Why I Love Ys Origin

So recently Nintendo held a pretty big E-Shop sale, and I decided to bite the bullet on a bunch of games I've wanted to try, and it was a pretty stellar batch. I finally got to check out some of Supergiant's games, I played my first Studio Pixel game in the expertly crafted Kero Blaster, and I was very pleasantly surprised by DKC homage Kaze And The Wild Masks for how it iterated and at times even improved one some of my favorite platformers from the 16-bit era. But one game in particular really stuck with me, a game that I wasn't expecting to love nearly as much as I did. That game is Ys Origin.

Touhou Music Reviews: Embodiment Of Scarlet Devil

I already really like the PC-98 soundtracks, especially Mystic Square's, but the Windows era of Touhou elevated the music to an entirely new level. Pretty much every soundtrack from here to Legacy Of Lunatic Kingdom is phenomenal across the board (I have my gripes with 16's music onward but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it). Being the series' defining game, Embodiment Of Scarlet Devil has a lot of incredibly iconic melodies. And while yes, those melodies are fantastic, what really gets me about this soundtrack is how it sounds. EoSD has a super distinct soundfont, likely the result of ZUN playing around with new hardware, and it gives the whole score a uniquely dark and haunting vibe to it. 

Scarlet Beyond A Crimson Dream
From this game onward, the title themes would be far more laid-back remixes of Theme Of Eastern Story. While I do like a lot of the Windows era title themes, I will say that I do prefer the more unnecessarily intense title themes of the PC-98. Scarlet Beyond A Crimson Dream has a pretty great and iconic chorus, but the build-up isn't too much to write home about.
3/5 Stars

A Soul As Red As The Ground Cherry
Really everything you'd want from a good first stage theme. It's nice and bouncy, with a super catchy main melody, all the while having a slightly eerie undertone that fits EoSD pretty well. The highlight is easily that piano solo that caps off the track.
4/5 Stars

Apparitions Stalk The Night
Similarly to the stage theme it follows, Apparitions Stalk The Night is pretty light-hearted, but with a bouncy tempo, it's a real head-banger. I'm not sure if I prefer the pretty chime-heavy verse or the catchy flute chorus. My only gripe is that this track is a bit short, but otherwise it's great.
4/5 Stars

Lunate Elf
Lunate Elf is such a pretty theme, mostly comprised of twinkly pianos and lovely woodwinds. The main chorus melody is simple but incredibly memorable, especially in its reprisal at the end of the song. This is one of the least popular themes which is a real shame, because I always had a soft spot for it.
4/5 Stars

Beloved Tomboyish Girl
You don't need me to tell you that Cirno's theme is truly iconic. While not my favorite version, I love how icy the EoSD soundfont makes the verse sound. The elegant and tender chorus is easily the best part of the song, such an instantly recognizable melody that hints at there being more to Cirno than meets the eye.
5/5 Stars

Shanghai Teahouse - Chinese Tea
Hands down the best song of the game. Shanghai Teahouse just gets so much stuff right. ZUN uses every single instrument in his arsenal to perfect effect. The piano being used for a perfectly timed breather, the fantastic flute counterpoint, and of course, that utterly godly ZUNpet usage. The main melody is fast-paced enough to be thrilling yet elegant enough to be truly beautiful and mesmerizing, wowing pretty much everyone who's made it to Stage 3 for the first time.
5/5 Stars

Shanghai Alice Of Meiji 17
As much as I love Shanghai Teahouse, it's a real shame it's overshadowed theme because wow, does it slap. EoSD's soundtrack always had an elegant vibe to it, but this one is especially so. From the brilliant piano riff that kicks off the song, to the wonderful flourishes in the verse and chorus, this theme just exudes grace. And yet, an intense and driving percussion track keeps this theme still feeling like a boss theme.
5/5 Stars

Voile, The Magic Library
Talk about underrated, this is another one of my favorite themes in the game hands down. It's lengthy, complex, and does a masterful job at creating an eerie atmosphere through EoSD's unique soundfont, while once again maintaining the drive that a good stage theme should have by this point. There's a lot of great moments here like the dramatic intro and the way the gothic chorus speeds up near the end, but the highlight is easily that godly piano solo near the start of the song. In a series filled with brilliant piano solos, this is one of my favorites.
5/5 Stars

Locked Girl - The Girl's Secret Room
Keeping the streak going, Locked Girl is yet another phenomenal theme. It's so grandoise yet bleak, the main melody feels so hopeless yet powerful. A perfect fit for a sickly magician like Patchouli. The whole song is fantastic but special mention goes to the fantastic ZUNpet chorus that caps off the track.
5/5 Stars

The Maid And The Pocket Watch Of Blood
This is one of the most underrated themes in the entire series and it pains me that it's not as beloved as much of the rest of this soundtrack. It's long, complex, fast-paced, and undeniably badass. ZUN stated he wanted to go in a rock direction with Sakuya's themes and it really shows in that chilling guitar riff in the pre-chorus. But everything else is on-point too, from the dramatic intro, to the energetic piano verse, to that fantastic chorus.
5/5 Stars

Lunar Clock - Luna Dial
Compared to Sakuya's stage theme which feels like it could be a rock opera, Lunar Clock tries to go for more of a power-metal route and doesn't fully pull it off. It can sound a bit busy, but the sheer energy it exudes still shines through nonetheless. The varying time signatures, driving percussion, and badass chorus (that would proceed to be used for Nights Of Nights) still make for a fun boss theme, even if I feel it could've been even better with some more refinement.
4/5 Stars

The Young Descendent Of Tepes
Okay, this is a song I find a bit overrated. As far as Stage 6 themes go, it's a real fan-favorite, but I never got the hype that much. It's a good theme and the chorus is great, super catchy and exciting, but it's just too short! It's less than a minute long!
3/5 Stars

Septette For The Dead Princess
Remilia's theme is a stellar final boss theme and similarly to Shinki's theme, it's a great culmination of everything the game has been building up to musically. Like the rest of EoSD's soundtrack, the verse of Septette is elegent, regal, and gothic, perfect for Remilia. But the song really gets good in the upbeat chorus that feels like it fits Reimu more, almost as if she's even overpowering Remilia in the song itself. And of course, the track ends on a good old-fashioned piano solo, you love to see it.
5/5 Stars

The Centennial Festival For Magical Girls
The Centennial Festival For Magical Girls has a lot of moving parts to it and a lengthy build-up featuring a beautifully twinkly piano intro, a slightly eerie pre-chorus, and a pretty clever repurposing of the infamous "oriental riff". But once again, the highlight is that catchy and energetic ZUNpet chorus. It takes a while to get there, but the payoff is very much worth it.
5/5 Stars

UN Owen Was Her
Ah, UN Owen Was Her. Quite possibly the most iconic Touhou theme, Top 3 at the very least. It definitely deserves its praise, with a terror-inducing intro, a memorable and triumphant chorus, and an eerie and ominous vibe throughout. It really is an amazing theme... but it's also one I find a tad overrated. Not the song in general, just the EoSD version, whose sharp synths can sound a bit grating on a bad day. I think every official remix is an improvement, from DIPP's better instruments to the surprisingly natural mashup with Sunny Milk's theme to the fun time signature play in the 17.5 version. UN Owen Was Her is still a fantastic theme, but in EoSD, it's probably the weakest official version of it.
5/5 Stars

