An updated port of Cave's bullet hell shoot 'em up Mushihimesama. Features new Beginner and Arrange modes, and a port of Mushihime-sama Cave Matsuri Ver 1.5 as DLC.
Huge insect-like creatures called Koju roam the forest outside the village of Hoshifuri. When Reco's people fall to a mysterious sickness, the young princess decides to leave the village and meet the God of the Koju, who may provide a cure. Riding her faithful Golden Beetle friend Kiniro, Reco must traverse the wilds, braving the hostile landscape and the aggressive Koju beasts on her journey through the Shinju Forest.
Overwhelmingly Positive
1,524 Steam reviews
(Y)
武器はボムとショットだけ
単純で完成してる弾幕STG
MUSHI LOVE!!!!
This is the worst shoot'em up game I have ever played. The bullets blend in with the super-contrasty, high-detail background because compared to the background they're low-contrast. The background of stage 3 has a giant, super-contrasty crenulated monster that shifts and wiggles around making it incredibly difficult to pick out bullets.
Bullets blink so that once you do find them, your motion tracking doesn't work.
There is no video in this video game - this is a *blinking game*. The entire screen blinks, shimmers... did I mention that the screen MOVES as you move your character?
Oh, and on original mode, the bullets have an intentional motion blur / onion-skin animation effect applied to make them even harder to see.
Even if all this was forgivable (it isn't) the game's movement is messed up. There's a delay between hitting the focus key and actually getting slower (focused) movement... which means that for any given section, you must play the entire section entirely focused or entirely unfocused. Touhou-style gameplay where you rapidly switch between macrododging and micrododging is not possible in this game because of that. A huge part of the thrill of the game is removed for that reason.
Shmups are all about tracking bullets with your eyes and finding gaps. This is not possible in this game for me. I have 1cc'd multiple touhou games on hard mode but can't reliably beat stage 2 on the easiest difficulty because I can't see the bullets, can't predict gaps, etc.
The level design is boring and frustrating - you must memorize enemy spawns so that you can shoot them as they spawn so that they don't rush down the screen and kill you. It's bad when Touhou does it, and it's bad when Cave does it.
I was told this is one of the best shmups ever made released by the king of shmups - Cave.
After having played this game and Dodonpachi Daioujou, I can tell you cave has no idea how to make a shmup. They know how to make quarter stealers - games which would be easy if they weren't loaded with garbage visibility problems and laggy inputs.
This is not a fun video game. Do not buy it.
Mushihimesama is a boring, frustrating shmup all about trying to find and track blinking, blurry bullets on distracting backgrounds while the whole screen sways back and forth with your character's movement.
This is a great game but unfortunately replays occasionally just break and do not work at all.
this has been by far the most enjoyable shmup for me as a noob to the genre, very easy to get a grasp on the game yet it still remains challenging (especially goin for 1CCs). The games soundtrack and design are immaculate too, if youre reading this u should get it right now its such a fun time
As a newbie Shmup enjoyer, I love this game. It has a beautiful artstyle, very creative patterns, lots of modes, a great training mode, a global leaderboard, allows you to download runs and play them back, and lets you adjust the layout.
It also gets the nod from hardcore mushi fans.
great game!
80/100
几乎不玩STG，还算有趣。
WHERES FUTARI CAVE?
It's amazing how well designed this game is, but that was to be expected from Cave. I think the addition of save-states might have been helpful but the Training mode is pretty robust so you can do without them. Input lag isn't noticeable for me either, playing with an arcade stick.
Mushi is a great game, if you like shmups this is a must play, it's one of the best I've played.
