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Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten

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Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Kazuo Ninomiya
Producer(s)Naoya Shimokawa
Artist(s)Mi
Writer(s)Munemitsu Suga
Composer(s)
  • Michio Kinugasa
  • Junya Matsuoka
  • Shinya Ishikawa
  • Huang Yanling
  • Hironori Mutoh
SeriesUtawarerumono
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
  • JP: November 17, 2022
  • NA: September 5, 2023
  • EU/AU: September 8, 2023
Windows
  • WW: November 17, 2022
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten[1] is a role-playing video game developed by Aquaplus and Design Act. A part of the Utawarerumono series, the game commemorates the series' 20th anniversary and was released on November 17, 2022 for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in Japan, and Windows worldwide. A worldwide release for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions was in September 2023.

Gameplay

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A combat encounter early in the game.

The gameplay of Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten features a turn-based combat system, fully 3D characters and free camera movement. It also features field exploration and plays like a traditional Japanese role-playing video game, in contrast to the grid-based tactical role-playing combat system and visual novel elements found in the previous mainline titles of the Utawarerumono series.[2] The player can issue commands to characters to launch attacks, use tools and initiate combat tactics.[3]

During combat encounters, a circle in the top-left corner of the game screen known as the "Action Ring" indicates the current turn order of units and comprises three inner rings. After each turn, the units rotate clockwise on the inner rings and the further they are from the end of an inner ring, the longer they will have to wait for their turn to commence. Units on the innermost ring will have the most frequent turns and players can manipulate the turn order to enter the innermost ring, either by staggering opponents and attacking them while they are in a staggered state to cause them to collapse, or activating an overcharged state from a filled gauge that accumulates through dealing damage, receiving damage or defending, and using the "Ascend" combat skill unlocked in that state.

Plot

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Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten is set prior to the events in Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception.[2] In the province of Ennakamuy that borders the Yamato Empire, the story follows Oshtor, who resides with his mother and younger sister. During an investigation assigned by his local lord, Oshtor encounters a mysterious girl by the name of Shunya who informs him that his father currently believed to be deceased is still alive. Shocked by this revelation, but catching a vestige of his father in Shunya and his determination to find the truth, Oshtor partners up with her and the pair travel to a country that cannot be found on the map, Arva Shulan, beginning the pursuit of his father.[4]

Development and release

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In July 2019, Aquaplus COO and series producer Naoya Shimokawa confirmed that there were multiple video games in development for the Utawarerumono series for consoles, later reiterating this in January 2020.[5][6] The game was officially revealed in November 2021 as Monochrome Moebius: Toki no Taika, slated for a 2022 release in Japan with platforms unannounced at the time.[7]

The opening sequence was animated by White Fox, the studio that produced the animated opening sequences and anime adaptations of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth, and features the theme song "Toki no Taika" sung by Suara. Returning staff members from the main trilogy of visual novels in the series include producer and music director Shimokawa, and writer Munemitsu Suga. Tatsuki Amaduyu and Misato Mitsumi are credited for the original character designs.[8]

With the omission of the Utawarerumono series name from the game's title and its genre moving away from the grid-based tactical role-playing combat system found in the main visual novel trilogy, Aquaplus wanted the character designs to be distinguishable from past entries in the series to make the game feel like a brand new work, choosing Mi as its character designer for this reason. Taking care to ensure the new designs of returning characters from previous titles in their younger forms were not dramatically changed so as not to displease long-time fans, Amaduyu and Mitsumi, who both served as character designers for the visual novels were tasked with supervising Mi's artwork to maintain consistency with the original designs.[3]

Music was a key element for Shimokawa as a composer and Aquaplus, placing significant emphasis on the soundtrack and environmental sound design matching the in-game scenes. Over 100 tracks have been recorded for the game's soundtrack. Shimokawa also reported that as of April 2022, the game's development was 90% finished with it being complete in content, and work in progress on tweaking the game balance and debugging.[3]

