- Accessible difficulty for new players
- Exceptional music and soundtrack
- Engaging trance mechanic
- Poor game design and polish
- Technical and localization issues
- Unengaging early stages
Emotions
Players felt satisfied due to the game's accessibility for beginners, particularly its lower difficulty settings and forgiving mechanics like Spirit Trance. The high-quality music (BGM/OSTs), charming characters, unique gameplay mechanics (like Trance), and the sense of accomplishment from clearing the game also contributed significantly to player satisfaction.
Frustration stemmed primarily from the game's perceived high difficulty, especially on higher settings, and a scarcity of resources (lives, bombs, Trance items). Specific challenging spell cards, unintuitive systems, and issues like accidental deaths or losing Trance also caused significant player annoyance. Technical issues such as low resolution and lack of fullscreen support added to the frustration.
Players expressed disappointment over unfulfilled expectations, particularly regarding the game's mechanics like Trance mode not being engaging or useful. Other causes included the game being perceived as overpriced, less interesting danmaku patterns compared to previous entries, and music that was not as memorable, leading to a feeling of mediocrity.
Excitement was generated by the game's catchy music, cool characters, and the exhilaration of dodging attacks and defeating enemies. The intensity of specific boss attacks and the prospect of more Touhou games on Steam also contributed to a strong sense of anticipation and enjoyment.
Players found enjoyment in the game's engaging music, charming characters, and dialogue. The Trance mechanic, specific boss fights, and the overall fun and challenging gameplay experience, even when dying, contributed to a positive and entertaining experience.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 87% · Negative 13%. Score: 13 / 100
Positives:
- Many players found this Touhou game to be significantly easier and more forgiving than previous titles, making it an excellent entry point for newcomers to the series or the bullet hell genre. The lenient difficulty curve and simpler bullet patterns contribute to its accessibility.
- The game's soundtrack received widespread praise, with many players highlighting specific tracks like 'Desire Drive' and 'Shoutoku Legend'. The music is described as catchy, high-quality, and among the best in the Touhou series, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- The 'Trance' mechanic is a unique and powerful addition, offering temporary invincibility, doubling resource acquisition, and providing strategic depth. Players found it satisfying to activate and utilize, balancing difficulty and offering choices for point-blanking or survival.
- Despite its lower difficulty, players found the game to be very fun and replayable, offering a great sense of accomplishment upon completion. The inclusion of four distinct playable characters and multiple difficulty settings adds to its longevity.
- The game offers a selection of playable characters, each with unique playstyles. Youmu, in particular, was highlighted for her distinct and rewarding mechanics, while Reimu and Sanae were also noted for their effective shot types and abilities.
Negatives:
- Several design choices are seen as lazy or unpolished, including repetitive character shot types, uninspired environments, and reused boss assets. Issues like unclear boss hitboxes, bullets blending with backgrounds, and bullets appearing randomly contribute to a frustrating gameplay experience.
- The game suffers from technical limitations such as poor resolution support for modern monitors and a lack of native fullscreen. The absence of an English version makes the game inaccessible and difficult to understand for non-Japanese speakers, forcing reliance on fan translations.
- The initial stages (1-3) are frequently described as trivial, slow, and boring, with unmemorable music. This lack of engagement in the early game contributes to a feeling of mediocrity compared to other entries in the series.
- Players feel the game is overpriced given its technical issues, lack of polish, and overall mediocre experience. The $12 price point is considered too high for the value offered.
- Specific characters like Youmu and Sanae are noted for feeling underpowered or having difficult execution. Youmu's hitbox issues and Sanae's low firepower make them less enjoyable to play, impacting overall character balance.
Gameplay:
- The game's core 'Trance' system offers temporary invulnerability, increased shot power, and faster resource gain. It can be activated manually with a full gauge or automatically upon being hit, with different consequences for each activation method. Mastering its use is crucial for comfortable progression.
- Players have reported a wide range of achievements, from clearing the game on Easy to achieving 'No Miss No Bomb No Trance' clears on Extra difficulty. This indicates a diverse player base with varying skill levels engaging with the game's challenges.
- The game heavily emphasizes collecting spirits to gain life and bomb fragments, which are essential for survival. This system dictates the overall difficulty and requires strategic planning to maximize resource acquisition.
- The game is considered difficult, especially from Stage 4 onwards, and is noted as being on the harder side within its series. Success requires careful planning and effective use of game mechanics.
- The game features returning characters like Yuyuko as bosses, with some having unique and challenging spell card patterns, especially on higher difficulties. It also introduces a final boss with an unprecedented seven spell cards.
Performance:
- Players using Xbox gamepads cannot use the D-pad for movement by default, requiring manual configuration through Steam settings or third-party software. This adds an unnecessary step for controller users.
- Certain applications, such as Discord or VTube Studio, can cause input conflicts, specifically leading to a constant 'down' key input. This issue disrupts gameplay and requires users to troubleshoot external software.
Recommendations:
- Many players highly recommend this game, especially for fans of the Touhou series, bullet hells, and intense shmup games. It's considered a solid entry in the genre.
- The game is frequently recommended for beginners due to its low base difficulty, making it an accessible introduction to the Touhou series and STG genre. Players on Normal and Easy difficulties might even find Hard mode approachable.
- Several players recommend purchasing the game as a way to support the developer, ZUN, indicating appreciation for his work.
- One reviewer noted that the quality of this game prompted them to purchase another title in the series, suggesting it can positively influence engagement with the franchise.
- One player suggested that the game is more enjoyable or recommendable if you have friends who are hardcore fans, implying a social or niche appeal.
Miscellaneous:
- Players discuss the time and effort required to beat the game, including clearing the Extra stage and achieving a 1cc (one credit clear). This highlights the game's inherent challenge and replayability.
- Players mention the game's age, its maximum fullscreen resolution limitation, and specific UI or character art quirks. This provides historical context and highlights unique aspects of the game.
- Players highly recommend and rely on community-made English patches and guides to fully experience the game. Official localization is a significant missing feature for many.
- Players appreciate specific characters like Seiga and Miko, and note the game's subdued, calm, or whimsical music. These elements contribute to the game's aesthetic appeal.
- Mentions of 'Patchy' recommendations, the 'Stage 3 divine music' meme, and the importance of fangames highlight the strong community and fan culture surrounding the Touhou series.
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