人生の苦難という弾幕を避けられなかったおじいちゃんの感想。
本作はプレイ時間と体感時間の差が著しく違う奇妙なゲームだった(現在6時間程しかプレイしていないが20時間程に感じる)
元々アーケードということもありコンティニューし放題で攻略ができます。辿り着けない箇所は条件を満たしていないから。
殺しにくる弾幕。ノーコン未達成。ボス逃走。腕がないのは確かなのだが・・・。許せるッ!(俺を)
おい、そこのお前。虫姫さまをやるのだ!(お薦めです)
良い点
・「凄い弾幕だ」となるので死んでも諦められる(初めの頃だけかもしれん)
・ストーリー演出があってもプレイは止まらないし短いのでプレイフィールは損なわれていない
残念だった点：
・当たり判定がわからない(ヒットボックス表示モードが欲しかった)
自機が小さいことでやられ難くし、プレイ初期から「俺上手いかも」と思わせる手管。それは序章に過ぎず、弾幕→偶然避けられる→更に勘違いさせハマる。本当に避けられない→ようこそ攻略へ。作者は今孔明か、知力100あんじゃね?
Another classic shmup from cave
gahdayum there are a lot of bugs
Hidrocortisona al 1% dos o tres veces al día durante una o dos semanas. Será necesario para tratar la irritacion anal que va a producirte este juego.
Histórico del género.
I love Mushihimesama. Mushi is love, Mushi is life. Peak game.
Nausicaa if she had 10x more guns, game is awesome, do NOT use continues (unless you're practicing).
bugs, bugs and some bugs
the best shmup on steam and will remain the best shmup on steam until they let futari out of 360 jail
Amazing game! It feels like I'm back in the arcade. Power ups and enemy designs are great. Nice tiny hit box and thousands of bullets to dodge. I recommend playing it on an arcade stick.
A remarkably polished shmup from CAVE’s already stellar catalogue, this game is arguably an all-time classic and a must-play for anyone looking to dip their toes into the bullet hell genre.
My only wish is for the game’s sequel, Futari, to receive an official Steam port and English translation. It’s a real shame it hasn’t yet, but the opportunity remains.
In an era where both physical media and arcade boards for these games are becoming increasingly scarce, it’s in CAVE’s best interest to make these titles as accessible as they deserve to be today.
Hollow Knight prequel
蠻困難的街機彈幕遊戲
十多年前曾在秋葉原看過一個熟女獨自在玩彈幕遊戲
因為技術好到不可思議
使得旁邊有一大群圍觀的路人
那時的我只會去換一把硬幣投到破台
第一次看到有人可以一幣通關覺得非常不可思議
回國後在steam買了大量的彈幕遊戲做練習
想在下去到日本的時候也能秀一把給路人看
遺憾的是在我練習1.2年後剛小有所成
就遇到3.4年疫情鎖國
等我再次踏上秋葉原不只技術生疏
還年近35反應力與注意力大幅衰退
嘗試了幾把雖然不像新人一樣瞎雞巴投幣
但也玩不出高手的感覺
從此我便告別了彈幕遊戲
直到最近有點空檔
把當年買了沒玩的彈幕遊戲拿出來通關
已不強求打出什麼漂亮操作
能打通一輪就心滿意足
好在本作不只有簡單模式還可以無限續命
對於休閒玩家來說非常友善
只想打通可以說是毫無難度
甚至打通後的劇情也有中文翻譯
打折購入的話比起在街機投到通關更加划算
喜歡彈幕遊戲的別錯過了
PS.目前日本較流行的是怒首領蜂和雷電，虫姬近幾年已較少看到
Literally one of the best shmups ever made. Play it. You'll understand too.
Bullet hell heaven, 1 of Caves finest. Fantastic art with lots of modes to play.
Why does bullet hell/shmup games have such awesome soundtrack?! IT DID NOT HAVE TO BE THIS GOOD!!
(Also, Cave shoot'em-up games are one of the best ever made. And this, alongside DoDonPachi Daioujou, is certainly at the top of the list)
Here, we have another instance of bugs and shmups making for a good combination (in reality, this is one of the first shmups to do this). Mushihimesama is an absolutely phenomenal shmup all around. In true CAVE fashion, this looks, feels and sounds amazing to play. There are lots of modes that will keep you coming back for more (as a result, it does a good job accommodating all skill levels). I have nothing else to say other than to get this if you like shmups or if you are interested in the genre and are looking for a good game to start with.
My first shmup, and it's a damn great one to approach the genre.
The 12 hours it took me to 1cc novice normal and maniac taught me so much about the fundamentals of these types of games: the level design is incredible, so much so that figuring out the optimal pathing for each stage is not only rewarding but also incredibly incremental, and as smooth as learning a hard motor skill.
