Erick Landon RPG takes a look at the Utawarerumono series:

What the HELL is "UTAWARERUMONO"!?

Cublikefoot reviewed the Visual Novel Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen:

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen (Quick Review) [PC]

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The wait is finally over... 19 years after its original release! Let's see if the original Utawarerumono is any good in my Utawarerumono Prelude to the Fallen Review!

The first game of the Utawarerumono series - Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen - is finally available for the PC:

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

Wake up, Hakuowlo. It's time to face the world again.

You come to in bed, gravely injured, attended by a girl with twitching furry ears and a lush, bushy tail. In time you come to lead the villagers, to whom you owe your name and your life. When the local nobles threaten them, you threaten the nobility right back...

Are you a farmer? A scholar? A traitor? A beast? You've forgotten your past, but has it forgotten you? Command your comrades and fight to defend your family, and discover the secrets of this world—and your own lost history!

The first game in the hit Japanese tactics-RPG visual novel series Utawarerumono joins its sequels back on PC!

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Features

• 30+ hours of story and gameplay
• Thoughtful, slick, and active tactics-RPG combat
• Dynamic Chain Attacks and flashy Co-op Chains
• All-new Auto-Save functionality
• Customizable keyboard and mouse controls
• An unforgettable, evocative soundtrack
• A touching narrative with a moving ending

RPG Site reports that the Visual Novel / Tactical RPG Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen will be released on January 22:

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen to release for Steam on January 22

Developer Aquaplus and publishers DMM Games & Shiravune have announced that Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen will launch for Steam on January 22. The games will feature Japanese voices with Japanese, English, and Chinese subtitles. This announcement comes about one year after Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth landed on the platform. 

No price has been announced, though it is worth noting the other Utawarerumono games are priced at $39.99. The Steam page is here.

DMM Games also notes that Prelude to the Fallen for PC will contain a re-polished version of the translation used previously in the console versions. Additionally, the two games already on PC will be receiving a simultaneous update to include a new auto-save functionality, along with some minor improvements and fixes.

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Sirus Gaming checked out the Visual Novel Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen:

Utawarerumono Prelude to the Fallen – Review

Combining the narrative prowess of visual novels with tactical RPG gives you this beautiful video game: Utawarerumono – Prelude to the Fallen. This game is filled with so many tales of its characters, kingdoms, villages, and more and pairs it with revolution, rebellion, and wars. Now that it has come to the PlayStation 4, the game has improved in so many ways compared to its original version and port.

Utawarerumono – Prelude to the Fallen has a deep lore that you would get lost in it if you do not pay attention to its explanations scattered in different dialogues across the whole story. These critical details range from the gods who created their world to the sacred beings that reside in deep forests and the villages who worship them. If you are a person who would have a hard time remembering a lot of information, then you should stay away from this, or else you would be surprised with the turn of events in certain chapters.

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Utawarerumono – Prelude to the Fallen is just like any visual novel that I would recommend. It might have a slow start, but it picks up the pace once you pass a certain point. The strategy RPG part is interesting as well. If you like visual novels, you can keep a copy, but for just the experience just borrow a copy and be done with it. It is enjoyable as a one-time play only.

Score: 6/10

RPG Site checked out the tactical RPG / Visual Novel Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen (a PC version is announced as well):

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen Review

Going into Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen, I was worried.

When I played Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Mask of Truth last year, I was blindsided by just how much the games ended up enthralling me. Although I started playing them while I was in the middle of a Visual Novel binge, by the end of Mask of Truth, I was just as much in it for the Tactical RPG gameplay as I was in it for the story. Mechanics like Attack Chains and Zeal/Overzeal elevated the battle system and helped accentuate what was already an engaging RPG, and a fascinating story about war, nations, and the allegiances that bind them.

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It's certainly not the deepest Tactical RPG that I've played, nor the absolute best Visual Novel that I've read, but Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen brings more than enough to the table to be worthy of your time. It may have taken entirely too long for the entire series to make its way over, but I'm glad that it has - and that more and more players will have the chance to start it. Utawarerumono is a great, charming series, and one that is more than deserving of a closer look. This remake might not stand the test of time quite as much as its sequels, but don't let that stop you from getting into the series - it's one that I can't recommend enough.

Score: 7/10