"A classic bullet hell, remade with AI and corner-cutting"
About
Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic is a full remake of the 2002 doujin game The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, a foundational title in the bullet hell genre. As either shrine maiden Reimu Hakurei or magician Marisa Kirisame, you fly through six stages to solve the Scarlet Mist Incident. The gameplay involves navigating intricate, screen-filling bullet patterns, known as danmaku, while shooting down fairies and facing powerful bosses. This release updates the original with high-definition graphics, a rearranged soundtrack, and modern quality-of-life features.
Verdict
This should be a triumphant return for a beloved classic. The core bullet hell gameplay is as sharp as ever, enhanced by smart quality-of-life changes that make it the definitive version to play. Unfortunately, the celebration is cut short by how the package was assembled. The undisclosed use of generative AI, coupled with allegations of unpaid fan labor, casts a long shadow over the project. For all its gameplay polish, it's a remake that feels compromised at its foundation.
You'll like it if …
- +You're a series veteran eager to replay a classic with modern conveniences.
- +You want a pure, challenging bullet hell experience and can look past production controversies.
You'll dislike it if …
- −Undisclosed use of generative AI in commercial projects is a hard line for you.
- −You expect standard PC port features like fully remappable keys.
- −The ethics of a game's production, including crediting and payment, matter to you.
Breakdown
- +The core bullet hell action feels smooth and responsive, faithfully preserving the original's feel.
- +Quality-of-life additions like a visible hitbox and an auto-collect line make the experience much more readable.
- +An "infinite lives" mode provides an accessible entry point for newcomers to see the game through.
- −Even with aids, the difficulty curve remains steep for players new to the genre.
- −The inability to practice individual non-spell sections of stages can be frustrating for focused improvement.
- +Multiple difficulty settings and two characters offer significant replay value.
- +A dedicated Spell Practice mode allows players to drill the game's toughest patterns.
- +Includes a recreation of the original 2002 version for purists.
- −Removing the original's dynamic "rank" system makes the difficulty more static and, for some players, unexpectedly harder.
- +Effectively evokes nostalgia for long-time fans of the Touhou series.
- +The iconic characters and light story establish a memorable, distinct atmosphere.
- −The plot is minimal and serves mostly as context for the action, as is typical for the genre.
- +Redrawn character portraits and boss sprites are sharp and faithful to the original art style.
- +ZUN's fully rearranged soundtrack offers a fresh, high-quality take on classic themes.
- −A non-optional filter blurs the pixel art, obscuring detail and working against the aesthetic.
- −Some of the new music arrangements fall flat compared to the beloved originals.
- +Runs smoothly on modern hardware, with good out-of-the-box support for Linux via Proton.
- +The first official English release of the game, making it more accessible globally.
- −Uses undisclosed generative AI for background art, evidenced by clear artifacts like malformed roman numerals.
- −Allegations of unpaid fan translation work and uncredited use of a fan-made decompile sour the release.
- −Missing basic PC options like keyboard remapping and dedicated TATE mode support.
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