Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 390 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen Game Cover
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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.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 390 reviews
story160 positive mentions
grinding15 negative mentions
  • Engaging and emotional story with well-developed characters that resonate with players.
  • High-quality voice acting and a beautiful soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
  • Unique blend of visual novel and tactical RPG elements, providing a refreshing gameplay experience.
  • Pacing issues, particularly in the early game, can lead to a slow start that may deter some players.
  • Combat mechanics are simplistic and may lack challenge, especially for experienced players.
  • Some dialogue and character interactions can feel awkward or cringeworthy, detracting from the overall narrative.
  • story438 mentions

    The story of "Utawarerumono" is a rich and engaging narrative that combines deep character development, intricate world-building, and emotional depth, often drawing players into its dramatic and sometimes dark themes. While the pacing can be slow, particularly in the early stages, many players find that the story picks up significantly, leading to memorable twists and a satisfying conclusion. However, some critiques highlight the presence of filler content and harem elements that may detract from the overall experience, suggesting that the game is best appreciated for its storytelling rather than its gameplay mechanics.

    • “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.”
    • “The story is absolutely one of a kind, and everyone should experience this masterpiece.”
    • “These scenes add absolutely nothing to the plot except to show how cute, clumsy, sweet, etc. the various girls are, and for the main character to say something creepy about the way their body looks or how much they seem to enjoy him patting them on the head.”
    • “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.”
    • “A game where every time the plot truly thickens and you become invested in the events, the author decides it's time for cringe picnics, characters taking a break, half an hour of weird noises, and so many useless dialogues that absolutely provide nothing to the narrative.”
  • gameplay102 mentions

    The gameplay of "Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen" is characterized as a simple tactical RPG that serves primarily as a break from its rich visual novel narrative, with many players noting its ease and lack of challenge. While some appreciate the unique mechanics, such as positional damage, others feel the gameplay is repetitive and secondary to the story, which is often highlighted as the game's strongest aspect. Overall, the gameplay is seen as serviceable and enjoyable for those who appreciate character-driven narratives, but it may not satisfy players seeking a more robust tactical experience.

    • “The gameplay consists of a simple SRPG that is somewhat unique as finishers require you to charge zeal by battling enemies, but you can produce additional zeal by pressing the button at the right cues.”
    • “Fun RPG gameplay, great slice of life, a good balance between the two, and a surprising development later on.”
    • “The gameplay is simpler than its sequels, but it doesn't make it less fun and challenging when necessary.”
    • “The gameplay presents no challenge.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • music83 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtrack and its ability to enhance the storytelling experience. While some noted issues with volume balance during key scenes, the overall consensus is that the music, including standout tracks sung by Suara, significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and emotional impact. Additionally, players appreciate the option to switch between the original and enhanced soundtracks, although opinions vary on the effectiveness of the expanded music selection.

    • “Amazing story, great characters, thoughtful world building, and a fantastic soundtrack wrap up an epic tale.”
    • “The music is honestly beyond amazing; gameplay is alright, and the characters and story are my favorite part.”
    • “The music is so beautiful, and Suara has executed it really well. [Props to the composers, editor, and musicians.]”
    • “Hell, some sections actually omit all music and give you background noise, such as birds chirping.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional51 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with many players reporting intense feelings ranging from laughter to tears. Reviewers highlight the powerful character development and compelling narratives that evoke strong emotional responses, often leading to moments of profound sadness and joy. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to blend humor with heart-wrenching scenes, creating a rich emotional experience that resonates deeply with players.

    • “In general, this is a masterpiece that combines rich emotional descriptions, the collision of different political ideas, and the inheritance of spiritual culture.”
    • “The story evolves from there, following a string of heartwarming, brutal, and bittersweet events.”
    • “It's deep, complex, and emotional, and will leave you guessing until the very end.”
    • “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; it lacked the depth to truly connect.”
  • graphics26 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the charming artwork and excellent music, reminiscent of early 2000s anime visuals. While the 2D graphics are generally well-received, some players note that the 3D graphics show their age and could benefit from a more modern overhaul, especially given the game's pricing. Overall, the art style is considered attractive, though opinions vary on the quality of the tactical gameplay visuals compared to the visual novel segments.

    • “A wonderful story paired with early 2000s anime visuals, an amazing soundtrack, and simple yet fun strategic gameplay.”
    • “The art style and setting of a feudal Japan-esque world is profoundly charming and lovely.”
    • “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.”
    • “3D graphics are showing their age (still playable though).”
    • “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.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, effectively balancing lighthearted moments with emotionally charged storytelling. Players appreciate the clever skits and comedic scenarios that provide levity amidst darker themes, although some feel that the limited access to these skits can lead to missing out on genuinely funny content. Overall, the humor is described as delightful and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's charm and character development.

    • “The humor is hilarious; plenty of times I found myself laughing my ass off, and its cast is one of the most lovable bunches 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.”
    • “The story is phenomenal; it has slice-of-life moments with funny skits and heart-breaking scenes.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while it can feel tedious and repetitive, especially during long sessions, it is often necessary to overcome difficulty spikes and enhance character abilities. Players noted that the grinding system is manageable for those familiar with tactical RPGs, but the lack of exploration and reliance on replaying missions can make it feel monotonous. Overall, while grinding is integral to the experience, it may detract from the enjoyment of the story and combat for some players.

    • “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.”
    • “The SRPG portion of it, however, definitely wasn’t as appealing, as much of it is either tedious or non-challenging.”
    • “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 development9 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is viewed as a mixed aspect; while characters are generally likable and well-designed, the depth of their development is often seen as lacking. The vibrant and memorable character designs contribute positively to the experience, but the narrative may not fully explore the characters' growth, especially compared to the rich storylines and slice-of-life elements that were cut from adaptations.

    • “I liked the majority of the character designs and mostly enjoyed the characters attached to those designs.”
    • “Character design is well thought-out; you'll never mistake someone for someone else (with the exception of the twins, obviously).”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its warmth and comfort, enhanced by a lovable cast of characters and engaging world-building. Players appreciate the blend of humor, emotional depth, and character development, which together create a vibrant and immersive experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as unique and captivating, making it a highly recommended title.

    • “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.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The optimization of the games is criticized for being subpar, with all three titles locked at 720p and 30fps, leading to noticeable screen tearing. Users suggest that even a Nintendo Switch could deliver better performance, and playing the games on an emulator may provide a superior experience compared to 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.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    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.”
  • stability1 mentions

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

    • “The game is incredibly buggy and crashes frequently.”
    • “I experienced constant instability, with frequent freezes and errors.”
    • “The overall stability is poor, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

76hMedian play time
53hAverage play time
5-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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