It also helps that it's gorgeous to look at, the visibility is top notch, and the OST is simply beautiful (stage 5 arrange ver. is a proper masterpiece, and so close to the upbeat, electronic highs of bayonetta's OST).
Very fun and pretty game. Few gimmicks. All the bullets are bright purple and easy to see. Lots of bullets aimed straight at you so it's really fun and effective to tap-dodge. My favorite mode is 1.5.
I bought this on a whim as a gateway to Bullet Hells. 3 hours in and I get it
It's good.
Reco很可爱。
你的难度有点不当人但是你的无限续关很好地弥补了这一点
I absolutely love this game. I've played some Shmups here and there but this one got me pretty hooked. There is a Novice mode in the game that is really good for beginners. After beating this mode with a 1CC (No Continuers/ 1 Credit Clear) I moved on to the normal Original mode and spent a over 30 hours there to the the same 1CC challenge.
Went from beginner to fairly competent and still playing this game to improve and get better. The multiple modes along with music options, screen options to turn your PC screen vertically, and the challenge this game offers makes this game an easy recommendation. You should absolutely snag this game for some good fun.
beetle hierarchy simulator
some of the most gorgeous sprite work i've seen. though minimal story, i adore the theming of life, death and sacrifice. you really feel as small as a bug trying to traverse the food chain. if not using continues, this can take around only 30 mins (i have yet to do this).
CAVE的经典之作，与怒首领蜂都为街机弹幕的代表之一，无需多言。
最近一次在街机厅玩到时手感已不如从前，裸残才通了。
在XBOX和其他主机上买齐了cave系列游戏的移植版，主机移植版的手感似乎要好些，用遥感玩起来几乎和街机版一样。
时过境迁，回来才想起库里还有虫姬，已经放着很多年没玩了。
2代什么时候上线steam呢。
好游戏。
Mushihimesama, developed by CAVE Interactive CO.,LTD. and published on Steam by KOMODO, is a landmark vertical shoot ’em up that represents the peak of classic bullet-hell design. Originally debuting in arcades in the mid-2000s, its PC release preserves the game’s demanding mechanics while making it accessible to a wider audience through modern options and modes. Even years after its original appearance, Mushihimesama remains a defining title in the danmaku genre, respected for both its artistic identity and its uncompromising gameplay depth.
The game stands out immediately due to its unusual and memorable theme. Instead of spaceships and mechanical enemies, Mushihimesama immerses players in a lush fantasy world dominated by giant insects and organic landscapes. You control Reco, a young princess riding the golden beetle Kiniro, as she travels through forests, deserts, caverns, and volcanic regions overtaken by massive arthropod creatures. This nature-driven aesthetic gives the game a distinctive personality, making every enemy encounter feel alive and alien while reinforcing the sense that you are navigating a dangerous ecosystem rather than a sterile battlefield.
At its core, Mushihimesama exemplifies the bullet-hell philosophy of precision and pattern mastery. Enemy fire fills the screen with dense, intricately arranged projectiles that demand intense focus and steady control. Survival depends on understanding the tiny hitbox of your character and threading it through impossibly narrow gaps in bullet formations. Rather than relying on reflex alone, the game encourages players to learn attack patterns, anticipate shifts in rhythm, and remain calm under pressure. When everything clicks, the experience becomes almost meditative, turning chaos into controlled movement and delivering an unmatched sense of satisfaction.
One of the game’s greatest strengths is its wide range of modes designed to support different skill levels. Novice and Original modes ease players into the mechanics with reduced bullet density and gentler pacing, making Mushihimesama surprisingly approachable for newcomers to the genre. As confidence grows, players can move into Maniac and Ultra difficulties, where the game fully unleashes its reputation for relentless intensity. Additional arrangements, including the well-known Version 1.5, remix enemy behavior and scoring mechanics, ensuring that even experienced players have fresh challenges to conquer. This layered difficulty structure gives the game remarkable longevity, as mastery is a long-term pursuit rather than a single achievement.
