Utawarerumono: ZAN
PlayStation 4
VISUAL NOVELS (VNs) are niche games not often seen in western markets, and for good reason. Most VNs are characterized by their manga/anime art style, a design choice that may well appear childish and cartoony to those otherwise predisposed to realism. Add to this a predilection for often-cheesy accounts heavy on fan service, and it’s easy to see why the genre is seen as an acquired taste. Which is not to say all VNs are overlooked and fated to land in the dustbins of mediocrity. In fact, quite a few VNs have cultivated loyal followings, both in Japan and abroad; they distinguish themselves by injecting interesting gameplay elements alongside rich plots. Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is one such example; localized for Western audiences two and a half years ago, it even goes a step further, moving to combine a compelling-enough turn-based combat system alongside a deliberately textured narrative.
Certainly, Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception leans on its story to keep players hooked. It starts with an utter absence of information: The lead character does not know who he is and why he is exposed to harsh weather and elements. He then strives to decipher his life with the help of kind-hearted characters (among them Kuon, a skilled traveler, who names him Haku and takes him in her care) sporting animal ears and tails and exhibiting relatively greater strength (thus underscoring his fish-out-of-water situation). How he adapts to his surroundings and subsequently becomes familiar with them form the crux of the game. As he travels around Yamato, he gets to interact with locals and enriches himself in the process enough to care about collective interests and invest in the progress of the vast nation he gets to call home.
Considering how the Utawarerumono franchise has managed to gain crossover appeal since the first game hit store shelves nearly 18 years ago, the aim to get a wider reception for Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is no surprise. Instead of quickly progressing from Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth, released four months after, it has seen fit to expand its intellectual property’s wings and venture into musou territory with its latest offering. In so doing, it manages to keep the latter’s overarching chain of events, but retold with far less depth and far more action.
Granted, Utawarerumono: ZAN makes an effort to mix meat with muscle; about a third of the 18 chapters on offer serve up exposition after exposition with nary an adrenaline-pumping segment. On the other hand, there can be no doubting its purpose and raison d’être once gamers get to the first of what promises to be numerous battle sequences. It’s a hack-and-slash extravaganza that unabashedly takes off in Dynasty Warriors fashion. In fact, so determined is it to embrace its button-mashing intentions that it freely glosses over chunks of narrative otherwise tackled by its source material.
As a Cliff Notes version of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception, Utawarerumono: ZAN clearly aims to entice gamers more bent on pace than plot. At the same time, it dares challenge those who rarely stray far from text-heavy territory to try its unique approach. Thankfully, developer Tamsoft’s skillful steering with hands honed through close to three decades’ worth of work makes the venture less of a risk than it would seem. If nothing else, it serves as an effective bridge between the VN and musou genres.
Utawarerumono: ZAN has 12 playable characters all told, and gamers are given ample opportunities to toggle among them, albeit four at a time, during battle. There’s certainly reason to; they offer singular skills and abilities that provide distinct advantages when used in the proper context. Timing is crucial in this regard, and the interface is notably kept free from complexities in the process of unleashing combos and counters. Moreover, the process of execution pays respect to Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception; fans of the title should be familiar to the normal, special, and chain attacks — not to mention the visually impressive Final Strike, available on Overzeal Mode once the Zeal Meter is filled — that are unleashed.
Tellingly, Utawarerumono: ZAN boasts of competent artificial intelligence covering enemies and other members of the party not controlled by gamers. And not only is it easy to pick up as a brawler; it provides method to the potential madness of upgrades by way of multiple gameplay options. Story Mode has side missions on second pass, and offers even more unlocks the third time around. Free Missions, Battle Arena, and Battle Recollections all likewise provide bonuses for stat upticks, and equipment upgrades. Indeed, grinding is encouraged, but in a manner that requires fair and ample use of all characters; those kept on the bench lose out on points for buffs.
In terms of presentation, Utawarerumono: ZAN makes the most of the freedom granted it vis-a-vis Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception. Animated cutscenes are beautifully rendered and set up the narrative — or, to be more precise, what’s retained of the narrative — with flair. It competently translates the series’ distinctive art style in three-dimensional format and comes up with appropriately enveloping music cues. On the minus side, it seems only too comfortable in reusing assets for side quests, thus occasionally resulting in the unintentional conveyance of a same-old-same-old vibe.
In sum, the dividends Utawarerumono: ZAN pays off will depend on the extent of the investment poured in it. Including all moving-picture add-ons, gamers will likely be able to see the end of Story Mode after half a dozen hours. At the same time, completionists should find cause to go through it again — and then again — given the challenges and collectibles it dangles. Meanwhile, Free Missions and their sub-objectives encourage cooperative play for up to four players online. And it’s technically solid, too; even when the screen becomes extremely busy, it continues to churn out ultra-smooth gameplay at consistently high frame rates on the PlayStation 4 Pro.
Whether Utawarerumono: ZAN justifies its $59.99 price tag is contingent on perspective. It certainly aims to provide ample returns; whatever it presents, it presents as best it can — and without betraying its beginnings. Which, after all, is what it set out to do: give gamers a taste of the franchise as an actioner while whetting their collective appetite for the next installment. Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is coming. Enough said.
THE GOOD:
• Outstanding audio-visual presentation
• Ultra-smooth gameplay
• Serves as bridge between the VN and musou genres
• Engrossing and intuitive combat system
• 12 characters with singular skills and abilities on offer
THE BAD:
• Price point may turn off loyal fans less inclined to venture outside familiar gaming confines
• Glosses over otherwise-rich storyline offered by source material
• Reuses assets
• Story Mode relatively short
• Grinding encouraged, even required
RATING: 7.5/10
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