Touhou ~ By My Hand: A Waltz of Bullets and Elegance

 Step into a gaming experience that redefines genre boundaries: Touhou ~ By My Hand. This ingenious title, developed by Nitori and loib, merges the intensity of a "bullet hell" with the sophistication of ballroom dancing. Featuring the beloved Mokou and Keine from the Touhou universe, the game invites you to a deadly choreography where every step counts and grace is your best weapon. Created as an entry for the Touhou Pride Game Jam, this unofficial fanwork offers a fresh and challenging perspective on classic danmaku.

Gameplay: Dancing Through the Storm

The premise of Touhou ~ By My Hand is deceptively simple: control two dancers across the dance floor by clicking and dragging the mouse to guide their movements. Your goal is for each character to step on their own colored markers while dodging an incessant rain of enemy projectiles. A special "embrace," activated with the right mouse button, allows for a quick and strategic maneuver to evade the densest bullet formations.

However, don't be fooled by the elegant appearance; this game is a true challenge. The developers warn that, although you can start on "easy" mode, bullet patterns and movement complexity scale "very hard, very fast." Pinpoint precision and agile reaction capabilities are crucial to mastering this deadly dance.

Updates and Unique Features

The updated version (July 17th) introduces significant improvements for an even more polished experience:

  • Enhanced Accessibility: Overhead pivot indicators, a more comprehensive tutorial, corrected menu overlaps, and adjustments to "Graze" (bullet glancing without damage) indicators.

  • Optimizations: Loading softlocks, "Tracker" UI issues, and ensuring the "hug graze" effect functions correctly have all been resolved.

  • New Mechanics: A new ability to "spin to refill meter" adds a strategic layer. Furthermore, standalone versions now allow users to add their own song files, opening up a world of customization.

For the more curious, the game hides a "Developer Mode" (with the R key) and a "secret gremlin mode" accessible via a discreet floral button in the lower right corner during gameplay, promising surprises and replayability.

A Glimpse of the Game (Screenshots)

Game screenshot: characters in the main menu Game screenshot: Mokou and Keine dancing and dodging projectiles Game screenshot: interface showing scores and game elements

The Creative Ensemble:

Behind this innovative genre fusion lies a talented team:

  • Texel: Responsible for Code, Design, and Hit Sound Effects.

  • Schmagons: Master of Art and Animation, bringing characters and environment to life.

  • Loib: Creator of the captivating Music and Composition, a fundamental piece for the game's atmosphere. You can explore more of their work on their YouTube channel.

It's important to note that Touhou ~ By My Hand is an unofficial fanwork, created for the Touhou Pride Game Jam, and the Touhou Project belongs to Team Shanghai Alice.

Ready to Dance?

If you're a fan of Touhou, bullet hells, or simply looking for a rhythmic game with an unexpected twist, Touhou ~ By My Hand is a must-download. Available to play directly in your browser (HTML5), as well as for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Play Touhou ~ By My Hand here: https://nitori.itch.io/by-my-hand

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