An Eternity That Is More Transient Than Scarlet
This is a solid ending theme, a pretty comfy Theme Of Eastern Story iteration with a very pleasing chorus. Similarly to the title theme, it has a bit of a build-up and isn't very long, but it's a nice listen.
3/5 Stars

Crimson Tower - Eastern Dream
Now this is a credits theme. From the dramatic and sweeping opening, to the catchy and nostalgic main melody, Crimson Tower just screams finality in the best way possible. It's impossible not to feel accomplished when you hear this song.
5/5 Stars

*characters*

Rumia
Rumia used to terrify me. The concept of this pale cannibal with darkness powers that floats to you in an ominous T-pose just really freaked me out. Once I learned that Rumia is either too lazy or too incompetent to actually eat people, she became a bit more adorkable.
3/5 Stars

Daiyousei
I like Daiyousei, even if we don't know too much about her. All we can really surmise is that she's Cirno's friend and she's a lot kinder and more sensitive than she is, which opens the door to a pretty cute dynamic.
3/5 Stars

Cirno
I've really warmed up to the Touhou fairies in general. With the exception of Daiyousei, many of the named fairy characters often tend to be headstrong ambitious types that want to rise above their status. Cirno may be a dolt and not actually that strong, but her sheer commitment to forging her own legend makes her an endlessly fun character to follow along.
5/5 Stars

Hong Meiling
Poor Meiling, often written off by the fanbase as a lazy bum of a gatekeeper. While I do find her laid-back personality appealing, people tend to forget that she's one of the best hand-to-hand fighters in Gensokyo. Like with most of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, I think Meiling's a very likable character with some fun banter with her colleagues and masters.
4/5 Stars

Koakuma
Yet another miniboss, Koakuma doesn't have much in terms of depth, probably even less than Daiyousei does. And that's a real shame because her design is pretty sick, a devil wearing a formal suit is a very striking contrast.
3/5 Stars

Patchouli Knowledge
Patchouli is one of my favorite characters in the entire series. Her purple-heavy design is striking, she's an absolute badass with one of my favorite fights in the series, her sickly nature makes her very sympathetic, and her introverted personality is something I find decently relatable. She's also surprisingly multi-faceted too. Withdrawn, solemn, and snarky on the surface, but also a genuinely great friend to Remilia and really passionate about magic, science, and learning. She also got one of my favorite moments in a Touhou comic when she manages to hold her own in a battle of wits with Eirin in SSiB.
5/5 Stars

Sakuya Izayoi
Where Patchouli is Top 3, Sakuya is like Top 5. Despite still being a human, Sakuya remains of the coolest and most badass characters in the series, being a knife-throwing time-stopping maid who never ever lets up her elegant appearance. It's pretty much impossible to make Sakuya uncool, whether it's in a fanime, manga, or game, she is always a highlight.
5/5 Stars

Remilia Scarlet
There are several sister duos in the Windows games, and for some reason, I always tend to prefer the older one. I guess the whole creepy child concept doesn't really do much for me. Then again, it's not like Remilia is that much more mature than Flandre. While she is outwardly super elegant and polite, in reality, she's still just a bratty, spoiled kid. There's a really fun dynamic there, and the fact that she's almost always scheming something makes for a very fun villain/anti-villain to follow.
5/5 Stars

Flandre Scarlet
While super popular for her status, even after all these years, Flandre is still kind of an enigma. While the internet likes to act as if she's a sadistic force of nature who's locked inside for everyone's safety, in reality, it feels like her personality changes in all of her appearances. In some cases, she is a terrifying force of nature who needs to be contained, in other cases, she's polite, in others she's a mischievous kid, in others she's borderline incoherent. While I think Flandre is a cool character, the fact that we still don't really know much about her holds me back from flat-out loving her as much as many fans seem to.
4/5 Stars

Touhou Music Reviews: Mystic Square

Well, we made it to the end of the PC-98 games, and what an end it is. Mystic Square is one hell of a swan-song for the console. Four characters, some of the best fights to date, and a Top 3 ZUN soundtrack. Seriously, this is one of my favorite video game soundtracks period, let alone just in Touhou. The sense of drama is unparalleled.

Wondrous Romance - Mystic Square
As per the usual, the title theme is amazing. That godly intro is definitely the highlight in how dramatic and exciting it is, but the whole track is so sweeping and grand. Wondrous Romance absolutely sets the tone for the game to come.
5/5 Stars

Dream Express
Absolute banger of a first stage theme. The ominous build-up building up to that phenomenal drop is so eargasmic, yet the song just keeps getting better from there. The verse is fast-paced and frantic, with a great sense of urgency, while the pre-chorus is more slow and somber. Everything about this song just screams final installment, and while the chorus is just the verse at a higher pitch, it's pulled off so freaking well. Definitely one of the best first stage themes in the series.
5/5 Stars

Magic Formation - Magic Square
Magic Formation is one of the weaker Mystic Square themes but that's just a testament to how good the rest of the soundtrack. Being a first boss theme for a PC-98 game, it's nice and intense but a bit short and repetitive. The main melody sounds like Maiden's Capriccio with some notes taken out, but the driving backing track is the real star of the show here.
4/5 Stars

Dimension Of Reverie
Unlike Dream Express, Dimension Of Reverie barely even has a build-up. It just bursts out of the gate full throttle, maintaining that same fast pace and sense of urgency... at least until the bridge where the song suddenly slows down for a melancholic organ piece. The whole song is phenomenal, but it's that somber ending bit that really makes it for me. The blend between bleak and thrilling is what defines Mystic Square's soundtrack.
5/5 Stars

Spiritual Heaven
Like most PC-98 early boss themes, Spiritual Heaven is a pretty short and simple loop, but the melody is really pleasant and easy on the ears, and the same driving energy that permeates Mystic Square's soundtrack is used to great effect here.
4/5 Stars

Romantic Children
Romantic Children starts great and just keeps on getting better as it goes on. The stellar intro, that catchy main melody, that godly chorus, all culminating in that grand, loud, frenetic, and dramatic final reprise to cap off the song. Most of Romantic Children is pretty slow-paced by Mystic Square standards so when that final bit kicks in, it really hits.
5/5 Stars

Plastic Mind
Now this is an amazing boss theme. The first half is alright stellar, super intense and fast-paced, with a fantastic driving riff in the background, but we all know the highlight is that iconic operatic chorus. I love how jarring the shift is at first, until the backing track comes in again and the whole song comes together. Similarly to Spirit Battle, there's something very orchestral-sounding about Plastic Mind, it's great stuff.
5/5 Stars

