Overlord (Supremacy)

Game review

Released in 1990, Overlord (also known as Supremacy) is a captivating game of galactic domination that offers a compelling blend of strategy, resource management, and tactical planning. While it may draw comparisons to the classic Master of Orion (MOO) for its solid gameplay and sophisticated AI, Overlord distinguishes itself with a less intuitive user interface and a more pronounced emphasis on the logistical aspects of galactic conquest rather than on dramatic space battles.

Dubbed by some as chess in space, Overlord challenges players to conquer the solar system through careful management and strategic expansion. Players start on their home planets, positioned at opposite ends of the solar system, much like opposing sides in a game of chess. However, unlike chess, Overlord introduces a myriad of considerations beyond simple unit maneuvering. The game falls into the 4X genre (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate), allowing players to adjust tax rates, purchase spaceships, and terraform planets to make them habitable. Success in the game is achieved through prudent resource management and cautious territorial expansion, with the ultimate goal of overtaking the entire solar system, culminating in a decisive battle for the enemy's home planet.

The difficulty level in Overlord directly influences the number of planets within the solar system, thereby affecting the game's length and complexity. The hardest level presents a formidable challenge, akin to the most difficult settings in other strategy games like MOO, demanding even greater strategic depth and resourcefulness from the player.

Despite its strengths, Overlord has faced criticism for its spreadsheet-like gameplay, heavily reliant on statistics and numerical representations of events, which might deter players looking for more visually stimulating depictions of space battles. The game's focus remains firmly on the management of resources and strategic planning, rather than on graphical representations of conflict.