Touhou Luna Nights

About

Touhou Luna Nights is a single player hack and slash game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Team Ladybug and was released on February 25, 2019. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Touhou Luna Nights is a metroidvania-style game with a heavy emphasis on combat and exploration. Players control protagonist Sakuya Izayoi, a powerful time-manipulating maid, as they navigate through various stages filled with challenging enemies and intricate puzzles. The game features beautiful hand-drawn art and animation, as well as a captivating soundtrack that adds to the atmosphere of the Touhou Project universe.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+12

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,001 reviews

gameplay875 positive mentions

grinding59 negative mentions

gameplay
1,763 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The gameplay of "Touhou Luna Nights" is highly praised for its innovative time-stop and graze mechanics, which are seamlessly integrated into both combat and platforming, creating a unique and engaging experience. Players appreciate the fluid controls, challenging boss fights, and the strategic depth offered by the time manipulation abilities, which encourage a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. While the game is relatively short, lasting around 5-10 hours, its polished mechanics and captivating visuals make it a standout title in the metroidvania genre, appealing to both fans of the Touhou series and newcomers alike.
- “Great metroidvania with a unique time-stop mechanic that is well implemented and fun.”
- “The time manipulation mechanics—slowing and stopping time—are essential to the gameplay, as enemies are often designed to be invulnerable without their use.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and super satisfying, the art is really pretty, and the soundtrack is great.”
- “The gameplay feels very repetitive and fighting is just fun against bosses.”
- “The gameplay is solid but a little short.”
- “The time stop mechanic is a joy to play with, if throwing a couple of knives in the air, then stopping time to use those knives as platforms sounds like a good time then this is a game for you!”
music
1,045 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
33%
2%
The music in "Touhou Luna Nights" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and atmospheric remixes of classic Touhou tracks. The soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience, perfectly complementing the fast-paced action and boss encounters, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the music is described as a major highlight, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
- “If anything, this game is worth it for the soundtrack alone.”
- “The soundtrack, filled with remixed Touhou themes, is energetic and atmospheric, often syncing with the tone of each area and boss encounter to great effect.”
- “The music is absolutely amazing, the story is amazing for a fangame of a franchise with rather... confusing lore, and the gameplay, again, is amazing!”
- “But the music and audio design all kind of suck, I can't remember the music the second I'm back to the Windows desktop.”
- “The loud background music at first is indeed cheering but not for long.”
- “The music is a bit grating as well.”
story
460 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The story in "Touhou Luna Nights" is generally regarded as simple and often serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate its charm and lightheartedness, especially those familiar with the Touhou universe, many newcomers find it lacking in depth and coherence, often feeling lost without prior knowledge of the franchise. Overall, the narrative is seen as a minimalistic framework that allows for enjoyable gameplay, but it may not satisfy those seeking a rich story experience.
- “The story is simple but effective; the game is big but not overwhelming. This is my favorite game in its genre, and I doubt any other Touhou games would top it.”
- “While the story is minimal, fans of the Touhou series will appreciate the character interactions and lore references. The writing—though sparse—is charming and faithful to the personalities of the cast.”
- “The story is appropriately Touhou, light with a twist, and the fights are fun with just enough danmaku to feel like a challenge without feeling overwhelming.”
- “The story is a nonsensical soup that seems translated poorly and doesn't do any of these fun and interesting characters any reasonable level of justice.”
- “The story isn't really going to be what drives you.”
- “The story is very basic and the translation is poor and riddled with typos and awkward wording.”
graphics
390 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
31%
1%
The graphics of "Touhou Luna Nights" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and fluid animations, creating a vibrant and engaging visual experience. Reviewers highlight the attention to detail in character designs and environments, as well as the effective integration of visual effects that enhance gameplay. While some players noted minor issues with certain enemy designs, the overall aesthetic and artistic execution are considered exceptional, making it a standout title in the metroidvania genre.
- “The graphics are gorgeous and fluidly animated, from the sprites themselves to how Sakuya moves to even effects like the water and fire - not to mention boss effects.”
- “Its exquisite pixel art style, fluid character animations, metroidvania gameplay, bullet hell shooting, unique touhou 'grazing' mechanic, and atmospheric music all contribute to a highly satisfying gaming experience.”
- “The graphics of this game are pretty well done for a 2D pixel game and nothing brings me more joy than a game where the player can stop time like it means nothing.”
