Most roguelikes are happy doing one thing really well. Touhou Brawl, on the other hand, has decided that isn’t nearly ambitious enough.
Launching today on Steam, FIVE DUCK GAMES’ latest release combines a co-op roguelike dungeon crawler, a competitive PvP brawler, and a superpowered take on volleyball into a single package. It’s certainly an unusual combination, but the idea is surprisingly straightforward. Whether you’re in the mood to tackle procedurally generated dungeons on your own, or spend an evening causing absolute chaos with friends, there’s a mode waiting for you.
It’s not every day you see a roguelike share equal billing with volleyball. That’s perhaps one of the reasons the game achieved more than 17,000 wishlists prior to its release after partaking in the June Steam Fest event.
Start in the Dungeon
The heart of Touhou Brawl is its roguelike mode, where you can venture into ever-changing dungeons either solo or alongside friends in online co-op. Every run reshuffles the experience, with randomized layouts, different upgrade choices, and new opportunities to shape your build as you progress.
Rather than locking you into a single playstyle, each run encourages experimentation. Dozens of augments and item combinations can dramatically change how your chosen character performs, meaning even repeat runs with the same hero can play out very differently. And as with any good roguelike, defeat isn’t the end. Starting over is all part of the process as you gradually become stronger and discover new strategies.
Players can choose from a sizeable roster of Touhou characters, including familiar faces like Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, Sakuya Izayoi, Cirno, Remilia Scarlet, Reisen Udongein Inaba, Youmu Konpaku, and many more. Each character comes with their own abilities and distinct playstyle, giving you plenty of reasons to experiment with different runs.
Then Challenge Your Friends
Once you’ve sharpened your skills in the dungeon, Touhou Brawl shifts gears entirely. Its dedicated PvP Brawl mode pits players against one another in fast-paced real-time battles where flashy abilities, quick reactions, and smart positioning determine who comes out on top. It’s a very different pace from the roguelike mode, offering a competitive alternative whenever you’re looking to test yourself against real opponents instead of computer-controlled enemies.
Then there’s perhaps the game’s most unexpected addition… Superpower Volleyball.
Rather than treating it as a throwaway party mode, FIVE DUCK GAMES has built an arcade-style volleyball experience where special abilities and fast reflexes are just as important as knowing where to send the ball next. It sounds wonderfully ridiculous on paper, and it’s easily one of the features that helps Touhou Brawl stand out from the crowd.
Three Games Under One Roof
Trying to combine multiple genres into a single game doesn’t always work, but Touhou Brawl is clearly aiming to give players plenty of options depending on who’s online and what sort of session they’re after.
Maybe you fancy tackling a roguelike run on your own. Maybe your friends have just logged on and a few competitive brawls sound more appealing. Or perhaps someone inevitably suggests volleyball instead. Whatever the mood, Touhou Brawl has an answer.
Touhou Brawl launches today on Steam from developer and publisher FIVE DUCK GAMES. Alongside its solo roguelike mode, the game supports online co-op and online PvP, giving players several different ways to jump in from day one.