Utawarerumono: ZAN, a title that shifts the tactical franchise into the action genre, finally arrives officially on PC for Western audiences in early 2026, thanks to the work of publisher Shiravune. Originally released in 2018 for consoles, the game is actually an adaptation of the story of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception, the sequel to the original tactical RPG. Therefore, those expecting to see classic characters like Eruru need to prepare for a new cast, led by Haku, a brilliant but lazy strategist rescued by Kuon during a blizzard. Involved in a complex political plot in a fantasy setting inspired by ancient Japan, the protagonist and his allies face battles in the “musou” style. However, it’s important to note: the adaptation drastically summarizes the narrative of the source material, which may leave fans of the universe feeling like the experience is incomplete.
The game’s great strength lies in its dynamic combat, where the player commands a squad of up to four characters, each with unique abilities, such as Kuon’s healing or Nosuri’s fast combos. Thus, assembling a balanced team to cover weaknesses is an essential part of the strategy. Despite the agile and fun gameplay, with the possibility of performing combined attacks called Raids, the main stages are considered short and not very challenging for genre veterans. Furthermore, the game falters by not clearly explaining each character’s move lists, forcing the player to discover combos through trial and error, a point that could have been better implemented.
Agile Combat and Customization by Lottery
In addition to the story missions, Utawarerumono: ZAN offers Free Missions, which unlock songs for the jukebox and provide resources for upgrades. The progression system, in turn, is quite peculiar: instead of directly assigning experience points, you spend in-game money on a gacha-style roulette to obtain scrolls that increase character attributes. While this method cuts the confusion of complex systems, it also reduces the player’s control over the party’s development, as the buffs are granted randomly. Still, the feeling of progression exists and encourages replaying the stages.
Art and Soundtrack that Enchant
Undoubtedly, the technical highlight of the title is its stunning visual, which brings to life the iconic art style of AQUAPLUS with settings inspired by Ainu culture. The characters’ costumes and fantasy environments are memorable, creating an inviting world to explore, even in the simplest stages. The soundtrack, full of epic and emotional tracks, perfectly complements the atmosphere, with the advantage that many extra songs can be unlocked throughout the journey. Therefore, for long-time fans of the series, ZAN is worthwhile as a complementary experience and a new way to interact with the world of Utawarerumono. For newcomers, however, the recommendation is cautious: the truncated story may require a visit to the wiki or, ideally, the full experience in Mask of Deception for full enjoyment.
