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Undefined Fantastic Object
Undefined Fantastic Object
Undefined Fantastic Object
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Undefined Fantastic Object
A CD-ROM cover titled "Undefined Fantastic Object" that depicts an green silhouette of the character Byakuren Hijiri.
Original CD-ROM cover with a silhouette of Byakuren Hijiri
DeveloperTeam Shanghai Alice
PublisherTeam Shanghai Alice
ComposerTeam Shanghai Alice
SeriesTouhou Project
PlatformWindows
Release
GenreBullet hell (danmaku)
ModeSingle-player

Touhou Seirensen ~ Undefined Fantastic Object. (Japanese: 東方星蓮船 ～ Undefined Fantastic Object.; lit. "Star-Lotus Ship of the East") is the twelfth main game of the Touhou Project scrolling shooter series, by dōjin game circle Team Shanghai Alice. The game was released at the 76th Comiket on August 15, 2009, and then followed by a retail release on September 11, 2009, at doujinshi stores. Undefined Fantastic Object was the first Touhou game to introduce colored power-ups, which reward the player with extra lives, points and bombs when collected, a gameplay mechanic that would be used in multiple games later on in the series.

Gameplay

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Main article: Touhou Project § Gameplay
Marisa attempting to destroy a large UFO

Undefined Fantastic Object is a danmaku game in which the player has to navigate through a total of six stages, killing enemies, dodging their projectiles, and fighting a boss halfway through, and at the end of each stage. The player's main method of attack is their shot, but they also have access to a limited number of spell cards (also referred to as bombs), whose exact properties depend on the character and shot type, but all spell cards will clear the screen of bullets, grant the player temporary invulnerability, and deal a large amount of damage. Unlike its predecessors Mountain of Faith and Subterranean Animism, bombs are given their own counter, rather than being attached to the player's shot power.[1] Undefined Fantastic Object is the only Touhou game in which the player does not lose points when they die or use a spell card.

The game features three playable characters, Reimu, Marisa, and Sanae, each of whom have two shot types, one of which deals high damage, whereas the other has homing projectiles.

Some enemies in Undefined Fantastic Object have color-coded UFOs that circle around them, which will float around the stage when they are killed. Some UFOs will flicker, and change their color after a few seconds, though this can be negated if the player is in close proximity to them. When the player collects three UFOs of a specific color, a large UFO will appear onscreen, which must be destroyed within ten seconds to grant the player a large point bonus, and extra items, depending on its color. Red UFOs will give the player extra lives, green ones will give them extra spell cards, and blue ones will give them extra points.[2] If the UFO is not destroyed within the time limit, it will disappear, preventing the player from acquiring its items.

Plot

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In Gensokyo, rumors circulate about a flying ship, that appears to be searching for something, which the rumors claim belong to the Seven Lucky Gods, and is loaded with treasure.[3]

The player character meets Minamitsu Murasa, the captain of the ship, who explains that the UFOs they have been collecting are fragments of treasures that were once on the ship, which are being used to revive Byakuren Hijiri, a Buddhist monk who wants a place in which she, and other yōkai, can practice their powers freely.

In the Extra Stage, Marisa notices that the UFOs appear to be housing small snakes, which was the result of Nue Houjuu attaching the Seed of Unknown Form to them out of boredom.[4] However, this goes against Byakuren's plans, and so after she is defeated, and the incident is resolved, Nue remains in hiding underground.

Characters

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Main article: Touhou Project § Characters

Playable characters

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  • Reimu Hakurei — The miko of the Hakurei Shrine. She sets out to investigate the treasure ship thinking it is yet again the work of yōkai. She has the smallest hitbox of the available characters.[5]
  • Marisa Kirisame — A magician who lives in the Forest of Magic. She doesn't believe there are any treasures on the ship, but investigates out of curiosity. She is the fastest character, and can collect items more easily.[5]
  • Sanae Kochiya — The miko of the Moriya Shrine, who was playable for the first time in Undefined Fantastic Object. She investigates the ship under the recommendation of Kanako, the goddess of her shrine. She is the only character without a special ability.[5]

