Trouble Witches is a series of Cute 'em Up Doujin Soft developed by Studio SiestA that was released for Windows PC on August 17, 2007 during Summer Comiket 72, and has since been re-released and expanded onto varies platforms over the years. Although it is a Bullet Hell shoot 'em up, one of its main draws are its simple to pickup gameplay and deep scoring system that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced players alike.
The original game, Trouble Witches Episode 1 ~Daughters of Amalgam~, is set in the Magical Land of Eihemland where a great witch named Amalgam has stolen a ring that sealed away a powerful devil known as the Draupnir, and divided the pieces of the ring amongst her children where they cause havoc and mischief as they see fit. In response to the chaos being created by Amalgam and her children, the King of Eihemland has spread flyers all across the country with a award to anyone who can stop Amalgam with any wish they desire. Players can chose from one of three witches with their her own familiar: Pril Patowle, a witch-in-training who wants to become a great witch like her mother; Aqua Seep Seal, a magical idol singer with a short fuse from the undersea land of Tio Ferris; and Yuki Longate, a descendant of the Longate clan from a mysterious floating island seeking to take her parental frustration out on Amalgam's family. Sies Fabric Tinydream, a reoccurring mid-boss in the game, can be unlocked as a bonus character but would become immediately playable after the "Ver.2" update. Each witch have her own shot type, stats, and perspective of the story in a fully-voiced Story Mode.
Its gameplay is that of horizontally-scrolling shooter inspired by the likes of Magical Chase, but what sets it apart from others in the genre is its Magic Barrier system which serves as the crux of the game's scoring hooks. Each witch can use her familiar not only for additional firepower, but they can also summon a magical barrier that slows down most enemy fire when captured for the duration that their MP meter can allow, converting their bullets into coins of varying size and value upon destroying the enemy that originally fired those shots to accumulate Gold. The tradeoff however is limiting your offensive capabilities to your witch, and if the enemies that originally fired those shots manages to escape offscreen while the bullets are trapped within the barrier, the bullets will then home-in on the player, but they can also be cleared with another barrier capture when converted to lesser valued bronze coins. Gold collected from defeated enemies and bullet conversion not only go towards scoring points, players can also spend their Gold at the flying Pumpkin Shop (which usually appears twice during each stage) to purchase Magic Cards and other goods such as Heart Lives and MP-boosting Potions. Each Magic Card not only grants the player a temporary Power-Up ranging from rapid-firing bullets to screen-clearing spread shots, they can also convert on-screen bullets into score-boosting Star Coins and protect the player from losing a life in exchange for having their active Magic Card knocked out of them.
Studio SiestA had originally planned to release an updated version of the game for PC as Trouble Witches AC, however the updated PC version was canceled when the game was picked up for an arcade release instead in 2009 by Taito. The game ran on the Taito Type X arcade hardware and it featured some aspects that were originally planned for the PC version, such as introducing new playable characters — Louis Leondyke, a vagabond witch who's trying to pay off a massive debt passed onto her by her parents; Cynfi Porat, a catgirl fairy queen searching for her lost crown; Conon Mildiazzhe Krakow, an archbishop of a struggling church within a poor village; and Raya Arctauras, the third princess of the dessert country with self-doubt issues — into Episode 1's storyline, along with new content and gameplay adjustments. As an arcade game, it also lacks many of the features the original doujin release had, such as the fully-voiced Story Mode. Trouble Witches AC was later re-released on the NESiCAxLive arcade service in Japan in 2012, which also brought back Sies Fabric Tinydream into the game's roster. At the time Trouble Witches AC was being produced, Studio SiestA was also in production of a self-made English release of the first game under the title The Tomboyish Witches ~With Amalgam's Cutie Girls~, but it was also eventually canceled.