Maple Wise
This is one of my favorite tracks in the entire series. It's not as long as some of the other stage themes, but it makes the most of its short runtime. The melancholic western-sounding verse is already pretty great, but then the pre-chorus comes in and you can tell the song is building up to something. And then, the chorus. Holy crap, that chorus. A godly, chill-inducing, climactic, dramatic, grandiose melody that hits you like a truck every time you hear it. And when you learn it was a part of Shinki's theme the whole time, it gives this tune so much more weight. What a gem.
5/5 Stars

Forbidden Magic
I don't really have much to say about Forbidden Magic, though I do think it is really good. The main riff is catchy, the build-up is fantastic, and the energetic chorus is super satisfying. It's just a damn good boss theme, even if it's overshadowed by the high bar Mystic Square often meets.
4/5 Stars 

Crimson Maiden - Crimson Dead
I've ranted enough about PC-98 tracks that take a single melody and keep looping it, but this is hands down the peak of that style of music. Crimson Maiden's main loop is short, but it's frantic, intense, and dripping with emotion. Considering this is a theme about a boss whose friend you just killed, there's a raw sense of anger here that really elevates what could've been a pretty average boss theme.
5/5 Stars

Treacherous Maiden - Judas Kiss
I love how dramatic Mai and Yuki's themes are. But where Yuki's theme packs a massive emotional punch, Treacherous Maiden is unique in how emotionless it sounds. Where Yuki was wracked with grief at Mai's death, Mai considered her dead weight from the very start. Treacherous Maiden does a good job of capturing the horror of Mai's reaction while also being a solid fast-paced boss theme.
4/5 Stars

The Last Judgement
The Last Judgement is probably the most upbeat of all the stage themes, with a breezy tempo and a super empowering melody. This is a theme that really makes you feel like a badass, and it's a real head-banger at that. The chorus is definitely the highlight here, it's just so fun and energetic.  
5/5 Stars

Doll's Story - Doll Of Misery
Yumeko's theme resembles that of Ellen and Kana in PoDD, taking a fairly solemn melody and bolstering it with some energetic background instrumentations, creating a pretty neat dissonance. Doll's Story sounds both super energetic and fast-paced, and subtly melancholy as well. And the final bit where the main melody kicks back in is pretty great.
5/5 Stars

End Of The World - World's End
This is a stage 6 theme, alright. It's not super long, but it's very tense and has an especially strong feeling of finality to it. You really get the vibe that you're not just at the end of Mystic Square, but the PC-98 era as a whole.
4/5 Stars

Legendary Illusion - Infinite Being
And here we are. The end of an era, the culmination of everything Mystic Square has been building up to, the best song of the game, and one of the best songs in the series. Everything about Legendary Illusion is perfect. It's drenched in drama and melancholy from start to finish. The intro is fantastic, super eerie and intimidating. The verse is majestic, perfectly fitting Shinki's status as a god. The pre-chorus is exciting, hyping up for the song's peak. And then, two minutes in, you get that absolutely transcendent chorus, taking Maple Wise's melody and playing it far more seriously. Man, I love this song, genuine masterpiece.
5/5 Stars

Alice In Wonderland
Mystic Square has one of the best streaks of songs out of any game in the series. Legendary Illusion is already phenomenal, but Alice In Wonderland is almost just as good. Similarly befitting the last PC-98 extra stage theme (and technically the last PC-98 stage period), Alice In Wonderland has a nostalgic feel to it. The whole melody is incredibly lovely, but there's something about that chorus that really hits you in the feels.
5/5 Stars

The Grimoire Of Alice
Capping off that legendary streak, The Grimoire Of Alice is a real banger of an extra boss theme that doesn't quite surpass Cute Devil but comes incredibly close. In almost hilarious contrast to Alice In Wonderland, this theme is intense and fast-paced from start to finish, with a super catchy and energetic melody.
5/5 Stars

Shinto Shrine
Mystic Square has a lot of ending themes, but I can at least say they're all pretty great. Being the bad ending theme, Shinto Shrine bringing back the World Of Empty Dreams motif works pretty much perfectly.
4/5 Stars

Endless
Befitting the good ending, Endless is a mostly cheery theme with a super catchy main melody and a driving drum beat. However, those brief moments where the song slows down still feel oddly melancholy given the circumstances. I do still really like that part of the song but it's definitely an interesting choice.
4/5 Stars

Eternal Paradise
So the PC-98 uses FM synthesis for its music, along with the Sega Genesis. I'm saying this because Eternal Paradise sounds straight out of Sonic, between the hopeful melody and the instrumentation that just feels so distinctly Sega. You probably need to hear it for yourself, but tell me it doesn't sound like this song was made using the same soundfont, it's so uncanny. That's not a bad thing, by the way, the sheer good vibes of Eternal Paradise makes it a pretty perfect good ending theme.
5/5 Stars

Mystic Dream
The intro of Mystic Dream is so chill-inducing, it's so intense and haunting. The chorus isn't quite as strong, but overall, this is a great staff roll theme.
4/5 Stars

Soul's Resting Place
Soul's Resting Place might be my favorite PC-98 name entry theme. I like how all of them have a pretty ominous tone, but Soul's Resting Place is the most ominous of the bunch.
4/5 Stars

Peaceful Romancer
I'm kinda surprised Peaceful Romancer is an ending theme, it's way too energetic and upbeat, almost as if it should be a staff roll theme instead. Either way, it's still a phenomenal track. It's fast-paced throughout and the chorus is just incredible.
5/5 Stars

As far as characters go, Mystic Square is definitely an improvement on Lotus Land Story. While the early bosses still don't have much going on, the story of Makai is interesting and the latter bosses are quite memorable.

Sara
Who?
1/5 Stars

Louise
Poor thing, all she wanted was to leave Makai. Louise could've just been a forgettable second boss but the fact that she was an innocent civilian who had no part in Shinki's plan made her so much more likable and sympathetic than she had any right to be.
4/5 Stars

Alice Margatroid
Alice! Here's another future Windows character, and a pretty great one at that. There's a lot to like about Alice, between her (future) friendship with Marisa, her solitary nature, and her bond with her dolls that frequently toes the line between wholesome and creepy. The mystery about her potentially being a former human is also pretty cool.
5/5 Stars

Yuki
Yuki and Mai's dynamic is one of the coolest things in Mystic Square, but I prefer Yuki. Her furious reaction if you defeat Mai gives her a lot of character, which is only bolstered by the music.
4/5 Stars

Mai
What an asshole. Seriously though, I do kinda love the cruel twist of Yuki being wracked with grief and Mai just thinking of Yuki as a meatshield, but it's also hard not to despise the character after you hear what she says.
3/5 Stars

Yumeko
So plenty of PC-98 characters would get overshadowed by Windows counterparts, but the fact that ZUN would introduce another knife-throwing maid the game after Yumeko debuted is just plain sad. Still, knife-throwing maids are pretty badass and Yumeko definitely stands out as one of the more memorable PC-98 characters even if she lacks Sakuya's depth.
4/5 Stars

Shinki
Everyone wants Mima to return, but Shinki is the one I want back the most. Makai exists, UFO confirmed it, so why can't its god show up again? Her design is sick, and her storyline has a lot of neat subtext. Sure, she claims she wants to start a tourist agency, but the background during her fight showing Makai on fire opens a lot of questions. Did Shinki start the agency because Makai was going to shit, was she scared about her power and destroyed it mid-fight on accident, or did she want to destroy it? Oh, and her potential connection to Alice is pretty fascinating too. Shinki has the potential to either be one of the most affable and sympathetic villains in the series, or one of the most tragic, or one of the cruelest.
5/5 Stars

Touhou Music Reviews: Lotus Land Story

I'm pretty split on Lotus Land Story's soundtrack. I'd probably rank it over SoEW for its uniquely magical vibe and for having some of the best tracks out of the PC-98 games, but it can also feel a bit repetitive in how many of its tracks use similar melodies and tempos. It also contains a whopping eight bonus tracks this time, the most out of any Akyuu album, so prepare for a beefy post for this one.