Enemy characters

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  • Nazrin (ナズーリン): Stage 1 boss and stage 5 mid-boss. Being a leader of mice and a natural dowser, Nazrin was commanded by Ichirin to search for the shards that fell from the sky, but her dowsing rods brought her to the humans instead.
  • Kogasa Tatara (多々良 小傘): Stage 2 boss and extra stage mid-boss. Kogasa was once an umbrella who was forgotten for a long time and thus became a kasa-obake. Being bored and lonely, she tries to perfect the art of scaring humans.
  • Ichirin Kumoi (雲居 一輪): Ichirin is the stage 3 boss who is accompanied by Unzan, who also participates in battle. Ichirin, by her own accord, is the guard of the large ship in the sky. She seems to be collecting UFO-shaped shards to revive Byakuren Hijiri, her master, whom she refers to as "sister."
  • Unzan (雲山): Ichirin's companion in stage 3. Unzan is a nyūdō made out of clouds. He is a stubborn, quiet old man who is gentle at heart.
  • Minamitsu Murasa (村紗 水蜜): Murasa is the stage 4 boss, who is a funayūrei - a spirit of a human who fell off a ship and drowned in the past. As the humans feared her, their fears turned her into a yōkai. She pledged herself to saving Byakuren, riding the ship she created.
  • Shou Toramaru (寅丸 星): Shou is the stage 5 boss, representing good fortune as an avatar of Bishamonten. She was chosen by Byakuren to have the mountain yōkai gather faith in exchange. When Byakuren disappeared after a few hundred years, the temple was in great disarray, and all of her friends who were sealed into the Earth returned. Shou, not wanting to run away or have any regrets, told Murasa and the others how to lift the seal.
  • Byakuren Hijiri (聖 白蓮): Byakuren is the stage 6 boss. She had a younger brother, Myouren Hijiri, who taught her Buddhist magic, but died. This made Byakuren fear death greatly, and obtained the power to regain her youth. However, it was considered black magic rather than an art of Buddhism. Ichirin was her servant, while Murasa pledged herself to saving Byakuren.
  • Nue Houjuu (封獣 ぬえ): Nue is the extra stage boss, also appearing as a sphere of light in stages 4 and 6. She is a nue- a mysterious yōkai who flies through the night sky. Despite being non-human, she was defeated by humans many times in the past, but the accounts of her appearance vary due to the fact she obscures her own appearance. She merely enjoys frightening humans and provoking their fear.

Development

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Undefined Fantastic Object was announced on ZUN's website on February 26, 2009,[6] and the full game was released at Comiket on August 15.

Undefined Fantastic Object was released on Steam on June 6, 2020, alongside Mountain of Faith and Subterranean Animism.[7]

Reception

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Game Rant ranked Undefined Fantastic Object as the best game in the Touhou series, writing that critics have praised it due to the game's "well-structured gameplay, detailed graphics, and memorable tracks".[8]

See also

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  • Rensenware, a joke ransomware written in 2017 requiring victims to play Undefined Fantastic Object in Lunatic mode and get at least 200 million points
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Notes

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References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Undefined Fantastic Object

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Touhou Seirensen ~ Undefined Fantastic Object (Japanese: 東方星蓮船 ～ Undefined Fantastic Object, Hepburn: Tōhō Seirensen) is a vertical-scrolling and the twelfth mainline installment in the Touhou Project series. Developed and published by Japanese doujin circle under sole creator (Jun'ya Ōta), it was first released as a trial version at Reitaisai 6 on March 8, , followed by a full version at 76 on August 15, , and in stores on September 11, 2009. The game is set in the fantasy land of Gensokyo, where protagonists investigate strange unidentified flying objects—revealed to be fragments containing "Seeds of Unknown Form"—that appear in the sky, leading to encounters with new characters and the establishment of a . Players select from three playable characters—shrine maiden Reimu Hakurei, witch Marisa Kirisame, or rival shrine maiden Sanae Kochiya—each equipped with two distinct shot types for grazing dense patterns of projectiles while progressing through six stages. A standout mechanic involves collecting colored UFO power-ups that drop from defeated enemies: green for extra bombs, red for lives (up to a maximum of eight), and blue for points, with full sets of three same-colored UFOs granting bonuses like additional lives or score multipliers. The bomb system replenishes to two upon player death if fewer are held, emphasizing strategic resource management in the high-difficulty danmaku (bullet curtain) encounters. The narrative centers on the liberation of the ancient youkai Byakuren Hijiri, a human-turned- sealed away for her sympathy toward non-humans, with antagonists including ship captain Minamitsu Murasa and shape-shifting Houjuu aboard the Palanquin Ship. drew inspiration from Buddhist themes and the classic Space Invaders for the UFO motif, incorporating 17 original tracks into the soundtrack, including the acclaimed "Emotional Skyscraper ~ Cosmic Mind" and "At the Harbor of Spring". Originally for /XP/Vista with modest ( 1 GHz processor, 128 MB RAM), the game received an English shortly after release on September 8, 2009, and later ports, such as the 2020 version, have maintained its in the doujin game community.

