Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is a remake of the first installment of a hybrid games series that combines visual novel adventure game (a complex scenario conveyed in the form of two-dimensional hand-drawn illustrations, among others) with a complex turn-based strategy with RPG elements, reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics. Compared to the original Utawarerumono, the visuals have been improved and the Special Extended Mode has been added, where we will find music in better quality. Aquaplus (responsible for Mask of Truth and Mask of Deception) was responsible for developing the title. The publisher was NIS America.

Plot

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen takes place in a fictional world whose setting somewhat resembles feudal Japan (with numerous supernatural elements). The player takes on the role of an amnesiac, a masked man, who one day wakes up in an unfamiliar forest. Two young girls come to his aid and take him to a nearby village. The stranger takes the name Hakuoro and quickly learns that the people are suffering under a selfish tyrant. The hero decides to organize a resistance movement and it soon turns out that his head is filled with memories, tactical skills, and abilities, which can tip the scales and decide the fate of many people.

Mechanics

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is divided into two main parts. For most of the time, the game is played like a typical visual novel - we read dialogues, watch animated scenes, gradually getting to know the script prepared by the devs and making story choices at key moments.

The story is interrupted by tactical turn-based battles, during which we control a whole array of heroes. Each character has different skills, stats and application on the battlefield, and success requires proper use of the strengths of individual heroes, as well as skillful maneuvering on a three-dimensional map, which we observe from above (in isometric perspective).

Between the fights we get a chance to develop the abilities of our warriors and to equip them with better equipment.

Game modes

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen can be played only solo. The game does not feature any multiplayer modes - the mainstay of the game is an extensive story campaign.

Technical aspects

Visuals of Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen combine two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements. The vast majority of the story is presented in the form of two-dimensional, hand-drawn illustrations, but from time to time we also see three-dimensional animations. The strategic part of the game was also played in full 3D. It is worth noting, that the devs decided to use the cel-shading technique, thanks to which the game consistently sticks to the colorful, manga artistic style. The devs also decided to improve the quality of the soundtrack.

Last updated on 13 January 2021