I think I’ve mentioned this several times before, I like the fact that there are more and more JRPGs, visual novels and all sorts of Japanese developed games that are not from the bigger more mainstream developers being brought over to North America and localized. It’s even better when a game that gets brought over also has other media tie ins. One such franchise is Utawarerumono. First started out as a series of visual novels/tactical RPGs, Utawarerumono has not only an anime but also several console video games, one of which we reviewed last year, Utawarerumono ZAN. This year we have another Utawarerumono game to review for the PS4, Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen.

UwU

A tale of memory loss and belonging- From what I have researched about the Utawarerumono series before playing Prelude to the Fallen, is that the stories are really good. And from what I have played so far I can see why so many fans of visual novels love it. I don’t want to spoil too much so here’s a brief summary: One day a masked man is found in the woods by a grandmother and her two granddaughters. When he gains consciousness, he is asked for his name. He doesn’t remember, actually he he doesn’t remember who he his or how he got here. The grandmother gives him the name of Hakuowlo, after her late son. As thanks for saving and nursing him back to health, he helps around the village, spending time with Erurū and her sister Arurū. Thanks to Hakuowlo, the village starts to thrive after years of hardships. As the village continues to thrive, it comes into contact with the local ruler who demands tribute. This encounter leads Hakuowlo to clash with the ruler and down a path that not only increase the power and wealth of the village but also slowly discovers who he is. Just as with every visual novel that I have reviewed, I’ve kept the summary of Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen vague. Mainly because since all visual novels are text heavy, I did not want to spoil any parts of the game even if I did enjoy it very much. I’d rather have people who are fans of the genre and fans of the series be able to experience the story for themselves, which I think they will enjoy.

Bridges the gap between original Japan only release and North American Vita releases- While Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is technically the fourth game in the series to be released in the West, it’s actually the first entry chronologically speaking. See in 2017 the West’s first encounter with the series was with Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth for the PS4 and Vita. These two games were published by Atlus and are sequels to the original game. The original Utawarerumono was released in Japan for the PC in 2002 and then ported to the PS2 and PS3 in 2006 and for the PSP in 2009. I think it’s pretty annoying that publishers who decide to bring over these kinds of games to the West seem to start with say the second or third entry to the series instead with the first one. Regardless of that, with the release of Pelude to the Fallen, fans of the series are able to finally see how the over all story of the games started. The game is also is a great start for those who are curious about the series because….

HD Remaster of the original Japanese release- A few years ago the West officially experienced the Utawarerumono series for the first time with the release of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth for the PS4 and Vita. Many fans would soon later find out that these games are actually the second and third entry and in order for them to get the complete story they would have to watch the anime adaptation of the first game. While the anime did help bridge the story between the original Japanese game and the games that were released in the West, there was a ton of story that was left left out in the anime which still left fans confused. With Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen being an HD remaster of the original Japanese release, fans, as I mentioned before are able to see how everything started as plot points and holes are finally explained and filled.

Awesome looking character art- In addition to the story and characters, how a visual novel looks is a major aspect of if someone will enjoy it. Unlike other game genres where some games can get by with how it looks by having good story, characters and gameplay, the majority of visual novels don’t really have much in terms of interactive gameplay or usually takes a back seat to the aforementioned story, characters and design/graphics.The original Utawarerumono has a late 90’s early 00’s feel, like a mixed between hand-drawn cell art mixed with the advancements and ease of digital art. The updated Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen retains this ascetic and gives it an HD upgrade which looks much more vibrant and modern.

Extensive in game encyclopedia- With most visual novels there is some sort of in game encyclopedia or compendium or something of the sort for those who want to learn more about the story that they are currently playing and for those who only played through some of the routes and want to read on what they have missed out on. With the three Utawarerumono games now in one streamlined package, all of the lore, character bios, event descriptions and other information about the game and its world is accessible as the game unfolds.

>_<

Mostly visual novel- Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen has to be the most visual novel heavy game that I’ve played so far. By that I mean this: most of the JRPGs that are from developers/publishers like NIS America, Idea Factory, Complie Heart etc, are just that, JRPGs but with visual novel elements. Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen however mostly visual novel with tactical RPG elements sprinkled in during the more action filled scenes. In other words you’re going to be mostly either reading text or listening to characters speak to each other in cut scenes. For me personally I’m used to this so this doesn’t really bother me but for those who are new to visual novels in general might be put off on this.

I’ll never understand the reasoning behind games from the same genre and franchise being localized by different publishers and released years from each other. Utawarerumono happens to be one of those franchises. However I think for most fans of the series, it was worth the wait to see where it all began. Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen not only is an HD update of the original game, but also is a bridge between its sequels that were released before it, has a really interesting story, good looking HD 2D art and has an extensive in game encyclopedia  for those wanting to learn more about the world. The only real draw back is that the majority of the time players will just be reading text and watching the character portraits interact with each other, with tactical turn based gameplay sprinkled in between. Still its great for fans to finally see the whole story of Utawarerumono from the very beginning and a good start for those who have heard of the series and what to know more.

8/10