Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen finally brings the original game to the West with an amazing storyline hampered by simple tactical combat.

88%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, replayability

93% User Score Based on 470 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

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About

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is a single player role playing game. It was developed by AQUAPLUS and was released on January 22, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

In "Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen," wake up with amnesia and lead a village of creatures with animal features. Defend your community from threats, discover your past, and engage in 30+ hours of tactical RPG combat with dynamic chain attacks and a moving story. This PC port of the first game in the series offers customizable controls, an evocative soundtrack, and a touching narrative.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 470 reviews

story210 positive mentions

grinding17 negative mentions

The story is engaging and emotionally impactful, with well-developed characters that players can connect with.
The soundtrack is phenomenal, enhancing the overall experience and setting the tone for various scenes.
The game successfully blends visual novel elements with tactical RPG gameplay, providing a unique experience.

The pacing can be slow, especially in the early parts, which may deter some players from fully engaging with the story.
The tactical combat lacks depth and can become repetitive, making it feel like a secondary aspect of the game.
There are many proper nouns and complex names that can be difficult to remember, which may confuse players.

story
586 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
61%
3%
The story of "Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen" is a rich and engaging narrative that combines elements of fantasy, character development, and emotional depth, often drawing players in with its well-crafted world and memorable characters. While the pacing can be slow at times, particularly in the early sections filled with slice-of-life moments, the plot eventually picks up, delivering impactful twists and a satisfying conclusion that resonates with players. Overall, the game is praised for its storytelling, though some critiques mention issues with pacing and the integration of gameplay elements that can detract from the narrative experience.
- “The story is engaging and full of twists, and the characters are memorable, likable, and well-developed.”
- “It takes a while for the story to pick up, but once it gets the ball rolling, you'll be thrust into an epic story filled with conflicts, friendships, love, family, sacrifice, world-changing twists, and an ending that will stick to you for days.”
- “An amazing game with lovable characters and a captivating story.”
- “I honestly don't have enough words to describe how horrendous and slow the pacing in this story was.”
- “The writers have seemingly written themselves into a corner because this game is a prequel to the next two games...but...instead of finishing the story they decided to make a sequel to the prequel and have it end with a cliffhanger that doesn't set up anything.”
- “The narrative pacing is episodic, spending hours on low-stakes character interactions before the plot kicks into high gear.”
gameplay
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
The gameplay in "Utawarerumono" is primarily a simplified tactical RPG, often described as a blend of strategy elements reminiscent of "Fire Emblem" and a visual novel format, with around 70% of the experience dedicated to storytelling. While some players appreciate the straightforward mechanics and find them enjoyable, others criticize the lack of challenge and depth, noting that the gameplay can become repetitive and is often overshadowed by the narrative. Overall, it serves as a light distraction from the rich story and character development, appealing mainly to fans of visual novels rather than hardcore strategy gamers.
- “The gameplay is a strategy RPG… think of a streamlined Fire Emblem.”
- “Overall I had the best experience because I felt connected with these characters, how a leader is an important role to have, and the gameplay was fun due to engagement.”
- “Gameplay is about 70% visual novel and about 30% Fire Emblem-like combat, but don't let that deter you if you haven't played a visual novel before as the story alone is worth it and the combat is simple but fun.”
- “Sure, there are some mechanics like elemental weaknesses/resistances and items, but after the first few battles, you kind of just get too good, and it gets boring.”
- “When it comes to the tactics gameplay, this is among the most basic and easy ones I can think of, and it just flat-out wastes your time intentionally at worst.”
- “The gameplay presents no challenge.”
music
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric quality, enhancing the storytelling experience significantly. Players appreciate the option to choose between the original soundtrack and an expanded version that includes tracks from sequels, although some note that the new music can occasionally overshadow dialogue. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing to the game's immersive world and character development.
- “The soundtrack is phenomenal, with tons of great emotional vocal tracks used throughout the story that really do a good job of setting the tone and mood.”
- “The music in particular is very memorable, and it's always very well timed. Any time there's a powerful and emotional scene, you can count on there being a matching soundtrack that enhances the experience.”
