If you’re one of the many looking forward to playing the upcoming Vanillaware and Atlus title, Unicorn Overlord, we’re right there with you. However, as you may have noticed, the upcoming Tactical RPG is only being released for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch, which is pretty much every gaming console out there. Except, as likely, I have also noticed that the PC isn’t anywhere on that list. I’m an advocate of PC gaming and have been for a while. I’ve been stomped about why this Unicorn Overlord wasn’t coming to PC and now we know why.
Thanks to the efforts of Destructoid, who recently reached out to Vanillaware and Atlus, it would seem that Vanillaware’s ball is squarely in its court, according to Atlus producer Akiyasu Yamamoto. Akiyasu Yamamoto goes on to say that while Atlus, as a publisher, would like to deliver the game to PC users, the agreement between Atlus and Vanillaware forbids it. Thanks to this, there are no plans to deliver Unicorn Overlord to the PC.
It’s not the answer many, including myself, were looking forward to, but this is it nonetheless. However, what bothers me is this answer is pretty much something I’d tell my child if they wanted something and I didn’t want to give it to them. It goes something like, “Dad, can I have a cookie?” “No.” Followed up by “Why?” and ending with, “Because I said so.”
Vanillaware provides zero reasoning as to why they are against putting its games onto the PC. When I say PC, Unicorn Overlord isn’t the only Vanillaware title that hasn’t made its way to the PC. We can lump in Dragon Crown, Dragon Crown Pro, Oden Sphere, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, to name a few.
What strikes me odd about this all is Unicorn Overlord is a Tactical RPG, which is a genre that while has enjoyed some success on consoles, has made its home on the PC platform. Yet, despite this, Unicorn Overlord, at least for now (and maybe never), will see a PC release. And honestly, that is just bad business. Vanillaware, for whatever reason, will drop this gem onto every other gaming platform but exclude the PC, as well as the vast amount of money that goes with it. Thousands of PC gamers have expressed their displeasure over this decision and would instantly materialize money to satisfy Atlus and Vanillaware if the decision was reversed. But as it stands now, it’s almost like the company doesn’t like money.
Maybe Vanillaware is afraid of the PC modding scene that would do things to the crafted masterpiece they have developed. Perhaps it is afraid of the game being pirated and apparently missed the memo that the Switch isn’t immune to pirating. Perhaps it’s a cultural thing. Who knows at this point? While the company isn’t likely to tell anyone, I’d love to know the reasoning behind this all.
Regardless, we’re at an impasse, and Unicorn Overlord just isn’t coming to the PC, which is unfortunate. So, if you want to play it on March 8, 2024, pick up the title on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch.
Oh, I’m still going to be playing the game. I’d be an idiot to say I wouldn’t be. But I’d rather be playing it on my ROG Ally instead of doing so on my Switch, so I can play it on the go. Regardless, I’m sitting here, waiting for my Unicorn Overlord Collector’s Edition to be delivered.