Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (New Classic)

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東方紅魔郷 (とうほうこうまきょう) Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic – the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
Developer	Shanghai Alice Reprise
Publisher	Alliance Arts
Released	2026-09-10[1]
Genre	Vertical Danmaku Shooting Game
Gameplay	Single-Player Story Mode
Platforms	Windows/Steam/Nintendo Switch/Nintendo Switch 2/PlayStation 5

TouhouKoumakyou:(Scarlet Devil Land)New Classic ~ the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (東方紅魔郷: New Classic　～ the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil) is an official re-release of Embodiment of Scarlet Devil that features redrawn visuals, 11-language translation, accessibility adjustments like unlimited lives, and musical score directly rearranged by ZUN. It was announced on June 9th, 2026 and is scheduled for a worldwide September 10th, 2026 launch across PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5.

Gameplay

the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil features two playable characters to choose from with two equipment types each; Reimu Hakurei can cover a wide area of the screen with weaker attacks, while Marisa Kirisame relies on speed and power to make up for a thinner attack spread. Each character and type has its own spell card as well. Unique exclusively to this remaster is a built-in official option for unlimited lives with a death counter, alongside a classic mode true to the original game.

Story

Gensoukyou has been blanketed in a scarlet mist.

The Hakurei shrine maiden, Reimu Hakurei, and Marisa Kirisame, a magician living in the Forest of Magic, set out to resolve the incident.

Inside the Western-style mansion that materialized amidst the mist, she awaits.

Music

The game will feature a rearranged soundtrack by ZUN and the original soundtrack. The digital deluxe version will come with the game, the original soundtrack and the rearranged soundtrack.^[1]

Origin

ZUN frequently expressed a desire to bring Embodiment of Scarlet Devil to Steam. However, modern Windows systems ran the unpatched game at unplayably high speeds. Because ZUN had lost the original source code, he could not fix these compatibility issues or create a direct port. While Hidden Star in Four Seasons kicked off the series' presence on global digital platforms in 2017, three major titles—Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, Perfect Cherry Blossom, and Imperishable Night—remained missing by the time Fossilized Wonders debuted. These specific games regularly dominated the top three spots in fan-driven Touhou Popularity Polls.

Press

During the Nintendo Direct on June 9th, 2026, Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic ~ The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil was announced in Japanese regions. This re-release is the work of Shanghai Alice Reprise, a fresh studio led by ZUN alongside veteran developers focused on making older titles available on modern platforms.

New Classic marks a major milestone as the first official Touhou game to receive an international localization, offering support for 11 languages. To ensure accuracy, the development team collaborated directly with fan translators from the Touhou Patch Centre.^[2][3] The game is still in development, so new trailers may come out and details surrounding the game may change.^[4]

Gallery

• 

  Comparison between Classic (top) and New Classic (bottom)

• 

  Stage 1

• 

  Cirno Fight

• 

  Master Spark

• 

  Flandre Dialogue

• 

  Flandre Fight

• 

  Challenge Mode/Infinite Lives Mode

Additional information

• ZUN's wife did the art for the player sprite. It is most likely she did the art for the generic enemies, judging by the style.^[4]
• The enemy sprite artwork was done by Unabara Iruka (who also did the enemy art for Touhou 19) from Twilight Frontier.^[4]
• The original planned name for the game was "Touhou Koumakyou: Onkochishin" (Touhou Koumakyou: Learning from the Past) which is elaborated on by ZUN's comment about an "older and wiser" ZUN designing this game on the Steam description.^[4][5]
• ZUN has stated that this project is "not a derivitive work."^[4]
• "In order to make it work anew, it seems they've tried to leave as much of the original behavior as possible unchanged, and have even reverted any bugs that had been fixed back to their original state, showing a very meticulous approach to development. New Classic has also been created in a way that makes the most of ZUN's original program, which forms the core of the game."^[4]
• The character illustrations were adapted by Curee from AQUASTYLE, likely from ZUN's original full body art judging by the appearance of Meiling's bracelet and the stitch on Flandre's dress.^[4]
• The boss marker and hitbox from future installments were added to the New Classic mode.^[4]

External links

• Official Site
• Steam

References

Expand v t e Embodiment of Scarlet Devil Story Main Scenario Prologue — Reimu • Marisa Extra Scenario Extra Story — Reimu • Marisa Characters Reimu Hakurei • Marisa Kirisame • Rumia • Daiyousei • Cirno • Hong Meiling • Koakuma • Patchouli Knowledge • Sakuya Izayoi • Remilia Scarlet • Flandre Scarlet • (Rin Satsuki) Enemies Fairy • Spinning enemies • Ice • Fairy Maid • Book Locations Misty Lake • Scarlet Devil Mansion • (Hakurei Shrine) Terms Vampire Gameplay Strategy (Replays) • High Scores Spell Cards Stage 1 • Stage 2 • Stage 3 • Stage 4 • Stage 5 • Stage 6 • Extra Documentation Afterword • Music Comments • Other Translations • English Patch • New Classic (Characters)