Touhou Seirensen: Undefined Fantastic Object

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 116 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
Touhou Seirensen: Undefined Fantastic Object Game Cover
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In Touhou Seirensen: Undefined Fantastic Object, players control a shrine maiden battling mysterious beings in a snowy landscape using shot attacks and spell cards. Collecting items and defeating enemies earn power-ups, but contact with enemy fire results in lost lives. The game features a story about a shrine situated on the outskirts of a village, where the shrine maiden, Reimu Hakurei, hears rumors of a strange flying ship said to carry the Seven Lucky Gods. Determined to uncover the truth, Reimu sets out to investigate and encounter various challenges along the way.

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Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 116 reviews
music13 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique UFO mechanic that adds depth and strategy to gameplay, allowing players to make on-the-fly decisions.
  • The soundtrack is highly praised, with many memorable tracks that enhance the overall experience.
  • The character designs and art style are well-received, contributing to the game's charm and appeal.
  • The difficulty spikes between Normal and Hard modes are considered inconsistent, making it frustrating for players.
  • The UFO mechanics can be annoying and distracting, leading to moments of frustration during gameplay.
  • Some players find the character balance skewed, with certain characters being less effective than others.
  • music29 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its superb quality and emotional resonance, often considering it the best in the Touhou series. Tracks like Nazrin's, Murasa's, and Byakuren's themes are personal favorites for many, and the music's synchronization with gameplay enhances the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is described as infectious, whimsical, and integral to the game's charm, contributing significantly to its appeal.

    • “And finally the music, it has some really nice tracks (personal favorites are Nazrin's, Murasa's, and Byakuren's themes).”
    • “I went ahead and got UFO on Steam a couple of days after playing my old copy and man, this game marks all the ticks with variable mechanics, colorful patterns, really unique attacks, and an infectious soundtrack I cannot stop hearing.”
    • “Just about every stage goes along with its theme, and makes for a truly musical experience.”
    • “I remember the first time I played this game the only songs I really liked were the final boss and maybe the stage 4 and 5 themes, but now I like most of it.”
    • “Curvy lasers are awful but the music is banging and the patterns look cool.”
    • “Going to the extra, it feels pretty quirky and out there, it feels like pure chaos caused by Nue, being expressed through the patterns of the stage enemies, Kogasa randomly showing up, the music, Nue's patterns herself, it's honestly a great time but isn't stand out enough to be up in talks of best extras like SA's or LoLK's.”
  • gameplay29 mentions

    Gameplay in this title is a mixed bag, featuring a unique UFO mechanic that adds strategic depth and emergent gameplay, but also suffers from significant difficulty spikes and frustrating resource management. While the soundtrack and art are praised, the inconsistency in challenge levels and the reliance on a mini-game for resource collection detract from the overall experience for some players. Despite these issues, many appreciate the innovative mechanics and the dynamic decision-making they encourage, making for a distinctive, albeit polarizing, gameplay experience.

    • “I found the UFO mechanic added another layer of strategy that I enjoyed, building my runs around getting them.”
    • “The sheer fluidity of the mechanic leads to some great on-the-spot decision making that really takes the front seat of this game's gameplay-wise; it is overall fantastic.”
    • “The gameplay is quirky because you rarely use normal dodging techniques in this game; tried and true streaming is hardly present in this game's stage sections, and it reiterates that feeling of foreign familiarity.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, however, you're going to have a bad time.”
    • “The game comes down to your resources based on a constant, and tedious annoying mini-game that all UFO players experience. Those complaining about it will be told to 'get good.' Even if you master the timing of this mechanic, the UFOs still move in areas at random, so not only does it become RNG-based, but it's still an absolute tedium to ensure you get the UFOs and the resources you want.”
    • “One problem I do have with the mechanic, however, is having to memorize the spawn locations of each UFO and where it drops.”
  • story8 mentions

    The game's story is praised for its originality and depth, effectively building on previous installments while establishing a self-contained narrative that feels unique. The integration of storytelling into the game's environments and the overall artistic presentation enhance the experience, contributing to a compelling plot that resonates with players. Overall, the story has received high acclaim, with some reviewers rating it a perfect 10/10.

    • “The shadow of the ship being cast over you when you go into Nazrin's first non on stage 1 shows the effort put forth into making storytelling part of the stage and environments in this installment.”
    • “The plot of this game feels uniquely its own too.”
    • “While SA felt like it relied heavily on MoF and was practically MoF 2 story-wise, this game uses SA as a stepping stone to kick its plot into gear, but holds its own story-wise and is self-contained outside of the starting conditions, which makes it feel more special.”
    • “A challenging game that grows on you over time; in the story, characters, and music.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, as it involves farming resources while navigating challenging mechanics and random elements. The need to memorize UFO drop patterns and manage resource collection during battles adds to the difficulty, making the grinding feel like a burdensome mini-game rather than an engaging experience. Overall, many players express a sense of exhaustion and dread associated with the grinding process.

    • “Overall, the main strategy is farming resources on the first four stages and then surviving the last two. This sounds easy, but in practice, it's not. Collecting ufos without getting hit can be really challenging, so you'll have to memorize where they drop in more complex sections. Also, something really annoying is trying to get three of the same color, and the last one changes color at the worst possible moment, breaking your chain and potentially ruining runs if you're not careful.”
    • “Not only can this be annoying, but collecting ufos during battle is tedious and frustrating.”
    • “The game comes down to managing resources through a constant and tedious mini-game that all ufo players experience. Those complaining about it will be told to 'get good.' Even if you master the timing of this mechanic, the ufos still move randomly, making it not only RNG-based but also an absolute tedium to ensure you get the ufos and the resources you want.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impactful music, particularly the themes associated with characters like Byakuren, which evoke strong feelings and even tears from players. Tracks such as "Emotional Skyscraper" and "Fires of Hokkai" are noted as standout pieces that enhance the game's emotional depth.

    • “Byakuren, you made me cry when I first heard your theme. Thank you (no wonder it's called emotional skyscraper).”
    • “Music-wise, this game is solid too, with emotional skyscraper, Heian Alien, Kogasa's theme, and Fires of Hokkai being some personal favorites.”
    • “Her theme makes my skyscraper emotional, for real.”
  • character development2 mentions

    While the game features some of the most unique character designs seen in gaming, the character development suffers from lackluster dialogue that can be dull and unengaging. This contrast highlights a significant flaw in the overall character experience.

    • “Honestly, I can say this game has one of the most unique character designs I've ever experienced.”
    • “The only flaw this game has would probably be the worsening of character design and the dialogues being narcolepsy-inducing.”
  • graphics1 mentions

    Reviewers note a significant improvement in the art style compared to previous versions, highlighting enhanced visuals that elevate the overall aesthetic of the game.

    • “The art style has improved dramatically over previous versions.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with incredible attention to detail.”
    • “The vibrant colors and smooth animations create an immersive experience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    Reviewers highlight that the game's themes are well-integrated and significantly enhance the overall atmosphere, creating an immersive experience for players.

    • “All themes are fitting and add even more to the atmosphere.”
    • “The immersive sound design and stunning visuals create a captivating atmosphere.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is so rich and detailed that it feels like you're part of a living world.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real depth.”
    • “Despite the potential, the game fails to create an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The environments are dull and lifeless, making it hard to get lost in the experience.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by the presence of a funny alien, which adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the overall experience. Players appreciate the comedic aspects that stem from this character, enhancing the game's charm.

    • “The game features a hilarious alien character that always has a witty remark ready.”
    • “I couldn't stop laughing at the funny alien antics throughout the game.”
    • “The humor in the game, especially from the alien, adds a delightful twist to the gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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