Gameplay

Core Mechanics

Undefined Fantastic Object is structured as a vertical-scrolling danmaku shooting game, in which the player navigates through six main stages and an extra stage, each populated with dense patterns of projectiles known as danmaku. The core objective involves destroying enemies and surviving boss encounters while managing resources to progress. Players control a character that automatically advances upward, with manual input for horizontal and vertical movement within the playfield boundaries. The game offers three playable characters—Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, and Sanae Kochiya—each with two distinct shot types that vary between focused, high-damage streams for precise targeting and wider spreads for . These shot types influence combat strategy, particularly in dense bullet fields, and are augmented by mechanics, where positioning the character's hitbox near enemy bullets without collision awards graze points to boost the score. Power items collected from defeated enemies increase the shot's strength up to a maximum level of 4.00, enhancing damage output without dropping below 1.00 upon death. Boss battles employ the spell card system, a standardized framework where bosses declare named spell cards that unleash scripted danmaku patterns, typically lasting until a time limit expires or the boss's health is depleted. Capturing a spell card within the grants significant point bonuses, encouraging aggressive play, while failure results in reduced rewards. Mid-boss encounters precede main bosses in each stage, serving as transitional challenges with simpler patterns. The UFO collection system extends basic shot types by allowing summoned UFOs to capture floating items for additional benefits. Resource management revolves around lives, starting at two plus any earned from 1-up items, and , which clear the screen of bullets and deal area damage when activated. Unlike some prior entries, death or bombing incurs no direct point penalties, though death replenishes the bomb count to two if fewer are held and drops power by 1.00 (minimum 1.00). Scoring accumulates from enemy destruction, item collection, , and spell card captures, with focused mode (activated by holding shift while shooting) narrowing the hitbox for higher-risk, higher-reward play. The game supports four difficulty modes—Easy, Normal, Hard, and —each escalating the density and speed of danmaku, mid-boss and boss behaviors, and resource availability.

UFO Collection System

The UFO collection system in Undefined Fantastic Object introduces a unique resource-gathering and scoring mechanic centered around small tokens dropped by specific enemies during gameplay stages. These tokens appear as red, green, or blue orbs that float erratically across the screen, requiring the player to maneuver their character into contact to collect them. Blinking tokens cycle through colors unless the player stays close to fix their hue, while non-blinking ones maintain a static color for predictable collection. Collecting three tokens of the same color summons a corresponding large UFO with a bar and a , whereas gathering one of each color produces a rainbow UFO that reverses power and point item behaviors. The large UFO actively absorbs nearby items on the screen, building a fullness gauge that determines its rewards upon defeat. Players must shoot the large UFO repeatedly to deplete its before the expires—typically around 10 seconds total, with it ascending after about 7 seconds—otherwise, it despawns without benefits. Defeating it yields rewards scaled by the gauge's fullness: UFOs drop fragments (four needed for an extra ), green UFOs drop fragments (three for an extra ), and blue UFOs grant point item value (PIV) multipliers ranging from 2.0 to 8.0, directly boosting subsequent score from point items. Rainbow UFOs, meanwhile, drop additional matching the last collected color while offering multipliers of 2.0 to 4.0. Scoring in the UFO system emphasizes speed and , with point bonuses calculated as the number of absorbed point items multiplied by the current PIV and the UFO's fullness multiplier. Rapid shooting of the large UFO accelerates gauge filling and increases the effective multiplier, while collecting small during an active large UFO adds 1,000 to the PIV per token. combos form by summoning consecutive UFOs without interruption, further elevating PIV and enabling high-score runs; for instance, blue UFO chains are prioritized in competitive play due to their superior multipliers, potentially reaching 8.0 at full power. However, red and green UFOs are limited in impact for scoring, often used sparingly (e.g., 4-6 red summons total) to conserve resources without diluting PIV gains. The integrates with the game's border mechanics by treating defeated UFOs as pseudo-borders: they clear surrounding bullets proportional to their fullness (similar to a ), and collecting tokens or defeating UFOs near the playfield edges amplifies multipliers through combined and positioning bonuses. This synergy allows skilled players to escape tight bullet patterns while building PIV, though it requires precise timing to avoid losing tokens to the edge. In practice, UFO fullness directly influences the bullet-clearing radius and duration, making high-multiplier UFOs (like at 8.0) exceptionally effective for in dense sections. During spell cards, UFOs provide indirect enhancements, such as dropping extra items upon defeat to replenish bombs or lives mid-phase, or applying score boosts via PIV increases that carry over to spell capture bonuses (e.g., up to 18 million points on Stage 6). Summoning and defeating a UFO just before or after a spell card can trigger item cascades, offering tactical relief without fully activating a . This usage is particularly valuable for maintaining resources, as UFO drops can supplement the standard item economy without interrupting focus fire on bosses. Effective strategies for maximizing UFO chains revolve around selective summoning to avoid risks from core shooting and dodging. Players often memorize token drop patterns from enemies to pre-position, summoning early in low-density areas to minimize overlap with bullet hell patterns, and favoring blue/rainbow UFOs for scoring while using / only for necessities like early-game lives. Character shot types, such as those with wide spreads, briefly aid efficient token herding without detailed optimization. The key challenge lies in balancing UFO pursuit— which can pull the player into danger—with survival, as failed summons waste tokens and opportunities, potentially costing millions in potential PIV. High-level play avoids all / UFOs entirely for pure scoring chains, as demonstrated in world-record replays.