A home console version of game, Trouble Witches NEO!, was published by SNK Playmore and released worldwide for the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live on April 27, 2011. It is an enhanced version of Trouble Witches AC while featuring the return of the original game's Story Mode, a new Boss Rush and Score Attack mode, introduces two more characters (one of which is DLC), co-op multiplayer, updated widescreen visuals and redrawn character art, online leaderboards with sharable replays, Achievements, and the original arcade version of Trouble Witches AC as an added bonus. The two new witches introduced are Sakurako Kujo, an otaku astrologist who wants to become a witch like in her favorite magical girl anime shows; and Luca Yurievna Vinakol, a devil princess with Lightning Bruiser-like qualities who's also madly in-love with the Draupnir. Along with the Story Mode, it also features an English audio track that, as the developers puts it, "offers a full-voice dubbing in English and in Japanese to enjoy twice the game!" The English dubbing however has been compared to the likes of Castle Shikigami II and Chaos Wars in terms of voice-acting quality (or lack thereof). Despite the new additions, it also lacks the personal score rankings, the ability to revisit past stages, Sies Fabric Tinydream is missing from the roster again, and the ability to switch Magic Cards on the fly of the original game, and the storylines are cutdown compared to the original PC game. Unfortunately, this version of the game and its DLC were delisted from the Xbox Live around mid-late 2015.
Another re-release of the game, Trouble Witches Origin, was published by Rocket Engine and released on November 21, 2016 through Steam. This version is based around the original Trouble Witches with some small changes added for this version, while incorporating some mechanics found in NEO!, adds two new spell cards, with a new character by the name of Fuminoimiki Kozakura, daughter of Lord Sumeragi from a faraway Eastern land and another astrologist who's looking for Sakurako. Origin also brings back Sies Fabric Tinydream as a playable character since the original PC and NESiCAxLive versions of Trouble Witches. This version of the game also guest stars the titular Cotton from the Fantastic Night Dreams: Cotton series, and the return of the AC and NEO! cast (Louis, Cynfi, Conon, Raya) as DLC. Two new additional DLC characters — Yoko Redster, an Eihemland highschool student who also wants to become a witch, despite her parent's objections; and Peropero, an astrologer who has been cursed for her past deeds — has since been added in a late February 2020 update along with additional DLC modes.
Yet another re-release, Trouble Witches FINAL!, also published by Rocket Engine and was released on July 7, 2023 in Japan for the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch. Essentially, it is an enhanced port of Origin with all previously released DLCs built into the game along with a graphical overhaul and new content exclusive to this version, including a revised Boss Attack mode and online multiplayer as free post-launch updates. Despite currently being released exclusively in Japan, this version of the game also supports English text, making it import-friendly. Cotton also returns as a guest DLC character alongside another new DLC character for this version, Ramiel, a fallen angel who has discovered the mysteries of the world and seeking to rescue Sies.
A sequel titled Trouble Witches Episode 2 ~With Descendants of Ancient Dragon the Souless~ was in the works, and from what was shown on circle's website, the game will be set in a different country with four new witches. The game has became Vapor Ware as nothing as been mentioned from Studio SiestA outside of a small screenshot of the game presumably running on Xbox 360 hardware since 2012 and the circle's website no longer lists the game among their other works (although an archive
of it exists).
This series now has a Character Sheet, so all characterized tropes should go there.
This series features trope examples of:
- 1-Up: They can be bought through the Pumpkin Girls shop occasionally at certain points of the game.
- 2½D: The earlier versions of the first game used simple 2D backgrounds with parallax layers and scaling to create depth for its scenery, but this game would later zig-zag between using 3D- and 2D-based graphics for the background between NEO!, Origin, and FINAL! versions while gameplay remained strictly 2D.
- Adam Smith Hates Your Guts: As you purchase items and magic cards from the Pumpkin Shop, the prices for the same items and cards increases further into the game.
- April Fools: In 2012, Studio SiestA made an update to their website featuring a "patch" for the original PC game that would allow players to play as four of Amalgam's children instead of the main characters. It turned out to be a joke.
