Utawarerumono

I know, I know!! The argument could be made that this is an RPG. However, in the first game there are maybe 10 battles total, while the game is many many many hours long. Thus, I have decided it’s a kinetic visual novel. I have spoken, this is the way!

Follow the story of Haku, the nameless amnesiac (I stand by what I said!), who is discovered by Kuon while she is traveling through a snow covered mountain range. He very quickly figures out that he has a knack for solving problems and building strategies, but is physically so much weaker than pretty much everyone around him - and that is not the only difference he discovers. Uta begins rather slowly, but over time, weaves an intricate web of story and intrigue that made my head spin and yes - there were points I blatantly ugly cried. In terms of art and ecchi, there are a lot of scenes that are so stereotypical. Hot springs and such. But I enjoyed the male ones, if ya know what I mean...

I would suggest avoiding the new “cliff notes” version of the game (Utawarerumono Zan), but there is also another game that just launched, Utawarerumono “Prelude of the Fallen,” which is the prequel to the two Mask games. I cannot speak to its quality compared to the ones I played, however - but the reviews are promising. They also say that the prequel helps with understanding some of the background of the Mask stories.