Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic - the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil

Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic - the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil

Released Sep 2026

Dodge the barrage, defeat the enemies, and brave the Scarlet Mist Incident. The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil returns with fresh music and graphics. Control the shrine maiden Reimu and the magician Marisa, weaving between bullets that fill up the screen. The soundtrack has been fully remade by ZUN.

97% positive · 4,590 reviews
Not yet
Recently released, post-launch plans unclear
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Recently Launched
Not yet
Recently released, post-launch plans unclear
Low confidence
Recently Launched

Where to buy

Steam
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Evaluation

Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic launched on September 9, 2026 — today — as a remastered version of the original 2002 bullet-hell shooter, rebuilt by its original creator ZUN. The launch announcement describes this as a complete, polished release: updated pixel art at higher resolution, a fully self-arranged soundtrack by ZUN, and a new unlimited-lives mode. Purchasing the game also includes the Classic version, a faithful recreation of the 2002 original. The only DLC listed is a soundtrack pack, which shipped on the same day as the game itself. There is no roadmap, no announced future content, and no post-launch update history to analyze — the game only just released. It appears to be a self-contained remaster rather than a live-service or episodic product, but it is simply too soon after launch to confirm whether the developer intends any post-launch additions.
Evidence
Launch announcement describes the game as a complete remaster of the 2002 original, featuring redrawn pixel art, a fully re-arranged soundtrack by ZUN, a new unlimited-lives mode, and a bundled Classic version. No mention of planned post-launch content.
news post · Sep 9, 2026 source content shipped
high
The only DLC — a soundtrack with 30+ tracks — was released on launch day alongside the game. No unreleased DLC is listed.
dlc listing · Sep 9, 2026 source content shipped
medium

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
Alliance Arts
Achievements
24
Platform
Windows
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

*This title can only be purchased as part of a bundle. The price is the same, and the Classic version is included.

Dodge the barrage, defeat enemies, and brave the Scarlet Mist incident.

Touhou Koumakyou - The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, with music and graphics remastered by an older and wiser creator (self-described).

Touhou Koumakyou - the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil is a vertical-scrolling 2D shoot-'em-up where you weave through dazzling curtains of bullets.

Take control of the shrine maiden Reimu or the magician Marisa, and set out to resolve the incident threatening Gensokyou. Dodge and slip your way forward through barrages of bullets dense enough to fill the entire screen.

Make full use of each character's unique shots to defeat your enemies—while keeping your life count from dropping to zero under their attacks. Every shot type plays differently: some automatically home in on enemies, while others deliver superior firepower in a head-on assault.

The New Classic edition features upscaled high-resolution graphics, with every track rearranged by ZUN.

It also adds a brand-new mode where you can take on the challenge with unlimited lives.

Controls

・Player movement: Move up, down, left, and right.

・Shot: Your standard attack.

・Bomb: A special attack. The type can be chosen during character select, and each has its own characteristics, so pick your favorite and have fun. It's a very powerful attack, but be careful—the number of uses is limited.

・Focus Mode: Slow your movement speed for finer control.

Gamepad button assignments can be changed via the Key Config in the game's Options menu.

Story

Gensokyou has been blanketed in a scarlet mist.

Hakurei Shrine maiden, Reimu Hakurei, and Marisa Kirisame, a magician living in the Forest of Magic, set out to resolve the incident.

She awaited them inside the Western-style mansion that materialized amidst the mist.

Players

Reimu Hakurei

The shrine maiden of the Hakurei Shrine.

Fights using high evasion capabilities and a wide attack range.

Marisa Kirisame

A magician living in the Forest of Magic.

Challenges the incident with a combat style specialized in high firepower.

You can also play the Classic version, which recreates the original 2002 gameplay as closely as possible.

*All text in the Classic version is in Japanese.

Last evaluated Sep 9, 2026
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