Story and Setting

Plot Summary

In the skies of Gensokyo, a series of mysterious unidentified flying objects (UFOs) begin appearing, accompanied by the sudden emergence of a massive flying ship known as the Palanquin Ship from bodies of water across the land. This unusual incident prompts the shrine maidens Reimu Hakurei and Sanae Kochiya, along with the magician Marisa Kirisame, to take to the air in pursuit, aiming to uncover the source of the disturbances and resolve the anomaly as per their roles in maintaining the balance of the realm. As the protagonists advance through their journeys, they encounter a progression of youkai guardians and interlopers tied to the incident, including the treasure-hunting rat youkai Nazrin on the surface, the umbrella youkai Kogasa Tatara causing unrelated mischief, and the nun Ichirin Kumoi alongside her massive cloud spirit Unzan defending the Palanquin Ship. Deeper into the ship, confrontations escalate with its captain, the drowned ghost Minamitsu Murasa, and the treasure-hoarding tiger youkai Shou Toramaru, who possesses a key pagoda artifact. The central conflict revolves around the ship's crew's mission to gather fragments of the treasures belonging to the Seven Lucky Gods—manifesting as the UFOs and the —to power the vessel and break an ancient seal in the frozen Hokkai region, ultimately succeeding in reviving their leader, the Buddhist monk Byakuren Hijiri, who then becomes the final adversary in a climactic battle. In the extra stage, following the resolution of the main incident, the true manipulator behind the UFOs reveals herself as the shape-shifting youkai , who has been sowing confusion with her illusory "seeds of unknown form" to obscure the events. An alternate climax unfolds in the unlockable Phantasm stage, where Byakuren Hijiri unleashes her full, unrestrained power in a confrontation that tests the protagonists to their limits, providing a hypothetical extension of the story's resolution.

World and Themes

Gensokyo serves as the primary setting for Undefined Fantastic Object, depicted as a remote, isolated fantasy land sealed from the outside world by the Great Hakurei Barrier established in to preserve traditional and elements amid advancing science and rationality. This barrier maintains a delicate balance, allowing humans, youkai, and gods to coexist within its boundaries, with humans primarily residing in the Human Village and youkai inhabiting surrounding forests, mountains, and other wild areas. The land's isolation fosters a feudal Japanese infused with mythical beings, where youkai sustain their existence through human fear and belief, while gods derive power from faith. The game introduces Myouren Temple as a new landmark in Gensokyo, founded by Byakuren Hijiri and her followers on the site of the Hall of Dreams' Great Mausoleum, contrasting sharply with the established -focused Hakurei Shrine. Unlike the Hakurei Shrine, which prioritizes human protection and Shinto rituals under Reimu Hakurei, Myouren Temple embodies Buddhist principles, serving as a haven for youkai training as monks and promoting spiritual practices like sutra chanting. This introduction marks a deliberate shift in the series' aesthetic, as developer intentionally centered Undefined Fantastic Object on Buddhism from its inception, drawing on esoteric traditions to expand Gensokyo's religious landscape. Central themes in the game revolve around faith, revival, and alliances between humans and youkai, exemplified by Byakuren Hijiri's backstory as a human monk who sympathized with youkai after her brother Myouren's death prompted her to study forbidden magic for immortality. Initially motivated by self-preservation, Byakuren evolved into a genuine advocate for youkai rights, using her Shingon Buddhist knowledge to foster coexistence, which led to her sealing by fearful humans in the demon realm of Makai for over a millennium. Her revival by loyal youkai followers underscores themes of redemptive faith and unity, as the temple she establishes becomes a symbol of harmonious alliances, training diverse youkai in Buddhist discipline to bridge divides with humans. The unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the game represent modern intrusions into Gensokyo's timeless isolation, manifesting as "Seeds of Unknown Form" manipulated by the youkai Nue Houjuu to summon a ancient palanquin ship, thereby symbolizing external threats that disrupt the land's supernatural equilibrium. These UFOs evoke contemporary anomalies clashing with Gensokyo's folklore-based , highlighting the vulnerability of its sealed boundaries to outside influences. Undefined Fantastic Object draws deeply from , incorporating Shinto-Buddhist —a historical fusion of the two religions in —through elements like Byakuren's esoteric magic and the temple's practices, which blend protective spells with salvation chants such as "Namusan." The narrative ties into the legend of the , a treasure ship associated with Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin), as the palanquin ship and collected UFO fragments transform into miniature treasures like the Daikoku hammer or Benzaiten's , invoking prosperity and divine intervention in . Characters like Shou Toramaru, inspired by the warrior god Bishamonten (one of ), further embed these motifs, emphasizing themes of fortune and protection amid Gensokyo's fantastical perils.