Gensokyo - Lotus Land Story
Even my least favorite of the PC-98 title themes is still pretty great. The first thirty seconds are the highlight, it's super ominous and does a great job at getting you pumped up for the game ahead. The chorus that introduces the game's main leitmotif isn't anything too special, but I love the slow-paced bridge before the song loops.
4/5 Stars

Witching Dream
One of the more iconic first stage themes in the series, Witching Dream's main melody is so catchy and memorable that it mostly makes for the lack of a chorus. That key change just feels so distinctly Touhou.
4/5 Stars

Selene's Light
Marisa's first stage theme is a bit more fast-paced and propulsive than Reimu's. The main melody is super fast and energetic, and I honestly like it a bit better. However, Selene's Light is also a lot shorter, and the entire second half of the second is kinda just build-up, so it evens out.
4/5 Stars

Decoration Battle
Decoration Battle is a pretty great first boss theme. It's super dramatic and the main melody is incredibly addictive, once again making up for its short length and slightly repititous nature.
4/5 Stars

Break The Sabbath
This song is actually way better than I remembered it being. Break The Sabbath is pretty much all build-up, but it's a fantastic build-up. The song just keeps escalating and increasing in complexity at a great pace, and culminates in a pretty hype Mystic Oriental Love Consultation reprise at the end. It's the perfect length too, it doesn't drag on but it's nowhere near as short as the last few songs. Oh, and the percussion is absolutely wild.
5/5 Stars

Scarlet Symphony - Scarlet Phoneme
Well, so much for length. This entire song is just a pretty short melody repeated at different pitches. As with Decoration Battle, it's a great melody and the varying accompaniments do a decent job of keeping it reasonably fresh, but I do wish it had more meat to it.
4/5 Stars

Bad Apple
Everyone knows Bad Apple, it's one of the series' defining tracks. And while it's hard not to immediately picture that iconic music video, the original version of Bad Apple is still fantastic in its own right. I love the frantic feel the song has, that intro riff is so addicting, and the all-original chorus is a real banger. Definitely one of my favorite PC-98 tracks.
5/5 Stars

Spirit Battle - Perdition Crisis
Easily the best boss theme so far. Spirit Battle feels like it would fit perfectly if it was played by an orchestra, with a sweeping intro and an intense operatic verse. It's just as frantic as Bad Apple is, if not even moreso. The chorus is probably the weakest part of the song but at least there is one this time.
4/5 Stars

Alice Maestra
Why this song has the same name as a character ZUN would introduce in the next game I'll never know, but it's a fantastic little number. It's oddly chill for a stage theme, going for a more melancholic tone that works really well. The choice of synth used here also really helps give the song a real nostalgic vibe. It's long too, with lots of different segments that are equally memorable. 
5/5 Stars

Maiden's Capriccio
Maiden's Capriccio will always be Reimu's defining theme, it just fits her character so well. It's fast-paced, upbeat, and has a slightly majestic feel to it. While I do prefer the more dramatic Dream Battle version, this is still a fantastic version of the theme, if anything for that distinct verse that it shares with Marisa's theme.
5/5 Stars

Vessel Of Stars - Casket Of Star
While not one of my favorite Marisa themes, Vessel Of Stars is still pretty amazing, which I guess is just a testament to how good Marisa's themes usually are. Compared to Capriccio, this theme is a lot grittier and more intense. It's super fast-paced, the shared leitmotif has a darker vibe to it, and the backing track goes absolutely nuts. I also think the original/Akyuu versions haven't really been topped, even the SWR versions is arguably one of the weaker remixes in that game.
5/5 Stars

Lotus Love
Lotus Love is pretty great, even if its melody is a bit on the simple side. It's really all the little touches that make it for me, like how the main melody cuts out for a bit in the intro, or the dreamy instrumetation for the main verse.
4/5 Stars

Sleeping Terror
Here we go, this is the good stuff. Yuuka's themes are so freaking good, easily the highlight of the game for me. Sleeping Terror's central riff is brilliant, and the way it's used in that slow intro to build up tension is just masterful. And once that main melody kicks in, man, it's so good! Eerie, intense, thrilling, it's an easy candidate for best theme in the game.
5/5 Stars

Dream Land
What a unique final stage theme. Where so many other games try to build up tension for the final boss, Dream Land is oddly relaxed. It's a great "calm before the storm" piece, all the while still having the gravitas to make it work as great build-up for the final battle against Yuuka. There isn't too much to it, but Dream Land does its job pretty well.
4/5 Stars 

Faint Dream - Inanimate Dream
While Sleeping Terror (and a certain other version of the track) is a bit better, Faint Dream - Inanimate Dream is still one hell of a final boss theme. The main melody is absolutely chill-inducing, super dramatic and intense. Probably my favorite thing about the Lotus Land Story score is just how much gravitas and importance it lends to the Yuuka incident.
5/5 Stars

The Inevitably Forbidden Game
The Inevitably Forbidden Game is a solid but unremarkable extra stage theme. The verse is decently intense and I really like some of the compositional flourishes, but I kinda feel like it's not intense enough. TIFG could've been a real head-banger with some more forceful instrumentation and maybe a slightly faster tempo.
3/5 Stars 

Illusion Of A Maid - Icemilk Magic
Illusion Of A Maid is kinda really lacking for an extra boss theme. It's got a solid intro, but the actual melody itself is pretty repetitive and simple. There isn't much intensity or excitement to it, and it does help that it gets far blown out of the water by the other extra theme.
2/5 Stars

Cute Devil - Innocence
Now that's more like it! Cute Devil - Innocence is one of my favorite extra boss themes, and packs an absolutely godly build-up and pay-off. The first two thirds of the song is mostly just the same ominous riff repeated over and over, though it keeps increasing in intensity, volume, and complexity. It starts getting really good once the percussion cuts out and the main instrument is replaced with a lower tone, but then it keeps building and building until it culminates in absolutely godly reprise of Sleeping Terror. That final segment is so perfect it makes the whole build-up worth it.
5/5 Stars

Days
Yep, that's a bad ending theme alright. Days is a very depressing piece of music, super sorrowful and melancholic. The dour riff, the wailing melody, it all adds up for a pretty good ending theme. 
3/5 Stars

