Utawarerumono is a graphic novel/tactical RPG in the manner that is so common in Japan. Having said that, this game is not suited for anyone that isn't willing to spend hours reading the storyline on his screen. The layout is pretty simple: Characters' sprites appear on static backgrouds speaking their lines, while the player witnesses everything from the eyes of the protagonist. Hakuoro, the protagonist, awakes gravely wounded with all of his memories lost and is nursed back to health by Eruruu, a young girl training to be a herbalist doctor. He later finds himself emotionally involved with not only Eruruu, but the whole of the village and tries to become part of this new family. The world the entire story unfolds into is Japanese Edo era themed, though the people inhabiting it are not quite humans, bearing animal ears, and the females tales too. The story is very captivating, as it combines a somewhat real setting with phantasy elements. As for gameplay, there's really not any innovation there, the player controlls a set of characters in a turn based combat similar to Ogre Battle. Though unremarkable, the storyline keeps unfolding through scripted events in battle, making it an indinspensible part of the whole. In fact, it seems the combat system was deliberately kept simple so it doesn't divert the attention from the graphics novel part, but be part of it. Still there are several difficulty settings to try, the last one beeing extremely difficult to defeat. The entire gme is tottaly linear, and I mean tottaly linear, with the player's only beeing which part of the story they will read first. It is true that Utawarerumono bears the name of Hentai Game, but unlike most, it does not revolve around scenes of nudity or sexual nature but rather uses some (admittedly few compared to other HGames) scenes to enhance the storylitelling. Still, it is enough to be deemed unsuitable for minors, in that case try the PS2 version or even watch the anime, they are both "Hentai-Free". This game wont appeal for those who seek instant action, flashy graphics or even a great range of choices in combat or character development. However, if you are fond a good fantasy book, you can spend some time on Utawarerumono.
(This will be my first review so bear with me and my faults.) The story of Utawarerumono kept me wanting more with every word and phrase, the characters all had very distinct personalities and actions. the story follows... Read Full Review
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