Classic Yet New -Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony Review

Another Touhou spinoff title is upon us as the HD Remaster of Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony has arrived on PC and Switch. This game will instantly appeal to any fan of the classic style Castlevania games, as the game itself is designed as a hybrid between Touhou and a game like Rondo of Blood.  Koumajou Remilia: definitely feels like the classic game but incorporates elements of the bullet hell parent series as well.

In this journey, the shrine maidens will run and jump over enemies while using whips and other weapons and face monsters such as bone-throwing skeletons, and a wide array of fairies that fit the Touhou universe well. The stages all feel like something you would see in a Castlevania game, such as a forest, library, clock tower and more. What makes the game feel different is how these stages have been adapted to fit a Touhou setting, with the game poking fun at players for not realizing they can fly over gaps and pointing out that flying itself has boundaries.

The game has a variety of moves that can be done such as back-flips, but more importantly, you can fly through the air like in a shmup, and many boss fights are dependent on aerial boss fights. While in the flying mode, you cannot use your whip but can use ofuda as weapons, which consume souls that must be acquired from defeating enemies. Of course, the souls can do more than just this, as you can also use the souls to summon various unlocked characters who will act almost like a sub-weapon, in a well-done mechanic.

With a campaign that is not super long but is still satisfying, Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony consists of 8 stages that do include some repetition, which is a bit of a sore point, but it never feels like it is done too much. With great boss fights as well that combine elements of Castlevania and the bullet-hell shmup gameplay of Touhou, Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony is a game that manages to stand out among other Touhou side games. The combat manages to feel just right, as the melee attacks go well with the shmup elements, although not being able to change direction when in flight is a bit of an issue. That said, this really does feel like a shmup that is also a full classic side-scrolling action game.

Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony manages to capture the look and sound of the classic Castlevania games, with the anime aesthetics of Touhou swapped for a gothic interpretation and it looks amazing in motion. The framerate could have been a bit better as there were some drops here and there when played undocked on the Switch, but these were not common and overall, the pixel-art style and amazing animation made everything shine. The soundtrack is well done as well and brings to mind many classic songs fans of both series may like.

Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony is a great tribute to the classic series well all love while still being true to the Touhou series at the same time. This is a game that any fan of either series will truly enjoy.

Disclaimer: A review key was provided by publisher CFK.