《式神之城3》最早於2006年在大型電玩街機登場，是知名彈幕射擊系列《式神之城》的第三部作品。2025年3月12日，Steam推出正式的PC版本，由Cosmo Machia與Alfa System開發。延續系列一貫的“角色射擊（Character Shooting）”風格，以多名擁有獨特能力的角色為核心，打造出兼具劇情對話、角色魅力與高難度彈幕挑戰的獨特世界觀。將日本都市傳說、靈異題材與動漫風格結合，塑造出濃厚又帶些詭異的現代怪異氛圍。

在劇情方面，每位角色都帶有完整的背景故事，從刑警、陰陽師、退魔師到神秘異能者，各自背負著不同的目的與過去，因緣際會被捲入圍繞“式神”與異界現象的事件中。開局後會以視覺小說式的對話呈現故事，並在每個關卡的開始與結束穿插劇情演出。若以雙人模式遊玩，兩名角色之間還會出現獨特的對話場景，讓故事情節依選角組合而變得不同，這種角色組合劇情是本系列最具魅力的特色之一。

基本操作由八方向移動與兩個按鍵構成：射擊與特殊攻擊（也就是常見的“炸彈”）。但本作的精髓並不僅是射擊，而在於三種完全不同的攻擊方式與極具戰略深度的“Tension Bonus System（TBS）”。一般射擊負責清雜魚與穩定輸出，而“式神攻擊”會讓角色進入低速移動狀態，可自動吸取敵人掉落的金幣，形成攻守一體的方式；而“特殊攻擊”則能在危急時瞬間讓角色無敵，清除畫面上的彈幕，以維持續航生存。

TBS系統是本作的核心機制。若在極接近敵人或敵方子彈的位置擊破敵人，便會獲得更高倍數的得分加成。倍數最高可達八倍，並大幅提升金幣掉落量。這意味著玩家必須在危險與得分之間反覆拉鋸，貼近彈幕邊緣以追求高分，形成手機置汗又刺激的高壓玩法。還新增“High Tension MAX 系統”，消耗一枚特殊攻擊後可強制進入全程 8 倍加乘狀態，並使金幣掉落量提升至 1.5 倍，讓高階玩家得以用更極端的方式追求分數極限。

Steam版與Switch版都提供多角色選擇，角色數達10人，包含原本街機中的隱藏角色“穆恩希豪森（ミュンヒハウゼン）”。每名角色具有兩種不同攻擊型態供選擇，並擁有獨一無二的式神能力，因此角色搭配會對玩法造成顯著差異。Switch 版甚至支援“おすそわけ”本地雙人遊玩、劇情會因角色搭配而改變的“戲劇切換（Dramatic Change）模式”、實用的練習模式，以及線上排行榜，使整體內容更加完整。

操作手感方面，延續系列快速、流暢的風格，彈幕配置既華麗又充滿挑戰，屬於容易上手但難以精通的典型高難度射擊遊戲。敵人攻擊密度高，但判定非常精準。每個角色的移動速度、射擊模式、式神特性大不相同，讓玩家可以依照偏好選擇高速機動型、火力集中型、式神控制型等不同戰鬥風格。雙人遊玩時的劇情差異也為遊戲增添不少耐玩度。

自街機時代至今，一直以獨特的世界觀、風格鮮明的角色設計、充滿緊張感的 TBS 系統而受到射擊遊戲愛好者的讚賞。在 Steam 版本公布後，老玩家多半給予正面評價，認為移植品質不錯、內容完整，亦保留系列粉絲最懷念的強度與劇情魅力。新玩家則普遍認為遊戲難度偏高，但角色個性鮮明、劇情對話幽默又奇妙，使本作比一般純彈幕射擊遊戲更具吸引力。Switch版的調整模式與便利功能，也讓系列在現代玩家之間再度引發關注，成為值得收藏的經典。

