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It's finally here, and it's great.

If you've played the first Zan, all you need to know is that this game is a massive improvement. There's much more content, including new side stories that weren't in Mask of Truth, much better cutscenes, and more complex gameplay. If you felt like the first game seemed like a neat idea but was a bit half-baked, you'll be much happier with Zan 2.

With that said, people should still be aware that the story here is still a heavily abridged version of Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth, the third in a series of very story-heavy visual novels. If you care about the story at all, you need to play the main three games in this series before this one (Prelude to the Fallen -> Mask of Deception -> Mask of Truth), or else you will be both incredibly confused and spoiled. You can skip Zan 1 if you're not interested in that, but I very strongly recommend playing all of the others.

On a technical note, I'll just mention that this game runs perfectly smoothly for me. Unfortunately, there are basically zero graphical options; the game's internal rendering is locked at 1080p with no anti-aliasing. On the up side, it runs at a very smooth 60 FPS with zero skips or stuttering. It runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, too, so it's probably fine on lower-end systems as well. Hopefully they'll add some more options, but it's perfectly playable even if they don't.

[後半に日本語レビューあり]
What cannot be ignored when discussing this title is the series' long history and its significant changes. For over 20 years, the series reigned as a masterpiece blending beautiful 2D adventures with simulation RPGs, and it was in the 2018 predecessor that it first challenged 3D action. However, that attempt was not entirely smooth sailing, and it occasionally received harsh evaluations from dedicated fans. This game takes those reflections seriously, transcending the boundaries of a mere action spin-off to establish its significance as a full-fledged action RPG that heavily portrays both story and character growth. A strong will to redefine the series' long-cultivated, heavy war chronicles and the inner lives of each character through modern action expressions can be felt throughout.

The dramatic evolution of the adventure part is decisive in drawing players into the story. By boldly renovating the traditional 2D sprite format and introducing full production using 3D character models, movements on the battlefield and momentary emotions during conversations are conveyed more vividly. The grand narrative, fitting for the conclusion of the main series trilogy, is colored by dynamic camera work and high-quality full voice acting. Furthermore, the newly added full-voiced "Bujinden" scenarios, which complement the original work, are wonderful as fanservice that deeply explores the bonds between characters; those who love this story are bound to be overwhelmed by its density.

The combat system has increased in enjoyment, moving beyond a mere imitation of the "Musou" genre. It brilliantly reproduces the series' traditional "Chain Attack" system within real-time action, balancing the exhilaration of inputs at precise timings with strategic depth according to the situation. The newly introduced skill-board style growth system and the equipment collection cycle with hack-and-slash elements provide purpose and a sense of achievement to action that tends to become monotonous. The process of thoroughly strengthening your favorite characters through your preferred style of growth is easy to get absorbed in, and the wealth of replayability elements, including high-difficulty missions available after clearing the game, far exceeds the previous title.

Even in terms of visuals, the charm of the heroines moving vibrantly in 3D is exceptional. Maintaining the framework of a serious action RPG while refusing to compromise on the "cuteness" expected of a character game is likely the best gift for fans of the series. The PC version's optimization is not bad; while it might not feature ultra-high resolution or top-tier graphics, it offers a very stable frame rate, allowing players to comfortably enjoy battlefields where flashy effects fly about. The settings are simple, and the fact that one can immerse themselves in the grinding loop for character growth is another charm that fits modern gaming styles.

Overall, it is a work that firmly resolves the dissatisfactions of the previous game and is worthy of the series' finale. It is a title worth considering not only for fans well-versed in the original work but also for those seeking a character-driven, robust action RPG.

本作を語る上で外せないのは、シリーズの長い歴史と大きな変化だ。20年以上もの間、美しい2DアドベンチャーとシミュレーションRPGを融合させた金字塔として君臨してきたシリーズが、初めて3Dアクションに挑戦したのは2018年の前作のことだった。しかし、その試みは順風満帆とは言えず、熱心なファンからは厳しい評価を受けることもあった。本作は、その反省を真摯に受け止め、単なるアクションの派生作という枠を超え、物語と育成を重厚に描き出す本格的なアクションRPGとしての存在意義を確立している。シリーズが長年培ってきた重厚な戦記と、キャラクター一人ひとりの内面を、現代的なアクションの表現で再定義しようとする強い意志が、随所に感じられる。

アドベンチャーパートの劇的な進化が、物語への感情移入を向上させている。従来の2D立ち絵形式を大胆に刷新し、キャラクターの3Dモデルによるフル演出を導入したことで、戦場での動きや、会話の一瞬の感情がより鮮明に伝わるようになった。メインシリーズ三部作の完結編としてふさわしい壮大な物語が、ダイナミックなカメラワークと高品質なフルボイスによって彩られている。さらに、原作を補完する形で追加されたフルボイスの新シナリオ「武人伝」は、キャラクター同士の絆を深く掘り下げるファンサービスとして大変素晴らしく、この物語を愛する者ほど、その濃密さに圧倒されるはずだ。

戦闘システムは、単なる「無双系」の模倣に留まらない面白みが増している。シリーズ伝統の「連撃」システムをリアルタイムアクションで見事に再現し、正確なタイミングでの入力による爽快感と、状況に応じた戦略性が両立している。新しく導入されたスキルボード形式の育成システムや、ハクスラ要素を持つ装備収集のサイクルは、単調になりがちなアクションに目的と達成感を与えている。お気に入りのキャラクターを自分好みの育成で徹底的に強化していく過程は夢中になりやすく、クリア後にも用意された高難易度ミッションを含めたやり込み要素の充実ぶりは、前作を大きく上回る。

ビジュアル面においても、3Dで生き生きと動くヒロインたちの魅力は格別だ。本格的なアクションRPGとしての骨格を維持しつつも、キャラクターゲームとしての「可愛らしさ」を妥協していない点は、シリーズファンにとって最高のプレゼントだろう。PC版の最適化も悪くなく、超高解像度/高画質という訳ではないが非常に安定したフレームレートで、派手なエフェクトが飛び交う戦場を快適に楽しめる。設定項目はシンプルで、キャラクターの育成周回に没頭できる点も、現代のゲームスタイルに合う魅力と言えるだろう。

総じて、前作の不満点をしっかり解消し、シリーズ完結編にふさわしい作品だ。原作を熟知しているファンはもちろん、キャラクター主導の骨太なアクションRPGを求める層にとっても、本作は検討する価値のある一作だといえるだろう。

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Forgive me for reviewing the game after only a half hour with it, but wow - it seems to improve on the first game in every way. The game looks and feels so much more polished. And I say that as someone who really enjoyed their time with the first game.

The cutscenes, 2D art, interface, everything is on another level. The game even uses a hub like structure where you have a home base to start your missions from, which will change over time as the story progresses.

This is a port of a PS4 game, but unlike the first Zan game, it was never released outside of Japan. This Steam release is the first official way to play the game in English - and I'm really wondering why that was.

Playing on Steam Deck it runs great out of the box and it is a constant 60fps - the original game initially locked to 57fps, but that was patched in a very recent update - and it looks like it won't be an issue here either.

I will update my review once I've played through the main campaign, but wanted to give initial impressions here since these games deserve way more love.