Characters

Playable Characters

In Undefined Fantastic Object, players select from three protagonists, each offering distinct playstyles centered around their signature abilities and spell card bombs, which influence UFO collection efficiency through varying shot coverage and power output. Reimu Hakurei serves as the balanced option, Marisa Kirisame emphasizes high-risk firepower, and Sanae Kochiya introduces summon-based versatility as a newcomer to the playable roster. These differences extend to scoring, where homing shots aid in precise UFO captures during dense bullet patterns, while focused lasers excel in rapid point accumulation from enemy clears. Reimu Hakurei, the shrine maiden of the Hakurei Shrine, acts as Gensokyo's protector by investigating the mysterious flying ship to resolve the incident and maintain balance. Her shot types provide balanced offense: Type A deploys yin-yang orbs for high-damage focused needles ideal for bosses, while Type B uses homing amulets for reliable stage clearing and UFO pursuit. Reimu's bombs include Dream Sign "Wild Exorcism Dance" for narrow, intense bursts and Spirit Sign "Fantasy Seal" with homing effects, suiting defensive playstyles that prioritize survival and consistent scoring in UFO encounters. Her smaller hitbox enhances maneuverability, making her suitable for players focusing on precision collection amid chaotic patterns. Marisa Kirisame, an ordinary human magician residing in the Forest of Magic, pursues the UFO out of curiosity after spotting the vessel and sharing rumors of its potential treasures with Reimu. Her arsenal revolves around laser-focused blasts from the mini-Hakkero reactor: Type A fires piercing Lasers for concentrated damage against lined-up foes, and Type B unleashes a wide Super Shortwave spread with rear-firing options for broad coverage. Signature bombs feature Love Sign "Master Spark," a massive beam for screen-clearing devastation, and Magic Sign "Ultimate Shortwave" for quick enemy wipes, favoring aggressive tactics that maximize UFO points through fast clears but demand careful positioning due to her larger hitbox. This setup rewards bold play, aligning with Marisa's narrative role as an inquisitive outsider delving into Gensokyo's anomalies. Sanae Kochiya debuts as a playable character, representing the Moriya Shrine's wind priestess with ties to the outside world through her heritage and divine patrons. Her abilities invoke miraculous summons: Type A summons homing Sky Serpents akin to divine snakes for targeted strikes, while Type B calls Frog Spread shots with from amphibian motifs, enhancing area control for UFO gathering. Bombs comprise Snake Sign "Orochi of Ancient Times" for sweeping screen coverage and Frog Sign "Wily Toad" for explosive, full-invincibility bursts, offering flexible options that bridge stage traversal and boss confrontations. Sanae's medium hitbox and speed support hybrid playstyles, with her story emphasizing shrine duties that propel her into the incident as a guardian bridging human and divine realms.

