Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 74
  3. Negative: 10 out of 74
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  1. VoicedReason
    Jun 1, 2017
    10
    First, let's get this out of the way. This "game" is a probably 85% Visual Novel and 15% SRPG. People who are expecting more gameplay and have less patience for a good story should stay away. I believe this misconception is akin to someone dressed to play soccer but walking onto a basketball court and being sorely disappointed causing lower review scores.

    That being said, for what it    First, let's get this out of the way. This "game" is a probably 85% Visual Novel and 15% SRPG. People who are expecting more gameplay and have less patience for a good story should stay away. I believe this misconception is akin to someone dressed to play soccer but walking onto a basketball court and being sorely disappointed causing lower review scores.

    That being said, for what it is, this "game" is a wonderful experience and has the magic of a good book. I've never heard of Utawarerumono before and had no idea what I was getting into. My main focus within any game is Story and Utawarerumono doesn't disappoint. There's definitely something to be said about the loss of storytelling quality going from a book to a movie or game in this day and age. Many subtle insights are overlooked as we get into cinematic territory. With the approach Utawarerumono takes, every little thought or feeling the main character experiences are conveyed thoroughly through inner dialogue and immerses the player in a way that no cinematic or gameplay can.

    The story is definitely a grand adventure with memorable characters. Every story nowadays is a recycled form of an older story but Utawarerumono mixes, matches and interweaves different parts of a story and this makes the overall shine!

    The Voice acting is all in Japanese but the actors convey emotion well through tone. Questions, Surprised reactions, embarassements, etc. are all well acted and it's nice to hear the voice of a character. It helps to distinguish different characters and push away the monotony of just reading dialogue.

    Gameplay is few and far in between but that doesn't affect my outlook towards the game at all. it was actually refreshing to just simply be immersed in an enjoyable story. I was kind of sad it all ended once I beat the game but that's just how it goes. All I know is that if I felt that way at the end, then it was a good Experience through and through.    … Expand
  2. Gold_Grande
    May 23, 2017
    10
    I will be honest. I am a little biased when it comes to this game having found the original Utawarerumono interesting since it came out over a decade ago. I'm a lover of SRPGs and great visual novels (VNs). This is one of the best there is in both genre. Some critics (and players) are going to come into Utawarerumono with different expectations than one would need. This can cause unfairI will be honest. I am a little biased when it comes to this game having found the original Utawarerumono interesting since it came out over a decade ago. I'm a lover of SRPGs and great visual novels (VNs). This is one of the best there is in both genre. Some critics (and players) are going to come into Utawarerumono with different expectations than one would need. This can cause unfair review scores simply because this is not your average first person shooter, open world sandbox, etc. This game is heavily and foremost a visual novel. Most of the "playing" will be done reading the story. However, the story is great and if you like VNs, it is a real treat. Lovable main, side, background characters. Great lore and world building, the works. The SRPG parts (around 20 or so) are great in comparison to other games in the genre. If you like SRPGs, you'll find a nice challenge with this on hard.

    I also have the benefit of playing Mask of Deception and Mask of Truth before they were localized in English. Let me tell you now that this game is a first half to a story where the second half unfolds in Mask of Truth. Mask of Deception ends in a cliffhanger, so do not be too alarmed, there will be more. It is possible to play these two without playing the original Utawarerumono game (or watching the anime) but if one wants to understand why the Utaware world is the way it is and the appearance of some original characters in the two sequels, it would be best to get knowledgeable about the original. The original Utawarerumono anime is a great adaption and can probably be found on streaming sites. Highly recommended game. VNs as good as this do not come around often.    … Expand
  3. midipon
    Apr 27, 2020
    10
    The amazing world and writing of the Utawarerumono games totally sucked me in from beginning to end. The SRPG battles really helped to set in the story, were unique, and never grindy like most others on the market. Absolutely would recommend to people who want a JRPG with writing > gameplay.
  4. zaftgun
    Dec 8, 2018
    8
    The dialogues are super long, but if you have the patience its very enjoyable. But its not like there arent any other RPGs that have long scenes, but usually they offer a option to skip and provide a summary.

    But this game is different I have to say, you will be getting a very different experience if they offered you an option to skip. But with the slow pace, its a farcry from the    The dialogues are super long, but if you have the patience its very enjoyable. But its not like there arent any other RPGs that have long scenes, but usually they offer a option to skip and provide a summary.

    But this game is different I have to say, you will be getting a very different experience if they offered you an option to skip. But with the slow pace, its a farcry from the usualy PS4 games.

    Nevertheless, its a great game with one of the very best plot, dialogues, characters, art, music, voice acting and game play.

    Note that game play is turn and grid based - what they call tactical style.

    Cant wait for to play the sequel and Zan!    … Expand
  5. kaleidonec
    Jun 9, 2019
    8
    Good visual novel with a perfect execution and plot, though it lacks replay value and there's no scene viewer.
  6. Clownshoe
    Jul 23, 2019
    8
    Absolutely loved it, the characters are fantastic! Was skeptical as it’s like a visual novel/hybrid tactical game but god damn.
  7. Haku76
    Aug 12, 2020
    10
    This game is mainly a visual novel, most of the game is story based but there are strategic battles here and there in the game. The story itself is fantastic and the gameplay is fun, it is an overall great experience. There is no english dub for the voices though so you will have to read the story.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. RPG Fan
    Aug 8, 2017
    72
    As a visual (kinetic) novel, Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is quite good. It does take a long time to start, but once the story gets going, it is quite compelling. The music is fantastic, the voice acting is good, there’s a fun cast of characters, and the visuals are there. Unfortunately, as a game, it doesn’t do nearly as well. The tactical RPG part of the game lacks complexity and difficulty. The game doesn’t properly explain how the battle system works, and you will be left to fend for yourself to learn how to properly fight. If you can get over the 20 hour hump for the story to pick up, and can sit through the uninspired fights, then you can enjoy a story full of political intrigue that makes you realize how much you actually care for the characters and what they go through. However, if you are an impatient soul, and/or would prefer your games with good gameplay, stay far away. In short, this is a good visual novel, but a mediocre game.
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  2. CGMagazine
    Jul 17, 2017
    60
    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.
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  3. RPGamer
    Jun 16, 2017
    60
    My experience of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception went through some distinct phases, starting with interest, then devolving into boredom as nothing significant happens for a long while, before finally sucking me back in once things finally got moving. Those coming in expecting a deep tactical RPG simply won't find one. However, as a visual novel, and ignoring the problems of the first half, its second half did exactly what it needed to do to suck me in. Thankfully, the ending at least implies that the missteps of the first half should not be repeated in Mask of Truth, so taken as a package the two games could end up being a very worthwhile experience overall.
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