Peaceful
Peaceful is one of the, if not the least memorable ending theme in the series. It's definitely calm, but doesn't quite hit me in the feels like some of the better ending themes. The only really noteworthy part for me is how the melody interrupts itself at one point. Otherwise, it's eh.
2/5 Stars

Arcadian Dream
This is another theme I don't find super memorable. The verse sharing slight resembles to Witching Dream is pretty neat, but otherwise, it doesn't too much to really stand out.
2/5 Stars

Those Who Live In Illusions
While the shortest and probably the weakest of the name entry themes, Those Who Live In Illusions still packs a pretty great melody not unlike the one in Cute Devil. It's nice and eerie.
3/5 Stars

Bonus: Lotus Road
It's kind of a shame Lotus Road got dropped because it feels like it's so close to being a really good theme. It's got a pretty great melody and a fast pace befitting a first theme, with some Sleeping Terror similarities for good measure. The only issue with this version specifically is that it sounds empty, as if it could've used a few more instruments.
3/5 Stars

Bonus: Dreamy Pilot
As far as the original unused themes go, Dreamy Pilot is easily the best one. Originally meant to be the Stage 4 theme, it definitely has the intensity and fast-paced befitting the fight between Reimu and Marisa, more akin to Retribution Of The Imperishable Night. The transition from that tense pre-chorus to the loud and dramatic chorus is absolutely fantastic. The fact that it sounds a lot like a track from Twinkle Star Sprites makes it even better.
5/5 Stars

Bonus: Incomplete Plot
Incomplete Plot takes a long time to get going, with a build-up up over a minute that doesn't quite have the same level of escalation that Break The Sabbath or Cute Devil does. However, the pay-off in the chorus is enough to save the track, a super intricate and catchy solo.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Border Land
Another one of those single melody tracks, with the loop this time resembling Maple Dream's intro but with a darker slant. The chorus using the pitches from Decoration Battle/Sleeping Terror is a really nice touch though.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Magic Shop Of Raspberry
Yeah, this totally should've been the extra stage theme. Magic Shop of Raspberry has the urgency and intensity I wanted from that track in spades, and the similarities to Scarlet Symphony makes sense given Mugetsu and Gengetsu boasting similar designs to Kurumi. It's quite long too.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Crescent Dream
Once again, why wasn't this the Staff Roll theme?! Crescent Dream is everything Arcadian Dream isn't. It has that same magical vibe as Maple Dream, with a haunting central riff that fades in and out over the course of the song. And that drop in the chorus is absolutely majestic. 
5/5 Stars

Bonus: Decoration Battle Unused
This version of Decoration Battle has the same main hook, but has a different lead-in that doesn't quite flow as well as the finished version. It still sounds pretty great, but I do prefer the Decoration Battle we got.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Faint Dream - Inanimate Dream Unused
Unlike with Decoration Battle, I actually like the unused version better! It's like the Necrofantasia to the original's Necro-Fantasy, with a lighter and more frantic tone and an entirely new and, in my opinion, better chorus.
5/5 Stars

Coming off the heels of Phantasmagoria's fantastic roster, the Lotus Land Story cast isn't nearly as developed, with one notable exception.

Orange
Her name is Orange. She's a youkai. She looks like Meiling. And that's pretty much it. Seriously though, it's kind of hilarious that LLS had a boss whose main gimmick is being a vague undefined youkai because man does that not age well when the series shifts to having a 90% youkai cast.
1/5 Stars

Kurumi
Kurumi is yet another vampire character, so she once again gets kind of overshadowed by the several other more interesting vampires in the series. Her design is pretty cute, but even that's overshadowed by Elis's star tattoo.
2/5 Stars

Elly
Once again, Elly isn't super developed as she's yet another gatekeeper like Kurumi. However, I can at least say her design is pretty great, pretty much solely for that badass scythe she carries with her. If you've seen my RWBY reviews, you should know by now that I think scythes are really cool.
3/5 Stars

Yuuka Kazami
Partially because she was brought back for Phantasmagoria, Yuuka is really the only Lotus Land Story character we know much about. She's not one of my favorites but I totally get her popularity, the juxtaposition of a flower-tending youkai being an incredibly deadly and at times sadistic force of nature is pretty great.
4/5 Stars

Mugetsu
Once again, we know nothing about Mugetsu. The extra stages in LLS in general feel weird and tacked on, Reimu and Marisa just go to her and Gengetsu's unspecified dream world that proceeds to never get explained. The concept of Mugetsu faking being a maid is pretty funny though, shame that didn't get explored.
2/5 Stars

Gengetsu
Similarly to Mugetsu, the only information we can actually glean on Gengetsu is from her theme. The song being called Cute Devil - Innocence only to actually be super dark and menacing paints a pretty interesting picture, only aided by her brutally hard boss fight. Definitely could've been a fascinating character if explored more.
3/5 Stars

Ranking Klonoa 1 & 2 Bosses

Despite its cult status and relative lack of games, Klonoa is one of my favorite video game series of all time, and one reason is definitely the boss fights. Klonoa's unique 2.5D engine allows for some truly creative platforming gameplay, and the boss fights make full us of it. While not super hard, Klonoa's boss fights are consistently inventive, dynamic, and unlike anything I've seen to this day. So, I'm going to rank them from least best to best:

13. King Of Sorrow

It pains me to put King Of Sorrow at the bottom because he really is one of the best characters in the series. Despite only showing up for like ten minutes, he's made one hell of an impact on the fanbase with his cool design and tragic backstory that fits the themes of the games perfectly. However, his actual boss fight leaves a lot to be desired. The first phase is a tacked-on hoverboard fight that, while fun, isn't really explained in game. You can't even make out who you're fighting because of how quickly he's moving. Actually fighting the king himself isn't much better since the fight boils down to simply breaking his shield twice rather than actually engaging in combat with him. The sheer amount of projectiles and lasers flying around can be pretty frustrating, but the fight flies by so quickly that it feels underwhelming regardless. It doesn't even do anything with the cool concept of Klonoa getting a wind ring power-up, which is really only used to let him lift heavier objects. King Of Sorrow had all the right set-up but his fight was pretty average, especially for a final boss.

12. Joka

Joka's fight constantly toes the line between being a fittingly lengthy and challenging fight with the game's cruelest villain, and an overlong slog. It periodically swaps between day and night, just like the stage that came before it. The day phases are a ton of fun, as you have to precisely aim your throws to hit Joka without him swatting away your projectiles. If you're skilled, you can get take out a third of Joka's health. The night phase, on the other hand, has him turn into a giant monster, and the only way to turn him back is to turn every floor tile back to yellow. Monster Joka's claw swipes are fun to avoid, but lighting the floor can become a slog the more you have to do it. If you're skilled enough, you only have to deal with two night phases, but if you're not, this fight can really drag.

11. Gelg Bolm

Gelg Bolm mostly just suffers from having the least memorable design out of pretty much any Klonoa boss, basically just being a giant walking venus fly-trap. The fight itself is pretty solid, with you needing to use the springs to hit him from above, but aside from one cool setpiece with a giant apple, it's not anything too remarkable. There's also one jumping attack around the middle of the fight that can be pretty irritating to deal with as well. For me, the real highlight of Gelg Bolm is the phenomenal music. Beats From Above is a fantastic piece of DnB music which syncs up with the fight surprisingly well.