- Amusing Injuries: Whenever a player takes a hit, their chosen witch and familiar will often put on a comical or exaggerated expression as they plummet before respawning, such as Pril having swirly eyes, Aqua trying to hold her skirt down out of embarrassment, Yuki looking goofily triumphant, Louis looking teary-eyed and shocked as her coin bag flies out of her hand, and Cynfi turning into a cat with a dumbfounded look on her face.
- Arrange Mode:
- NEO! introduces a caravan-styled Score Attack mode where the player must score as much points as possible within either a 3-minute (2 in Origin and FINAL) or 5-minute time limit and raises the Star Coin cap to 5,000.
- Origin and FINAL! feature a Walpurgis Mode (DLC in the former, build-in for the latter) which not only ratchets up the difficulty compared Arcade or Story Modes, this mode also raises the Star Coin cap to 5,000 and players can shoot down specific targets for extra bonuses.
- Art Evolution:
- The character artworks in Trouble Witches NEO! is a huge improvement from the original Trouble Witches and Trouble Witches AC, although the artist also took a lazier approach when it came making the character portraits of the Story Mode with how they show emotions during cutscenes.
- FINAL! has made some considerable improvements to remastering the character art from Origin in terms of shading, colors, line art, and details, while the game's background has seen an overhaul with its gorgeous 3D scenery.
- Art Shift: The first game has gone through three artstyle shifts between the original game and AC, NEO!, and Origin due to having different artists working on those later versions. The backgrounds between these games also swaps between either using 2D or 3D graphics.
- Artifact of Doom: The Ring of the Draupnir, which possesses anyone holding a piece of the ring with the Draupnir's influence. Assembling all pieces of the ring frees him from his imprisonment.
- Attack Animal: The familiars save for Conon's father (who was turned into an eyeball monster).
- Attract Mode: Depending on which version of the game, waiting at the title screen or main menu will play a gameplay demo from a Stage.
- Barrier Warrior: Every single playable witch in game is one, by summoning their Magic Barriers to slow down bullets and turn them into gold.
- Boss Subtitles: Before each battle with the stage's main boss, the boss' name and subtitle appears on screen.
- Bowdlerize: In the original PC game (as well as Origin) and arcade versions of Trouble Witches, the players can poke the Pumpkin Girls' pumpkin, ears, and even their chest. Poking the Pumpkin Girls' chest was cut from Troubles Witches NEO!, which was a good move on their part since any implications of inappropriately touching a young girl (
even if it's Played for Laughs with the player being condemnation for it) would have meant jail time for the developers in these times. - Bullet Hell: You shoot a lot, and your enemies tends to do more.
- Capcom Sequel Stagnation: The first game has been re-released no less than five times between different platforms each with their own content and features between releases, meanwhile its sequel that was teased since 2012 is nowhere to be found.
- Cognizant Limbs: Some of the bosses like Jillpeale and Pannio & Oesel have destructible parts that can stop one type of attack they can perform, but they may use a more aggressive pattern when they're broken off.
- Co-Op Multiplayer: Trouble Witches NEO! featured the ability to play certain game modes together with a second player either locally or through Xbox Live. This was dropped in Origin, but this feature returns in FINAL! after a free update, though it is restricted to online play only.
- Cute Witch: The younger witches (e.g. Pril, Yuki, Cynfi) tend to be very cute in their appearance.
- Dub Name Change: Both are all over the place in the English localization of Trouble Witches NEO!. Same with Trouble Witches Origin.
- Downloadable Content: The later versions of the game starting from NEO! features paid downloadable content that add new characters, cards, or additional modes.
- Dude Looks Like a Lady: Elektra (Peropero's familiar) looks and sounds like a female cat, despite being male. His chest tuft even resembles human breasts.
