Umineko: Golden Fantasia

About

Umineko: Golden Fantasia is a 2D fighting game based on the Umineko When They Cry visual novel series. It features various characters from the series and allows players to engage in fast-paced combat with intricate systems and mechanics. The game also includes a story mode that follows the original storyline, along with multiplayer and additional game modes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 436 reviews

gameplay22 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

The game features unique and inventive mechanics that are enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans of fighting games.
The art style, character designs, and soundtrack are highly praised, with many references to the Umineko visual novel that fans will appreciate.
Rollback netcode enhances the online experience, making matches smoother and more enjoyable compared to previous versions.

The control configuration is cumbersome and requires external tools, making it difficult for players to customize their settings.
The game lacks depth in terms of features, offering only basic modes like Arcade, VS, and Training, which can lead to a repetitive experience.
There are significant issues with online play, including desyncs and a lack of active players, which can hinder the multiplayer experience.

gameplay
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
61%
8%
The gameplay of this fighting game is praised for its unique and inventive mechanics, particularly the tag-team and meta-world systems, which add depth and variety to combat despite a relatively simple move set for each character. While some players find the mechanics engaging and fun, others note a steep learning curve due to the lack of tutorials, and some criticize the gameplay as shallow or broken in certain aspects. Overall, it stands out as a solid fighting game that appeals to both fans of the genre and those familiar with the associated visual novel.
- “I play a lot of fighting games, but this one genuinely has some of the most unique and inventive mechanics I've seen.”
- “The mechanics are very involving and give a ton of room for different combinations.”
- “However, as a game on its own, Golden Fantasia is a very solid fighting game and quite stands out with very unique mechanics never seen in any other game of this genre.”
- “A negative aspect is that the game does not provide a tutorial to explain its basic mechanics, making it difficult for the learning curve, especially for the audience not used to the 2D fighting genre.”
- “The gameplay is very shallow and doesn't entertain for more than an hour.”
- “It is handled by an external program, meaning that making the buttons make sense during actual gameplay causes them to be ass-backwards during menu navigation.”
story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
83%
7%
The story aspect of the game is primarily appreciated by fans of the "Umineko" series, offering nostalgic elements and fanservice, though it is noted that the narrative may contain plot holes and is not considered canon. Players are advised to familiarize themselves with the original visual novels or manga to fully enjoy the game, as many plot points may be confusing without prior knowledge. While the character development is acknowledged, there is a desire for more depth in the storyline and character interactions.
- “The greatest thing about this game is the Lambda and Bern CG at the end of their story; that alone is worth every penny.”
- “As for the part that was the whole reason I bought this game... namely to play with Umineko characters in short but entertaining story modes and use the attacks they had in the main series, then I was very satisfied with what GF had.”
- “I need to say right now that if you have an interest in the story of Umineko, you should finish that before you check this game out.”
- “But the plot hole is that this character in Ougon also uses the power that belonged to Eva Beatrice and Dlanor.”
- “Meaning when the author worked on the scenario, there was no Dlanor as her finished character design was never there; neither would the characters in the story know about her on the day when the murders occurred.”
- “I'm pretty sure the story isn't canon, though.”
music
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
22%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised as fantastic, featuring a handpicked selection from the original visual novel that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to create an exhilarating atmosphere, fitting seamlessly with the game's fighting mechanics and visuals. Overall, the music is considered a standout element, contributing significantly to the enjoyment of both fans of the source material and newcomers alike.
- “Stages are all gorgeous depictions of locales from the visual novel, and the soundtrack is some of the best you'll ever hear.”
- “Many of them fit incredibly well in a fighting game, giving a blood-pumping '11th hour' feeling while some are just really fun, like the character select music's insane babble and Tsurupettan playing on the Touhou concert stage.”
- “The music is mostly hand-picked from the many tracks from the visual novel.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
19%
19%
The graphics in the game are highly praised for their exceptional detail and artistic style, with vibrant sprites and impressive special effects that enhance the overall visual experience. While some critiques mention that certain animations could be more fluid, the transition from visual novel to fighter is seen as a commendable effort that maintains the series' aesthetic integrity. Overall, the visuals are described as gorgeous and a standout feature of the game.
- “The amount of detail and love put into every sprite, artwork, and stage is frankly absurd and amazing.”
- “The art style is pleasing, and I like seeing all of the characters moving around in sprite form.”
- “Gorgeous visuals.”
- “Some of the sketched animation could have been more polished or illustrated in terms of the movement sets for a more fluid visual experience. However, for a visual novel to transition into a fighter is quite extreme for the integrity of the developers.”
- “Graphics:”
- “[...] golden fantasia uses plenty of graphically intense special effects.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as quirky and entertaining, with players finding the absurdity of its premise—featuring "little bombs"—to be genuinely funny. Additionally, the interplay of multiple characters named Beatrice adds a layer of comedic complexity, while some arcade endings evoke both laughter and emotional resonance. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect that enhances the game's appeal.
- “It's a funny anime game about little bombs.”
- “Some of the arcade endings are hilarious, some are rather touching.”
- “I find it kind of funny that between the various characters that have the title of Beatrice (main Beato, Virgillia the previous Beatrice, Evatrice, and Ange, who is also Ange-Beatrice) and the multiple personalities of Beatrice (Shkanontrice), there are technically six Beatrices in the roster, which is more than the number of Dios in JoJo: Eyes of Heaven.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, including frequent bugs, long delays during character selection, and freezes during player synchronization. These problems have negatively impacted the overall gameplay experience.
- “There are other issues such as long delays before moving to character select and freezes while players sync.”
- “Buggy game!”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players finding the arcade endings both hilarious and touching, while others express frustration over the game's online playability issues and the publisher's lack of accountability. This combination of humor and sentiment contrasts sharply with the disappointment felt regarding the game's technical shortcomings.
- “Some of the arcade endings are hilarious, while others are rather touching.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a desire for additional playable characters, specifically Maria and Gaap, indicating that their inclusion could enhance the game's replayability. This suggests that the current character roster may feel limited, impacting the overall replay value.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The character development in the game is criticized for lacking coherence, as certain characters, like Dlanor, were not fully integrated into the narrative, leading to a disconnect between their designs and the story's events. This absence diminishes the depth and engagement of the character arcs, leaving players feeling that some characters are underutilized or irrelevant to the plot.
- “The author clearly did not consider Dlanor's character development, as her finished design was absent, leaving the other characters unaware of her existence during the critical events of the story.”
- “The lack of Dlanor's character design during the scenario's development resulted in a disconnect, as none of the characters in the story acknowledged her presence on the day of the murders.”
- “It feels like the character development was rushed or incomplete, particularly with Dlanor, who was never integrated into the narrative despite her potential significance.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find that the grinding aspect of the game can be tedious due to lengthy rounds, suggesting that reducing health points (HP) could alleviate the monotony of battles.
- “The rounds of this game can be very long depending on the teams, so you might want to lower the HP if battles are feeling tedious.”