Composer Yuka Kitamura, renowned for crafting the evocative soundscapes in FromSoftware’s iconic titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, has taken a surprising turn in her musical journey.
After an impressive 12-year tenure at the heavyweight development studio, Kitamura left to explore diverse genres and continue expressing herself through game music.
Her latest venture leads her away from the atmospheric tones and sweeping strings she’s known for as she dives into an unexpected project – The Touhou Empires.
Originating as a bullet hell shoot ‘em up by a solitary developer, the Touhou series has grown into a phenomenon with 19 mainline games and six spin-offs, one of which is The Touhou Empires, slated for release later this year.
Described as “Touhou meets real-time warfare,” the game invites players to select their preferred faction, establish bases, and amass resources, all while building formidable forces to achieve the ultimate objective of conquering rival factions. With over 40 beloved characters from the main games making an appearance in this spin-off, players can engage in strategic battles alongside familiar faces.
Curious players can already get a taste of The Touhou Empires, as a free playable demo is currently available on Steam. Sneaking in a couple of days early through the Steam Next Fest, the demo offers a glimpse into the game’s strategic gameplay and, of course, Yuka Kitamura’s captivating musical compositions.