- Embedded Precursor: Trouble Witches NEO! and onwards includes a playable version of AC along with their respective enhanced versions. What is interesting to note however is that the version included with NEO! is the only one that retains the roster and some of the art assets from the Taito Type X release of the game, while the later versions re-use their own art assets and includes the newer characters who weren't the arcade versions of AC originally.
- Every 10,000 Points: You gain extra lives for scoring points.
- Excited Title! Two-Part Episode Name!: Trouble Witches NEO! and FINAL! in their full title are Trouble Witches NEO!/FINAL! Episode 1: Daughters of Amalgam.
- Familiar: Nearly every playable character has one, some of whom relatives to the character's family.
- Funny Animal: Some of the familiars are this.
- Final Boss, New Dimension: The final battle with the Draupnir.
- Flying Broomstick: This also includes a giant key, magical trident, a living pillow, etc.
- Gameplay Ally Immortality: The player's familiar has no hitbox, which allows them to get into places a player would normally lose a life upon contact.
- Guest Fighter: Cotton and her fairy side-kick Silk from the Cotton series joins in the cute witches of Trouble Witches Origin and FINAL! as a DLC character.
- Harder Than Hard: The fourth difficulty level in the first game, where bullets are faster and more numerous. In NEO!, players have to unlock this difficulty level.
- Heart Container: Subverted due to using a lives system, instead buying Magic Amplifier potions raises your character's maximum MP for the playthrough.
- Hitbox Dissonance: The star that appears around the center of your characters' body while shooting or using your barrier is their hit-box.
- Hot Witch: Many of the older witches (e.g. Aqua, Raya, Lily) are attractive and beautiful. Peropero is revealed to be quite good looking beneath that cloak in her ending in spite of how old she actually is.
- Idiosyncratic Difficulty Levels: In each game, the difficulty levels are referenced by a different label other than normal naming conventions. Each respective game uses the following difficulty names from easiest to hardest:
- NEO! (English): No Problem, Heart-Pounding, High-Anxiety, and Mind Blowing.
- Origin: Doki Doki, Raku Raku, Hara Hara, and Gero Gero.
- FINAL!: Relaxing, Comfortable, Exciting, and Nausea.
- Improbably Female Cast: Most of the game's casts are young girls or women.
- Instant Runes: The Magic Barriers, runes seen before a boss battle, and with certain attacks from Amalgam.
- Lucky Charms Title: The game has star in between Trouble and Witches.
- Magic Wand: Each of the playable witches has her own unique assortment of wands ranging from a Paper Fan of Doom (Louis) to a microphone (Aqua).
- Make My Monster Grow: The only boss fought directly is Amalgam. The rest summon a monster.
- Mana Meter: The MP meter. 10 MP is roughly equals to 1 sec for your character's barrier. It can be extended by buying Magic Potions from the Pumpkin Shop.
- Mechanically Unusual Fighter: The DLC character Remiel in FINAL! stands out from the rest of the playable characters as she fights alongside Sies as her partner.
- Meta Multiplayer: Trouble Witches NEO! and onwards features an online leaderboard for varying modes, difficulty levels, and characters.
- More Dakka: You shoot a lot, and so do your enemies, if not moreso.
- Ms. Fanservice: Many of the older witches are attractive, but special mention goes to Amalgam for being a mom with SIX kids.
- Multi-Platform: The previous installments of Trouble Witches Episode 1 has been released on either PC or a single home console, but FINAL! marks the first time the game has seen a multi-platform release on PlayStation 4 and Switch simultaneously.
- Non-Human Sidekick: The familiars that tag along with many of the characters are usually some form of an animal or magical creature.
- One-Hit-Point Wonder: You. One hit and you can kiss one of your lives and a chunk of your Star Coins good-bye.
- Remaster: Trouble Witches FINAL! is one to Origin, featuring improved character artwork, higher resolution HUD/UI elements, and goes back to 3D-based graphics for the backgrounds similarly to NEO!, but the gameplay is relatively comparable to the previous version with some new quality-of-life features and gameplay rebalancing.
