東方幻想魔録W ～ The Devil of Decline
- March 28, 2024
- ハチクマソフト
Get on SteamIn "Touhou Gensou Maroku W ~ The Devil of Decline", Gensokyo is plagued by mysterious disappearances of living beings and objects. Players must choose one of four protagonists to investigate and resolve the spiriting away incident. The game features a 2D turn-based RPG system, with over 100 shikigami to recruit and combine in battles. The story and enemy strength do not change between protagonists, but there are differences in their perspectives and actions.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a challenging and rewarding combat system that requires strategic thinking and preparation for boss fights.
- The Shikigami system allows for extensive character customization, enabling players to tailor their party's abilities and roles effectively.
- The humor and dialogue throughout the game add a light-hearted touch, making the experience enjoyable even for those unfamiliar with the Touhou series.
- The story is considered bland and not a significant focus, which may disappoint players looking for a strong narrative.
- New characters and Shikigami start at level 1, which can lead to a grindy experience as players need to level them up to be effective.
- Some players feel that the character uniqueness from the previous game, Genius of Sappheiros, has been diminished, making characters feel more interchangeable.
- gameplay13 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Devil of Decline" is highly praised for its mechanics-driven design, requiring players to master various systems and adapt their strategies for challenging boss encounters. The game features unique character abilities and a flexible RPG structure, though some fans may miss elements from previous titles. Overall, it combines tight combat mechanics with innovative features like party formations and area clearing, making for a rewarding experience.
“The Devil of Decline is a surprisingly well-made mechanics-first JRPG inspired by the Saga series and Persona.”
“Game mechanics is where Devil of Decline really shines.”
“Most every boss will require you to use everything in your arsenal to barely squeak by, with many even requiring build changes to deal with their particular mechanics.”
“Combat mechanics are tight, and the encounters expect you to know the game's systems well enough.”
“Some mechanics like the turn-based battle system, party formations, and the land system return, but if you were a fan of the flexible skill tree system or the linear progression of the previous game, you might be a bit disappointed in this sequel.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality, featuring a mix of fantastic battle themes and a nostalgic influence from PC98 soundtracks. While some reviewers note that the music aligns with standard indie game trends, it is consistently described as enjoyable and a standout aspect of the overall experience.
“The music is once again a jam everywhere we go, and there is a lot more battle themes in this, all absolutely fantastic.”
“The music is fantastic, the combat system is really cool, the characters are lovable, and the game is brimming with content.”
“I've spent quite a bit of time talking about the mechanics and such, but the visuals and music are no slouch either.”
“The music and art are fairly standard 2010s indie game fare.”
“Big influence from PC98 on the soundtrack too.”
“The environments and characters are nice to look at, but my favourite part is the music.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story is light and somewhat bland, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a focal point, but it includes amusing dialogue that can provide some entertainment. Players seeking a deep narrative experience may find it lacking, as the game is more combat-focused and goofy in nature. Overall, it's recommended for those who prioritize gameplay over story.
“Story is light but the dialogue is amusing; do not go in expecting this to be focused around telling a story.”
“If you favor story-heavy games, this isn't for you.”
“The story is your usual goofy Touhou world-threatening incident, but serves its purpose in moving you forward and delivering a few chuckles.”
“I highly recommend the game for people looking for a long, challenging, combat-heavy, story-lite JRPG.”
“If you favor story-heavy games, this game isn't for you.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are highlighted for their impressive character artwork and improved enemy spritework, contributing positively to the overall visual experience. Additionally, the visuals are complemented by a strong musical score, enhancing the game's aesthetic appeal.
“The artwork of every character is impressive, and the enemy sprite work is significantly better in this game, showcasing a lot of creativity.”
“I've spent quite a bit of time discussing the mechanics, but the visuals and music are equally outstanding.”
“The artwork of every character does make up for it, but the enemy sprite work is a lot better in this game, as many enemy sprites are coming.”
“I've spent quite a bit of time talking about the mechanics and such, but the visuals and music are no slouch either.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game frustrating, particularly when it comes to farming drops and recruiting characters, as low success rates can make progress feel tedious. Additionally, having to replace favored characters with less effective new ones adds to the annoyance.
“This can make the game feel grindy at times, and if you really prefer specific characters over others, like I do, it's annoying to have to replace old veterans in favor of new characters who initially feel like dead weight.”
“Farming drops and recruiting shikigami can be frustrating due to low chances of success.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty and entertaining dialogues between the protagonists and antagonists, complemented by the presence of a cute and funny artist, which adds a lighthearted charm to the overall experience.
“The conversations between the protagonists and antagonists are kind of hilarious!”
“The art style is cute and adds a funny twist to the overall experience.”
“The humor in the game is cleverly woven into the dialogue and interactions.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express disappointment with the character development, noting that the overworld character design feels like a downgrade compared to previous installments, which may impact the overall depth and engagement with the characters.
“My only real big gripe is that I feel the overworld character design is a downgrade compared to Ghost of Tsushima.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks the depth that I was hoping for.”
“I was disappointed by how little the characters evolve throughout the game.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that optimization in the game heavily relies on equipment synergy, suggesting that players must consider more than just numerical stats for effective performance. Strategic thinking in combining equipment is both beneficial and often necessary for success.
“Equipment has a high impact; numbers are just one avenue for good performance. Some thinking on synergy is highly rewarded and sometimes required.”
“The optimization mechanics in the game encourage players to think critically about their builds and strategies.”
“Finding the right balance between equipment and skills can lead to significant improvements in performance.”