- “While the artwork and the animation are charming, the actual mechanics of Touhou Luna Nights work against each other in ways that make the game frustrating to play.”
- “Additionally, while the art is undeniably well-crafted, the cutesy girl anime aesthetic didn't appeal to me, which further detracted from my enjoyment of the game.”
- “However, the game's interface is overly simplistic, and the inability to adjust settings like graphics and language except at game launch is user-unfriendly.”
replayability
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
The game's replayability is generally viewed as solid, with many players appreciating its short length and the inclusion of features like boss rush modes and speedrunning opportunities. While some reviewers note that the game lacks extensive replay value beyond these elements, others find enjoyment in revisiting the game for challenges, collectibles, and different play styles. Overall, it is considered a fun experience with enough replayability to warrant multiple playthroughs, especially for fans of the metroidvania genre.
- “While it was short, it undeniably has amazing replay value.”
- “There's plenty of replay value despite having no change in gameplay, since there are so many ways for you to optimize your routing.”
- “The main game takes only around 6-7 hours for a new person to complete, while it may not be long, this game has tons of replayability as it doesn't force players to adopt a single strategy.”
- “There isn't much replay value outside of the boss rush mode, which makes most of the game's bosses easily accessible, but I'd argue the boss fights are the best part of the game anyway.”
- “The only downside I can give is that it is a little short and there's only a small bit of replayability, but that most likely is a nitpick.”
- “Not much replay value unless you want the no continues achievement.”
grinding
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
3%
94%
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it necessary for leveling up and acquiring upgrades, others feel it can become tedious and detracts from the overall enjoyment. Many appreciate the balance between challenge and grinding, noting that while it can be beneficial, it is not always required to progress. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable gameplay and occasional grindiness, with some players suggesting that the need for grinding can lead to a frustrating experience, especially in the later stages.
- “The inclusion of the lost holy sword, which is an endgame item, removes the tedium of grinding, as it automatically reveals secret rooms, making an endgame sweep of the map enjoyable.”
- “It's heavy on collectibles, but it isn't tedious.”
- “My only complaint is the playtime is padded by grinding gems to sell for money and stats.”
- “S-ranking boss rush mode seems to want Sakuya at at least level 40 with tons of money put into upgrades if the achievement guide is any indication, and I doubt anyone but the most hardcore of players would be willing to do the amount of grinding necessary to make up 15+ levels of grinding for money on such a short game.”
- “The game is plagued with tedious, forced multiple playthroughs for collection purposes, and the map design lacks refinement.”
humor
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its lighthearted and charming nature, with players enjoying the funny character interactions, quirky dialogue, and amusing mechanics like time-stopping. Many reviews highlight the comedic elements as a significant part of the experience, often referencing pop culture and anime jokes, particularly related to the character Sakuya. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, making it engaging and entertaining.
- “Finally, put this all together with competent, charming pixel art, great animations, a lighthearted, youthful, humorous concept, and flawless controls, and you have a solid package that can be finished in under 7 hours—ideal for short sessions.”
- “Mixed in is the typical Touhou goodness, with funny and charming characters, dialogue, and difficult bullet-hell boss fights.”
- “There's so much funny dialogue between the characters, as well.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a mix of heartfelt moments and charming experiences, with some players finding it both thought-provoking and heartbreaking, particularly in relation to character struggles like Sakuya's. While the narrative may not be the primary focus, it offers a blend of wholesome and intense depictions that resonate differently with players, leading to varied emotional investments. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging gameplay and nostalgic music, contributing to a wholesome and enjoyable experience, despite some players feeling a lack of depth in character development.
- “Thought provoking, educational, heartbreaking, and revolutionary... how much more betrayal can Sakuya take?”
- “Having finished the game a day prior to writing this review, it was one of the most wholesome experiences I've had in a single-player game in a long, long time.”
- “[spoiler] and having 'Night of Nights' play when Flandre got down to half health just made my heart scream, and it made me feel like this was Sakuya's moment somehow.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
88%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with some players experiencing annoying glitches and controller issues, while others report a smooth experience with minimal bugs. The difficulty curve and time control mechanics add complexity, but the chaotic gameplay can overshadow minor stability concerns. While some users encountered glitches, many found the game enjoyable enough that these issues did not significantly detract from their experience.
- “Runs great on Proton.”
- “No glitches.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate throughout.”
