The Great Alice ~Fight! Goliath Robo!~

Editorial Review

The Great Alice occupies an uncommon niche: a Touhou Project action game that treats its source material as playground rather than shrine. Rather than the series’ traditional bullet-hell framework, this is a hybrid 2D action title blending side-scrolling combat with one-on-one fighting game segments—a structural choice that immediately distinguishes it from the endless waves of Touhou fan games cycling through established formulas.

The four-character roster system transforms what could be a straightforward beat-em-up into something tactically varied. Swapping between Alice and her allies isn’t merely cosmetic; it’s a core mechanic that forces players to adapt their approach mid-stage, mirroring the strategic switching found in arcade fighters. The Goliath Robo framing device is deliberately absurdist—this isn’t reverent fan fiction but comedy-first game design that uses Touhou’s recognizable cast as vehicle for absurdist mechanical spectacle. That tonal clarity matters: you’re not here for narrative depth or character study, but for the specific pleasure of watching beloved characters pilot giant robots through increasingly ridiculous scenarios.

The 3D production quality signals mid-tier doujin craftsmanship—respectable enough to avoid feeling janky, but not polished to AAA standards. This works in the game’s favor; the visual style matches the deliberately camp energy rather than fighting it. The action mechanics themselves lean accessible, prioritizing combo flow and character switchplay over frame-data complexity, which makes this approachable for players more familiar with Touhou’s original gameplay than traditional fighting games.

This is for players fatigued by reverent fan projects and craving something that treats Touhou’s characters with affectionate irreverence. If you want mechanical depth dressed in comedy, with both side-scrolling and fighting game sensibilities coexisting, this delivers exactly that specific combination with surprising confidence.