is mirrored within the sport itself. As a writer, we concentrate on ensuring that their passionate creativity is mirrored within the sport and the outcomes of that zeal is handed alongside to the gamers. We assist present assist in quite a few methods comparable to high quality management, debugging, monitoring, and in any manner we will because the writer.
Unicorn Overlord has clearly launched and it has been very properly obtained. As a producer, how does it really feel to see your sport garner such optimistic reactions?
We’re grateful for the optimistic suggestions we’ve obtained. We’re joyful to see our distinctive sport system resonated with many individuals around the globe.
Unicorn Overlord is one other instance of Vanillaware making an attempt one thing new. It is a a lot completely different sport to Dragon’s Crown, or 13 Sentinels, for instance — and that type of flexibility is one thing that a whole lot of builders do not try. Are you able to supply any perception into why Vanillaware not often sticks to at least one style?
As a writer, I can’t communicate concerning the insurance policies and manufacturing strategies of the event group, however I can say from my viewpoint that [Unicorn Overlord] was created by way of love, persistence, and dedication of the director, Mr. Noma, and the primary planner, Mr. Nakanishi, to create the “supreme simulation RPG”.
It isn’t tough to think about that growing a sport system that doesn’t exist, as a brand new IP, is a steady grasp at nighttime and isn’t primarily based on a way or framework that’s streamlined. The mindset is being open to challenges, not fearing trial and error, and to have the ability to pursue “a sport value exhibiting to the world” is what’s widespread in our attitudes in direction of all ATLUS x Vanillaware titles.
What was it prefer to work on Unicorn Overlord? Did the challenge differ in any respect from what you have completed previously?
One distinction is that the director of the earlier ATLUS X Vanillaware titles, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Dragon’s Crown, and Odin Sphere was Moriharu Kamiya. The director of Unicorn Overlord is Takafumi Noma, and I feel you will need to observe that the director of Unicorn Overlord is completely different from the director of the earlier video games.
Additionally, as talked about in your earlier query, the idea of every ATLUS x Vanillaware product is clearly completely different. This title was a check to the simulation RPG style, so in that sense it was a problem placing it collectively from scratch with numerous trial and error. I personally assume it was a really thrilling manufacturing course of, unchanged from different works.
Are there any plans to increase Unicorn Overlord with updates or further content material?
There are presently no plans to create further downloadable content material. As well as, ATLUS started improvement of this title with Vanillaware in 2016, and the preliminary improvement platforms had been PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. The sport market has modified dramatically previously 8 years, and we requested Vanillaware to assist twice as many platforms as initially deliberate (PS4 / PS5 / Nintendo Swap / Xbox X|S) and to launch the sport concurrently everywhere in the world.
The choice to pick out the present platform was made by the writer, ATLUS, and we sincerely admire the dedication and assist from Vanillaware. With this in thoughts, there are presently no plans to port the sport to the PC.
Now we have to ask, do you could have any favorite characters in Unicorn Overlord? Are there any unit mixtures you all the time end up utilizing?
The attraction of characters in simulation RPGs is just not solely the dramatic side, but in addition the room for customers to complement and picture their very own characterization from the unit’s efficiency. I keep in mind taking part in a whole lot of simulation RPGs within the 90s. On the time, I had private recollections of elevating my characters in order that I may do no matter I wished, comparable to rising my bandit right into a sturdy one and breaking into treasure chest rooms alone or rising the mobility of my knight in shining armour to defeat enemies early and destroying them with long-range assaults.
After I take into consideration that non-public reminiscence, I choose Hoplite and Thief. Additionally, Lex’s phrases and actions are cute, and I really feel that he and Travis type an ideal friendship. Chloe’s potential to take care of the assorted conditions in battle is extraordinarily good… The record is countless once I begin speaking concerning the attraction of the characters within the group, so I am going to cease right here [laughs].
And eventually, is there something you’d prefer to say to Western Unicorn Overlord and Vanillaware followers?
We want to take this chance to thank all those that have bought our merchandise. We’re very honored and happy to listen to that we’ve got obtained super assist from folks within the West. It’s much more than we had initially anticipated. Thanks a lot.
This work is a “jewel” created by individuals who had been astonished by the creation of simulation RPGs of 30 years in the past, and who’ve a burning longing and need for these genres. That is the “supreme” that Mr. Noma, the director, and Mr. Nakanishi, the primary planner, have devoted their lives to supply, and we might be joyful if these studying this text and have an interest within the sport and haven’t checked it out but, would take a look at the free demo model at the moment and try it out.
Enormous because of Yamamoto-san for taking the time to reply our questions. Particular because of Ash Harvey and the group at SEGA for making this interview doable.
Have you ever tried Unicorn Overlord for your self? Are you a fan of Vanillaware’s video games? What are your hopes for the developer’s future? Gawk at some brilliantly drawn characters within the feedback part beneath.
