Etrange Overlord Review – Hell Has Never Been This Musical

Etrange Overlord Review

I’m a pretty big anime nerd. So I’m always willing to try any anime-style or anime-adapted titles that float my way. The results are often very hit-or-miss, however. It’s hard to transplant that specific storytelling and visual style to an interactive medium. Etrange Overlord makes a proper effort, and you know what? It’s a dang decent showing, all things considered. I’d still rather watch this musical hell-based isekai than play it, but the game is a lot of fun.

The story follows a uniquely self-centered princess as she slowly takes over hell. After being executed for treason, she wakes up in the underworld. It turns out you need the tiniest shred of guilt in order to suffer Hell’s punishments. Since Etrange has never done anything wrong in her entire life (according to her), the whips and chains of the underworld are totally insubstantial. Right away, you get the sense that this young woman is uhhh, inexperienced at being refused. She’s extremely stubborn, headstrong, and utterly incapable of giving up. It’s honestly quite charming.

Welcome To Hell

Did I mention this is also a musical? Etrange routinely steps away from the action to advance the plot with a spotlight and a song. The tracks are more expository than infectious, to be sure. There’s a rigid style on display that speaks to my ignorance regarding Japanese stage musicals more than anything else. Still, she can really sing, and it rules that she does so frequently. I would have loved more songs from more characters, but I’m pretty happy with what we got. As always, my focus was on the gameplay rather than the trappings that surrounded it.

Unfortunately, said gameplay feels pretty threadbare at times. You’re either watching cutscenes or locked in combat, with only a whisper of an overworld map in between. The fighting is fun enough, but it doesn’t get intense or engaging for several chapters. Your only serious challenge comes when you’re defending an objective. If you’re on the offensive, the enemy doesn’t stand a chance.

Unstoppable Protagonist

The trouble is, you’re playing as a superpowered Mary Sue isekai protagonist. We’re here to watch a cool and collected heroine sweep her way through a wacky, heartwarming power fantasy. There’s precious little space for genuine challenge in a scenario like this one. On the other hand, I’m pleased that you’re not struggling mightily against a handful of peons, given how powerful you’re supposed to be.

So yeah, Etrange Overlord isn’t terribly difficult for most of its runtime. Which is honestly fine, given the circumstances. It would be extremely weird if Etrange was constantly getting rinsed by everyone she met. This is a protagonist who was gifted with incredible dark magic, endless tenacity, and peerless leadership skills. There’s hardly a demon in Hell who stands a chance against her.

Fun While It Lasts

Thankfully, the actual gameplay is downright buttery. You’re leading a party of demons into a real-time action arena. Lanes of musical notes drift through, carrying power-ups and healing items on a glittering conveyor belt. You’ve got a mashable standard strike, and an occasional special move. Each character is limited in their attack options, but you’ve got a massive stack of fighters to choose from before long. Every battle descends further and faster into pure chaos. By the end of the game, the entire field is routinely drowning in enemies, explosions, and glowing attack effects. It’s delightful.

Although I love anime, and I love games, I often find the two somewhat diminished when combined. Etrange Overlord is an excellent story, with clever dialogue and wonderful voice acting coming together to keep you hooked for more or less the whole runtime. And yet, the actual gameplay falls a bit short. The combat is fun, though it ramps up a little slowly. There’s not much to the gameplay loop beyond the numerous battles, a few of which are a real drag. This game is a real blast to watch, and alright to play. Even so, any anime fans out there will surely find something to latch onto with this one.

***A Steam key was provided by the publisher***