Combat options add further depth to the experience. Different shot types allow players to tailor their approach, whether favoring wide coverage for crowd control or focused fire for maximum damage. Bomb mechanics provide emergency relief, clearing bullets and enemies when used wisely, but their limited availability introduces meaningful risk-reward decisions. Skilled players often balance aggression and caution, staying dangerously close to enemy fire to maintain offensive pressure while knowing when to retreat. These mechanics create a constant tension that defines Mushihimesama’s gameplay identity.
Visually, the game is a showcase of clarity amid chaos. Sprites, bullets, and backgrounds are designed to remain readable even when the screen is saturated with motion. Bullet colors and shapes are carefully chosen so patterns remain decipherable, allowing players to react rather than guess. The insect bosses are particularly striking, combining scale and detail with intimidating attack sequences that feel both beautiful and terrifying. The Steam version preserves this visual sharpness while supporting modern resolutions, ensuring the experience feels crisp without losing its arcade roots.
The audio presentation complements the intensity of the action. The soundtrack drives the pace with energetic compositions that escalate alongside the difficulty, reinforcing the urgency of each encounter. Sound effects provide clear feedback for shots, enemy destruction, and bomb usage, helping players stay oriented even during the most chaotic moments. Together, the visuals and audio create a cohesive sensory experience that heightens immersion and reinforces the game’s identity as a high-skill arcade challenge.
Structurally, Mushihimesama reflects its arcade heritage. A full run through the game is relatively short in terms of raw playtime, but this brevity is intentional. The real value lies in repetition, improvement, and score chasing rather than narrative progression. Leaderboards and scoring systems encourage players to refine routes, optimize bomb usage, and push deeper into higher difficulties. Each session becomes an opportunity to improve, turning small gains in survival into meaningful progress over time.
Community reception on Steam highlights Mushihimesama’s enduring appeal. Players consistently praise its balance between accessibility and extreme challenge, noting that it can serve as both an entry point into bullet-hell shooters and a brutal test for seasoned veterans. While its difficulty may be intimidating to those unfamiliar with the genre, the included modes and adjustable options make it far less exclusionary than its reputation might suggest.
Ultimately, Mushihimesama stands as a timeless example of expert shoot ’em up design. Its unique insect-themed world, meticulously crafted bullet patterns, and deep mechanical systems combine to create an experience that rewards dedication and skill. For fans of arcade shooters, it is not merely a recommendation but a cornerstone of the genre, offering both immediate thrills and a long road to mastery that continues to captivate players years after its original release.
Rating: 10/10
For a "bug princess", Reco sure does murder a lot of them.
Seriously though, this is one of the smoothest shmups out there with sparkly graphics and a banging soundtrack.
The controls on PC are awkward especially if youre used to something like Touhou,
and the amount of bullets,bugs, items and amber on the screen are crazy even for a bullet hell and gave me some headaches whilst achievement hunting,
but overall this is a visually gorgeous and extremely fun game in one of my favorite genres.
I can only dream of owning the physical PC disc or the 360 version of this masterpiece someday.
Amazing game, great port.
Best shmup to ever grace our cabinets/steam libraries. God bless Cave.
끝내 마지막 보스 클리어를 못하고 소감을 남겨봅니다. 많이 어렵습니다. 서브스크린을 띄워도 탄막 물량에 가려 잘 보이지도 않습니다. 슈팅에 자신 없다 하시는 분들에겐 말리고 싶습니다. 저의 좌절과는 상관없이 게임 자체는 수준급의 명작 슈팅게임이 맞습니다.
oh my god...
Game is so good it makes me yell "gaming" out loud.
Now release Futari, please.
What a masterpiece, I bought a PS5 controller to get the full mushihimesama experience. Great gameplay aside, I really like the presentation, the soul of this game. For example in stage 2 [spoiler]you can see the scorpion miniboss stalk his prey (the player) through the tiny holes in the ground before he comes out and throws his bullet hells at you[/spoiler], it's just these adorable details. The artistry of this game just screams "I love bugs and am going to make a cool game about them". This is the kind of stuff that makes me bother to write reviews
In a genre full of cool spaceships, a game called "Bug Princess" may not be immediately appealing. But if you are new to the genre, you really need to play this game. Prioritize getting a 1cc on Original Novice mode. Maniac Novice mode is a great stepping stone after that. It was much easier for me to learn the stages and boss patterns in this additive way. It also made me better at the genre as a whole, which is very rewarding.
