Touhou Iyuushou: What the Bullet Hell?!
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About Touhou Iyuushou: What the Bullet Hell?!
Touhou Iyuushou is a fan-made bullet hell game built for diehard danmaku enthusiasts. Created by indie dev Cyoltose and released in 2025, it channels the chaotic spirit of Impossible Spell Card while adding its own layer of strategic depth. Set in the Touhou Project universe, players tackle self-contained challenges where survival hinges on precise dodging and smart item use. Each stage feels like a mini-boss fight, packed with dense bullet patterns and hidden objectives. The game splits into two modes: Scene, a shorter challenge-focused format, and EX/PH, which offer longer campaigns for dedicated players. It’s a love letter to the genre’s hardest hitters, wrapped in a framework that rewards patience and pattern recognition.
Gameplay
The core loop is brutal yet addictive. You’ll dodge waves of bullets in tight, claustrophobic arenas while managing a limited inventory of power-ups like shields, slowdown fields, and instant teleportation. Each challenge lasts 2-5 minutes but demands near-perfect reflexes. The Scene mode tasks you with clearing spell cards under strict conditions, earning stamps that unlock harder variants. EX and PH modes expand this into 30+ minute sessions, layering in boss mechanics and environmental hazards. Controls are tight but unforgiving, any misstep means a quick restart. The game’s difficulty spikes rapidly, but its replayability shines through optional collectibles and achievement-driven goals. It’s less about brute memorization and more about adapting tactics mid-fight, making every session a puzzle of timing and resource management.
What Players Think
Touhou Iyuushou has a 78% completion rate among PlayPile users, with 68% finishing the base Scene mode. Average playtime sits at 12 hours, though PH challenges push that to 20+ for hardcore players. Community moods are split: 70% label it “determined,” 20% “confused,” and 10% “frustrated.” Critic scores average 82/100, praising its creativity but noting a steep learning curve. Reviewers highlight the “genius use of item synergies” but warn it’s “not for casual players.” The game’s $19.99 price tag sees 45 achievements (35% completion average), with the final PH boss card earning the most saves (72% of players). While fan forums call it a “masterclass in bullet hell design,” newcomers often struggle with its lack of hand-holding.
PlayPile's Take
This is a niche title that excels for those who crave bullet hell’s purest form. If you’ve mastered games like Unmei or Impossible Spell Card, the layered challenges here feel earned. The $20 price is fair for the content, and the 45 achievements add long-term incentive. However, its lack of tutorials and punishing difficulty may turn off newer players. Buy it if you’re a Touhou veteran or a strategy shooter masochist. Otherwise, save your bullets, this isn’t a game you can coast through.
Game Modes
Single player
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