Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception Reviews
When I heard the news that the series was finally returning to PC, I just had to see how the ports turned out. Which is why it hurts to say that the ports have some rather major issues.
Go in expecting a chill visual novel and not a grand strategy epic, and you’ll have a good time. There’s a lot here to like, so long as you don’t mind your strategy games with more drinking parties than battles.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception functions well as a visual novel. Unfortunately, the rest of the game suffers, with a battle system devoid of difficulty or punishment and an agonizingly slow start. Be prepared for hours of boredom before getting to the good parts.
Having the upcoming sequel hanging over it doesn't do Mask of Deception any favours.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception tells two different stories—one serious, one sexy—that are so at odds with one another that it loses itself in the process.
I had a lot of fun with Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception. It features a very nice art style and striking cutscenes, which are always a big plus for visual novels, not to mention a solid story that will keep you engaged as you move forward. It's strategy, and tactics gameplay mechanics are a nice counterpart to the visual novel side of things, with a deep and rich battle system in which every choice you make can have a considerable impact on a battle's outcome if you play your cards right. I highly recommend this visual novel/tactical RPG on PS Vita and look forward to playing its sequel later in the year!
Overall, I found Mask of Deception to be a slow affair with big chunks of the game being text-based and the battle sections few and far between. I’ve played a few other VN’s in the past so I knew what to expect but I wasn’t expecting it to be that text-heavy. There were moments where I’ve set the text to autoplay, and I’ve not touched the controller for a few hours. The battle sections are very enjoyable to play, although at first, they can be quite confusing to understand. Mask of Deception isn’t a bad game, the story is very enjoyable, blending in humour and seriousness very well, and the artwork along with the background music are some of the best I’ve seen in a Japanese game.
While the visual novel elements far outweigh its strategy side, the story - despite being sequel bait - had us enthralled till the very end. If you're looking to try something out of the ordinary, Mask of Deception is a fun romp. We would however suggest picking it up with along its sequel when that hits later in the year, rather than leaving the story halfway.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception starts with a humble beginning and take huge proportions. With its engaging story, well-developed characters, stunning art and memorable soundtrack, this game has revealed itself as the biggest surprise of the first half of 2017.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Interesting visual novel with jRPG elements in world inspired by eastern beliefs. We've waited 15 years for this engaging adventure, which entertains and makes you think, and has a lot of fan service.
Review in Polish | Read full review
When things finally get going in the second half, it suddenly becomes a much more engaging experience, but the change will come too late for many.
Yet while its objective flaws stand out, they don’t weigh Mask of Deception down quite enough to diminish its entertainment value. It lands awkwardly between a serious SRPG-VN and a quirky Aiun-inspired harem anime a mere stone’s throw from its eroge origins, yes. But will that do anything to turn off its target demographic? Probably not.
I have to admit I was disappointed at first and then found myself absolutely loving it.
If you're a fan of Utawarerumono then Mask of Deception is definitely a worthwhile addition to the series.
“Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception” is a well-done visual novel that features a chunky narrative as well as some tactical combat to help add diversity to the mix. Its incredibly long walls of text won't be for folks who are more interested in a dedicated tactical RPG. If you're looking for a polished visual novel experience with likable characters and a sprinkling of battling for diversity, however, Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is one amusing and entertaining journey that's worth embarking on.
Endearing characters, twisty-turny plot and generous sprinkling of anime-inspired humor will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception crosses genres, blending visual novels with a slick strategy role-playing game (SRPG) battle system. The game focuses more on the narrative side, so don't expect anything too deep in the combat. There are some highlights to it, including customizing the stats for characters and staying engaged with critical hits, but for the most part, you should experience Mask of Deception for the story.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is a great visual novel for fans of the slice of life genre and one that made me want the sequel right now.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is a text based adventure that masquerades as a tactical RPG. There are hours upon hours of low-grade, simple cutscenes with countless lines of text that you'll be reading instead of playing a video game. There are elements of this title that shine through the darkness of boredom, but there are few who can stomach the ride finding them.