Touhou Tenkuushou: Hidden Star in Four Seasons

About

Touhou Tenkuushou is a bullet-hell shooter with adventure elements set in the chaotic world of Gensoukyou. Players guide a cast of characters through four seasonal levels where the environment shifts wildly, cherry blossoms in summer, snow in a forest, autumn on a mountain. Gameplay blends fast-paced shooting sections with exploration and puzzle-solving, as you dodge waves of projectiles and use magic to figure out the mystery behind the distorted seasons. The single-player campaign focuses on teamwork and quick reflexes, with each level introducing new enemies and environmental hazards. This entry stands out for its dense narrative and over 30 playable characters, each with distinct abilities and story snippets. Though part of a 20-year-old series, it maintains a cult following with 85% positive reviews on Steam. The challenge curve and humorously absurd scenarios, like fairies with unnatural power, keep it engaging for fans. With 8, 10 hours of gameplay and optional routes, it rewards persistence without overcomplicating its core loop. The quirky art style and retro soundtrack also earn frequent praise from players.

Storyline

Despite it being midsummer, the seasons in various locations are completely out of whack. The Hakurei Shrine is showered in cherry petals, the Youkai Mountain is basking in the middle of autumn, and the Forest of Magic is blanketed in snow... and thanks to some strange force, Gensoukyou's fairies are running rampant with unfathomable strength. In the midst of this undeniable incident, the girls set out to investigate and find the perpetrator behind it.