Touhou Kikeijuu: Wily Beast and Weakest Creature

About

"Touhou Kikeijuu: Wily Beast and Weakest Creature" is a bullet hell shooter game set in the fantasy world of Gensokyo. The player controls Reimu Hakurei or Marisa Kirisame, who must fight against powerful creatures known as "youkai" that have taken over the city. The game features fast-paced combat, unique abilities for each character, and a variety of enemies and boss battles.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Touhou Kikeijuu: Wily Beast and Weakest Creature screenshot

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 422 reviews

music68 positive mentions

character development2 negative mentions

The game features an excellent soundtrack that stands out even among other Touhou titles, with memorable themes that enhance the gameplay experience.
The new beast spirit mechanic adds depth and variety to the gameplay, allowing for different playstyles and strategies with each character.
The game is accessible for newcomers while still providing a fair challenge for veterans, making it a great entry point into the Touhou series.

Visibility issues arise during gameplay, particularly with bright backgrounds and bullet patterns that can make it difficult to see incoming threats.
Some players find the game to be easier than previous entries, which may detract from the challenge that long-time fans expect from the series.
The graphics can be overwhelming and cluttered, leading to moments where players may feel lost amidst the visual chaos.

music
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
41%
5%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many praising ZUN's compositions as cohesive, catchy, and immersive, particularly in the latter stages. While some tracks in the early stages were considered less memorable, the overall soundtrack is regarded as one of the best in the Touhou series, enhancing the gameplay experience and setting the tone effectively. Reviewers highlight the synchronization of music with gameplay elements, making it a standout feature that captivates players throughout their journey.
- “Amazing game, the soundtrack is good, experimental, and catchy.”
- “The stage 4 music is absolutely incredible and is synced with the stage itself brilliantly; getting to and playing stage 4 on any run is one of the most satisfying experiences in any of these games for me.”
- “As expected, the soundtrack also stands out, outshining its peers in the bullet hell genre, as well as many other games outside of it.”
- “The music stinks, everything stinks.”
- “I think the first three stages are kind of just whatever (in terms of both music and patterns), though this isn't to say they are bad, it's just no Subterranean Animism.”
- “From the demo we got in May, I thought the music would be pretty subpar, and the mechanics seemed a little dull.”
gameplay
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
4%
The gameplay in this title is characterized by the introduction of the beast spirit mechanic, which adds depth and variety to playstyles, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans. While some players find the mechanics reminiscent of previous entries like UFO, they appreciate the more forgiving nature and the strategic elements it introduces. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics, satisfying execution, and excellent music synchronization, though some note it may not be the best starting point for new players.
- “The gameplay is truly top-notch, and the music is great and syncs very well with the gameplay.”
- “The beast head mechanic is simple but very deep, and has you constantly making on-the-fly decisions at every moment you play.”
- “The mechanic of gathering animal spirits is really fun; it is much more convenient than a similar mechanic in Touhou 12, which I did not really like.”
- “He took all the worst mechanics from the previous entries and packed them into the same game.”
- “Overall it's not one of my favorites in the series, particularly due to its simplistic early stages, the UFO-like mechanic of having to run around the screen to get pickups, and the aforementioned visibility issues.”
- “From the demo we got in May, I thought the music would be pretty subpar, and the mechanics seemed a little dull.”
story
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
69%
5%
The story of the game is generally regarded as intriguing and layered, featuring interesting symbolism and unexpected twists, though it may not be as complex as narratives found in RPGs or visual novels. While some players find the characters less memorable, the overall presentation, including music and visuals, effectively enhances the oppressive tone of the plot. Accessibility issues with the language can hinder understanding, but those willing to engage with the story will find it relevant and thought-provoking.
- “It probably has the most intriguing story in the series with some fun symbolism, and lets you draw your own conclusions on a rather messed up situation.”
- “The story, while naturally not as complex as an RPG or visual novel, is nonetheless interesting and full of mysteries, as well as a couple unexpected twists.”
- “The story and presentation blew me away this time around.”
- “There's no memorable characters in this game, except for maybe a few of the final characters. The biggest thing story-wise I remember is you go to hell, that's about it, and the beasts were not to be trusted.”
