Skip to main content

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

93%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, optimization
93% User Score Based on 439 reviews

Platforms

TabletPCPhoneSteam DeckWindows

About

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.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen screenshot
Skip User Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 439 reviews
story192 positive mentions
grinding17 negative mentions

  • The game features a compelling and emotional story that captivates players, with well-developed characters and rich world-building.
  • The combination of visual novel and tactical RPG elements provides a unique gameplay experience, allowing for engaging character interactions and strategic battles.
  • The remastered graphics and soundtrack enhance the overall experience, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to listen to.
  • The pacing can be slow, especially in the early parts of the game, which may deter some players from fully engaging with the story.
  • The tactical combat is relatively easy and lacks depth, which may disappoint players looking for a more challenging gameplay experience.
  • Some players may find the absence of adult content from the original release to be a drawback, as it alters certain character dynamics and relationships.
  • story
    536 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Utawarerumono" is a rich and immersive narrative that blends slice-of-life elements with deeper themes of conflict, identity, and family. While the pacing can be slow at times, particularly in the early sections, the plot evolves into a compelling fantasy tale filled with emotional moments and well-developed characters. Despite some criticisms regarding tonal shifts and pacing inconsistencies, many players find the story to be engaging and memorable, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The story is engaging and full of twists, and the characters are memorable, likable, and well-developed.”
    • “An amazing game with admittedly lackluster gameplay but a wonderful story with tear-jerking and heartwarming moments as well as just enough comedy.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's not uncommon to go from a scene of someone suffering and then the next scene's all happy-go-lucky with no plot significance whatsoever.”
    • “In addition to that, in the late game we encounter an increasing number of plot holes and contradictions.”
    • “The pacing kind of takes a hit as the plot very quickly settles into a loop of quite formulaic mini-arcs varying in quality separated by tons and tons of pretty average, never-ending slice-of-life scenes.”
  • gameplay
    128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in the Utawarerumono series is generally described as simple and straightforward, often serving as a light distraction from the more prominent visual novel elements. While some players appreciate the integration of tactical RPG mechanics, many find the gameplay to be easy and lacking depth, especially in comparison to the sequels, which offer more polished and engaging systems. Overall, the gameplay is seen as adequate but not the main draw, with the narrative and character development taking precedence.

    • “Highly recommended for anyone looking for visual novel fans, or anyone looking for a good fantasy story with bits of turn-based strategy gameplay mixed in.”
    • “The gameplay is simpler than its sequels, but it doesn't make it less fun and challenging when necessary.”
    • “The gameplay, while simple and easy, got the job done.”
    • “When it comes to the tactics gameplay, this is among the most basic and easy ones I can think of, and just flat-out wastes your time intentionally at worst.”
    • “The gameplay presents no challenge.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay combat mechanics dropped significantly from the other games, so there is no challenge and no incentive to get good at the battle stages.”
  • music
    107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and memorable compositions, enhancing key moments throughout the story. Players appreciate the option to switch 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 significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “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 music is so beautiful and Suara has executed it really well [props to the composers/editor/musicians].”
    • “The expanded soundtrack is a mixed bag unfortunately; the aforementioned songs happen in the most impactful scenes and overlap with dialogues, which is not great in my opinion.”
    • “The biggest changes from the original version I remember playing are the TTRPG segments and the soundtrack - even with the original OST option turned on, the songs are all remastered in higher quality, often with new vocals.”
    • “The music is okay, but some of the voices aren't.”
  • emotional
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the trilogy is highly praised, with players noting its rich depth through a blend of humor, drama, and heartfelt moments that evoke strong feelings, including laughter and tears. The character interactions and well-crafted narratives create an immersive experience, often enhanced by a fitting soundtrack, leaving players deeply invested in the story and eager for more. Overall, the trilogy is celebrated for its ability to deliver profound emotional experiences akin to those found in literature and cinema.

    • “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.”
    • “The story evolves from there, following a string of heartwarming, brutal, and bittersweet events.”
    • “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
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the artwork and aesthetic as charming and well-executed, particularly in the visual novel segments. While some players note that the 3D graphics show their age and could be improved, others appreciate the nostalgic early 2000s anime style and the overall visual presentation. Despite minor technical issues like screen tearing for some users, the remastered visuals are generally considered a highlight, complementing the game's strong narrative and music.

    • “The aesthetic is very pleasing and it definitely looks sharper and cleaner compared to the original visual novel.”
    • “The major cultures in this world seem to be based on the real-world Ainu culture, and the visuals depict this very well.”
    • “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 title is clearly not a graphic standard.”
    • “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

    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 game's darker themes.

    • “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 rely too heavily on clichés, making it hard to enjoy.”
    • “Many of the jokes miss the mark, leaving me more confused than amused.”
  • grinding
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the tactical RPG elements and the ability to replay battles for experience and items, many feel that the grinding can become tedious, especially in the late game and during lengthy story segments. The combat system is enjoyable, but the necessity of grinding to maintain challenge can detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of repetitiveness and frustration.

    • “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
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as a mixed aspect; while characters are likable and well-designed, many players feel that the development lacks meaningful progression, often building up to unsatisfying conclusions. The rich story and vibrant art enhance the experience, but the depth of character interactions may not meet all players' expectations, especially given the significant amount of reading involved. Overall, while the characters are memorable, the development itself is not considered a strong point.

    • “Excellent character development.”
    • “I liked the majority of the character designs and mostly enjoyed the characters attached to those designs.”
    • “Rich story with iconic character design.”
    • “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
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its warmth and comfort, enhanced by a lovable cast of characters and serene music. Players appreciate the vibrant world and character interactions, which contribute to a unique and immersive experience, making it a highly recommended title for those who enjoy rich storytelling and character development. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as engaging and emotionally resonant, creating a memorable gaming experience.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the games is criticized for being subpar, with all three titles locked at 30fps and designed for 720p resolution, leading to noticeable screen tearing. Users suggest that even a Nintendo Switch would perform better, and the limited 3D segments further highlight the lack of polish in this port compared to playing on an emulator.

    • “Even my Switch would have better performance.”
    • “All three games are optimized for 720p; all assets and internal rendering are set for that resolution, and the games are locked to 30fps.”
    • “The 3D segments only comprise about 10-20% of the game, and you get used to the screen tearing, but it says a lot when you would get better performance from playing the game on an emulator over this port.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the replayability of the game, highlighting that both story battles and training battles can be revisited for grinding and item collection, enhancing the overall experience and longevity of gameplay.

    • “The story battles are replayable, allowing players to experience different outcomes and strategies.”
    • “I love the replayable training battles for grinding and item collecting; they add so much depth to the game.”
    • “The story battles are replayable, but they lack any real incentive to go back and play them again.”
    • “While there are replayable training battles for grinding and item collecting, they quickly become monotonous.”
    • “The limited variety in gameplay makes replaying the same battles feel tedious after a while.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is plagued by numerous bugs, significantly impacting its stability and overall performance.

    • “The game is incredibly buggy.”
    • “I experienced constant crashes and glitches.”
    • “Stability issues make it nearly unplayable.”
Skip Game Offers

Buy Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

76h Median play time
53h Average play time
5-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

Games Like Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception Image
This game contains adult content
Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth Image
This game contains adult content
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel Image
Digimon Survive Image
BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light Image
This game contains adult content