Following their original release on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Idea Factory International has announced that Touhou Spell Carnival, the latest entry in the long-running Touhou Project universe, will be arriving on Steam later this year. While a specific launch date for the PC version has not been confirmed, the Steam store page will go live at a later date.
Set in the secluded land of Gensokyo, where humans and youkai coexist, Touhou Spell Carnival follows shrine maiden Reimu Hakurei as she investigates mysterious pillars appearing throughout the land. These structures signal the beginning of the Spell Carnival—a battle festival orchestrated by Yukari Yakumo, where participants wager their Spell Cards in combat. Determined to uncover Yukari’s true motives, Reimu joins the competition, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle of skill and strategy.
Unlike traditional Touhou shoot-’em-ups, Touhou Spell Carnival introduces a hybrid gameplay system that blends tactical RPG elements with the series’ signature bullet-dodging mechanics. Players will navigate grid-based battlefields, dodge enemy barrages, and time their attacks carefully to secure victory. Combat takes place on a strategic grid, requiring precise movement and skill management. Players must consider their party’s formation, exploit enemy weaknesses, and strategically choose which Ace Spell Card to use in battle.
The battlefield itself adds another layer of strategy, with objects and Attributes appearing during combat. Some objects provide cover from incoming attacks, while others offer bonus effects when destroyed. Attributes introduce buffs or status effects that can turn the tide of battle, providing opportunities to collect additional loot after a fight.
Outside of combat, players can explore the Hakurei Shrine through Reimu’s perspective. The shrine serves as a hub where players can keep track of active missions, revisit past events, interact with familiar Touhou Project characters, and even pose for snapshots in Photo Mode.
Want to know more about Touhou Spell Carnival? Check out my full review of the PlayStation 5 edition!
