I Am Sakuya: Touhou FPS Game
- September 13, 2022
- Sigyaad Team
One of many Touhou Project-inspired fangames, I Am Sakuya transposes the bullet hell formula into FPS format with some success, though it would be nice if there was more of it.
"I Am Sakuya: Touhou FPS Game" is a first-person shooter set in the Touhou Project universe. Players take on the role of Sakuya Izayoi, a powerful maid with the ability to manipulate time. The game features fast-paced action, a variety of weapons and enemies, and multiple levels to explore. Players must use Sakuya's time-stopping abilities and sharp shooting skills to defeat the enemies that stand in her way.
Reviews
- The game features charming sprite work and a great soundtrack, with remixes of classic Touhou music.
- The gameplay combines bullet hell mechanics with FPS elements, providing a unique experience for fans of both genres.
- The time stop mechanic and the ability to use knives add a fun twist to combat, allowing for creative strategies.
- The level design is simplistic and often feels bland, with many areas lacking detail and variety.
- The game is very short, with most players able to complete it in under an hour, making it feel overpriced for the content offered.
- Enemy variety is limited, and many encounters can feel repetitive, leading to a lack of challenge and engagement.
- gameplay48 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a fast-paced blend of bullet hell and traditional FPS mechanics, offering a unique challenge as players must navigate through dense enemy fire while utilizing time stop abilities. However, some reviewers noted that the gameplay can feel repetitive and simplistic, with a lack of depth in weapon variety and level design, leading to a sense of monotony in longer levels. Despite these criticisms, many players found the experience enjoyable and praised the integration of bullet dodging into the first-person perspective, making for a fun and engaging gameplay experience overall.
“The gameplay is fast-paced and challenging; not only do you have to shoot your enemies, but you also have to dodge an ocean of bullets in 3D, as if Touhou is not hard enough.”
“Super fun game so far! The gameplay is amazing; it's such a unique mix between bullet hell and Doom. I usually struggle to find motivation to play games, but this one gives such a rush that I'm going to finish it.”
“The few unique mechanics to Sakuya, especially the knives, are super fun to use, and dodging bullet hell patterns in first person is actually a lot more enjoyable than you'd think. The enemy placement and level design are clearly made with the mechanic in mind, creating a really interesting new challenge with each encounter!”
“The levels had an improvement in how they look, but in gameplay, it's the same empty enemy spam as before. The levels feel like they go on for way too long, and eventually, I just wanted it to be over.”
“The gameplay is too simple, even for Doom standards. This game is more of a horde shooter than anything, but once the horde is done, there's barely anything to do. There's nothing outside of the normal formula of Doom, though I commend the use of the lack of RNG in this game.”
“There are objective gameplay bugs; for instance, you can get stuck in geometry with no recourse other than a game reset, and projectiles that don't fly after the time stop release.”
- music44 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising the remixes of ZUN's original compositions, which maintain a nostalgic charm. However, some reviewers noted that the arrangements feel somewhat unoriginal and lack depth, with a few expressing disappointment in the limited variety and looping issues. Overall, while the soundtrack is a highlight for many, it is seen as a mix of solid remixes and missed opportunities for more unique arrangements.
“Adorable sprites, nice music, and a very fun little game.”
“The music is really well done, and still gives the classic Doom vibe.”
“A massive highlight though is the music, hearing the classic EOSD soundtrack in this new light while blasting through youkai is exhilarating!”
“The music doesn't loop, so you have it ending and starting again repeatedly.”
“Seems like little effort was made to create unique arrangements for the music, but it's Touhou music, so it's still very good.”
“The gothic architecture in the stages (and the music, just a remix of EOSD's soundtrack) are admittedly decent, although the architecture doesn't feel particularly Touhou nor Doom, just gothic.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the artwork, sprite work, and anime aesthetic as top-notch and visually appealing. However, some players find the overall graphical execution to be rough and unpolished, particularly in terms of level design and environmental graphics. Despite these criticisms, the game's visuals contribute positively to the overall experience, enhancing the fun and chaotic atmosphere.
“Really the only thing I could really say is really good in this game is its artwork.”
“Another plus goes to the anime aesthetic; we really need more anime first-person shooters.”
