Touhou Koumakyou: The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil gets

The first official remake of the foundational 2002 shoot-em-up, Touhou Koumakyou: The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, has launched. According to Rock Paper Shotgun, this 'New Classic' version marks the series' debut on Steam and includes a full English translation.

Developed in collaboration between original creator ZUN and developers from notable Touhou fangames, the remake features a remastered soundtrack from ZUN. The core gameplay remains unchanged. Players control either a shrine maiden or a kleptomaniac witch to confront a vampire who has blocked out the sun.

What's new in the remake

Beyond the Steam release and translation, the remake introduces a brand new stage. The character artwork has also been updated, though Rock Paper Shotgun describes it as still retaining an 'endearingly goofy' quality. The report notes the game presents the series' signature screen-filling bullet hell battles backed by catchy music.

For many, this will be a more accessible entry point to the long-running Touhou Project series. Earlier games from the 2000s rarely featured official English translations or wide digital distribution.

The wider Touhou universe

The Touhou Project is described as a decades-running series of around 20 main games with an extremely active fan community. Its boss characters are often inspired by folklore from both Asian and Western traditions, ranging from vampires to Shinto deities. While early titles had simple narratives, recent entries have tackled themes like fossil fuel reliance, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence.

A defining trait of the franchise is its openness to fan-created works, including commercial projects, provided they follow a short set of guidelines. Interestingly, some developers who worked on this official remake previously contributed to the well-regarded fan-made Metroidvania, Touhou: Luna Nights.

The remake appears to be classic Touhou. It delivers the intense, pattern-based shooting the series is known for. For newcomers curious about the cult phenomenon, this Steam version offers the most straightforward way to experience a core entry. The report suggests that if the bullet hell gameplay proves too intense, the fan-made Touhou: Luna Nights could be an alternative starting point within the universe. The game is out now.