Boss and Enemy Characters

The boss and enemy characters in Undefined Fantastic Object primarily consist of generic foes such as fairies and midbosses, alongside seven unique antagonists whose designs, spell cards, and narrative roles revolve around the mystery of the flying treasure ship known as the Palanquin Ship. Fairies serve as recurring generic enemies across all stages, firing simple bullet patterns in waves to challenge player movement and encourage UFO collection for scoring and power-ups. Midbosses include brief appearances by characters like Nazrin (a returning Stage 1 boss in Stage 5), Kogasa Tatara (in the extra stage), and Nue Houjuu (in unidentified orb form during Stages 4 and 6), featuring transitional danmaku that hints at the ship's otherworldly nature without revealing full identities. These encounters emphasize quick dodges and build anticipation for the main bosses, whose spell cards incorporate thematic elements like anchors, clouds, and unidentified objects. The bosses are youkai and spirits dedicated to reviving Byakuren Hijiri, a human sealed for her advocacy of youkai rights over a millennium ago; her imprisonment stemmed from human fears of her magic and sympathy toward non-humans, leading her followers to gather the ship's fragments as keys to her unsealing. Stage 1 boss Nazrin, a petite youkai and shikigami servant to Bishamonten, uses a rod in her design to symbolize her treasure-locating ability; her spell cards, such as "Searching Sign ' Rod'," involve oscillating pendulums and homing bullets that mimic detection scans, while her theme music "A Little, Little, Clever Commander" plays during the fight. In dialogue snippets, she inquires about the player's knowledge of lost items, tying into her narrative role as an initial scout for the pagoda treasures needed for the revival. Stage 2 boss Kogasa Tatara, a one-eyed karakasa umbrella youkai, sports a blue umbrella atop her head and a mismatched shoe design evoking forgotten household spirits; her spell cards feature umbrella-deployed rain bullets and spinning blade patterns, like "Parasol Sign 'Speedy Umbrella'," emphasizing surprise attacks to reflect her backstory of startling humans out of existential boredom as a forgotten youkai. Her theme "Beware the Umbrella Left There Forever..." underscores her cheerful yet lonely demeanor, with dialogue where she attempts to frighten the player before admitting her failed scare tactics, positioning her as a whimsical guardian drawn to the ship's commotion. Stage 3 boss Ichirin Kumoi, a nun-like youkai with light purple hair and a hooded white dress, commands the massive nyuudou cloud spirit Unzan in tandem attacks; her spell cards, including "Nyuudou 'Barrier of Hatred and Malice,'" unleash fist-shaped clouds, lasers, and encircling bullets, drawing from her ability to manipulate Unzan's form. Formerly a human who tamed the man-eating Unzan with a spell and later became a youkai amid life's hardships, Ichirin joined Byakuren for her inclusive philosophy; her theme "The Traditional Old Man and the Stylish Girl" highlights their partnership, and dialogue reveals her irritation at the ship's unwanted attention while demanding the fragments. Stage 4 boss Minamitsu Murasa, the teal-eyed ghost captain in a sailor uniform adorned with anchors, embodies maritime hauntings from her backstory as a drowned ship pilot cursed to capsize vessels until Byakuren repurposed her wreckage into the Palanquin Ship, earning her eternal loyalty. Her spell cards revolve around chain anchors and tidal waves, such as "Ghost Ship 'The Death of the Ship,'" creating pulling and flooding patterns that evoke sinking ships; theme music "Captain Murasa ~ The Ship Where Ghosts Dwell" accompanies her role as the ship's navigator, collecting fragments to reach Byakuren's seal, with dialogue snippets expressing resentment toward the living while guiding the player deeper. Stage 5 boss Shou Toramaru, a striped-haired youkai in an orange dress wielding a spear and jeweled , represents Bishamonten's avatar and leads the revival effort as Byakuren's disciple of over 1,000 years, relying on human myths for her existence. Her spell cards deploy lasers and gem barrages, like "Treasury Sign 'Stored Treasures,'" symbolizing wealth accumulation; theme "The Tiger-Patterned Bishamonten" fits her commanding presence, and she converses about the pagoda's power in dialogue, confronting the player as the fragments converge. The Stage 6 boss Byakuren Hijiri, an elegant figure with wavy brown hair, a cape, and a sorcerer's scroll, was a who turned to youkai magic for immortality after her brother's death, eventually championing youkai equality and facing human persecution that led to her Makai sealing. Her spell cards emphasize magical enhancement, such as "Revival 'Phoenix Revival'," with orbs, lasers, and illusory wings for dynamic, harmony-themed patterns; theme "Emotional Skyscraper ~ Cosmic Mind" captures her enlightened aura, and post-battle dialogue reflects on her revival's purpose for coexistence. Finally, the extra stage boss Nue Houjuu, a trickster youkai with metallic red wings, blue tails, a snake accessory, and a black dress, draws from historical as a calamity-bringer who shapeshifts to deceive; appearing earlier as a shadowy orb midboss, her true form's spell cards use hidden UFO bullets and shifting illusions, like "Unidentified 'Danmaku X from a Wandering Star,'" to obscure dangers. Her theme "UFO Romance in the Night Sky ~ Heian Alien" evokes alien mystery, with dialogue taunting the player's persistence, fulfilling her narrative function as the ship's hidden instigator who pranked the revival by tampering with fragments.

Development and Release

Development Process

ZUN, the sole member of , developed Undefined Fantastic Object single-handedly, managing all aspects of production including programming, , music composition, and scriptwriting. This solitary workflow, characteristic of his approach to the Touhou Project series, enabled complete artistic autonomy but required balancing multiple creative disciplines within a tight schedule. The project began with establishing the game's world setting—a blend of unidentified flying objects and Buddhist motifs—before developing the story, characters, and mechanics. Influences from the prior entry, , informed the expansion of Gensokyo's lore, introducing new antagonists tied to a hidden and its youkai allies. A key design innovation was the UFO collection system, which added depth to scoring by allowing players to summon larger UFOs for multipliers, bombs, and lives, addressing the need for more engaging in high-score runs. To incorporate Buddhist themes without disrupting the series' Shinto-centric appeal, centered the plot around Byakuren Hijiri, a youkai-sympathizing monk, and her followers, exploring ideas of enlightenment and illusion through UFO "treasures" that symbolize unattainable desires. Challenges arose in balancing the three playable characters—Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, and Sanae Kochiya—each with dual shot types, ensuring fair progression across difficulties while maintaining distinct playstyles. A trial version was distributed at Reitaisai 6 on March 8, 2009.

