Touhou Shinreibyou: Ten Desires

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 136 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • story
Touhou Shinreibyou: Ten Desires Game Cover
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In Touhou Shinreibyou: Ten Desires, players navigate through stages, dodging enemy bullets and defeating bosses to progress. The story follows a group of reclusive girls who venture into the underworld due to a mysterious phenomenon. Gameplay features include shooting enemies, using spell cards, and entering a "spirit world" state for powerful attacks. The game also includes a scoring system, spirit power, and a spirit gauge for entering the spirit world.

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Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 136 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
graphics2 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique 'Trance' mechanic that allows players to become invincible temporarily, adding a fun layer to the gameplay.
  • The music is excellent, with memorable tracks that enhance the overall experience, particularly from stage 4 onwards.
  • The character roster is diverse and includes fan favorites like Youmu, who offers a distinct playstyle that stands out from the other characters.
  • Many players find the game to be overly easy compared to other entries in the series, leading to a lack of challenge.
  • The game has limited character options, with only four characters available, each with similar shot types, which can feel repetitive.
  • Technical issues such as low resolution and lack of native fullscreen support detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay36 mentions

    The gameplay of "Ten Desires" is characterized by a mix of challenging bullet-dodging mechanics and a unique spirit system that enhances player engagement through the "trance" mechanic, allowing temporary invincibility and strategic advantages. While some players find the danmaku patterns less complex compared to previous entries, the overall experience is enjoyable, with a balance of difficulty that caters to both newcomers and veterans. Despite some criticisms regarding the resource system and specific mechanics, the game successfully combines fun and challenge, making it a satisfying addition to the Touhou series.

    • “What I ended up experiencing was a game that had both incredible atmosphere and great gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay of this game is fun; however, with it being as punishing as it is, you end up going on long streaks of fighting through attacks that are very doable, leading to great back and forths. It feels like the energy of an extra stage the entire game.”
    • “The trance meter is a great mechanic for a game that focuses on being more open to beginners while also providing enough depth for more experienced players to toy around with.”
    • “Unfortunately, I do not feel that this installment's unique mechanic of collecting spirit orbs and the 'trance' mode is particularly engaging or useful.”
    • “I tend to hear folks criticize the resource system of this game, saying that getting those spirits kills you because you have to go to the upper half of the screen, or that you need 3 spirits filled to manually use the trance mechanic.”
    • “Every effort in Ten Desires reflects an effort to 'humble' the track of the series in a sense, bringing it back down to the magic that Touhou 6-8 were, with less scale and less drastic gameplay qualities.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in this game is widely praised for its quality and creativity, maintaining the iconic sound of the Touhou series while introducing a more subdued and whimsical vibe in certain tracks. Many reviewers highlight standout pieces, particularly from stages 4 and 5, and appreciate the harmonious integration of music with gameplay elements. While some feel that not all tracks are memorable, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a strong aspect of the game, showcasing ZUN's evolving style.

    • “Touhou's music is iconic and memorable, and this game is no different. From what I've heard, it's 'different' for Touhou and ZUN.”
    • “The music is awesome as always, and I really liked the ending drawings; it's always cool to see the characters in alternative clothing drawn by ZUN.”
    • “This is another excellently crafted experience where the writing, art, music, and bullet patterns all work together to create an interesting world.”
    • “Music was fine as always, but there weren't really songs that stuck to me in a way others did.”
    • “Overall music is not the best but 2 or 3 music is really good like stage 1 theme.”
    • “The music is the usual with a strange taste of disco beats thrown in.”
  • story10 mentions

    The story of Touhou 13: Ten Desires is described as forgettable and simplistic, with easy gameplay that detracts from its narrative depth. However, the return of beloved characters like Yuyuko and Kogasa adds a layer of nostalgia and connection to previous games, while the unique focus on character bonds and backstories provides some intrigue. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it offers a charming experience for fans of the series.

    • “Yuyuko returning was such a great move for the first boss of the game, making the least important boss slot an important character from the past that is relevant to the current plot is a decision that gives a lot of bang for your buck storytelling-wise.”
    • “All of this leads to an incredible cast, not one carried by strong personalities or cool stories or designs, but one that's strength is bonds, which is an incredibly unique take on the characters in this story.”
    • “The game's story is primarily based on real-life events, but ZUN manages to still create an interesting twist out of it.”
    • “Touhou 13: Ten Desires is quite forgettable in its story aspects, and has the most mind-numbingly easy levels.”
    • “The forgettable story and characters, limited options and spell cards, a very short experience, and an insanely easy one.”
    • “To understand this game, the former two games need to be taken into account; SA and UFO were a continuation of the vastly significant increase in story focus that MoF provided.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its subterranean and underworldly themes, effectively conveying a spirit-centric experience. Players are pleasantly surprised by the combination of incredible atmosphere and engaging gameplay, with standout stage and boss themes that enhance the overall immersion.

    • “The subterranean and underworldly atmosphere nicely conveys the theme of spirits this title carries.”
    • “What I ended up experiencing was a game that had both incredible atmosphere and great gameplay.”
    • “The stage theme is incredibly atmospheric and the boss' theme just bops.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and amusing character designs, particularly noting the comedic aspects of the heroines, with a standout mention of the hilarious and creative battle against Yoshika. Players find the overall tone to be lighthearted and entertaining, contributing to a fun gaming experience.

    • “Funny doki doki waku waku game”
    • “The fight against Yoshika is hilarious, fun, and creative.”
    • “Hahahahaha, Reimu is funny.”
  • graphics3 mentions

    The graphics of "Ten Desires" are described as aesthetically toned down compared to previous entries, with a focus on bullet clarity that enhances the gameplay experience. While some may find ZUN's art style lacking, the overall visual presentation contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.

    • “Graphically, ZUN's art may be subject to criticism, but the bullet clarity is great throughout, which is always a plus.”
    • “When I started replaying Ten Desires, I was expecting to get a game that focused more on aesthetics and vibes than full-on bullet hell gameplay. Judging by the way certain fans talk about this entry in the series, I was ready to defend the game on the basis that the tone makes the experience worthwhile, despite lackluster gameplay.”
    • “Aesthetically, this game is also toned down in most facets from the grand scales of the sunsets over Hokkai and Hell.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers high replayability despite its short length, featuring four distinct characters and four difficulty levels that encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “While the game is short, it is also very replayable with 4 characters and 4 difficulty levels.”
    • “The variety of characters and difficulty settings makes each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “I love how each character offers a unique experience, encouraging me to replay the game multiple times.”
    • “While the game is short, it is also very replayable with 4 characters and 4 difficulties.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel tedious rather than enjoyable.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there isn't much incentive to go back and play it again.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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