The final Utawarerumono game just launched for Switch 2, PS5, and PC

Aquaplus has released Utawarerumono: Shiro e no Michishirube for PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch 2. The turn-based role-playing game is a direct sequel to Monochrome Moebius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten and concludes the long-running multimedia franchise.

Turn-based combat and mechs

The combat system builds on the previous game's Action Ring (Renkan) mechanic. The UI displays three concentric rings that dictate turn order based on character speed. Characters move clockwise around the rings. Reaching a specific point allows them to act. The innermost rings have shorter circumferences. Characters placed there get their turns faster. Players can push enemies to the outer rings by staggering them, or move their own party members to the inner rings using specific skills.

Players can spend EP to summon a mech called HAL to fight in place of the party. HAL has its own shield pool instead of standard health. If the shield depletes, the mech enters a cooldown state rather than causing a game over. Players can upgrade HAL at the general store in the Imperial Capital using gathered materials. These upgrades increase base stats and unlock new combat arts. The mech also has multiple body types. These range from a versatile general-purpose frame to a multi-legged version built for physical attacks.

Oshtor and Mikazuchi also have access to Akuruka mask powers. When their spirit gauge is full, they can activate a command to use exclusive, high-damage skills for a set number of turns. These attacks consume a percentage of their total magic points rather than a fixed amount.

Another party member, Shunya, uses a unique Spirit Orb system. She automatically gains one orb every time her turn comes around. These orbs fuel specific buff and debuff skills.

Field exploration and side quests

The overworld has several quality-of-life updates. Players can now initiate combat with an advantage simply by touching an enemy's back on the field. Exploring on horseback increases movement speed and allows the party to trample weaker enemies without entering a battle screen.

Fast travel is now available from anywhere on the map. Players can instantly warp to previously visited locations. This works even from deep inside a dungeon.

The map is divided into territories. Defeating a set number of monsters or taking down a specific boss clears the area. Once a territory is suppressed, players can defeat enemies instantly on the field with a sword slash. These instant kills still grant the full amount of experience points, money, and item drops. This system removes the grind of fighting low-level mobs while backtracking for materials.

Players can also pick up requests from bulletin boards in various towns. These side quests reward experience points and items. Completing enough of these tasks earns the party a regular stipend from the imperial court.

The project finale

Aquaplus is calling this the "Utawarerumono Project Final!!". It wraps up a story that began on PC in 2002.

This is also the first time Aquaplus has published a game for the Switch 2. The previous entry, Monochrome Moebius, received a simultaneous Switch 2 port alongside this release.

The Utawarerumono series has bounced between visual novel, strategy game, and traditional RPG over the last two decades. The mainline games were hybrid tactical RPGs. The Zan spin-offs were action games. Shiro e no Michishirube sticks to the traditional turn-based format established by its immediate predecessor. The Japanese release is out now. Aquaplus has not yet announced a timeline for an English localization.