Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER -
" Engaging indie RPG simulation with unique Touhou tactics but occasional translation typos "
Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER - Review
Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER - is a It offers a comprehensive retelling and reweaving of the early Windows Touhou games, enriched with expanded character development and clever narrative twists that appeal both to newcomers and longtime fans. The game features a vast roster of characters, each with distinct skills and customization options, alongside challenging and engaging battles that incorporate innovative mechanics such as danmaku debuffs and spellcard patterns.
The audiovisual presentation is exceptional, boasting hundreds of high-quality music tracks that dynamically change per character and beautifully animated pixel art that enhances the combat experience. Despite some minor translation roughness and occasional bugs reported, the overall polish and depth make it a standout SRPG. The game’s length and content breadth provide an extensive and rewarding experience, suitable for fans of Touhou, SRPGs, or both.
Highlights
Players consistently praise the that innovatively adapts Super Robot Wars mechanics with Touhou-themed elements like danmaku fields and spellcards. The cleverly intertwines multiple Touhou arcs into a coherent and entertaining narrative, accessible to both veterans and newcomers. The with 234 unique tracks matching each character’s theme is frequently highlighted as a major strength. Additionally, the game's elevate the battle sequences, creating a visually appealing experience. The large playable cast, deep customization, and challenging difficulty modes contribute to its replayability and strategic depth.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include , with typos and formatting issues noted by some players. A few mention that the and could benefit from quality-of-life improvements like idle character animations on the map. Some players find , especially in early chapters where defeating bosses fully is difficult, impacting completionist goals. Minor bugs and stability issues have been reported but are not widespread. A handful of players feel that , limiting character uniqueness. Lastly, the story can be , which might not appeal to everyone.
Pros
- • Engaging tactical gameplay with unique Touhou-themed mechanics and spellcard fields.
- • Rich, well-written story that appeals to both newcomers and longtime Touhou fans.
- • Massive soundtrack with 234 unique, dynamic tracks tied to characters.
- • Beautiful pixel art and smooth, cinematic battle animations.
- • Large, diverse cast with deep customization and skill variety.
- • Challenging difficulty modes including Normal+, Lunatic, and adjustable difficulty.
- • Seamless fusion of four games into one cohesive narrative experience.
Cons
- • English translation has occasional typos and awkward formatting.
- • User interface feels slightly outdated and could use quality-of-life improvements.
- • Boss retreat mechanics can frustrate completionists in early chapters.
- • Some minor bugs and stability issues reported at launch.
- • Skill upgrades can be expensive and not always impactful for uniqueness.
- • Story can be overly wordy and dense for some players.
- • Lack of idle animations for characters on the map reduces immersion.
Rating Criteria
Command a legion of more than 70 beloved Touhou Project heroines on an expansive quest to uncover the cause of mysterious incidents blossoming throughout Gensokyo. Deploy units on grid-based maps to battle monsters with flashy Spell Cards, and conquer each stage with strategic mastery.