10. Leptio The Flower Clown

Leptio is another fight I don't find super memorable, but it does have quite a lot to love. On the visual front, I absolutely love the colorful setting of Joilant, as well as those striking shadows in the background. The fight itself is split up into two phases like most Klonoa 2 fights. The first phase is mostly your standard "hit the real one" boss, but being able to get in multiple hits as Leptio rolls around the arena is a pretty great mechanic. With enough speed and skill, you can practically wipe out that entire healthbar in one go. The second phase is a bit better, as Leptio dons a giant spiky machine that you have to knock over and hit him from the under side, a great usage of 2.5D. Leptio's fight is pretty easy but it has its fair share of unique ideas.

9. Seadoph & Pamela

This boss is noteworthy for being the first real emotional gut punch Klonoa's infamously dark story hits you with, as you have to fight Karal's corrupted mother Pamela. The atmosphere here is fantastic, and the music is some of the best and most dramatic in the entire game. The fight itself isn't quite as amazing though. You need to grab King Seadoph and toss him at Pamela a bunch of times, all the while dodging Pamela's dives and bubble projectiles, and the spike balls that continue to spawn. The myraid of projectiles and pit in the middle do a good job at making sure you're constantly moving, but there isn't really much in the way of the show-stopping attacks that some of the other bosses have.

8. Folgran The Armor Beast

Being a first boss, Folgran is really easy. Hell, he doesn't even try to attack you until the second phase. So why is he this high on the list? Well, for starters, I just think his design is sick. The robotic dragon design is super memorable and makes a strong first impression for the bosses to come. But on the gameplay front, Folgran may not be super tough, but he's a good test of your projectile throwing skills, with his constant spinning and bobbing up and down making his weakspot a bit harder to hit. And as the fight goes on, Folgran moves faster and faster, requiring some pretty tight timing to nail that final blow.

7. Rongo Lango

Rongo Lango is one of the most iconic bosses in the series, and for good reason. The simple but effective premise of hitting the weakspot on his back-side makes good use of the 2.5D setting, and his varied lineup of attacks constantly change the direction he's facing forcing you to strategize. On top of that, the hill-top setting is super memorable, and his boss theme is an absolute jam.

6. Ghadius

Ghadius is well-known for being the hardest fight in the series (if not the only hard fight). With a pretty beefy health bar, loads of attacks, and the ability to teleport you on top of the spinning arena, this man has the ability to quickly whittle down your health. But on the other hand, what makes Ghadius's fight so great is that you can pretty much do the same to him. Most of his attacks supply you with a lot of enemies, and being able to land upwards of half a dozen hits on him in a row is immensenly satisfying.

5. Mobile Tank Biscarsh

Biscarsh's fight is what you'd get if you took Gelg Bolm's fight and cranked it up to eleven. You still land hits by dropping enemies on its head, but now the springs launch you high up into the air, and the boss itself is a huge tank with an arsenal of homing abilities and the ability to literally bulldoze you if you're not careful. It's easily one of the most cinematic fights in the series. Biscarsh's hit-box can be a little finicky, but the fact that he shows up in the next level and starts chasing you out of sheer hatred more than makes up for any complaints I may have.

4. Polonte The Hatchling

Take a good look, King Of Sorrow, this is how you do a good snowboard fight. Despite Polonte basically just being another story irrelevant one-off, his fight is one of the biggest emotional turning points in the game since Lolo reveals her backstory and dips out of helping Klonoa. The first phase where you're unable to use your wind ring is a nice change of pace, but once Lolo steels back up and helps you out in the second phase, the Polonte goes from great to amazing. From the phenomenal music, to the many obstacles you need to dodge, to the blisteringly fast pace of the fight, Polonte is an absolute spectacle from start to finish.

3. Nahatomb

Nahatomb is Kirby levels of bonkers final bosses, containing a whopping three phases to take out. The first phase tasks you with loading all your friends' cannons while dodging Nahatomb's surprisingly tricky sweeping tongue attack. The second phase has you break a bunch of crystals inside Nahatomb's soul (?), the last of which moves insanely fast and will really test your throwing skills. But the highlight is easily the final phase, which takes the elements of the first phase and amps up the difficulty by adding in pit-falls and breakable platforms. The music is also worth praising here, with the first phase introducing the main leitmotif, the second phase having a more muted and ominous version of the tune, and the final phase bringing it on home with a more fast-paced and slap-bass heavy banger of a final boss theme. 

2. Baladium

Similarly to Polonte, Klonoa 1's fourth boss is also a pretty big turning point in the story. Right before the fight, you watch Joka blow up Klonoa's grandpa right in front of him, which immediately gives the fight a strong sense of urgency. The fight itself is really great too, with the unique concept of Klonoa being on a swing that brings him closer to and farther away from Baladium. His attacks are all super creative and take advantage of this swing. My only gripe with Baladium is the fact that his fight is too short, since despite having eight hit points, you can hit some of them at the same time speeding up the fight even more. A second phase could have elevated it to #1, but even with its brevity, the fun attacks, cool concept, great story importance, and one of the best themes in all of gaming make Baladium one of my favorite Klonoa bosses regardless.

1. Cursed Leorina

I already raved about Cursed Leorina before so I'll keep it brief. This fight has everything that makes Klonoa bosses so fantastic. There's multiple phases that utilize the 2.5D arena in creative ways, the super satisfying feeling of hitting his weak-point with a Thunder Moo, a great atmosphere, and of course, the emotional heft of having to fight your corrupted rival, all elevated even further by one of the best and most iconic themes in the entire series.

Touhou Music Reviews: Phantasmagoria Of Dim Dream

The Phantasmagoria soundtracks are often overlooked since they're exclusively character themes, which is a shame since they're damn good ones too. Dim Dream may have some hit-or-miss ending and menu music, but the themes associated with its roster are pretty stellar across the board.

A Dream Transcending Space Time
Another PC-98 game, another stellar title theme. There's isn't much I can say about this one that doesn't also apply to the last two, it's fast-paced and intense in all the best ways, really pumping you up for the game to come. The Akyuu version also brings back the Power Of Darkness chimes which are always nice to hear.
5/5 Stars

Selection
A perfectly solid character select theme that does the job but doesn't really impress since it's mostly just the same melody repeated at different keys.
3/5 Stars

Mystic Oriental Love Consultation
Probably my least favorite of the Reimu themes, but it's still pretty good. There's a real arcade-y feel to it and the fast-paced chorus is especially memorable.
4/5 Stars

Reincarnation
Mima really does have some of the best themes. I do prefer Complete Darkness a bit, but Reincarnation is still a phenomenal piece of music if anything for that ominous and iconic opening riff. The fast-paced chorus is pretty amazing too though, peak PC-98.
5/5 Stars

