The game is a traditional vertically scrolling "bullet hell" (danmaku) shooter with a unique mechanic:

Set during a bizarre meteorological event in Gensokyo , the seasons have fallen into chaos: the Hakurei Shrine is in spring, the Forest of Magic is in winter, and the Youkai Mountain is in autumn. Players choose between four protagonists—, Marisa Kirisame , Aya Shameimaru , or Cirno (sporting a sun-tan)—to investigate the cause of this imbalance. Core Gameplay Mechanics

Touhou 16 ～ Hidden Star in Four Seasons. is now available on Steam

: At the start, players choose a "sub-season" (Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter) regardless of their character choice. This adds unique sub-attacks, such as homing petals or protective ice.

: Pressing a dedicated button consumes the gauge to clear nearby bullets and grant brief invincibility or damage boosts, depending on the chosen sub-season. Technical and Fan Information