Hifuu Nightmare Diary ~ Violet Detector

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 57 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Hifuu Nightmare Diary ~ Violet Detector Game Cover
Starting at €8.99Buy now
Get on Steam

Violet Detector, like its predecessors Shoot the Bullet, Double Spoiler and Impossible Spell Card, is a collection of many individual danmaku patterns that the player can choose from at their leisure. In addition to the usual mechanic of taking photographs that clear enemy bullets, Sumireko has several psychic superpowers at her disposal, such as teleportation. The game features all of the charact…

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews
gameplay7 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique photography mechanic that adds a fun twist to the traditional bullet hell gameplay.
  • The soundtrack is enjoyable, with some tracks standing out as particularly memorable.
  • The game offers a challenging experience with spell cards that require problem-solving and good movement skills to clear.
  • The teleportation mechanic is clunky and difficult to use, often leading to frustration during gameplay.
  • Many assets and spell cards are reused from previous Touhou games, which detracts from the originality of the experience.
  • The story feels unnecessary and convoluted, with some players feeling it complicates the established lore of the Touhou universe.
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay of the game features a unique blend of photography and teleportation mechanics, which some players find innovative while others criticize as clunky and frustrating. While the core shooting elements remain engaging, the execution of the teleportation mechanic detracts from the overall experience, especially when navigating challenging spell cards. Despite these issues, the game offers a fresh take on the genre, though it lacks the polish and challenge of its predecessors.

    • “The gameplay is reminiscent of impossible spell card and the Aya games, where you complete individual scenes to progress. Like Aya's games, you must advance by taking pictures of the boss and her danmaku (only one photo per scene is required to progress in this game; once you do that, you can feel free to simply take the boss out with your bullets).”
    • “Some fun mechanics are mixed in, and although the teleportation can feel clunky, it gives new fun ways to survive danmaku.”
    • “My favorite aspects of this game and why I like it so much are the new photography gameplay mechanic and the dream diary itself.”
    • “The teleportation mechanic is the biggest deal breaker once it's introduced, as using it feels extremely clunky.”
    • “These two games are what Violet Detector tries to uphold the legacy of, but the previous two games offered this gameplay style in a much more focused and well-presented manner that offers more challenge and replayability than what this game can offer.”
    • “However, there are some cards that outright require the teleportation mechanic, and as a result, it can lead to some painful moments as you frantically bash the keyboard hoping it'll work.”
  • story14 mentions

    The story of the game is a blend of intriguing elements tied to the character Sumireko Usami, expanding on her complex background within the Touhou universe and connecting to previous narratives and music albums. While some players find the story unnecessary or convoluted, others appreciate its charm and the unique photography mechanic that enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the narrative is seen as engaging, with returning characters and a twist that adds depth, despite some mixed feelings about its execution.

    • “This game excels in giving more story to the character Sumireko Usami, a character whose existence within the current Touhou canon has already been very explosive. This game further explores that with the comments she provides for each attack she faces, along with the small but significant story that partially ties in with the music albums ZUN has written stories in dating back to around 2003.”
    • “Interesting story with beloved characters returning and a different approach to photography games than before.”
    • “The story is actually tied to her previous plots in other stories, namely 'Antinomy of Common Flowers' and one of the official manga stories, where her ability to enter Gensokyo via dreams is addressed.”
    • “This game excels in giving more story to the character Sumireko Usami, a character whose existence within the current Touhou canon has already been very explosive. This game further explores that with the comments she provides for each attack she faces, along with the small but significant story that partially ties in with the music albums ZUN has written stories for dating back to around 2003.”
    • “While I was unsure of this game's main character's backstory with 'Antinomy of Common Flowers', which I overall enjoyed as the first fighter I played in years, I now really appreciate the idea with this game and its really cool photography mechanic.”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in the game, while not featuring many original songs, is highly praised for its quality and emotional resonance, particularly the final week theme which players find memorable. The soundtrack complements the game's narrative and character development, especially for Sumireko Usami, enhancing the overall experience with tranquil yet intense pieces that evoke a sense of desperation during gameplay. Overall, the OST is considered excellent and fitting for the game's atmosphere.

    • “The music is pretty great and I was humming 'Nightmare Diary' (the music for the third set of scenes) for a while when not playing it, honestly.”
    • “Some very interesting pieces of music that'll surely be worth listening to, and extremely fitting to the story and feeling of the game.”
    • “There aren't too many original songs in this game, but the final week theme is very good; it'll grow on you while you spend hours trying to beat all those final spells.”
    • “Music-wise, well it's Touhou.”
    • “The music along with the more intense fights create a feeling of desperation while you're fighting through a living nightmare.”
  • graphics3 mentions

    The graphics in the game feature new sprites and portraits for Sumireko, along with updated menus and HUDs, but largely rely on assets from previous titles. While some elements blend well with the overall aesthetic, the noticeable disparity in style, especially with older character sprites dating back to 2004, detracts from the visual coherence.

    • “The new sprites and portraits for Sumireko, along with the updated menus and HUDs, add a fresh touch to the overall graphics.”
    • “The clean aesthetics of the game are complemented by some graphics, although the older character sprites from 2004 stand out due to their noticeable style difference.”
    • “Lastly, in terms of graphics, the only new additions are Sumireko's sprites/portraits and various menus and HUDs.”
    • “Aside from that, all the other graphics are lifted from other games.”
    • “While some graphics fit in with the clean aesthetics, it's with the older characters that you see sprites that have been used since 2004, and the style difference is really obvious.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players appreciate the infinite replayability of attacks, allowing for flexibility in gameplay, but some feel that the current game lacks the focused challenge and replayability found in its predecessors. Overall, while there are replayable elements, the experience may not be as engaging as earlier titles in the series.

    • “Each attack is infinitely replayable and can even be skipped and returned to later if you're not trying to 100% everything.”
    • “These two games are what Violet Detector tries to uphold the legacy of, but the previous two games offered this gameplay style in a much more focused and well-presented manner that provides more challenge and replayability than what this game can offer.”
    • “These two games are what Violet Detector tries to uphold the legacy to, but the previous two games offered this gameplay style in a much more focused and well-presented manner that provides more challenge and replayability than what this game can offer.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express that the emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a sense of personal growth and achievement, particularly when overcoming challenging obstacles, such as dodging fast projectiles. This feeling of improvement contributes to a deeper emotional connection with the gameplay experience.

    • “Playing this game made me feel a deep sense of accomplishment, especially after dodging all those super-fast amulets!”
    • “The emotional journey I experienced while playing was truly unforgettable, as I connected with the characters on a personal level.”
    • “This game evoked a range of emotions in me, from joy to frustration, making every victory feel incredibly rewarding.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is often perceived as hit-or-miss, with some players finding the jokes unfunny or lacking originality. While there are attempts at humor through character interactions and dialogue, the effectiveness varies widely among the audience. Overall, the comedic elements may appeal to a niche audience but leave others wanting more.

    • “Another unfunny joke about some character from this game.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding mechanics tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the cumbersome requirement of pressing shift twice while navigating during constant bullet fire.

    • “Having to press shift twice and then a direction during constant bullet fire is very tedious and frustrating.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
    • “I find the grinding mechanics to be overly tedious, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Hifuu Nightmare Diary ~ Violet Detector

Videos

Similar Games