The game was initially set to be released on September 8, 2022 in Japan for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows,[9] but was later delayed to October 20, 2022 for quality improvements,[10] then to November 17, 2022 due to a COVID-19 infection among the development team.[11] An English localization of the Windows version by Shiravune titled Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten was released simultaneously with the Japanese release on Steam worldwide, with early purchasers receiving a digital artbook and a digital soundtrack containing 30 tracks as bonuses.[9] NIS America released the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions in North America on September 5, 2023, and in Europe and Oceania on September 8.[12][13]

In November 2024, a game described as a continuation of Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten was announced at the Great Aquaplus Festival -30th Anniversary- event for a scheduled Fall 2025 release in Japan. The game is titled Utawarerumono: Shiro e no Michishirube in Japanese.[14]

Reception

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Siliconera's Josh Tolentino found the game's story and characterization strong while lacking in the depth of its combat, noting that fans of the previous Utawarerumono games would be more served by its worldbuilding than newcomers to the series.[15] Thomas Knight of "NookGaming" agreed that the story is strong, calling it "excellent, if a bit slow at times in the second half" and indicated enjoyment of the battle system, despite being basic.[16] Conversely, James Galizio of "RPG Site" noted that there are elements of the game which deserve credit, but criticized the strength of the narrative overall, the pacing, and the combat.[17]

During the game's launch week in Japan, the PlayStation 4 version reached fourth place in game sales charts with 9,066 units sold and the PlayStation 5 version reached eleventh place with 4,950 units sold.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Japanese: モノクロームメビウス 刻ノ代贖(トキノタイカ), Hepburn: Monokurōmu Mebiusu: Toki no Taika
  2. ^ a b Tolentino, Josh (April 26, 2022). "Utawarerumono RPG Monochrome Mobius Global Release Date Revealed". Siliconera. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c 『モノクロームメビウス 刻ノ代贖』下川直哉氏インタビュー。“うたわれるもの”たちの 新たな物語の全容に迫る. Famitsu (in Japanese). April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Vitale, Adam (April 26, 2022). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten releases on September 8 worldwide". RPG Site. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  5. ^ Romano, Sal (July 3, 2019). "Aquaplus explains Utawarerumono: Lost Flag platform choice, teases new console project(s)". Gematsu. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  6. ^ Romano, Sal (January 22, 2020). "Aquaplus teases multiple Utawarerumono series console developments". Gematsu. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  7. ^ Stenbuck, Kite (November 24, 2021). "Utawarerumono 20th anniversary title Monochrome Moebius launches in 2022". RPG Site. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  8. ^ Romano, Sal (November 24, 2021). "Utawarerumono 20th anniversary title Monochrome Mobius: Toki no Taika announced". Gematsu. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Romano, Sal (April 25, 2022). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten launches September 8 for PS5 and PS4 in Japan, PC worldwide". Gematsu. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Romano, Sal (July 28, 2022). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten delayed to October 20". Gematsu. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  11. ^ Vitale, Adam (September 9, 2022). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten delayed to November 17". RPG Site. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Romano, Sal (April 13, 2023). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten for PS5, PS4 coming west this fall". Gematsu. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  13. ^ Romano, Sal (May 18, 2023). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten for PS5 and PS4 launches September 5 in North America, September 8 in Europe". Gematsu. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "新作『うたわれるもの 白への道標』発表！ 2025年秋発売予定。「『うたわれるもの』の集大成」。OP映像とともにカルラらしき人物や新キャラクターの少女などが公開". Famitsu. Famitsu. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Tolentino, Josh (December 10, 2022). "Review: Monochrome Mobius is Mainly for Utawarerumono Fans". Siliconera. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  16. ^ Knight, Thomas (December 10, 2022). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights And Wrongs Forgotten – Review". NookGaming. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  17. ^ Galizio, James (December 14, 2022). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten Review". RPG Site. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  18. ^ Romano, Sal (November 24, 2022). "Famitsu Sales: 11/14/22 – 11/20/22 [Update]". Gematsu. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
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