整體而言，《式神之城3》是將劇情、角色魅力與高技巧射擊玩法完美融合的彈幕射擊作品。其獨特的TBS系統與多角色設定使遊戲深度遠超一般STG，同時也保留讓人心跳加速的高張力遊戲體驗。不論是系列老粉絲，或是想挑戰高難度射擊遊戲的玩家，都能在本作中獲得紮實而刺激的樂趣。

“Castle of Shikigami 3” first appeared in arcades in 2006 and is the third entry in the well-known bullet-hell shooting series Castle of Shikigami. On March 12, 2025, the game received an official PC release on Steam, developed by Cosmo Machia and Alfa System. Continuing the series’ signature “character shooting” style, the game centers around multiple playable characters with unique abilities, combining story-driven dialogue, charismatic character interactions, and high-difficulty bullet-hell challenges. It merges elements of Japanese urban legends, supernatural themes, and anime aesthetics to create a distinct modern-mystic atmosphere filled with eerie tension.

In terms of story, each character carries a fully developed background. From detectives and onmyoji to exorcists and mysterious psychics, every character has their own motives and past, all eventually drawn into incidents revolving around “shikigami” and otherworldly phenomena. The narrative unfolds through visual-novel-style dialogue scenes that appear after starting the game and at the beginning and end of each stage. When playing in two-player mode, unique dialogue scenes will appear between the selected characters, altering the storyline depending on the pair chosen. This character-combination storytelling system is one of the series’ most iconic and beloved features.

The basic controls consist of eight-direction movement and two buttons: shooting and special attack (the classic “bomb”). However, the core of the game lies not simply in shooting but in its three distinct attack types and the deeply strategic Tension Bonus System (TBS). The standard shot handles enemy clearing and stable damage output, while the “shikigami attack” puts the character into low-speed mode and automatically collects dropped coins, creating a tactical balance between offense and defense. The “special attack,” meanwhile, grants temporary invincibility and wipes out bullets, enabling players to survive dangerous situations.

The TBS system is the heart of the gameplay. Defeating enemies at extremely close range—or near enemy bullets—grants increasingly higher score multipliers. The multiplier can reach up to eight times, dramatically increasing the number of coins dropped. This pushes players to constantly walk the line between danger and high scoring, grazing the edges of bullet patterns to maximize points. The newly added High Tension MAX system consumes one special attack to force the game into a constant 8x multiplier state and boosts coin drops to 1.5x, allowing advanced players to chase score extremes with even more aggressive strategies.

Both the Steam and Switch versions provide a wide selection of characters, totaling ten, including the former arcade-exclusive hidden character “Münchhausen.” Each character has two selectable attack types and unique shikigami abilities, making character choice significantly influence gameplay style. The Switch version further includes local two-player “shared Joy-Con” play, the Dramatic Change mode—where one player can switch between two characters mid-play—practice mode, and online leaderboards, offering an even more complete package.

In terms of gameplay feel, the series’ fast and fluid handling remains intact. The bullet patterns are elaborate and challenging, representing a classic example of a game that is easy to play but difficult to master. Enemy attack density is high, but hit detection is precise. Each character’s movement speed, shooting style, and shikigami behavior differ greatly, allowing players to choose from high-mobility types, high-power types, shikigami-control types, and more. The unique story variations in two-player mode also add significant replay value.

Since its arcade origins, the series has been praised by shooting-game fans for its unique setting, stylish character designs, and the high-tension TBS scoring system. After the announcement of the Steam version, veteran players generally responded positively, praising the solid port quality and retention of the series’ beloved difficulty and narrative charm. New players often find the difficulty high but enjoy the distinctive characters and quirky, humorous story dialogue, which sets the game apart from typical bullet-hell shooters. The Switch version’s updated modes and quality-of-life features sparked renewed interest, making it a worthy addition to any fan’s collection.

Overall, “Castle of Shikigami 3” is a bullet-hell shooter that seamlessly blends story, character appeal, and high-skill gameplay. Its unique TBS system and diverse roster of characters give it far more depth than the average shooter, while preserving the heart-pounding tension the genre is known for. Whether you are a longtime fan of the series or a player seeking a challenging and rewarding shooting experience, this title offers both intensity and enjoyment in equal measure.