難しいですが短時間で満足します
Excellent and accurate port of a must play shmup! Zero complaints or issues thus far in my time on this version.
"Mushihimesama" is an all-time classic developed by the legendary Cave. If you have any interest in shmups, I highly recommend you try this game. Insanely great level design with a beautiful art style and amazing OST.
神作
Music sounds like a magical girl transformation sequence. I like the bug theme compared to how many other games in the genre use spaceships(which are also cool i guess)
hits different
神神！还是老游戏牛逼
tiene monas china 10 de 10 y god
This game is so good that you'll see bugs in your sleep. That is a good thing btw
탄막슈팅 입문용 최고의 게임!
이 장르 초심자를 위한 노비스 모드부터 순차적으로 스팀 도전과제를 하나씩 달성해나가다 보면
어느새 노말모드 울트라까지도 할만 해집니다.
도전과제를 따라가보세요! 처음은 각 난이도별 원코인 과제를 목표로 하다가 다 완료되면 샷카운터 과제를
목표로 정보를 찾게 되고 자연스럽게 스코어링을 위한 카운터 불리기와 극딜을 위한 CA연타등
이게임의 파고들기 요소를 습득할 수 있습니다.
입문자를 위한 난이도부터 본격적인 탄막슈팅을 즐길수 있는 난이도까지 다채롭게 구성되어 있으니
너무 겁먹지 말고 할인하면 시도해보세요^^
i just wanna be a bug princess
The best video game ever made. Start with Arrange Mode.
Pog game
this game is full of bugs. like, look at them, they're everywhere!!! and they come in different sizes!! at least you get to shoot them down, which is nice.
one of the best bullet hell/shmups i've ever played.
up there with Dodonpachi daioujou, Espgaluda 2, and Ikaruga
Amazing art style and characters, gameplay that takes skill and time to master, tons of replay value... Just overall an wonderful package for one of the best arcade games ever made!
童年回憶啊!
Amazing design. Amazing music. Amazing Bug Princesses.
Good port. Good training mode makes it better than emulation
So fkn hard.
[h1]A Pontuação das análises ser tão alta não é por acaso![/h1]
É o meu jogo predileto do CAVE juntamente com DoDonPachi Resurrection.
Eu definitivamente não sou um grande jogador de Bullet-hell, mas todas as vezes que eu morri nesse jogo eu sempre senti que a culpa era EXCLUSIVAMENTE MINHA e da minha falta de habilidade!
Terminei o jogo no modo original e não houve um único momento que eu pensei "A que padrão injusto da P#$%* !", o design de gameplay desse jogo é NOTA 10, a curva de aprendizado é uma aula de Shoot 'em Ups, e a dificuldade é no ponto exato entre o desafio e a diversão.
Minha nota para esse jogo só pode ser uma, NOTA 10.
I was able to dodge rain before since I played Touhou.
Now, I was able to dodge atoms because I play CAVE shmups!!!
Nothing I can say that hasn't been said before. A classic beloved CAVE shooter. Infinitely replayable by design, not even mentioning all the various versions and difficulties to master. Regarded as a masterpiece for a reason.
bug princess!!! thats me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How it feels to eat a Zyn for breakfast and drive down i-35 at 2:54PM
One of the best bullet hell shmup ever made.
Dat's it.
Enchanting game that really got me into shmups (after ZeroRanger).
Some systems like scoring and supershots are a bit odd, but you can manage without it.
Please release Futari :(((
This is my first cave SHMUP game as I only have experience in danmaku-style similar to Touhou. It's quite different from what I have played before as the bullet pattern is not as dense, but it's quite fast.
Great visual style, and there is the satisfaction when you destroy the enemy and gain the score. I hope I can get better and 1cc this game in the future!