- “The artwork and music are also great; they stood out in the original 2002 version of the game and have been polished up and remastered here, and they're still some of the best in the business.”
- “For the love of all that is holy, good and nutritious, do not use the alternative (special extended) soundtrack.”
- “Expanded soundtrack is a mixed bag unfortunately, the aforementioned songs happen on the most impactful scenes and overlap with dialogs, which is not great in my opinion.”
- “First is that this game loses its distinctive feeling to it, story of Hakuoro while the newer soundtrack has the next main character.”
emotional
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
5%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings through its exploration of themes like death, war, friendship, and love. The combination of a compelling narrative, deep character development, and a powerful soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, leading to moments of laughter, tears, and profound connection with the story and characters. Overall, players find the trilogy to be a masterful blend of humor and heartache, leaving a lasting impact that resonates long after the game ends.
- “The soundtrack is also phenomenal, tons of great emotional vocal tracks used throughout the story that really do a good job of setting tone and mood.”
- “It's full of emotional moments of friendship, love, and loyalty, and by the end of it you'll be left wanting to know how the story continues.”
- “The emotional intensity and depth are also the result of the sheer length of the arcs the authors have developed across three titles, each of substantial length individually.”
- “I didn't expect anything from this game, but man... it made me cry so much.”
- “The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me at all.”
- “I found the story to be emotionally flat, lacking the depth to truly connect with the characters.”
graphics
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
57%
7%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with the 2D character art being praised for its stunning and expressive quality that enhances the melancholic tone, while the 3D chibi models used in combat are considered dated. Many users appreciate the updated visuals and the overall aesthetic, noting that the artwork is charming and polished compared to the original, though some feel the graphical fidelity does not meet modern standards, particularly in the tactical gameplay sections. Overall, while the visuals are generally well-received, they are not the game's primary focus, and some players express a desire for a more significant graphical overhaul.
- “The artwork and music are also great; they stood out in the original 2002 version of the game and have been polished up and remastered here, and they're still some of the best in the business.”
- “The art has been brushed up since its original release for sure, but it still maintains that distinct early 2000’s anime aesthetic.”
- “The visuals reinforce this duality; the 2D character art is stunning and expressive, perfectly capturing the melancholic tone, though the 3D chibi models used in combat feel somewhat dated and rudimentary by modern standards.”
- “I'm a realist, and I understand there's not going to be much potential for a major graphical overhaul in a title as niche as this, however I don't think that excuses the art quality of the SRPG sections when a game is priced as high as this one currently is.”
- “Graphically, the game runs at 720p, and is upscaled to fit larger resolutions, resulting in some minor blurriness.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
17%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely hilarious and others feeling it falls flat due to bizarre character actions and unfunny jokes. While many appreciate the balance of humor with emotional storytelling and engaging skits, some criticize the limitations on skit access, which can lead to missing out on funny content. Overall, the humor is described as delightful and effective in enhancing the narrative, though it can sometimes clash with the darker themes of the story.
- “The humor is hilarious; plenty of times I found myself laughing my ass off, and its cast is one of the most lovable bunch ever that you will only come to love more and more as you delve deeper into the story.”
- “In the laid-back moments found in the slice-of-life scenes, the comedy shines - I found myself laughing out loud way too many times to count; from subtle jokes to over-the-top comedic scenarios, there is not a single moment to make you feel bored.”
- “It balances humor with some pretty emotionally compelling story beats and moments of pretty general 'what the f***'.”
- “A lot of the humor really falls flat for me, with characters acting bizarrely to fulfill unfunny jokes and fan service.”
- “The attempts at humor often feel forced and fail to land, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “I found the jokes to be repetitive and lacking in creativity, which made the humor feel stale and unoriginal.”
grinding
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is generally viewed as tedious, particularly in the late game where battles can drag on due to high enemy health. While some players find the grinding necessary for progression, especially to manage difficulty spikes, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, with repetitive training battles and long story segments contributing to a sense of monotony. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the grinding system as manageable for those familiar with tactical RPGs.
- “The game also requires a bit of grinding at times, which can feel like a drag, but the system they have for it is decent enough if you're used to grinding in tactical RPGs.”
