Happy new year! Just in time to enjoy the releases from Comiket 81. And so, to initiate the first post of the year 2012, a short review on Kengeki Musou, a doujin game made by the circle Annkake-Spa.
The gameplay is a pretty straightforward Action/ Platform sort of game. You play as Youmu, slashing through a bunch of minor enemies (mainly fairies), jump pass obstacles, take down some more fairies and then a Boss Fight to mark the end of each chapter. There are quite a lot of save points in between so you don’t really have to worry about re-doing parts. However, in order to save the game (to continue playing next time you start the game), you would need to clear through the chapter. Personally, this is one thing I have an issue with. I would prefer that I get to start up the game at the last save point as opposed to having to finish the entire chapter before I get to actually close the game.
The Boss Fights are no doubt the interesting part of the game, where Youmu face off against other Touhou characters, complete with the individual character’s Theme song playing in the background. I was certainly delighted to hear the bgm changing to Lovestruck Tomboy when I fought the first mid-boss Cirno. Indeed, she even fires danmaku in the pattern just like in EotSD. Anyway, the fights are entertaining. What’s more, unlike in the original danmaku where it’s on a 2D plain, here you get to jump to dodge the danmaku. Also, if you time it correctly, Youmu can not only just cut down the bullets, but also deflect back some of them.
Good graphics, enjoyable music and decent gameplay. This one is worth the try even if you’re not a Touhou fan.
Check out these posts for more videos of gameplay and screencaps:
C81: Kengeki Musou Thoughts @ Tenka Seiha
妖々剣戟夢想 (Youyou Kengeki Musou) @ AICHIYA SANAE’S NET WORD
水曜日 Wednesdays' Wanderings 