打的好爽！
My equal number 1 shmup on steam with Dodonpachi Resurrection. Not much to say, other than I highly recommend it to anyone one who likes shmups in general. If you've never played a bullet hell shmup before and want to give it a try, this game is an excellent introduction!
Bug Princess is best princess.
Pure fun. Perfect game to play in small doses.
GOAT
The original "git gud" experience
works in linux with proton 7.0
Best cave shmup to begin with, fantastic game through and through
Jogaço delicioso
1CC'd. It is awesome and a classic. You'll love it.
非常にシンプルでパターンを組むことに慣れてない、だけど弾幕シューティングをこれからやってみたい、という人におすすめ。
キャラもかわいい。
Really fun intro to Cave's shmups - intense & hypnotising but not too difficult, you'll find yourself learning pretty quickly since the overall patterns tend to be predictable and not very layered. Plus, bugs are cool and there are a lot of them in this game.
If you're interested into getting into shmups and you're on the fence, just get it. Deathsmiles is good too but I like this more.
edit: got the 1CC on normal after about 20 hours. If you like the game I highly recommend trying the 360 port of Mushihimesama Futari, which is also an absolute belter.
Out of the all the CAVE shmups on steam, Mushihimesama is my favorite. Taking down waves of giant bugs is a lot of fun and as a theme it's well realized. The inventive enemy and boss designs are a big part of what makes the game a real treat for the eyes. Even to this day, shmups about bugs aren't too common so it still stands out beyond its obvious merits. Something about its more light-hearted and adventurous feeling draws me to it too.
If you've ever wanted to get into shmups and don't want to touch anything touhou related, then this is a pretty good place to start. Novice mode is approachable but isn't a pushover. The other modes and options are worth exploring as you improve your skills and confidence.
Shame we never got Futari on steam.
Easily the best bullet hell on Steam alongside Touhou 10 and DoDonpachi. Solid Gameplay, Sountrack, VFX, SFX and really good and iconic bullet patterns.
8 achievements remaining for the platinum, still hundreds of hours till I get good enough to 1cc it.
Incredibly worth it, with or without the discount, the different versions and settings are great though rendering bugs are a bit annoying. Please bring Futari to Steam!
I LOVE MUSHI!
Primer Shmup que compro y me gusto bastante :D Espero sacar el 1cc en algún momento y probar mas juegos de Cave.
Pd: Con Arcade stick funciona mejor de lo que esperaba. Es muy satisfactorio.
Great game, its not unfair as other bullet hells ive played, and its really fun, great design and concept
It's a great game. Simple as that. If you're looking to try out the genre, the novice mode is a great option to get started. It's still plenty challenging, and when you're ready to move beyond that, there are quite a few other modes and difficulty levels.
If you're on the fence, I recommend just buying it. These Cave shooters are really weird with how they show up on platforms and then get delisted. This has happened with both iOS and the eShop.
An outstanding game in the genre. If you like shmups, just buy it.
LE JEUX NE CE LANCE PLUS
A true classic.
One of my favorite shooters. Great artstyle, great music, very challenging but not too over the top.
Subarashii
탄막슈팅계의 클래식입니다. 아무리 들어도 질리지 않는 좋은브금, 큰 폭발이펙트, 보스들의 정직한 패턴까지...이동자체도 꽤나 부드러워서 재밌게 하고 있습니다. 다만 울트라모드로 플레이시 1스테이지 보스 2번째 패턴이 처리지연이 안걸리고 날아와서 회피가 불가능해져, 봄사용이 강제된다는 점은 약간 좀 아쉬운 요소인 것 같습니다.
我愿称之为，世界上最好玩的stg
Another amazing state of the art shoot 'em up from the legenday developer Cave.
Um clássico, o jogo oferece opção tanto para iniciantes (novice) como para jogadores experientes (original e arranged) sem falar das dificuldades em si, o modo ultra desse jogo é insano e eu te garanto que o Aki só não é o chefe mais arrombado que vc vai ver pq Inbachi existe, única reclamação é que n adicionaram uma forma de mudar as keybinds, jogar nas setinhas é paia, mas como eu ja sou acostumado com Touhou eu tinha um remap feito com o autohotkey ent foi só ativar pra jogar com WASD JKL