Release History and Ports

Undefined Fantastic Object was first released on August 15, 2009, at 76 by in doujin soft format for Windows PC, with no external publisher involved. A trial version covering the first three stages had been distributed earlier at Reitaisai 6 on March 8, 2009, allowing free access to initial before purchase of the full version. A second trial version (0.02a) was released on July 19, 2009. A retail release followed on September 11, 2009, at doujin stores. The game remained exclusive to Windows platforms in its original distribution, sold physically at events and doujin retailers. On June 6, 2020, a digital port launched on Steam, published by Mediascape Co., Ltd., featuring Japanese interface and Steam achievements. English support is available via fan translation patches from the Touhou Patch Center. As of November 2025, no official console ports have been released, though community-driven efforts include fan translation patches via the Touhou Patch Center for non-Japanese players and compatibility emulations for older systems. The Steam version has contributed to broader digital availability, often featured in Touhou Project bundles on the platform.

Music and Soundtrack

Composition Overview

The soundtrack of Undefined Fantastic Object comprises a 17-track original score entirely composed by , who utilized sequencing to infuse rock influences into the series' distinctive melodic framework. Released alongside the full version of the game at 76 on August 15, 2009, the score totals approximately 78 minutes and serves as the auditory backbone, with themes strategically placed to accompany each stage, boss encounter, and extra content for seamless progression. The is also included in the 2020 port of the game. ZUN's musical style in this installment blends genres to match the narrative's progression, featuring upbeat electronic arrangements for themes that convey and momentum, intense rock-driven compositions for boss fights to amplify confrontation and urgency, and serene, ethereal motifs that evoke the Buddhist undertones central to characters like Byakuren Hijiri. The instrumentation relies on synthesized elements, including riffs for rhythmic drive, prominent trumpet samples (often referred to as the "ZUNpet" for their characteristic ), and subtle vocal synth layers in select tracks to add emotional depth without overpowering the melodic focus. Central to ZUN's approach is the that music must be integral to the game's atmosphere, fostering immersion and emotional by drawing from trance-like repetitive structures for flow and metal-inspired intensity for climactic moments, ensuring the soundtrack not only supports but elevates the fantastical setting. This integration extends briefly to character-specific themes that underscore battles, reinforcing individual identities through sonic cues.

Notable Tracks and Arrangements

The soundtrack of Touhou Seirensen ~ Undefined Fantastic Object features standout tracks that emphasize the game's central UFO motif, where unidentified flying objects mysteriously appear across Gensokyo, drawing in protagonists Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame to uncover their origins. The extra stage theme, "UFO Romance in the Night Sky," explicitly incorporates this theme through its title and ethereal, soaring melody, evoking the nocturnal skies filled with enigmatic vessels that drive the narrative. Boss themes further amplify the game's escalating tension, with "Emotional Skyscraper ~ Cosmic Mind" accompanying the stage 6 encounter against Byakuren Hijiri, blending triumphant brass and rhythmic drive to convey her enlightened yet formidable presence. Similarly, the extra stage boss theme "Heian Alien" for Nue Houjuu delivers pulsating percussion and chaotic harmonies that mirror the youkai's deceptive and otherworldly power. Official arrangements of select tracks appear in ZUN's 2012 album Torifune Iseki ~ Trojan Green -ZUN's Music Collection vol.6-, published by , including reimagined versions of "UFO Romance in the Night Sky" (track 6) and "Emotional Skyscraper ~ Cosmic Mind" (track 9) with expanded instrumentation while retaining their core motifs. These pieces have seen extensive adaptation in circles, with hundreds of fan arrangements produced for sale and live performances at Reitaisai, Tokyo's premier annual Touhou convention that has attracted over 50,000 attendees focused on derivative works including music albums and covers.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its release in 2009, Undefined Fantastic Object received praise from critics for its refined danmaku bullet patterns and the innovative UFO collection mechanic, which added strategic depth to by allowing players to earn extra lives, bombs, or points through colored saucers. The game's well-structured difficulty progression, starting simple and ramping up through increasingly complex stages, was highlighted as a strength that balanced accessibility with challenge. The 2020 port has garnered overwhelmingly positive user reviews, with 95% of 367 ratings recommending the game as of 2025, often citing its polished gameplay and the UFO system's engaging risk-reward dynamic as highlights for both newcomers and veterans. Users frequently commend the title's accessibility features, such as practice modes and adjustable difficulties, which make it more approachable than earlier entries in the series. In modern retrospectives, Undefined Fantastic Object has been ranked as the top entry in the Touhou series by Game Rant in 2023, lauded for its detailed graphics—the most visually appealing among Windows-era titles—memorable soundtrack, and balanced character options that allow switching between Reimu, Marisa, and Sanae with distinct shot types. This acclaim positions it as a high point in ZUN's Windows-era development, showcasing peak refinements in storytelling, visuals, and mechanics before the series' expansion to consoles. Critics and players have noted some drawbacks, including a steep difficulty curve that can overwhelm casual players, particularly on higher modes where the UFO mechanic demands precise maneuvering amid dense patterns. Additionally, the limited variety in playable characters—three options with types each—has been seen as less diverse compared to later Touhou games that introduced more customization. The UFO system itself, while innovative, has drawn criticism for feeling frustratingly risky, as collecting saucers often requires venturing into hazardous areas, potentially disrupting flow for less experienced players.

