Halluci-Sabbat of Koishi

"Parry this you filthy casual"
+ The combat system have reached my expectation.
+ I did enjoyed being scolded by Koishi after dying a few times in the beginning (when I was still getting used to the controls).
+ The boss fights are fun and hard (if you can't parry or try to spam, you will get punished for it).
+ The art style (and CG collections) are cool and cute.
+ The soundtrack are great (as expected).
+ For the voice actor of Marisa: Great work.
TLDR: 9.0 out of 10 (I wished the game was longer).

Cool beat em up, a bit hard to play as an EN-only speaker with a bit of a wonky translation but i think you can tell the devs cared about their game, quite difficult.

pretty rough around the edges (especially the english TL) but this game has a ton of charm, the art is really cute and the combat starts feeling pretty fluid with enough practice. i should play sekiro

Good game about my beloved Koishi, but the control is just not it. The input lag is a lot in this game.

- Parry it!
~ Dies to funny rock mushroom with a sword
The main part of this game is parrying, which is done greatly. If you can't parry or try to spam your way out, well... you won't, Git gud. At first, you will struggle, but after getting your ass whooped a few times, you will begin to grasp the timings and combat better, which, after mastering feels really good. You can feel the inspiration from Souls series.
The game is pretty difficult, especially on Mind-Eye mode, which I recommend starting on, if you are up for some challenge. Even though it is difficult, it is fair, when I died it was always due to skill issue or just lack of understanding of mechanics. Every attack is telegraphed visually or by sound, if you watch out for them, you will be fine.
Art direction is really cute, loved the animated segments! Voice acting is also really nice when it is present!
The only complaint I have, is pretty rough translation to English, but it's not on the "All your base are belong to us" level.
Music, well.. it's touhou derived. Can't expect anything other than:
THAT IT WILL SLAP
Just wish the game was a longer, it took me around 9-10 hours to get all the achievements.
But for that price I highly recommend it to any Souls-like and Touhou fans!

Halluci-Sabbat of Koishi, developed and published by ZRIGN 地霊研究院, is a 2D action title that blends side-scrolling combat with bullet-hell design, creating an experience that is both visually charming and mechanically demanding. Set within the broader Touhou Project universe, it places players in control of Koishi Komeiji and quickly establishes itself as a game that prioritizes precision, pattern recognition, and persistence over accessibility. While its presentation may initially suggest something lighthearted, the gameplay reveals a far more intense and unforgiving structure.
The combat system is built around a careful balance between offense and evasion. Players engage enemies at close range using melee attacks while simultaneously navigating dense projectile patterns that fill the screen. This combination creates a constant tension, as positioning becomes just as important as timing. Rather than encouraging aggressive play, the game rewards patience and observation, asking players to study enemy behavior and respond with calculated movements. Boss encounters, in particular, emphasize this design, presenting layered attack patterns that require memorization and quick adaptation. The result is a gameplay loop that feels challenging but also methodical, where improvement comes from learning rather than relying on reflex alone.
Difficulty is a defining aspect of the experience, and it is clear that the game is designed with a specific audience in mind. It does not offer much leniency, and progress often depends on repeated attempts and gradual mastery of its systems. For players who enjoy this kind of challenge, the sense of accomplishment can be significant, as overcoming difficult encounters feels earned. However, the difficulty can also feel inconsistent at times, particularly when combined with movement that may not always feel as responsive as the game demands. In a system where precision is critical, even minor control issues can become more noticeable, occasionally leading to frustration.
Progression introduces new abilities and mechanics that expand the player’s options without fundamentally altering the core gameplay. These additions provide some variation and allow for different approaches to combat, but the overall structure remains consistent throughout. This gives the game a sense of continuity, though it also means that players who do not connect with the core mechanics early on are unlikely to find significant changes later.
Visually, the game is one of its strongest elements. The art style is vibrant and expressive, with detailed character designs and colorful environments that capture the aesthetic associated with its source material. The contrast between the playful visuals and the demanding gameplay creates an interesting dynamic, reinforcing the idea that the game is more challenging than it initially appears. Effects and animations are clear enough to support gameplay, helping players read incoming attacks even during more chaotic moments. The soundtrack complements this well, maintaining energy and intensity without becoming overwhelming.
The narrative, while present, is less central to the experience. It follows Koishi through a surreal journey tied to a witches’ gathering, but the storytelling can feel fragmented. Translation inconsistencies occasionally make it difficult to fully grasp the details, and as a result, the story functions more as a thematic backdrop than a driving force. Players are more likely to stay engaged because of the gameplay rather than the narrative itself.
Replay value is largely tied to the game’s difficulty and the player’s desire to improve. Completing stages, refining performance, and uncovering additional content provide reasons to return, but the experience remains heavily focused on its core mechanics. Those who enjoy mastering challenging systems will find plenty to engage with, while others may find the repetition less appealing over time.
In the end, Halluci-Sabbat of Koishi is a focused and stylistically distinct action game that delivers a demanding but rewarding experience. It succeeds in combining bullet-hell intensity with close-range combat, creating a unique rhythm that sets it apart. At the same time, its rough edges in control and narrative clarity prevent it from reaching its full potential. It is best suited for players who appreciate difficult, pattern-driven gameplay and are willing to invest the time needed to master it.
Rating: 8/10

I like the art and music but I'm too bad at the game. It's a dificult bullet hell with the limited movement of an action RPG.