So from getting 2 1CCs on normal.
Playable charactersKochiya SanaeShoot: On unfocused mode you get a Mighty Wind-like shot (think TD Sanae) with good coverage but low power, on focused mode all familiars get close to Sanae and change to something akin to Reimu's Persuasion Needle, bad coverage but good power.
Bomb: from Sanae's spot you shoot screen-covering lasers (Frog Sign "Wily Toad"?), low duration.
Kirisame MarisaShoot: Illusion Laser, on unfocused mode you get a spread pattern, on focused mode you get a concentrated (x-shaped) pattern, with some minor coverage.
Bomb: Love Sign "Master Spark" (?), requires some setup time, pushes Marisa to the bottom of the screen, long duration.
Reimu appears in the title screen but she's not playable (yet?)
Note: If a boss spell card is declared while your bomb still has effects (more likely with Marisa's), the card is considered as "Failed".
Gameplay mechanicYou fill a
gauge that can be changed to three colors (one at a time) by gathering items. This activates a
border. At set intervals, a
star falls from top of the screen. It can't be autocollected. The star changes colors (blue at top, red at middle, green at bottom). It gives a charge to the gauge and changes colors to the one collected (assuming your current color is different to the star). The color change has priority before the fill, so you can have an almost-full green gauge, gather a red star and activate a pink border, while emptying your gauge. If you already have an active border, collecting a star won't cancel it nor change the color.
Gauges:
Blue Stars:
Effect: all onscreen items are autocollected. (similar to PCB border)
Pink Sakura:
Effect:
Green LeavesEffect: if you get hit, all onscreen bullets are cleared and without losing a life. (again, like PCB border)
Large fairies delete close bullets upon defeat (kinda like IN).
Basic gameplay is post-UFO gameplay, with bombs, familiars given at every 1.00 power (min 1.00, max 4.00; every power item gives 0.02 power).
Commentary: so far it's a nice game, the graphics remind me of Fantastic Danmaku Festival while not being as resource-intensive, the music is comfy, and the art is clean, like ido's games.