- “The difficulty curve is a bit messy and there are a couple of annoying glitches (I got thrown out of bounds a couple of times when dealing with obstacles), but the game is fun enough to make you not care about it.”
- “That being said, it is extremely buggy and a very badly done tutorial.”
- “Please can anyone tell me how to configure my controls? If I press Z, it just freezes there and I can't do anything... help please!!!”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a vibrant blend of energetic music, exquisite pixel art, and fluid gameplay, creating an engaging experience that resonates with players. While the soundtrack and visuals enhance the immersion, some critiques point to a lack of atmospheric depth in certain environments and linear level design. Overall, the combination of dynamic soundtracks, particularly during boss encounters, and appealing aesthetics contributes to a satisfying and memorable gaming atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack, filled with remixed Touhou themes, is energetic and atmospheric, often syncing with the tone of each area and boss encounter to great effect.”
- “I have not played a video game in years where the atmosphere of a boss fight was so perfect I felt like I was actually there for a second.”
- “Smooth controls, amazing music, fantastic atmosphere.”
- “It has almost all the bones that make up the basic skeleton of a design in this type of game, but instead of the emphasis on atmosphere, methodical exploration, and immersion usually associated with the genre, what you get is a fast-paced comedic festival of particles and numbers.”
- “But still, this game has some flaws; the songs don't create any atmosphere for the stages that you're playing, except for the bosses. The level design is amazing, but I think it's too straightforward.”
- “Great music is also a thing that both Touhou and Castlevania share, but unfortunately this is not the case: the arrangements are forgettable, do not really deliver any specific atmosphere, and are a bit too repetitive.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
30%
20%
The game's optimization is highly praised, with excellent performance even on low-end PCs and no reported issues such as crashes or bugs. Players appreciate the smooth gameplay and flawless controller support, making it accessible for a wide range of systems. Overall, the game is well-optimized for early access, providing a stable experience despite its incomplete content.
- “Performance on PC is excellent even on modest setups, and controller support is flawless.”
- “Now that the final verdict is clearly stated, the very next thing that has to be said is that it's early access... at the time of writing, it's about half done (not in the 'it's all bugged due to incomplete coding', rather it's fully optimized, never saw one bug).”
- “Optimization-wise, this game has no issues.”
- “It has very low PC requirements and stable performance without any crashes or game-breaking bugs.”
character development
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
15%
14%
While the character designs and pixel art are praised for their beauty and creativity, the overall character development and narrative depth are seen as lacking, making it less appealing for players seeking a story-driven experience. The game excels in visual aesthetics but does not prioritize emotional engagement or character growth.
- “The art from the character designs to the environments was genuinely great.”
- “This unique ability and character design have significantly influenced various anime and game creations, including Izayoi Sakuya from the Touhou Project.”
- “I'm not really into the Touhou community as this was basically my introduction to it, but I loved the character design and music; I'll totally give a try to other Touhou-related games.”
- “Additionally, while the narrative is charming, it’s not the focus, and players seeking a story-heavy experience might find it lacking in emotional depth or character development.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players appreciate that the game does not include microtransactions and relies solely on in-game currency for progression. However, the shop's design resembles that of games with microtransactions, leading to some confusion about the monetization approach.
- “It's interesting that the developers designed the game this way; it's not a pay-to-win game, as all the currency is earned in-game. Thankfully, there are no microtransactions, but the shop setup feels like it belongs in a game that does have them.”
- “It's strange that the developers designed it this way. I mean, it's not a pay-real-money-to-level-up game; all the currency is 'in-game.' There are no microtransactions, thank God, but they set it up in a way that feels like a game with microtransactions, especially regarding the shop.”

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88%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Touhou Luna Nights Review
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88%

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7h Median play time

7h Average play time

5-10h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Touhou Luna Nights is a hack and slash game with fantasy theme.

Touhou Luna Nights is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Touhou Luna Nights.

Touhou Luna Nights was released on February 25, 2019.

Touhou Luna Nights was developed by Team Ladybug.

Touhou Luna Nights has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Touhou Luna Nights is a single player game.

Similar games include Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-, Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight, ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, Islets, Valdis Story: Abyssal City and others.

Touhou Luna Nights

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