Adarna: Alamat ni Maria Blanca is role-playing and the sequel to Adarna. Both are based on the 17th century Filipino epic Ibong Adarna (traditionally attributed to José de la Cruz). It deviates from the original manuscript’s portrayal of the three women, however. This game also aims to portray an indigenous pre-colonial atmosphere, while the original game had a more Western style. The gameplay is turn-based RPG style, with skills that are heavily inspired by Philippine martial arts like Escrima.
The story is set in the warrior Kingdom of Reinos de los Kristales. While Princess Maria Blanca trains with the captain of the guards, she finds out that a mysterious illness has befallen her sister Isabela. Alarmed, Maria immediately sets off in search for a possible cure. A hermit informs her that only the song of the legendary Adarna can cure her sister and this creature can be found in the Kingdom of Berbanya. As she embarks on her journey, she finds and rescues a ranger, who turns out to be Princess Juana from the neighboring tribe. She joins Maria on the main quest, thanking Maria for the timely rescue. They are later joined by Juana’s sister, Leonora the shaman, whom they free from a gigantic three-headed serpent.
From being part of the protagonist’s harem—with the rejected girls given to the protagonist’s brothers as brides—Maria, Juana, and Leonora of the game resemble the women of pre-Hispanic Philippines instead. Historically, in those days, men would serve the families of the women they wanted to court. They were also the ones who paid dowries in marriage. These ancient customs can be felt when doing the NPC side quests. The game, however, does not go all out on the whole matriarchal theme. The men are just as tough, and just as brave, as the women.
