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

Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a one-of-a-kind 3D sports life simulation mobile game developed by Cygames. This game blends high-stakes competitive racing, idol-style performance (talk about celebrating a win in grand style), and fun character development. Just like the popular anime series, it reimagines real-life racehorses as horse girls popularly known as Umamusume, with distinct personalities, voices, and goals. And our Umamusume: Pretty Derby review is here to tell you all about it.

In this review, I’ll dive into the game’s core features, including gameplay mechanics, racing excitement, monetization, and whether the experience holds up for both casual players and hardcore gacha fans. I played on an iOS device (iPhone 12), clocking in over 20 hours of gameplay, enough time to scout several Umamusume, build a competitive team, and yell over more than one career ending too soon. So let’s get into it.

Also, if you are just starting with the game, we have covered several guides, such as Beginner’s Tips, Reroll Guide, Currency Guide, and a Tier List as well. Additionally, do check our Redeem codes article to grab some freebies, and should you need any in-game support, check our Customer Support guide on how to contact the official team hassle-free!

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

Starting with the review, at first glance, Umamusume: Pretty Derby might make you think it’s just a quirky anime game with running horse girls, but once I put some hours into the game, I discovered more. This mobile game reveals a surprising mix of strategy, time management, and character development, which might come off as easy at first, but they’re essential for success.

The game revolves around training your chosen Umamusume through a series of days leading up to a major race goal. Training takes place in a turn-based style where each day, you choose between different activities such as Speed, Stamina, Power, Guts, or Wits.

Each stat affects how your Umamusume performs in specific race types (Sprint, Mile, Medium, or Long Distance), so your training focus depends on your chosen strategy. The twist? Every training session drains energy, and if you push your horse girl too hard, she’ll get injured, wasting valuable time.

Also, you have to balance rest, training, event choices, and bonding with support characters (who act like coaches). There’s a fail state if you don’t qualify for certain races, which forces you to plan out the perfect development path over time. All these elements made me feel like I was managing a sports team and nurturing an idol group at the same time.

Race Days play out as pure Adrenaline with an anime flair

Races are the climax of every training cycle and come in multiple lengths, courses, and weather conditions. While you don’t control the Umamusume directly during the race, the game lets you choose your strategy, whether to lead early, conserve energy, or go all out in the final leg.

Your skills activate automatically based on training and skills, making it an exciting watch even for someone as impatient as I am. The race animations are crisp and filled with personality. Sprint races are quick bursts of chaos, while long-distance races build tension as strategies unfold.

And nothing beats watching your favorite Umamusume overtake the lead at the final corner with her theme music blaring, which feels electric. Plus, if you win, your Umamusume gets to perform a victory idol concert (yes, seriously), complete with matching outfits and dance choreography. I may or may not have been dancing a little, but anyway, it’s the perfect blend of sports adrenaline and idol cuteness.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby offers stunning visuals with soothing music

Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a visual treat for fans conversant with the anime, and even if you aren’t, the buttery smooth animations, expressive characters, and polished race cinematics that feel like a mobile anime episode will win you over.

Every Umamusume is brought to life with expressive eyes, unique hairstyles, and subtle mannerisms that reflect their personalities. And what’s more interesting is you’ll notice the nervous shuffle of shy girls, the confident smirks of elite racers, and even little quirks in how they warm up before a race.

Now let’s talk about the music in Pretty Derby, which is nothing too special, but very catchy. Every part of the game is supported by a bubbly, energetic soundtrack that captures the spirit of the racetrack and the idol stage all at once.

Menu screens are backed by upbeat tunes that loop just enough to stay catchy without becoming annoying. And then there’s the race music, which I admit I didn’t notice at first, probably because the races are nerve-racking and the commentators are loud and energetic.

UI and Controls bring a subtle blend of simplicity and depth

When I first launched Umamusume: Pretty Derby, the UI greeted me with a burst of bright colors, bouncing icons, and a cheerful welcome from your favorite horse girl. It might feel like a lot to take in at first, but once you get the hang of it, everything falls neatly into place.

Navigating the game is mostly tap-based, and the layout does a great job guiding you through the core gameplay loop. The main screen features quick access to your team, Career Event, Races, Story, Gacha, Shop, and more. Yes, it’s a bit dense at first. There are lots of buttons, tabs, and submenus, but here’s the twist: I found it to be smartly organized once I understood the flow of it.

Races, story content, team, and character management are all clearly separated, and you can jump between menus with minimal effort and lag. The training interface in Career is where I spent most of my time, and Cygames made sure it’s both functional and adorable. It’s intuitive and packed with information without overwhelming you.

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

Like most mobile gacha games, Umamusume features two banner types. A Support Card gacha where you pull for Support Cards, which act as your assistant training staff. These are very important if you want the best Umamusume training efficiency. Also, there is the Umamusume gacha, where you scout new horse girls to train and race with.

You summon using Carats, the game’s premium currency, and while there is a pity system, it can feel grindy for F2P players to get enough for full pulls. That said, Umamusume is surprisingly generous with Carats, especially when completing the main story, dailies, and event milestones.

The in-game store is surprisingly low-pressure compared to other gacha-heavy titles. You’ll find packs for in-game currency, occasional Daily Sales featuring training items or Star Pieces, and a Voucher exchange to pick a 3-star Umamusume. There are also exchange shops where you can trade for pieces that help you uncap your units, scout tickets, support points, and more.

This system adds real value to “bad” pulls by letting you slowly build up the units you care about. For F2P players, the store remains largely optional; nothing there is essential to enjoy or progress in the game, and most paid items are aimed at speeding things up rather than locking power behind a paywall.

Final Verdict

From my time spent training, racing, and vibing to idol concerts, Umamusume: Pretty Derby offers one of the most charming and polished mobile experiences in the gacha scene. It mixes strategy and storytelling with just enough competition to keep you invested without stressing you out.

The core loop of raising a horse girl from rookie to champion is deeply satisfying, and the stories are rich with personality and heart. You don’t even have to be a racing fan to enjoy the journey. If you love character-driven games, idol culture, or unique management sims, then Umamusume is a must-play.

That’s all from us for the Umamusume: Pretty Derby Review! Did you find my Umamusume: Pretty Derby review helpful? Let me know in the comments below!

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