Last week, the game Umamusume: Pretty Derby made a splash by launching on the Steam platform.
Initially released in Japan in 2021, Umamusume: Pretty Derby was a title exclusive to the local market. However, just last month, it debuted in North America and Europe, quickly gaining immense popularity with its engaging narrative and unique gameplay mechanics.
The storyline of Umamusume: Pretty Derby can be quite captivating for many players. Specifically, each time a horse passes through the finish line, it has a chance to reincarnate as an anime girl in the modern world.
In Umamusume—literally meaning “horse girls”—players will continue the racing career, gaining glory and concluding races with spectacular idol performances. Players take on the role of a trainer at the Tracen Academy, where Umamusume are trained to compete and perform. The game features various modes such as story mode and career mode, all revolving around managing stamina, morale, and health of the trainees. While it has the superficial appearance of a racing game, Umamusume is fundamentally a strategy and time management game, reminiscent of Fire Emblem: Three Houses. The entire training process and preparation for performances outside the racing tracks are intricately designed, while the outcomes of the competitions are influenced by the underlying mechanics, steering the game towards strategic management rather than mere skill.
Although it is a free-to-play game, Umamusume: Pretty Derby incorporates typical elements of the gacha genre, including time-limited events and randomly drawn characters. Despite this, many players report that the game does not feel excessively monetized, allowing for enjoyable gameplay without the need for constant payments. Currently, the game records around 47,000 concurrent players on Steam, nearly reaching a historic record, with over 8,000 reviews labeled “Very Positive,” surpassing even titles like Elden Ring on PC. Moreover, this number is just for the PC platform, while the player base on mobile is significantly higher.
Despite the seemingly “quirky” concept behind its premise, Umamusume: Pretty Derby has proven that a unique idea, combined with strategic gameplay and emotional storytelling, can indeed captivate a global audience. The game is often humorous yet has deep emotional layers, ensuring that it remains a staple among competitive gaming communities.
