Leaves much to be left desired </3

A few assets (specifically a few images used during the spellcards) seem to be have been created using GenAI which I don't see it being disclosed anywhere here... Which I understand is unnoticeable, unless you go into the files, but it starts building distrust between the creator and the audience, especially when the price charged is increased from the previous titles.

When it comes to this game series, I can't say I care much for the replays or scoreboard however that is still disappointing considering its a part of every Touhou game and important for others in the community. Besides that it's missing an extra mode and 2P colours and its incredibly easy and forgiving. I wish characters had more spellcards.

The use of music is disappointing considering that you won't hear certain character's themes during story mode and instead hear repeats of the same early/mid themes that are meant to be attributed to Reimu and Marisa yet sound generic and lackluster. The stage 5 midboss from the previous game reappears, like in PoFV, but she does not get a new theme for whatever reason. The cymbals(? I'm not sure what that sound is called I'll be honest) in Chiyari's theme sound poorly, although the rest of her theme is enjoyable.

The story is sort of confusing and forgettable, it tries to tie in the stories from the 2 previous mainline games and the big bad guy is just sort of there. Some character assassinations happen, at least with Yachie's character where she gets fooled by Aunn due to her lack of simple knowledge about Komainus. It does expand the story of Gensokyo and draws connections between the new and old characters but there does not seem to be anything major.

I can appreciate the boss sprites (that have been done through the help of another person working on the game, similar to PoFV with the colouring of the character portraits) and the return of multiple beloved and underappreciated characters (personally I love the slight rearrangements of the themes, especially the stage themes used instead of the boss themes, I think ZUN shines more in stage themes at times).

I wish ZUN would give himself more time deadline wise, especially since this game was rushed near the end, for better content and gameplay. Otherwise it doesn't set a bright future for the series.