The story of Overlord II begins with the return of the evil Gnarl, who sets out to exact vengeance upon the Glorious Empire and its leaders. The player takes on the role of the Overlad, the son of the fallen Overlord, as he attempts to reclaim the lands of Nordberg from the Empire's grasp.
The gameplay of Overlord II is a mix of action and adventure, as the player must navigate through levels, fighting off enemies and overcoming obstacles. The Overlad can recruit four types of minions - browns, reds, greens, and blues - each with their unique abilities and strengths. These minions can be upgraded by collecting items from defeated enemies or broken chests, and the Overlad can also upgrade his own abilities by finding new spells, armor, and weapons.
The game features a variety of gameplay mechanics, including the ability to resurrect fallen minions and take direct control of them at specific points. This allows for new strategies and challenges, as the player must balance their minion's abilities with their own strength. Additionally, the game includes a multiplayer mode, where two players can compete against each other or work together to survive in wave after wave of enemies.