I was seriously thinking if I was gaslighting myself with nostalgia when thinking about the Overlord...

But NO!!! That game is special. I installed it again, and I don't believe any game ever again managed to capture the feeling of conquest as well as this series.

It's not abstract. Each house and each box is there for you to pillage. The minions under your command are jumping around with glee as the town is burning in front of you.

You are in charge. You are the OVERLORD!!!

(Yeah, it is heavily scripted on-rails experience, but It is an experience, that is made to perfection. I also love the style, that seems to be shared with Fable and a few other games. I am not sure what this "fairytale moralism" artstyle is, but I can't get enough of it.)