- “Replaying battles and playing training stages to get experience, stat points, and items can be a tedious grind but not too bad in the first playthrough (there is a new game + if you want to replay the game after you beat it).”
- “There is a good story in here, somewhere, it is brilliant even, but you would have to trawl through inane dialogues, asinine attempts to be funny, and tactical gameplay that balances between tedious, repetitive, and frustrating to get there.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Character development in the game is generally viewed as a mixed bag; while the characters, particularly Hakuowlo and his companions, are likable and their relationships add depth to the narrative, some players feel that the development often leads to unsatisfying conclusions. The character designs are praised for their uniqueness and vibrancy, contributing to an engaging atmosphere, though the overall strength of character development is seen as lacking. Despite this, the rich story and memorable designs help maintain player interest throughout the experience.
- “Character development: Hakuowlo and his companions are likable, and their evolving relationships help keep the narrative engaging despite its slower moments.”
- “I liked the majority of the character designs and mostly enjoyed the characters attached to those designs.”
- “I like the characters and story, but every time there is character development between the main character and one of the girls, it feels like it's building up towards nothing.”
- “Character development is certainly not a strength of Utawarerumono, even if, again, characters are likable enough.”
- “Especially with so many hours of character development and lighthearted slice-of-life content present that was (understandably) cut from the show, everything feels so much more vibrant and atmospheric, leading to a totally one-of-a-kind experience, provided you're cool with a lot of reading and not so much gameplay.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
22%
22%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a slow-burning, immersive experience that captivates players through expressive character portraits and a serene soundtrack. The interactions among a lovable cast foster a cozy environment, enhanced by rich character development and lighthearted moments, making it a unique and engaging world. Overall, the atmosphere is highly praised, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and appeal.
- “Character portraits are expressive, and the soundtrack is suitably atmospheric.”
- “Within the first few hours of gameplay, this story is sure to suck you in with its lovable cast of characters, comfy atmosphere, and thriving world.”
- “A true epic from beginning to end with a fantastic cast of characters, unique atmosphere, and interesting world.”
- “The music, atmosphere, cast interactions, and plot felt amazing, and overall this is a heavy recommend, especially if you can pick it up on sale.”
- “Music - serene and builds up the atmosphere.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's replayability is limited, with little incentive to replay the main story unless players are achievement hunters, who may find the experience tedious. However, story battles and training battles offer some replay value for grinding and item collection.
- “Replayability: once you finish the story, you have little reason to replay unless you are a hardcore achievement seeker. In that case, good luck, as it is boring and dull as hell.”
- “Story battles are replayable.”
- “Replayable training battles for grinding and item collecting.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is plagued by numerous bugs, significantly impacting its stability and overall performance.
- “The game is incredibly buggy.”
- “Frequent crashes make it unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant lag and instability.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The games are optimized for 720p resolution and locked at 30fps, with most content being 2D rather than 3D. While players may adapt to screen tearing, the overall performance is criticized, with some suggesting that emulation offers a better experience than the current port.
- “The 3D segments only comprise about 10-20% of the game, and while you may get used to the screen tearing, it highlights the fact that you would achieve better performance by playing the game on an emulator rather than this port.”
- “All three games are optimized for 720p, with all assets and internal rendering set for that resolution, and the games are locked to 30fps.”
- “The 3D segments only comprise about 10-20% of the game, and while you get used to the screen tearing, it says a lot when you would get better performance from playing the game on an emulator over this port.”

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76%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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40h Median play time

48h Average play time

5-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is a role playing game.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Phone, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 48 hours playing Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen was released on January 22, 2021.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen was developed by AQUAPLUS.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is a single player game.

Similar games include Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception, Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel, Digimon Survive, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC and others.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

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