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Umamusume: Pretty Derby Review: Racing has never been this Adorable

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The unique mobile game named Umamusume: Pretty Derby was created by Cygames, offering a thrilling mix of high-stakes racing, idol-style showmanship after victories, and engaging character development in a 3D sports life simulation. Similar to the beloved anime series, it presents real-life racehorses as horse girls, known as Umamusume, each with unique personalities, voices, and aspirations. Our review of Umamusume: Pretty Derby is here to give you an insight into this exciting game.

In this analysis, I’ll delve deep into the essential aspects of the game, such as its gameplay dynamics, speedy racing thrills, in-app purchases, and whether it appeals to both newcomers and dedicated gacha enthusiasts. I engaged with the game on an iOS device (specifically, an iPhone 12), logging over 20 hours of playtime, which gave me a chance to discover numerous Umamusume characters, construct a formidable team, and express frustration more than once due to premature career endings. Now, let’s dive in!

Training, Bonding, and Racing, with a gameplay that surprises

Upon initially glancing at the review, Umamusume: Pretty Derby may seem like a simple game featuring horse girls in an anime setting. However, upon investing some time into playing, I found that it offers a fascinating blend of elements such as strategy, time management, and character development. These aspects might initially appear straightforward, but they are crucial for achieving success in the game.

As an avid fan, I find myself immersed in the world of Umamusume, where I’m tasked with nurturing my chosen horse-girl through a sequence of days, all building up to a significant race. The training process is engaging and strategic, as each day presents me with choices between various activities like Speed, Stamina, Power, Courage, or Intelligence.

In this game of Umamusume, each stat influences the performance of your character in specific race categories such as Sprint, Mile, Medium, or Long Distance. Therefore, your training approach hinges on the strategy you’ve chosen. The intriguing part is that each training session depletes energy, and overexerting your horse girl could lead to injuries, which in turn means lost time.

Additionally, it’s essential to consider rest, training, selecting events, and interacting with your assistant coaches. Neglecting qualification for certain races can lead to failure, necessitating careful long-term planning of your career path. This multi-layered experience made me feel as though I was both managing a sports team and cultivating an idol group simultaneously.

Race Days play out as pure Adrenaline with an anime flair

Races are the culmination of every training period and can vary in terms of distance, terrain, and weather. Unlike controlling the Umamusume horses directly during a race, the game allows you to decide on your racing strategy – whether to take an early lead, conserve energy, or give it your all in the final stretch.

In this engaging spectacle, your abilities seamlessly kick in due to your training and expertise, keeping me hooked even with my short attention span. The races are meticulously animated, brimming with unique character. Sprint races offer a whirlwind of action, while the longer ones gradually escalate the tension as strategies unfold.

Nothing compares to the thrill of watching your preferred Umamusume take the lead at the last turn, with her theme song booming loud. To top it off, if you win, your chosen Umamusume puts on a victory idol concert – yes, that’s right! They don matching outfits and dance to choreographed routines. It’s as though I was dancing along myself, but either way, it’s an exhilarating mix of sports excitement and idol charm.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby offers stunning visuals with soothing music

Umamusume: Pretty Derby is visually appealing for those familiar with anime, but even if you’re not, the smooth animations, expressive characters, and well-crafted race sequences that resemble a mobile anime episode will captivate you.

Each Umamusume comes to life with expressive eyes, distinctive hairdos, and nuanced behaviors that encapsulate their individual personalities. What’s intriguing is you’ll find the shy ones shuffling nervously, the confident ones flashing smirks, and even peculiar habits in their pre-race routines.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say something about the tunes in Pretty Derby. They might not be mind-blowing, but they sure are addictive! The music in this game is like a bubbly, high-energy drink that perfectly encapsulates the thrill of the racetrack and the excitement of the idol stage, all rolled into one.

The menus play lively melodies that repeat in a way that remains enjoyable instead of grating, while the racing tracks have their own music that may initially go unnoticed due to the intensity of the races and the boisterousness of the commentators.

UI and Controls bring a subtle blend of simplicity and depth

Initially starting up “Umamusume: Pretty Derby“, I was greeted by an explosion of vibrant colors, moving icons, and a warm welcome from your favorite horse girl. Although it could seem overwhelming at the start, once you get accustomed to it, everything becomes organized and easy to navigate.

Exploring this game primarily involves tapping, and its design effectively leads you through the main gameplay mechanics. The primary interface offers swift navigation to your team, special events, races, storyline, loot boxes, marketplace, and additional features. Initially, it may seem crowded due to the numerous options, but once you grasp the sequence of actions, you’ll find that it’s well-structured.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the seamless separation of races, story content, teams, and character management in this game. Navigating between these menus is effortless and lag-free, making my gaming experience smooth and enjoyable. The training interface in Career mode captivates me the most, and it seems that Cygames has taken great care to ensure it’s not only functional but also charming. It’s incredibly intuitive and offers a wealth of information without ever feeling overwhelming.

IAPs and Gacha both exist, but so does a completely free-to-play experience

In a manner similar to many mobile gacha games, Umamusume offers two distinct banner options. One is a Support Card gacha where players can draw for Support Cards, acting as your training staff that significantly boosts the efficiency of raising Umamusume. The other one is the Umamusume gacha, where you can scout and train new horse girls to compete in races.

As a free-to-play gamer delving into the captivating world of Umamusume, I’ve noticed that summoning characters requires Carats, the game’s premium currency. Although there’s a pity system in place to soften the blow for those without deep pockets, it can still feel like a grind to amass enough Carats for full pulls, especially if you’re not spending money on the game. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how generous Umamusume is with Carats – particularly when I complete the main story, daily tasks, and event milestones.

In comparison to other games with heavy gacha elements, the in-game shop feels quite relaxed. Here, you’ll discover packages using in-game currency, regular sales occurring daily offering training items or Star Pieces, a voucher system for exchanging them for a 3-star Umamusume character. Additionally, there are exchange shops where you can swap for components to boost your units, scout tickets, support points, and other similar items.

This system enhances the worth of “suboptimal” attempts by allowing you to gradually accumulate the elements you prioritize. For free-to-play gamers, the store serves more as an extra feature; nothing there is vital for enjoying or advancing in the game, and most paid items are designed to expedite progress rather than restricting power based on payment.

Final Verdict

Spending time on training, racing, and attending idol concerts, Umamusume: Pretty Derby provides a delightful and refined mobile gaming experience that stands out in the gacha genre. It cleverly combines strategy and storytelling with an optimal level of competition to keep you engaged without causing undue stress.

The heartwarming process of transforming a novice horse girl into a champion is incredibly rewarding, and the tales are brimming with character and emotion. You don’t need to be a racing enthusiast to appreciate the voyage. If you’re fond of games centered around characters, idol culture, or distinctive management sims, then Umamusume is a game you simply can’t miss!

Umamusume: Pretty Derby Review by GamingonPhone

Gameplay Mechanics – 8.5
Gamemodes and Storyline – 8
Graphics and Music – 8
Controls and UI – 8
Free-to-Play Elements – 7.5

8

Good

Umamusume: Pretty Derby surpasses anticipations through captivating narrative, engagingly profound career mode, and an adorable ensemble of racing mascots.

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2025-07-28 09:12

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