- Score Screen: At the end of each stage, players are greeted with a score screen tallying bonuses for defeating the boss (if successful), remaining lives, Gold and Star Coins collected, and a No Miss Bonus for clearing the stage without losing a life, which are then added to the player's total score.
- Scoring Points: You shoot enemies down for points, but you also get points from picking up gold dropped by enemies or bullets converted by your magic barrier. By using a Magic Card, defeated enemies drop Star Coins worth lots of points and their value increases as you gain more. Extra points are also awarded at the end of each stage based on performance.
- Sealed Evil in a Can: The Draupnir was sealed away in a ring by Pril's mother Arlia prior the events of the game, but was later used by Amalgam who kickstarted the game's plot by stealing the ring and giving its fragments to her children.
- Sequel Hook: In Peropero's ending.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: In Conon's story, her father was turned into floating eye-ball and requested his daughter to him back to normal. After three months of serving his daughter, he was able to get Conon to take some time for him and undo his curse. Problem is, without knowing how he become a monster, Conon couldn't help him.
- Shout-Out:
- At one point, Sakurako insists that her Katana is a Device, and that her Miko vestments are a Barrier Jacket.
- In Origin/FINAL!, one of the new Magic Cards introduced is outright called "Truxton Thunder" and it functions as its name suggests.
- Suspend Save: This feature was added in Trouble Witches FINAL! in certain modes where the player can quit the game and temporarily save their progress for a later session. Upon loading the suspend save, the players are given on option to resume from where they left off or start over.
- Super Title 64 Advance: The arcade game is titled Trouble Witches AC.
- Turns Red: The end stage bosses each have either 2 or 3 phases, each one with more aggressive and hectic bullet patterns than the last.
- Updated Re-release: The game has seen various ports that builds off of each other as well as trading off some content and/or characters in the process.
- AC was supposed to be one for the original PC release, but became an arcade release instead. Despite shifting to another platform, it features new playable characters (Louis, Cynfi, Conon, and Raya), a few new magic cards, and in the NESiCAxLive re-release, brings back Sies Fabric Tinydream into the roster.
- NEO! features widescreen visuals, updated graphics, two new characters (Sakurako and Luca; the latter is DLC), features a new Boss Attack and Challenge mode, online leaderboards, local and online co-op multiplayer, and dual-audio support for Japanese and English voice-overs. Sies however is taken out of the roster.
- Origin builds off from what AC originally planned and features re-written storylines, another visual update with redrawn character art, Sies returns to the roster again, introduces Fuminoimiki Kozakura as one of its new characters, various DLCs ranging from characters from the AC roster, two newer characters (Yoko and Peropero), Cotton from the Fantastic Night Dream: Cotton series as a guest character, and additional game modes and magic cards. Sakurako and Luca however were lost with NEO!.
- FINAL! expands on Origin, remastering both the character art with new 3D backgrounds, bundles all previously released DLCs from Origin, features Cotton and introduces a new character, Remiel, adds new unlockable EX versions of many characters with alternate properties, revised game modes, further gameplay rebalancing, quality-of-life updates, and post-launch updates has also brought back the Boss Attack mode as well as online co-op multiplayer. This release unfortunately is released only in Japan, but the game does support English text for menus and subtitles.
- Video-Game Lives: You start with three lives by default, and although you can change the default number of lives in the options menu, the game bars you from submitting your score in the leaderboards in later versions.
- Video Game Perversity Potential: The Pumpkin Shop uses a cursor based on the player character's wand to interact with the menus, but in earlier versions of the game, they can also use their cursor to poke whichever shopkeeper is present on their head, around their ears, or their chest to get a reaction out of them. Some versions of the game however removed the Pumpkin Sisters' chest area from being clickable while in the shop.
- Wham Episode: Peropero's ending quickly gets a turn for the dark after the quite happy family reunion.
