Azure Reflections

 Switch
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Worth Playing
    Oct 11, 2018
    75
    Azure Reflections is a good bullet-hell shooter for genre fans. Despite the short levels, the boss fights are exhilarating, and the new mechanics add a good twist to an otherwise proven formula. The title is able to challenge more experienced players, while also accommodating newcomers without necessarily giving them an easy ride to the end. Although the Switch already has a number of bullet-hell shooters, Azure Reflections is a fine addition to the library.
  2. NintendoWorldReport
    Oct 2, 2018
    75
    If you’re a big fan of crazy shooters, and especially if you appreciate anime art and funky humor to boot, Azure Reflections may not be the best out there but it very much stands out as unique without question. Rather than go the path of merely imitating one of the other popular series it brings a few ideas of its own to the table and that’s always refreshing. Just be ready to get visually assaulted along the way, it’s one of the most colorful shooters I’ve ever seen.
  3. TheSixthAxis
    Sep 13, 2018
    70
    The sparse amount of content and shoddy visuals hamper the experience slightly, but regardless, Touhou fans and bullet hell buffs are sure to have a great time with this one.
  5. Nintenderos
    Jan 2, 2019
    65
    Even though it lacks many game modes and it can be confusing and repetitive, Azure Reflections has a story on the same line of the franchise and tons of unlockable content that the fans of Touhou Project will love.
  6. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 11, 2019
    60
    While the genre veterans will find the most fun here, for what it lasts, Azure Reflections is a well done bullet hell shooter that offers enough for the money it asks for.
  7. Nintendo Life
    Sep 10, 2018
    60
    Azure Reflections is a fine addition to a small-yet-gradually-growing style of shmup on Nintendo Switch. With a handful of Touhou-related games already on the platform, this addition should keep fans of the project happy with its witty dialogue and pretty character models. However, with a vast library of shmups and bullet hell shooters already available on the console - and many offering far greater content and more accessible mechanics - Azure Reflections is (much like most Touhou titles) hard to recommend to anyone bar die-hard fans.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. over5000
    Sep 8, 2018
    8
    This game is a solid horizontal scrolling bullet hell shooter that I'm glad I took a chance on. I had never played a Touhou game before thisThis game is a solid horizontal scrolling bullet hell shooter that I'm glad I took a chance on. I had never played a Touhou game before this but the implementation of the theme doesn't get in the way of enjoyable bullet hell gameplay that looks and feels great, and is actually enjoyable. I found the difficulty level palatable for beginners in the genre, which I'd say I am. I can beat easy with no continues, found normal very challenging but fun and have not tried hard yet so I may have missed some high level flaws that exist. As a casual shmup fan, the game feels to me like Tengai mixed with Danmaku Unlimited 3, which is great. I like the inclusion of a graze mechanic, the accessories that give buffs to various abilities, and the barrier/danmaku rush mechanics give the game a polished feel. The only criticism would be the price relative to other similar games. Overall a very fun game for switch that's worth playing if you like the genre.… Full Review »
  2. ORD3R
    May 20, 2023
    8
    (This was my first Touhou game) I’d very much compare the gameplay to an arcade game. Retrying time and time again until you finally win with(This was my first Touhou game) I’d very much compare the gameplay to an arcade game. Retrying time and time again until you finally win with no continues, or until you unlock something new. In terms of difficulty, for a first-timer like me, it was perfect. It rarely felt too easy, but also never felt unfair (not counting 2 of the extra bosses, they’re Rigged™️).

    The story is ok but it really feels like something was lost in translation. I still don’t understand what happened in Cirno’s story. Graphics are good but a few of the character models are weird.

    The music is great, it’s a Touhou game, of course it is.

    Overall would highly recommend for newcomers to the series. If you’re already a Touhou fan though, you’re basically just playing an easier Touhou 6 with a few bosses from other games    … Full Review »
  3. riccyjay
    Sep 10, 2018
    8
    Don't let the cutesy anime style visuals fool you. This is a tough and surprisingly deep bullet-hell shmup. The levels are quite short and,Don't let the cutesy anime style visuals fool you. This is a tough and surprisingly deep bullet-hell shmup. The levels are quite short and, in all honestly, slightly uninspired. However, while that would usually be a major flaw, in Azure Reflections the main focus is on the level ending boss fights - and these are done fantastically well. The attacks and bullet patterns fired by each boss are varied and challenging and you'll need to make full use of your moveset to take them down. Add to that the fact that if you want to see everything the game has to offer you'll need to abide by certain restrictions and these fights become quite tactical as well as, of course, requiring all your twitch gaming skills.

    And seeing all the game does offer will take you quite a while. Although the game itself is your standard 30-40 minutes, there are a heap of unlockable accessories, music tracks, character models and achievements to keep you coming back for more.

    On the negative side, the scoreboards are poorly implemented and it's difficult to even rank on your own local board, the story can get in the way after your first playthrough (it can be skipped, but still requires button presses to do so and short waits for the opportunity to do so), and the fact that enemy bullets and pickups are the same colour and size seems needlessly confusing.

    Overall though, very solid and fun game with good replayability and a challenge belied by its cutesy visual style. Recommended.    … Full Review »
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