Review: Illusion of Itehari Features Some Major Worldbuilding

Otome games that involve the creation of a whole new world and society end up needing to walk a delicate line between really “selling” the space we inhabit while also ensuring the characters and romance remain at the forefront. It’s a challenge a lot of games face! It’s happened with games like Norn9, Olympia Soiree, Piofiore, Steam Prison, and Virche Evermore. Fortunately for Illusion of Itehari, known in Japan as Utakata no Uchronia, it’s generally pretty good at maintaining a balance between establishing things and keeping things interesting. However, there are a few routes in this new Aksys title that suffer from some pacing and storytelling issues as a result.

Like Steam Prison, Illusion of Itehari is an otome game that takes place in a separated society. People live in a floating city that is supposedly perfect, safe, and comfortable for everyone, with a masked “god” known as The Great Taiju ruling it. Hinagiku is a member of the nobility, responsible for guiding, advocating, and governing people. As you can probably imagine, things are anything but. She’s always wondered about things outside the idealized bubble and, after going for a walk one day is nearly attacked. A man named Yashiro steps in to defend and save her life, but loses his memories in the process. However, this altercation opens up Hinagiku to learning more about her society and its secrets and getting involved with people she would normally never meet.

Since this is an otome game that will also involve learning about the city’s secrets, naturally many of the people who can be love interests are involved with how things run and exposing Hinagiku to difference facets of society. Naturally, Yashiro is part of that, and his route ends up being one of the most informative for insights into things due to his role in the story. However, we also have a member of what is basically the Itehari military (Yori), the Entertainment District head (Tobari), and Hinagiku’s personal assistant (Awayuki). Even Tsuyukusa, who is Hinagiku’s childhood friend, ends up being meaningful on multiple levels. I appreciate how everyone does somehow tie into things in ways. 

The downside is because Illusion of Itehari is very focused on also going through its mysteries and exposing elements of society, with Hinagiku being an active and involved heroine, it can mean pacing and plotlines vary between routes. I think Yashiro, Yori, and Tsuyukusa all have routes that are generally excellent overall, but the execution of ones for Awayuki and Tobari don’t feel as strong. I enjoyed them, to be clear. But there are some that come across as being stronger and more critical to events in ways that better balance information and relationships. Couple that with routes that can be longer than runs in typical otome games, and I felt like at least two of the main love interest storylines feel dragged out. Which is a shame, as the characters themselves are really compelling and well-written.

At least while you’re spending hours with these folks, they’ll all look great. Illusion of Itehari is a gorgeous game. Both the standard character sprites for folks are beautiful, as are all the CGs. I do think the eyes seem a little big for everyone, Hinagiku especially, in a way that can be off-putting, but I got used to it. However, there is no character portrait sprite for Hinagiku for her lines, which is disappointing. I always like that option. 

Illusion of Itehari is one of those otome games that prioritizes building up not only interesting characters and relationships, but a whole world. The lore can be quite interesting, and the resulting motivations and backstories for everything fascinating. I do think this can be to the detriment of some routes however, as the pacing and execution mean that some are incredibly eventful with great revelations and others plod along and don’t add much even if the love interest is wonderful. If you’re fortunate enough to connect with one of the bachelors who is also tied to critical, major events on Itehari, then I think you’ll have a great time with this Switch otome game.

The otome game Illusion of Itehari will be available for the Switch on September 18, 2025. 

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