- “I can't really talk about the story since I'm not too sure what's happening since it's in Japanese.”
- “- I have no idea what the plot is.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The graphics of the game are described as detailed yet occasionally overwhelming, particularly for casual players, earning a mixed reception with a score of 3/5. While some backgrounds and unique visuals stand out, many reviewers feel that the overall presentation is lacking compared to previous titles in the franchise and even some fangames, with clumsy character movements detracting from the experience.
- “Really top-notch story, unique visuals, and music among Touhou games.”
- “Backgrounds are nice and overall visuals are top quality.”
- “As compared to the older games, notable Perfect Cherry Blossom, the graphics sometimes prove to be a bit overwhelming to the eye of a casual player such as myself.”
- “Visuals: 3/5 (detailed, but messy)”
- “If it was just a game, it would be great, but as part of a franchise - visually poor (some fangames having way better visuals, both characters and danmaku), and character movements are kind of clumsy somehow.”
- “---{graphics}---”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
Touhou 17 offers high replayability, featuring nine distinct playstyles through its three heroines and their beast spirit abilities, appealing to both veterans and newcomers alike. Players consistently find the game engaging, with many noting that it remains fresh and enjoyable even after multiple playthroughs.
- “Each of our 3 heroines also get to be possessed by 1 type of beast spirit, totaling 9 different kinds of playstyles, giving this game very high replay value.”
- “Touhou 17 excels when it comes to replay value.”
- “Like all Touhou games, this one is just as replayable as any other, as it caters to both veterans and newcomers to the franchise's bullet hell.”
- “Like all Touhou games, this one is just as replayable as any other as it caters to both veterans and newcomers to the franchise's bullet hell.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its subtlety, often requiring a solid understanding of theoretical physics to fully appreciate the deeper meanings behind the jokes. While some jokes may be lost on the average player, fans find them intellectually rewarding and profound. Additionally, characters like Eika Ebisu provide a lighter, more accessible comedic element that adds charm to the experience.
- “The humor is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of theoretical physics, most of the jokes will go over a typical viewer's head.”
- “The fans understand this stuff; they have the intellectual capacity to truly appreciate the depths of these jokes, to realize that they're not just funny - they say something deep about life.”
- “The first stage boss Eika Ebisu is easily one of the cutest characters in the series, and her speech is also hilarious.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of Touhou 17 is noted for its distinctiveness compared to previous titles in the series, particularly highlighted by the impressive themes of stages 5 and 6 that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of beautiful music, engaging bullet hell patterns, and a refreshing ambiance that sets it apart from more recent entries. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of a classic Touhou experience while introducing unique elements that invigorate the series.
- “The game's overall atmosphere makes Touhou 17 distinct among Team Shanghai Alice's other titles.”
- “Stages 5 and 6's themes are absolutely amazing with how they complement the atmosphere of the stage and its respective bosses, more so with Keiki's theme.”
- “But it seems like it is kind of a breath of fresh air for the series, and the atmosphere is unique from a lot of the recent ones.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users highlight that older games by ZUN, such as "Imperishable Night" and "Mountain of Faith," are regarded as masterpieces for their emotional depth, artistry, and impactful music. The emotional resonance of these titles is seen as a significant aspect of their overall appeal.
- “I personally, however, think ZUN's older games (i.e., Imperishable Night, Mountain of Faith) are the pinnacle of artistry in their music, flow, and emotional impact.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviewers note that while the character designs in the latest game are incredibly unique, there is a perceived lack of color harmony between the backgrounds, bullets, and character designs compared to the developer's earlier works. This shift in aesthetic has sparked mixed feelings among players regarding character development.
- “In his older games, there was so much more color harmony between the backgrounds, bullets, and character designs. I think many people would agree.”
- “The character designs are incredibly unique in this one.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is highly regarded within the 2hu franchise, but it suffers from significant technical issues, being described as outdated and buggy.
- “The game itself is one of the best in the 2hu franchise, but fair warning on the technical side: this is incredibly outdated and buggy.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game is generally praised for its performance regarding danmaku (bullets), though players noted that there is significant redundancy in the middle stages, which could detract from the overall experience.