Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen (PS4) Review
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Publisher/Devloper:
Platform: PlayStation 4 (Reviewed), PS Vita
Price: $59.99
Previously, The Gamers Lounge has reviewed two titles in the Utawarerumono (The One Being Sung) series: Mask of Deception and Mask of Truth. While enjoyable in their own right, they are best played together. However, they are parts two and three in a trilogy, with the original Utawarerumono never making it overseas. This is being rectified with the release of Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen, where we learn the origins of the series.
Despite a lot of preview trailers focusing on the action and strategy of the Tactical RPG elements of the series, Utawarerumono is primarily a visual novel series, with the ability to set auto-play and spend a good chunk of time not even holding the controller, simply watching conversations pan out. The deep story involves a man with amnesia waking up in a tiny village and realizing his destiny. Not much more should be said beyond this to avoid spoilers, but gamers need to recognize that you may have a couple gaming sessions that is simply listening to the story before you get to any sort of combat. There are points where you get to choose what to do next, but you usually have to do everything available prior to moving forward with the story. Choices may have small variations but you are always primarily heading towards a set ending.
Originally released in Japan in 2002, the initial version of Utawarerumono involved more mature themes, even romance and sex scenes. These were removed when Prelude was released on PS2 in Japan in 2006. The series continued to grow in popularity, spawning television shows, manga, and several games, but this is the first time that the true, official first game is playable in English on an official translation.
Visual Novel sections are exactly as someone would expect: static pictures of the individuals involved in the conversation are displayed with voiceovers in Japanese. Occasionally you will get a highly detailed scene for big events, but most of the game involves watching the story unfold. The strategic battle sections are light compared to, say, Fire Emblem. Characters tend to be what they are, with not a lot of tweaking involved. Stakes are light in the battles as well, as a Forecast and Rewind option allow you to bounce around and change the course of battle as you need. It’s handy for those new to the strategic RPG genre and a feature I wish were in more games like that, though I can see where it might irk some purists. The battles seem a little simpler in Prelude than in either of the Mask titles, but it could be a combination of it being the port of the original, released prior, or simply my getting used to the series.
I am glad that the series is available both on PS4 and Vita. It allows more people to enjoy this intriguing title. It does have cross-play functionality, letting you take the title on the road. I have done my review on PlayStation 4, and have not seen the Vita edition, however I feel it may be more at home on a handheld, given the length of time you may spend simply listening to a story. Adding the fact that the Vita editions tend to be less expensive (particularly for the older titles) and the ability to play it on a PSTV makes me lean toward that version.
Whilst Mask of Truth and Mask of Deception are one solid story that should preferably be played in order, Prelude plays well as an origin story (thanks to some startup information on the Mask set) and as a flat starter point, so fans can start here and play them all in order or return to this one after the other two, though I feel that certain story beats in the Mask games will resonate better after playing this one. Coming in blind, Utawarerumono will please fans of visual novels, but probably leave strategic RPG fans wanting more. The series provides a wonderful story to follow, albeit “video game” style interaction is at a minimum. Don’t let that turn you off, though, as the three-pack of tales will provide hours of enthralling storyline and entertainment.
Pros:
-First time chance for English players to enjoy an official translation of the series origin
-Tactical sections are on the light side, perfect for people starting the genre
-Wonderful story that leads to two more games and plenty of content
-Cross save lets you take it on the road
Cons:
-Tactical sections are on the light side, difficult for purists looking for a challenge
-Wonderful story does take up a large percentage of the game, meaning less interaction
-Cross save exists, but not cross-buy