Touhou: Gensokyo Survivors
- May 11, 2023
- Xeloph
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn "Touhou: Gensokyo Survivors," Gensokyo is overrun with supernatural beings, and it's up to Reimu and other characters to resolve the incident. This fast-paced game features a grid-based inventory system, 26 weapons with alternative attack modes, 5 spell cards, and 8 playable characters. A typical playthrough lasts 15-20 minutes.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming art style and enjoyable music, making it visually and audibly appealing.
- Gameplay is fun and addictive, with a unique inventory management system that adds depth to the experience.
- It's an affordable game that offers a decent amount of entertainment for its price, especially for fans of the Touhou series.
- The game lacks content, with only one map and a limited character roster, leading to repetitive gameplay.
- Character balance is an issue, as some characters are significantly weaker than others, making them frustrating to play.
- The combat mechanics are clunky, with poor aiming controls and a lack of meaningful progression or upgrades.
- gameplay21 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as fun and addictive, featuring mechanics reminiscent of other survivor games but with a unique Touhou twist. However, it suffers from limited character selection, clunky weapon mechanics, and a lack of engaging content, leading to a feeling of repetitiveness. While the inventory management and spell card system add some depth, many players feel the overall experience lacks the excitement and progression found in similar titles.
“Fun and addicting gameplay.”
“Better than average vampire survivors clone, but with an extremely interesting 'inventory management puzzle' level-up mechanic, and some resource management that serves to elevate it well above the rest.”
“Honestly, the spell card system is the heart of the game's mechanics.”
“There is currently only one song during the whole gameplay, so hopefully other themes will be added in the future.”
“I have several massive problems with the gameplay, but in short: it's Vampire Survivors with barely anything that made me like it so much: no macro game progression, the weapons feel weak and clunky, and it commits the cardinal sin of the action roguelike: getting a good run doesn't make me feel powerful.”
“The heavily pixelated character sprites during gameplay might not be anyone’s cup of tea, and like I mentioned previously, there is no story to follow or an initial plot explaining what’s going on.”
- music14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and charm, particularly its Touhou-inspired soundtrack, which many find enjoyable. However, it is noted that there is only one looping track throughout the gameplay, leading to concerns about its repetitiveness and a desire for more variety in the future. Overall, while the music enhances the experience, its limited presence detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“The game's art style is also outstanding, and the soundtrack is equally impressive.”
“Fun survivor gameplay, great music.”
“For one, the game is great on the eyes and ears: the pixel art is well done, the music is wonderful, if very limited, and enemies pop out from the background very nicely.”
“There is currently only one song during the whole gameplay, so hopefully other themes will be added in the future.”
“Music is one whole looping track, which is surprising considering it's a Touhou game.”
“One stage, with the same flat background, playing the same music (though I will say, it's a certified bop), with no consumables to pick up, only a few objects to obstruct movement; there's just not enough there.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their outstanding art style and charming pixel art, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, the visuals are complemented by an excellent soundtrack, appealing particularly to fans of the genre.
“The game's art style is outstanding, and the soundtrack is equally impressive.”
“This is a fun 'survivor-like' game with good pixel art graphics.”
“While simple, the polished gameplay experience is enhanced by an excellent score and superb visuals that fans of Touhou will appreciate.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with players noting that while gameplay is functional, the inventory management for weapons feels clunky, particularly for controller users. Additionally, performance issues have been reported on the Steam Deck, indicating that the game may not be fully optimized for all platforms.
“Gameplay is functional, but placing weapons you get from a level up in your inventory feels janky and not properly optimized for controller support.”
“Another thing is that the game isn’t properly optimized (at least not on the Steam Deck).”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While "Gensokyo Survivors" offers a heartfelt and quick gaming experience, players feel that additional quality-of-life improvements are needed to enhance its replayability.
“Gensokyo Survivors has a lot of heart and is a quick play, but I would love a few more quality of life improvements added to the game to enhance its replayability.”
“The variety of characters and strategies keeps me coming back for more; every playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
“With multiple endings and unlockable content, each run offers new experiences that make me want to dive back in.”
“Gensokyo Survivors has a lot of heart and is a quick play, but I would love a few more quality of life improvements added to the game to enhance its replayability value.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding is a central element of the genre, primarily focused on the pursuit of novelty and the gradual completion of extensive tasks. Players often find themselves engaged in repetitive activities to unlock new content or progress.
“This genre is almost entirely propped up by novelty, grinding for new things, and slowly chipping away at a monumental task.”
“The grinding feels endless and often tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find the constant need to grind for resources to be a major drag on the overall experience.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game lacks a coherent story or initial plot, leaving players without context for the gameplay experience, which may detract from overall engagement. Additionally, the heavily pixelated character sprites may not appeal to everyone.
“The heavily pixelated character sprites during gameplay might not be anyone’s cup of tea, and as I mentioned previously, there is no story to follow or an initial plot explaining what’s going on.”
“The narrative feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters or care about their journey.”
“There are numerous plot holes and inconsistencies that detract from the overall experience, leaving players confused about the storyline.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews suggest that the game's stability is likened to powerful and impactful abilities, such as Cirno's ice sign and Sakuya's time sign, indicating that the game performs reliably and consistently under various conditions.
