Recent reviews by gooeyPhantasm

Criminally low price for the hours of enjoyment it offers. However, I'd say buy it on your phone for the best experience if you can. I have lots of memories of playing this for hours and hours on the bus and long car rides--but it definitely holds up on PC as well!

the only VS-like you need.

Devil Engine is presented very well. The art and music are by far the best parts of this game (ironic, given the controversy) and I can say that I am never bored when playing. As a shmup, Devil Engine just doesn't feel good to me.
There is not enough telegraphing of large bullets, so often you are left with attacks that you never could have dodged without memorization. I don't mind memorization, but when you have to memorize to the extent that this game makes you, it just feels like studying for an exam. Some attacks are too fast or too dense, even with the bullet-clearing gimmick. This is only further complicated by the three-speed system, which makes precise dodging cumbersome and slow to adjust. I've only been able to make it to the final stage by feeding this game all of my credits.
I recognize that some of my struggles with this game are because I'm not a skillful shmup player, but I am an experienced one. Getting good at this game just doesn't feel like it's worth my time, when all it boils down to are inhuman reflexes and memorization of the entire game with little-to-no incentive. If you don't mind the gripes I've noted, then you should play Devil Engine--it's very polished and has its moments! I just wouldn't recommend it.

Don't play it without the community patcher[www.thpatch.net]. This game is alright, but it's absolutely carried by the community. There are balance patches to make the game fairer (both in Story and VS), music patches to fix Story Mode so that the actual characters' themes play, and of course translation patches because ZUN refuses to acknowledge that there are fans outside of Japan.
Steam Deck and Linux users: Use the Proton wrapper for thcrap.[github.com]
Other than that, you can play as Ran. The music is good. Game feels fine, but no scoring mode. Overall still pretty enjoyable. It's Touhou.

It's an adventure game that uses Sokoban puzzles as its medium. While they are frustrating at times, Void Stranger is definitely a game that, as the Steam page suggests, should be completed with the aid of community members or at least a friend to bounce ideas off of. At first, it felt like the puzzles were in the way of the story, but they become equally satisfying and thrilling as you peel back each layer of this game, like an onion. All in all, System Erasure has somehow made a puzzle game that appeals to their shmup install base and the wider demographic that hungers for brain-melting-lesbian-sokoban Berserk. Well played.

This is the best possible starting point for Touhou Project on Steam, as of writing this review. It's easier than the other games, it introduces you to a great selection of ZUN's music and characters, and there's no weird gimmick for newcomers to grasp (the Faith mechanic is really only for score). So, if you've seen Touhou things on the internet and you're curious as to what's going on, START HERE!
And use the Community Patcher [www.thpatch.net] to play it in English! Steam Deck/Linux version available here. [github.com]

It's a good game! good art and music, and i love the characters. the gameplay is very simple compared to other roguelikes on Steam, but i think the game more than makes up for it through its fun ideas and different character playstyles. sometimes you just need something a little simple and straightforward, to make room for ideas like the SEX GUN and nightcore airpods.

Monolith is the best twin-stick shooter I've played in a long time, while demonstrating incredible applications of roguelike concepts to the genre. As a ZeroRanger fan and Cho Ren Sha 68k player, you can feel the inspiration in this game's method of adding mystery and good worldbuilding to a type of game that usually lacks in plot. It's just incredible!

ZeroRanger is somehow the best entry point for the shoot-em-up genre without pulling any of its punches. You can find endless enjoyment here whether you're a newbie or a veteran, and while the story isn't much at first it's a hell of a lot more than you'll find in any other shmup. It also has hands-down the best co-op experience out of any other game I've played, period. Play it!

the most fun i've ever had playing a Metroidvania, hands down. the gradual increase in power throughout the game is awesome, the time stop mechanic is so satisfying, and the animations are very well done. if you're a Touhou Project veteran, this game will easily delight you with its incredible remixes and references galore. if you're new to Touhou Project, this is a great and approachable gateway fangame. easiest recommendation ever!