Touhou 14.3: Danmaku Amanojaku ~ Impossible Spell Card announced!

[Space Flower]

Provided the spell card name is correct, what matters is that whether ZUN knows the nuance of this word. As far as I can tell, from normal Japanese sources he'll only know the word to mean "researcher of glacier", and probably notice it's a fairly obscure word. The chances are not good.

He could just be making up a word of his own using basic etymology, as creators of fantasy settings love to do.
-ist just means a person who does x activity. I think Glacialist is just a fancy word for a person who makes ice.

[cuc]

In ZUN's Nikenme Radio livestream today, he has said things about the new game. The most important things are: the game has around 80 stages; every stage can be beaten with every item.

[Formless God]

I'm so happy every time I see a cuc post

[TheTeff007]

I second that, Formless.

On retrospective... there are 96 scenes in StB and 108 (IIRC) on DS

So... this game is potentially shorter... unless ZUN pulls out some flip twist, which I'm sure he'll do

[?q]

So... this game is potentially shorter... unless ZUN pulls out some flip twist, which I'm sure he'll do

80 stages * (however many items - replay staleness factor) is probably > 96, especially since the items will probably force you to do the same attack different ways.

[teefa85]

If every stage can be beaten with every item, there's probably a lot of tricks to figure out that could suit different playstyles.  I'd love to see all the big players and how they go about them.

[The Greatest Dog]

I wonder how you'll use Decoy Dolls on every attack if they don't have aimed elements?
In short, we can assume that every pattern is beatable either
1) without using items
2) the item in the sub slot is enough to beat any given pattern

If it's 1), cool. If it's 2), also cool, because then we should have almost zero -need- to grind item levels.

[Abraham Lincoln]

I'm still wondering on what the Miracle Mallet does. Any speculation on who's gonna be the main antagonist in this game?

[Gamer251]

I'm still wondering on what the Miracle Mallet does. Any speculation on who's gonna be the main antagonist in this game?

It must be who's "controlling" the characters to go wild against Seija.

Anyway, 10 days left until Reitaisai

[Colticide]

I see them going against Sejia for their own reasons, but the one who was closest to her was Shinmyoumaru, and that is who is my vote on the main antagonist. Shinmyoumaru possibly could feel very betrayed by Sejia's lies, but that's speculation.

[Abraham Lincoln]

If the antagonist of this game is actually going to be our darling favourite Shinmyoumaru the midget, then I guess the whole point would be just to let Seija taste her own medicine. Which, to be honest, would be kind of lacking depth (in my opinion).

[frostare]

Seija says in a speech bubble:

"Ugh, they are getting stronger. Could there be someone behind them ordering them around?"

Would Shinmyoumaru be working behind Seija's back? I doubt it, personally I would love to see a brand new character as the final boss. Correct me if I'm wrong but it's possible to introduce them in these kind of games right? Wasn't Hatate introduced like this?

[game2011]

Seija says in a speech bubble:Would Shinmyoumaru be working behind Seija's back? I doubt it, personally I would love to see a brand new character as the final boss. Correct me if I'm wrong but it's possible to introduce them in these kind of games right? Wasn't Hatate introduced like this?

Yeah, she is.

[Hatateru]

But the jewel case only showed Seija, I suppose there won't be a new character this time. It might probably be some old characters though, like Yukari or Miko or someone else

[CyberAngel]

I wonder how you'll use Decoy Dolls on every attack if they don't have aimed elements?

Wild theory: all bullets become aimed and fly at the doll.

In short, we can assume that every pattern is beatable either
1) without using items
2) the item in the sub slot is enough to beat any given pattern

If it's 1), cool. If it's 2), also cool, because then we should have almost zero -need- to grind item levels.

Reminds me of No-Ice in GFW. Except it made sense there, here it would make the whole item system pointless. (Seriously, you master an item if you can capture the spellcard without using it? Where's the logic in that?) However, if ZUN managed to balance the game so that all item/spellcard combinations are viable without resorting to something like that, my hat's off.

[nintendonut888]

The villain of the game is obviously Seija. You're like a GTA protagonist.

[TresserT]

Just a random thought. If you can clear every scene with every item, maybe item level is the number of scenes cleared with that specific item.

[CyberAngel]

Those two are separate stats for each item, though odds are one depends on the other.

That said, the screenshot with "Item Level MAX" has 29 scenes cleared for that item. It's unknown whether item levels increase at the same rate for all items or when they stop upgrading, but with around 80 scenes total, looks like excessive grinding won't be needed after all.

[Failure McFailFace]

I wonder how you'll use Decoy Dolls on every attack if they don't have aimed elements?

Maybe it blocks a few bullets right in front of it?

I dunno. Possibly, since it misdirects aimed bullets for you....

[Abraham Lincoln]

The villain of the game is obviously Seija. You're like a GTA protagonist.

When she does good, she feels bad. When she does bad, she feels good. That is her religion. Which would essentially make her feel as if she were a heroic soul when doing what most people would describe as "sinning". This game is from Seija's point of view, so it depicts her as the "good guy" in a way.

[Yatakarasu]

The villain of the game is obviously Seija. You're like a GTA protagonist.

Makes sense to me.  :V
In all seriousness, I'm hedging my bets on Sukuna or Reimu at the top of this. Or some big combination of characters (aka absolutely everyone wants Seija).

I do like the idea that each stage can be beaten with every item. Even if the game has less stages than StB/DS there is more variety in each individual one so more replay value in my opinion.
It will be interesting to see each stage done with all the items, and then see the ones that you just can't do without an item. (damn I should not type at 3 in the morning)

[Abraham Lincoln]

Eight more days until the game's release! This - I am certainly looking forward to it. 

[Colticide]

Really!? Gosh I thought it was still longer then that. Can't wait to see all who appears in the game and everything else!

[game2011]

But the jewel case only showed Seija, I suppose there won't be a new character this time. It might probably be some old characters though, like Yukari or Miko or someone else

Because she's the main focus, that's why.

In 12.5's case, both Aya and Hatate are the focus of the plot, hence the reason for the latter's appearance on the case.

[TheTeff007]

Yeah, but Hatate does appears on the Jewel Case.

[game2011]

^ That's what I meant.

Anyway, I'm not trying to argue there will indeed be new characters.  I'm hoping there will be one, but I'm ready to accept that there might not be one as well.  Who says ZUN always wants to let people know beforehand there will be new characters?  He may want to keep it a secret this time around.

[Tengukami]

I still think the figure on the jewel case is another troll, who happens to look like Seija.

[ToyoRai]

Unless her portrait is exactly the same as Seija's new portrait, it cannot be the case.

[?q]

Unless her portrait is exactly the same as Seija's new portrait, it cannot be the case.

This doesn't actually rule out what Tengukami said.  :V

[Kero-chan]

It looks like that there is 7 days l-left...
Uwehhh! I can't wait any more! I want to go around with my -most likely- stolen artifacts NOW!