Gensokyo Odyssey! A Touhou satirical visual novel where you find yourself lost in Gensokyo with only your schoolbag and an air hockey puck.
Players control an air hockey paddle using their mouse, allowing them to precisely maneuver the puck and score goals against their opponents. The responsive controls and satisfying "thwack" of the puck create an engaging and accessible sports-like gameplay loop.
Rather than a traditional one-on-one air hockey match, opponents fire a barrage of projectiles at the player, forcing them to not only strategically position the puck, but also deftly dodge incoming attacks. This fusion of air hockey and shoot-'em-up mechanics tests the player's multitasking abilities and reflexes in a uniquely challenging way.
The game features a wide variety of Touhou characters, each with their own distinct air hockey playstyles and bullet-hell attack patterns. Defeating these opponents requires learning to counter their specific strategies, adding depth and variety to the gameplay.
The air hockey matches start off fairly straightforward, but gradually increase in challenge as the player progresses. While some reviews mention specific fights as presenting a notable difficulty spike, the overall curve provides a satisfying sense of improvement as players master the mechanics.