The Japanese studio Unknown X has released a demo version of its upcoming RPG title Marisa of Liartop Mountain, which you can find on Steam. As you might guess from the title, this game is inspired by classic tabletop games and will combine a bit of mystery and strategy for players to embark on a journey of discovering the fate of their favorite character from the Touhou Project.
Of the planned five chapters that will be available in the full release, you can play the first one in the demo version. The story begins with the mysterious disappearance of Marisa, and the priestess Reimu, determined to find her friend, discovers a large, mysterious book in her room. When she opens it, she magically teleports inside, and thus begins her journey in search of Marisa.
If you are a fan of the tabletop genre, you will find many elements in this game that reflect the spirit of those games, where every dice roll can change the course of the story. You will navigate through branching narratives, and each chapter of the book presents new challenges, from battling monsters to humorous moments when deciding whether to eat suspicious food. Additionally, the developers promise replayability, where each new playthrough brings different consequences.
The release of the game is particularly important as it represents an officially approved derivative of the well-known Touhou Project, a franchise that has built one of the most dedicated fan communities in the gaming industry over its 28-year history. This connection to the Touhou world adds additional layers of mythology and expectations to an already ambitious project.
Marisa of Liartop Mountain features charming graphics where the characters behave and move like figurines, while the entire world is set on boards. To get a feel for that unique atmosphere and how it looks in practice, we definitely recommend watching the trailer below.