Cultural Impact and Fan Legacy

Undefined Fantastic Object significantly expanded the Touhou Project's lore by introducing the Myouren Temple faction, a Buddhist group led by Byakuren Hijiri that advocates for coexistence between humans and youkai, establishing a new dynamic in Gensokyo's that recurs in later installments such as Double Dealing Character. This addition enriched the series' narrative depth, portraying religious and philosophical tensions within the fantasy setting. The game's release at 76 in August 2009 exemplified its role in the vibrant doujin culture, where fan-created works thrive through at major events like , fostering a of enthusiasts who produce narrative-driven games and media. The title spurred a surge in fan works following its 2009 debut, including UFO-themed games, music arrangements by dedicated circles, and extensive , with characters like Houjuu becoming staples in memes and visual depictions due to her enigmatic shape-shifting ability. , in particular, gained prominence in fan communities for her mysterious allure, inspiring humorous interpretations and crossover content that highlight her as a symbol of unidentified terror. This proliferation of derivative works underscores Touhou's fan legacy, where thousands of circles contribute to an ecosystem of creative output centered around events like . Within the community, Undefined Fantastic Object has maintained popularity through events such as showcases and fan-organized gatherings like Hakurei Shrine festivals, where attendees celebrate the series' themes. communities have embraced the game, tracking records for categories like Lunatic no-miss clears and UFO collection scoring on dedicated platforms, demonstrating ongoing technical engagement. The 2020 release revitalized interest in the 2020s by broadening accessibility beyond physical distributions, introducing the game to international players and enabling crossovers in fan animations and novels. While the Japanese dominates with deeper event participation and production, Western engagement lags in media representation, often focusing more on memes and animations rather than comprehensive lore exploration. has noted how such digital platforms professionalize works like Touhou, bridging fan and indie spheres.

References

  1. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object
  2. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1100160/Touhou_Seirensen__Undefined_Fantastic_Object/
  3. http://www16.big.or.jp/~zun/html/th12top.html
  4. https://shmups.wiki/library/Undefined_Fantastic_Object
  5. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Graze
  6. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object/Story
  7. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object/Characters
  8. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Gensokyo
  9. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Myouren_Temple
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otIrJdoaITI
  11. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Byakuren_Hijiri
  12. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Symposium_of_Post-mysticism
  13. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object/Translation
  14. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Ichirin_Kumoi
  15. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object/Spell_Cards/Stage_3
  16. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Minamitsu_Murasa
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  18. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Shou_Toramaru
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  20. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object/Spell_Cards/Stage_6
  21. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Nue_Houjuu
  22. https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Undefined_Fantastic_Object/Spell_Cards/Extra_Stage
  23. https://www.vg247.com/interview-zun-on-20-years-of-touhou-project
  24. https://otakumode.com/news/52adc1a3f21de80b0e000232/Interview-with-Touhou-Project-Founder-and-Creator-ZUN-Part-1
  25. https://archive.org/details/Seirensen
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  30. https://music.apple.com/jp/album/touhou-seirensen-undefined-fantastic-object-soundtrack/1581358392
  31. https://www.deezer.com/en/album/251993312
  32. https://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/touhou-seirensen-undefined-fantastic-object
  33. https://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php?topic=18968.0
  34. https://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php?topic=4033.0
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  36. https://vgmdb.net/album/32494
  37. https://en.touhougarakuta.com/article/specialtaidan_zun_hiroyuki_7-en/
  38. https://gamerant.com/best-touhou-games-ranked/
  39. https://backloggd.com/reviews/everyone/eternity/recent/touhou-seirensen-undefined-fantastic-object?page=2
  40. https://gamestudies.org/2403/articles/grau_de_pablos
  41. https://www.speedrun.com/touhou_seirensen_undefined_fantastic_object
  42. https://www.siliconera.com/touhou-games-mountain-of-faith-subterranean-animism-undefined-fantastic-object-hits-steam-in-june/
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