“The art style and the environment is amazing and really set in that feeling of a fun, yet crazy Gensokyo, and the hail of bullets coming from the enemies really set that feeling in.”
“The old graphics map environment in this game disturbs me a little.”
“First update: various small changes in both balance and graphics were added, the second map was completely remade...”
“Alright, I skipped the second update since they just added some new rooms to the already existing levels and new graphics to help the level transitions, so not much to say there, they are nice additions, and that's it.”
- story16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely criticized for being minimal, poorly executed, and reminiscent of amateur writing, with some reviewers suggesting it detracts from the overall experience. While there are attempts at narrative, such as Sakuya's backstory, they often feel disjointed and lack coherence, leading many to believe the game would be better off without a story altogether. Despite these shortcomings, some players still find enjoyment in the gameplay itself, indicating that the narrative is not the primary focus.
“It’s an interesting take on Sakuya’s backstory and how she first joined the Scarlet Devil Mansion (even if it is about as canon as your average fanfic).”
“Just press play button and enjoy your regular bullet hell with time stop, ingenious level design, intricate secrets, and a thrilling touching story.”
“At the end of the game, it seems that this is a Sakuya origin story.”
“The game's story, to put it nicely, sucks and barely exists.”
“The quality of the story was not great either, and, to put it as nicely as I possibly can, feels like something an edgy teen would write on Wattpad back in 2014.”
“It really could've gone without a story and I think that'd be an improvement on the game.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky characters, such as the "funny cirno fumo" weapon and amusing enemy behaviors that create entertaining gameplay moments. Players appreciate the comedic elements, including the bouncing knives that lead to unexpected situations and the lighthearted, meme-like atmosphere throughout. Overall, the game is described as a fun and humorous experience, particularly enjoyable for fans of the Touhou series.
“Very funny, highly recommend during discounts or bundles for Touhou enjoyers.”
“And the throwing knives never stop bouncing, leading to some funny moments where you see your knives all over the map, and sometimes hear hit sounds when there is no one around - because, again, they never stop bouncing and often find their way to the next room and into an enemy far away.”
“The enemies are funny; they sport a variety of behaviors and really require you to approach encounters differently.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the satisfying weapons and find it enjoyable to replay despite its short length, others feel that the limited content and few levels diminish its long-term appeal. Some users express that the game can be fun to revisit, but others believe it lacks sufficient replay value for its price.
“The game isn't too long, levels aren't too complex, but as a result of that and the satisfying weapons, I found the game to be easily replayable.”
“There aren't many levels, but the replayability is wonderful.”
“+ good replay value.”
“I'm surprised that this is sold for 8 dollars USD and that's too much for something with little content and little replay value.”
“Game took me 38 minutes to complete, and I don't feel like there's any replay value to be had beyond that.”
“So I guess it will be more playable in a while.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while there are some minor glitches, they do not significantly detract from the gameplay experience. The stability of the game is generally solid, allowing for an engaging combination of FPS and bullet hell mechanics.
“There are some glitches, but it's not something that ruins the experience. This is a great combination between FPS and bullet hell, but the stability could be improved.”
“Sakuya spams her time stop ability a lot, which can disrupt the flow of the fight and detracts from the overall experience.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be impactful, highlighting a wholesome ending that complements the thrilling and touching narrative. The combination of engaging gameplay elements and a heartfelt story enhances the overall emotional experience.
“The ending picture is really wholesome too.”
“Just press the play button and enjoy your regular bullet hell with time stop, ingenious level design, intricate secrets, and a thrilling, touching story.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived as reasonable and not exploitative, focusing more on the novelty of being a Touhou FPS rather than aggressive cash grabs. However, some players feel that the level design could benefit from more cohesive, interconnected environments.
“The monetization feels more like a cash grab than a genuine attempt to enhance the game experience.”
“It seems like the developers are more focused on squeezing money out of players rather than providing meaningful content.”
“The in-game purchases are excessive and disrupt the overall balance of the game.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly when navigating to the top of the mansion, which can lead to a repetitive experience.
“When you're on the platform to the top of the mansion, it does get a bit tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and often detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the experience feel monotonous.”