For those needing a translation, the community-standard ThCrap (Touhou Community Reliant Automatic Patcher) can automatically apply high-quality Chinese or English patches to the official game files.

Players build up a charge meter to unleash different levels of attacks (L1 to L4). L2 and L3 attacks are critical for clearing bullets and pressuring the opponent.

Repacked games from unofficial sources frequently contain malware or adware.

Unlike standard bullet-hell titles in the series, PoFV is a . Players compete against an AI or human opponent to see who can survive the longest while sending "bullet attacks" and "spell cards" to the opponent's side of the screen.

The game is notorious for its "Drunken God" AI , which can dodge almost anything on higher difficulties, making the single-player campaign frustrating for many.