War for the Overworld - The Under Games Expansion Review Summary

The expansion adds substantial content and distinct Underlords with unique playstyles, but crippled strategies, cheating AI with insane speed, and a weak campaign hurt it.

Distinct Underlords with unique traits: The DLC introduces four playable Underlords, each with unique traits, themes, and playstyles that significantly alter strategies. This diversity is praised for adding replayability and personality to the game.

Expansion adds substantial content: The DLC includes a wealth of new content: themes, traps, constructs, sins, minions, and mechanics. This expansion is seen as adding many hours of play and greatly expanding tactical options.

Positive reception of DLC overall: Many reviewers consider this the best DLC for the game, praising its additions and the continued support from developers. It is highly recommended for fans.

Fun and enjoyable experience: The DLC is described as fun, intense, and enjoyable, providing a breathless experience on higher difficulties. It adds new and exciting content that players love.

Underlord-specific mechanics and units: Each Underlord has unique mechanics, units, and buildings that cater to different playstyles, such as Shale's aggressive beasts or Volta's fortifications. This adds depth and variety.

Underlord strategies are crippled: Game mechanics are split among four Overlords, each with severely limited viable strategies. Static defense Overlords are useless against beast-focused Overlords, and unique strengths are often disabled.

Banshee shrines are overpowered: Banshee shrines continuously spawn Banshees that cannot be destroyed, only captured, leading to overwhelming waves. Floating Banshees add constant pressure and can wipe out units, especially when playing as Shale.

Game feels like work: The repetitive and frustrating gameplay makes it feel like a chore rather than fun. Fun value is almost zero, and it's not recommended for purchase.

AI cheats with insane speed: AI opponents amass troops rapidly, replace losses instantly, and have high APM that feels like cheating. This makes missions a grind or speed run and ruins the fun.

Campaign and story lacking: There is no campaign or conclusion to any campaign, and no new campaign. The story is minimal, with no follow-up to the betrayal by Mendechaus, and missions lack narrative depth.

Multiple Underlords with unique playstyles: The campaign offers four different Underlords, each with distinct abilities, perks, strengths, and weaknesses. Players can choose from themed Underlords that provide varied strategic options.

Maps and level variety: The DLC adds several new maps with varied objectives, some linear and others open-ended. Map designs can lead to stalemates, and some levels focus on defense or stealth.

New defenses and structures: The DLC introduces new defenses, structures, traps, and constructs. Moongates allow teleportation, and Nether Shrines spawn Banshees that attack enemy cores.

Campaign structure and progression: The campaign features a tournament-style progression with elimination rounds against AI Underlords. It includes story dialogues, an intro video, and a mission select board.

New game modes introduced: The DLC adds modes like King of the Underhill (capture and hold points) and Core Shards (destroy separate core fragments). These modes alter objectives and force multi-directional combat.

DLC Mixed Recommendations: Opinions on the DLC are highly polarized, with some strongly recommending it and others advising against it. Many reviews condition their recommendation on player preferences and prior experience with the game.

Appeals to WFTO Fans: Dedicated fans of War for the Overworld and Dungeon Keeper are encouraged to buy the DLC to complete their collection. It is seen as essential for avid players.

Best DLC Available: Some players consider this the best DLC for the game, praising its content and value. It is highly recommended for those who enjoy the base game.

Combat-Focused Expansion: The expansion is described as more combat-focused, dense, and replayable, appealing to players who already understand the game's mechanics. It offers intense scenarios for those seeking a challenge.

Recommend Other DLCs: Less avid consumers are advised to start with Heart of Gold and Pet Dungeon before trying The Under Games. These DLCs are praised for being amazing and funny.

Players report this DLC never becomes fun because it lacks progression and repeats the same missions, making it feel like busywork. No review identifies a point where enjoyment begins.

Friction: No progression; every mission feels the same; Repetitive mission design; Forced replay of each mission at least four times; Busywork-like pacing; Poor victory cutscene or reward feedback.

Relaxed Difficulty-Seeking Casual: Plays on lower or customizable difficulty, favoring relaxed campaign and skirmish runs over high-pressure competitive modes. Motivation: To enjoy the dungeon strategy content at a comfortable pace without competitive frustration. Stance: buy.

Competitive Underlord Strategist: Plays tournament-style skirmish and crucible modes at high difficulty, optimizing each Underlord and fighting for map control. Motivation: To master competitive map-control scenarios and adapt Underlord strategies for challenging wins. Stance: buy.

Dungeon-Building Traditionalist: Focuses on base-building, previous DLC, and main-game content while avoiding competitive map-control modes. Motivation: To preserve the classic dungeon-building and campaign experience rather than play competitive or repetitive scenarios. Stance: no buy.

DLC adds four Underlords: The DLC introduces a campaign where players control four distinct Underlords, each with unique traits and abilities. This adds variety and replayability to the expansion.

Challenging design and achievements: The game is designed to be challenging, with main campaign and level achievements that test player skill. This appeals to players seeking a demanding experience.

New modes and maps: Expansions include competitive scenarios, new game modes, and additional maps with improved AI. This broadens the gameplay experience beyond the base campaign.

Spiritual successor to Dungeon Keeper: It feels like the game the original creators of Dungeon Keeper would have made if they had time, appealing to fans of that classic.

Tournament mode is scripted: The campaign is presented as a tournament but is scripted and not a true tournament mode. It features elimination rounds against AI Underlords.