Dim Dream
Continuing the trend of Marisa's themes being amazing, Dim Dream is underrated as hell. It's not super long but it really makes the most of the time it does have, with a super fast tempo, a menacing intro, and an absolutely jamming chorus. Seriously, that drop has me banging my head every time I hear it.
5/5 Stars

Tabula Rasa - The Empty Girl
Tabula Rasa strikes that extremely difficult balance of making a song that's simultaneously cheerful and deeply depressing. On the surface, Tabula Rasa is a bouncy and incredibly catchy tune but there's a real underlying sadness to it that only grows the more you learn about Ellen's character. Oh, and the chorus is phenomenal, as usual.
5/5 Stars

Visionary Game - Dream War
Dream War is infamous for being the longest theme in the entire series to this date, though that's mostly because it contains two loops. Either way, this is still a pretty great theme. The verse is solid enough, but that grand and melodic chorus is super memorable, and I love the lengthy outro that ends off the track.
4/5 Stars

Vanishing Dream - Lost Dream
One of my favorite tracks in the series, Kana's theme has always been the real show-stopper of this game for me. Similarly to Tabula Rasa, it does such a good job at striking two entirely separate tones. It's fast-paced and exciting befitting a Phantasmagoria fight, but it's also super dour and melancholy befitting the lonely poltergeist girl it's based on. Melodically it's amazing, and the chorus once again ends the track on a high note.
5/5 Stars

Maniacal Princess
While it lacks the complexity, excitement, or sheer emotional punch of some of the other character themes, Maniacal Princess is still a really good track overall. I like the interplay between the fairly muted intro melody and the far more intense and fast-paced main melody.
4/5 Stars

Decisive Magic Battle
This is a weird one, it feels like three songs in one. The intro feels right out of a Final Fantasy game and the main melody sounds like Mystic Oriental Love Consulation, but then after two loops we get this awesomely intense bridge. While this does make the track sound a bit disjointed, I can say that I do still like all these separate bits on their own.
4/5 Stars

Disunified Field Theory Of Magic
Nooooo, it gets off to such a good start! That dramatic intro is so good, but then the actual song kicks in and while the melody is still alright, the PC-98's synths strike again and render this song fairly ear-grating.
2/5 Stars

Sailor Of Time
I adore this song to bits. PC-98 tracks always tend to be a bit on the overly intense side, but Sailor Of Time is especially grandiose. The slow build, the dramatic main melody for the verse, the drum solo, and of course, that godly chorus makes for a song that just feels way more epic than it had any right to be. 
5/5 Stars

Love Of Magical Chimes
Okay, that's much more like it. Love Of Magical Chimes is definitely the better pre-battle themes, it's exciting, climactic, and easy on the ears. The only problem is that it's really short, like 30 seconds short.
3/5 Stars

Strawberry Crisis
Strawberry Crisis is probably the most rocking PC-98 theme, with gritty-sounding synths that come dangerously close to sounding grating but don't quite make it. The build-up is a bit long, but the operatic chorus is definitely worth it and fits Yumemi to a tee.
4/5 Stars

Dream Of Eternity
Dream Of Eternity feels like it's so close to being a really good theme. It's got a nice intro, a solid melody, and a calming pace to it, but it feels like it ends just as it's getting good. The lack of any sort of chorus or payoff really leaves this one feeling unsatisfying.
3/5 Stars

Eastern Blue Sky
Eastern Blue Sky doesn't have that same cut short feel that Dream Of Eternity does, but that's because it also doesn't develop much. It's just a nice calming loop, pleasant to listen to but not super memorable.
3/5 Stars

Eternal Full Moon
Easily the best of the three ending themes, with a strong and slightly melancholic melody that doesn't get old. It's still really short but it's not as noticeably short, especially since the ending actually transitions into the start of the song this time.
4/5 Stars

Maple Dream
ZUN brought this one back for Imperishable Night for a reason, it's easily the finest credits theme in the franchise. The main riff is so captivating and pretty, and the calming melody accompanies it so well.
5/5 Stars

Ghostly Persons' Holiday
While probably the weakest of the PC-98 name registration themes, Ghostly Persons' Holiday is still pretty good. It's super atmospheric, with an understated melody that heightens the tone really well.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Winds Of Time
It takes a bit of time to really get great, but I quite like the chorus of Winds Of Time. It's catchy, the instrumentation is super pleasing, and the minor key shifts are great.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Starbow Dream
Starbow Dream has that same weird structure as Decisive Magic Battle that goes intro-verse-intro-verse-chorus, but I think it works a lot better here. The different parts flow together a lot smoother, I love how upbeat the verse is, and when the chorus does hit, it makes much more of an impact.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Phantasmagoria
While not one I remember super well, this is yet another good unused theme. I like the medieval-sounding verse and the reprise of Mystic Oriental Love Consultation in the chorus could've made for a good staff roll theme.
4/5 Stars

As for the characters, I love this cast. Dim Dream easily has the best roster of characters out of any of the PC-98 games, every single one of them is super memorable and inventive. I'm mostly fine with the PC-98 stuff remaining non-canon but the ideas introduced in Dim Dream's story are so freaking cool it's a crying shame ZUN never followed up on them.

Ellen
Interestingly enough, Ellen was actually a parody of a character of the same name from the manga Hatarakimono, and yet he somehow managed to turn her into one of the most tragic characters in the franchise. Ellen is a witch who's immortal, stuck as a young girl, losing her memories at a constant rate, and is completely unaware of her situation. Poor thing...
4/5 Stars

Kana Anaberal
Similarly to Ellen, Kana is a pretty tragic character, a lonely poltergeist of a young girl who's unable to scare people any more. The ramifications of her character aren't quite as haunting to think about as with Ellen, but ZUN still went pretty hard with her backstory.
3/5 Stars

Rikako Asakura
I love PoDD's magic vs science theme, but Rikako is probably my personal favorite of the three scientists. I like the fact that she does secretly also know magic even if she's dedicated to science, and the glasses are a plus in terms of her design.
5/5 Stars

Kotohime
Kotohime is a princess who thinks she's a cop. I love this, how does ZUN come up with these types of characters?
4/5 Stars

Chiyuri Kitashirakawa
Chiyuri and Yumemi are from the Outside World, how cool is that?! We wouldn't have a major Outside World local until what, Sanae? Outside of that though, Chiyuri doesn't have too much going for her character-wise. Her design is a pretty basic sailor outfit and the novelty of her origin is kinda overshadowed by Rikako and Yumemi.
3/5 Stars

Yumemi Okazaki
Yumemi's storyline is so fascinating, she's almost the Touhou version of Indiana Jones. A normal human college professor with enough determination to travel to Gensokyo in search of magic (and on top of that she's one of the hardest bosses). That has so much potential considering not even Renko and Maribel could figure out how to get there. And on top of that, her all-red design and cross-shaped weapons are so visually striking. Absolute banger character.
5/5 Stars

Ruukoto
At the end of PoDD, Reimu gets a robot maid, and then she's never mentioned again. Oh well, at least we have Seihou.
?/5 Stars

Touhou Music Reviews: Story Of Eastern Wonderland

Story Of Eastern Wonderland was never one of my favorite Touhou soundtracks. It's still pretty good and has some of my favorite tracks in the franchise, but it's weaker tracks can feel a bit basic compared to the complexity that HRtP's music often had.

