## Description
Reimu Hakurei is a “shrine maiden”, a young girl whose job was to protect
shrines of the Shinto religion in feudal Japan. The fabric of reality is torn
when demons from the parallel realm known as “Illusion Village” invade the
human world through the shrine Reimu is guarding. The young girl must defeat
the demons and seal the entrance from the other world.
The first of the Tōhō series is similar to Breakout-style games, since it is
composed of one-screen levels, with the typical goal of destroying all the
bricks (cards, in the case of this game) by manipulating a ball. However,
unlike in most _Breakout_ clones, the player controls a real character (Reimu)
instead of a traditional paddle. The specific gameplay mechanics are also a
bit different: the ball cannot fall “below the ground”; if it hits Reimu, she
loses a life; the player has to press a corresponding key to hit the ball in
close range.
The game can also be considered a shooter, since Reimu can (and often has to)
shoot the ball when it is high in the air, to change its trajectory and
destroy cards. Also, after every five “regular” levels there is a “boss
level”, which plays similarly to top-down shooters, and during which Reimu
also has to defend herself from projectiles shot by the boss, either dodging
or shooting them.
Tōhō: Reiiden