A new JRPG from veteran studio AQUAPLUS, commemorating 20 years of the multi-media Utawarerumono series. This is the story of a man who will be sung about in legends.
The game features a unique "Action Ring" combat system that sets it apart from traditional turn-based JRPG gameplay. Players must carefully time their attacks and abilities within the Action Ring to maximize their effectiveness. This system adds an extra layer of strategy, as players manage their action points and position their characters to gain advantages. Reviewers praised this innovative approach, noting it keeps battles feeling fresh and exciting throughout the experience.
The open-world environments encourage thorough exploration, with players discovering hidden treasures, gathering spots, and other secrets. As they progress, players unlock new traversal abilities and fast travel options, allowing them to navigate the world more efficiently. Reviewers highlighted the sense of discovery and the ability to customize their party's equipment and abilities through this exploration as highlights of the gameplay.
While some players found certain boss battles quite challenging on the "Hard" difficulty setting, the overall consensus was that the gameplay was well-balanced. The ability to adjust the difficulty allowed players to tailor the experience to their preferences, with the higher settings providing a satisfying level of challenge for those seeking a more demanding JRPG experience.
The game includes several quality of life improvements that enhance the gameplay experience. These include the ability to auto-attack weaker enemies, streamlined menus and inventory management, and the option to skip or fast-forward through battle animations. Reviewers appreciated these small but impactful additions, as they helped to reduce potential tedium or frustration during the more repetitive aspects of the JRPG gameplay loop.