Record Of The Sealing Of An Oriental Dream - Pure Land Mandala
Another typically intense PC-98 title theme, ROTSOAOD (what a long name) is definitely one of the better ones in my opinion. The main melody resembles that of Oriental Dark Flight from PoFV which makes sense since this is Marisa's debut, and that slow bit near the end is absolutely brilliant.
5/5 Stars 

Hakurei - Eastern Wind
It's hard not to feel like Eastern Wind is a bit of a poor man's Maiden's Capriccio, but it works just as well as a first stage theme. I really like the slow build-up it has because the super propulsive and energetic verse.
4/5 Stars

She's In A Temper
Yeah, it definitely sounds like it. Rika's first theme is fittingly frantic and chaotic, with a pretty great hook and a strong chorus. My only gripe with it is that it's too short, almost as if it's missing one extra section.
4/5 Stars

End Of Daylight
In terms of its composition, End Of Daylight isn't super memorable. What makes this song is its atmospheric and tone, the FM bird chirping, that long drawn-out intro, that dramatic chorus. That's the stuff I remember End Of Daylight for.
4/5 Stars

Power Of Darkness
Power Of Darkness has a strong and dramatic central melody and some truly inventive instrumentation, at least in the Akyuu version. However, the song sticks with that one (really good) melody for its entirety which can get a bit repetitive after too long.
4/5 Stars

World Of Empty Dreams
This is probably the most depressing Touhou song in the entire series, or at least it's up there with The Lost Emotion. That slow solemn intro, that operatic transition into the verse, the wailing chorus, it all adds up to a super powerful and emotional piece of music.
5/5 Stars

Bet On Death
Like with the last two, this boss theme is both short and repetitive, and while the melody is energetic and propulsive, it's not quite as strong as the ones in She's In A Temper and Power Of Darkness to make up for that.
3/5 Stars

Himorogi, Burn In Violet
I always remember Himorogi, Burn In Violet for being a pretty blatant copy of Final Fantasy VI's Decisive Battle, because it kind of is. That's by no means a bad thing since Decisive Battle is one of my favorite Final Fantasy themes, but it does kind of overshadow the fact that its entirely original chorus is equally fantastic. It's so fast-paced and exciting, and it just keeps getting faster and faster.
5/5 Stars

Love-Colored Magic
While it lacks the sheer intensity and drive that Imperishable Night's version would have, Love-Colored Magic is still easily Marisa's finest theme. It perfectly captures the character with its blend of fun and gravitas, and the chorus is downright iconic.
5/5 Stars

A Phantom's Boisterous Dance
Yeah, I'm sorry, this one just kinda hurts my ears. The PC-98 synth does not do this one any favors, which is a shame because I do really like the weird time signature and how well it fits the song's name. It's just not the most pleasant to listen to.
2/5 Stars

Complete Darkness
Meanwhile, Complete Darkness feels like a song that could only exist on the PC-98. This is easily one of my favorite songs in the franchise, it's so fast-paced, intense, dramatic, climactic, exciting, and oddly arcadey. The chiptune usage just gives Complete Darkness so much extra energy. The dramatic intro is amazing, the propulsive verse is exciting, and that chorus is phenomenal. If you told me you wanted Mima back solely for a remix of this song, I'd totally understand. It's that good.
5/5 Stars

Extra Love
For the first extra stage theme, Extra Love is pretty good. It has enough energy and gravitas to give it a climactic feel, only bolstered by the Eastern Wind motif being used in the chorus.
4/5 Stars

The Tank Girl's Dream
While not one of my favorite extra boss themes out there, The Tank Girl's Dream is definitely Rika's best theme. The verse captures that same frantic feeling that She's In A Temper did, while the chorus brings in Extra Love for a dark reprise, even if it drags on a bit.
4/5 Stars

Forest Of Tohno
From what I can tell, Forest Of Tohno is generally regarded as one of if not the best ending theme in the series and yeah, I can see it. Despite just being a short slow-paced remix of The Tank Girl's Dream, it's so calming and easy to listen to that it just works.
5/5 Stars

Legendary Wonderland
Legendary Wonderland has a bit of a build-up to it, but man, that chorus is just amazing. It's fast-paced, catchy, and very earworm-y. That chorus alone makes this one of the better ending themes in the series.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Hakurei Shrine Grounds
Do I think Hakurei Shrine Grounds would've worked better as a first stage theme than Eastern Wind? No. The intro is too long and the usage of the World Of Empty Dreams motif feels a bit too downbeat. Is it still an amazing theme on its own though? Oh, hell yeah. All that stuff I mentioned may not work for a first stage theme, but they still make for a great song, and that burst of energy once the verse starts is great.
4/5 Stars

Bonus: Sunfall
Where I still think Hakurei Shrine Grounds is a great song even if it wasn't fitting, Sunfall really isn't anything special. The driving backing track is good, but the melody isn't super memorable and it lacks a lot of the atmospheric flourishes that End Of Daylight had.
2/5 Stars

Bonus: Sealed Demon's Finale
Sealed Demon's Finale would've been an alright staff roll theme, but I'm glad we got Legendary Wonderland instead. This theme has a great main melody, but once again, the song sticks with that melody for its entirety and it gets a bit repetitive.
3/5 Stars

Story Of Eastern Wonderland doesn't have too many new characters to talk about due to its shortened length and its final and extra bosses being reused from either this game or the previous one, but I do have a bit to say about the ones it does have. 

Genjii
Reimu needing to ride on a turtle is definitely a choice and really makes this game stick out in a weird way. I don't think Genjii is all that interesting as a character, but I do like the fact that he serves as a straight man for what seems to be a fairly novice Reimu. 
3/5 Stars

Rika
Touhou characters like Nitori and Rikako who are more scientifically inclined despite being from a recreation of rural Japan are always pretty memorable, and Rika is especially memorable since she specializes in tanks. She's also the only boss to be both a first boss and an extra boss, which I find to be absolutely hilarious.
4/5 Stars

Meira
While we still don't know too much about her, I always found Meira to be the more memorable PC-98 samurai, mostly because she actually gets some dialogue in, and it just so happens to be the most iconic dialogue in the game. Reimu trying to marry Meira will never not be one of the funniest exchanges in a Touhou game. But even aside from that, a more serious Reimu lookalike who wants her powers for herself could've been a really interesting concept if ZUN had done anything with it.
4/5 Stars

Five Magic Stones
And I thought YugenMagen was bad! These don't even have eyes! They're just rocks! Though I do like how they're canonically the only boss to scare Reimu. How do they do it?
1/5 Stars

Marisa Kirisame
Reimu is an amazing character, but ZUN struck gold with Marisa. Unlike Reimu, what you see is what you get with Marisa. Her simplistic witch design and personality only add to her charm. Marisa is just so lovable, grounded, and charismatic no matter what situation you put her in. Being a human, she's also pretty much entirely self-made, which puts her in a neat underdog position a lot of the time.
5/5 Stars