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Touhou Chireiden ~ Subterranean Animism (Japanese: 東方地霊殿 ～ Subterranean Animism, lit. "Eastern Palace of the Earth Spirits") is the eleventh main game of the Touhou Project scrolling shooter series by Team Shanghai Alice. The game was released on August 16, 2008, during the 74th Comiket.
| Subterranean Animism | |
|---|---|
Original CD-ROM cover, featuring a silhouette of Utsuho Reiuji.
| |
| Developer(s) | Team Shanghai Alice |
| Publisher(s) | Team Shanghai Alice |
| Composer(s) | Team Shanghai Alice |
| Series | Touhou Project |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Bullet hell (danmaku) |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Subterranean Animism is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up game in which the player has to navigate through a total of six stages, while killing enemies and dodging their projectiles.[1] Each stage contains two bosses, with large amounts of health and complex attack patterns called spell cards, that the player must defeat before advancing. The player can also use their own spell cards, which will clear the screen of bullets and give temporary invulnerability, using the same system from Mountain of Faith wherein usage of a spell card will consume some of the player's shot power, which is replenished by picking up power-ups from killed enemies. However, unlike Mountain of Faith, the player spell cards in Subterranean Animism offer different properties depending on the player character.
The player gains points by killing enemies, collecting point items, capturing spell cards,[2] and, of particular importance in Subterranean Animism, grazing bullets.[3] The player will receive one extra life upon collecting 5 Life Pieces, one of which drops after each spell card beaten without losing a life.
ZUN has said that he believes Subterranean Animism is one of the more difficult Touhou games, suggesting that the game's Hard Mode is comparable to Lunatic in other installments,[4] and that not all players should expect to clear the game on the higher difficulties.[5]
During Gensokyo's winter, a geyser erupts, close to the Hakurei Shrine, which caused various spirits from Hell to emerge. Patchouli Knowledge, who had previously read of a "power that was uncontrollable by the likes of the yōkai from above ground", warns Yukari Yakumo, who convinces Reimu to go underground and investigate.[6]
The creation of the geyser was instigated by Kanako Yasaka, who convinced the Hell raven Utsuho Reiuji to consume Yatagarasu and acquire the power of nuclear fusion. Kanako planned to use Hell as a source of nuclear energy, which raised the level of heat in Hell, causing the geyser eruption. Though the proliferation of nuclear energy would have given Gensokyo more energy, Reimu defeats Utsuho, and returns Gensokyo to its normal state. Utsuho explains that nuclear energy was desirable due to its ability to power hot springs at the right temperature.[7]
Subterranean Animism has two playable characters, Reimu and Marisa, each of whom can choose one of three partners, that will give special abilities.
Background characters:
Subterranean Animism was released on August 16, 2008, at C74. The game was released on Steam on June 6, 2020, alongside Mountain of Faith and Undefined Fantastic Object.[9]
Game Rant considered Subterranean Animism to be the second best Touhou game, writing that it "takes intensity to a whole new level", and that it was not the most accessible game for beginners due to its difficulty.[10]
On Steam, 97% of user reviews were positive.[11]OnGameSpot, the game had an average score of 9.5/10.[12]