If you’re a fan of the Touhou Project and you’re looking to play the games in your native language, you’re not alone. Many fans encounter the frustration of having the games released primarily in Japanese, especially if you buy them through platforms like Steam. Fortunately, the Touhou Project community has created tools and patches to help translate these games into multiple languages, making them more accessible to a global audience.
In this guide, we will explore how you can change the language of your Touhou Project game and ensure it’s patched correctly for a seamless experience.
Why Do You Need a Language Patch for Touhou Project?
Although Team Shanghai Alice, the creators of Touhou, have brought the series to Steam, the official releases are still primarily in Japanese. This can be a barrier for non-Japanese speakers who want to enjoy the deep lore and intricate dialogues that define the Touhou games. Without a language patch, you’d miss out on much of what makes the Touhou universe so compelling.
The solution? Using a community-built translation patch. With this patch, you can switch the game’s language to English or another supported language, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the world of Gensokyo.
Step-by-Step Guide to Patching Touhou Games for Language Change
1. Download the Translation Patch Tool
The first step is to download the necessary tools to patch your game. The most widely used tool for this purpose is Touhou Patch, which allows for the seamless installation of language packs.
- Visit the Touhou Patch Center or a trusted community platform to download the translation patch tool.
- Make sure to download the correct patch version for your game, as each Touhou title might require a different version.
2. Unpack the Files
Once downloaded, extract the patch tool and files to a location on your computer. Make sure the files are easy to access, as you will need them for the next steps.
3. Patch the Game
Now that you have the patching tool, it’s time to apply it to the game.
- Open the Touhou Patch tool (often named something like “TouhouCrap.exe”).
- Select the language pack you wish to install. Options range from English to Ukrainian, and even include fan-translated languages like Troll translations or Pirate English for fun.
4. Locate Your Game Files
If the tool doesn’t automatically detect your game files, you’ll need to locate them manually. This is easy to do:
- Open your Steam library.
- Right-click on the Touhou game you want to patch, then select Properties.
- Navigate to the Local Files tab, then click Browse Local Files. This will open the game’s folder on your computer.
- Use this directory to guide the patch tool to the correct game files.
5. Finalizing the Patch
Once the patch tool has successfully detected the game files, follow the on-screen instructions to apply the language patch. The tool will typically walk you through the process, ensuring the game’s text and UI are translated properly.
Make sure you choose semi-legal patching if you want your Steam overlay to reflect that you’re playing the game, so your friends can see your progress.
6. Changing Game Resolution (Optional)
Many older Touhou games, especially those from the early 2000s, might appear in small windows on modern, larger screens. If this happens, you can adjust the resolution as follows:
- After applying the language patch, locate the config or repatch.ini file.
- Change the resolution parameters (width and height) to match your screen size. For example:
- Width:
2560 - Height:
1920
- Width:
- Save the changes and restart the game.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Game Not Launching: If your game doesn’t launch after applying the patch, try launching it directly from the patched executable file rather than through Steam.
Small Window Size: If the game is running in a small window, make sure you’ve correctly configured the resolution settings in the repatch.ini file.
Patch Not Working: Ensure you’ve downloaded the correct version of the patch for your specific Touhou game. Double-check that all files are placed in the right directories.
Available Language Packs
| Language | Status |
|---|---|
| English | Fully supported |
| Spanish | Community translation |
| French | Official and fan translations |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Fan translation |
| German | Available for most games |
| Ukrainian | Available |
For more details on available language packs, visit the Touhou Patch Center or the Touhou Wiki.
Thanks to the efforts of the Touhou community, it’s easier than ever to play your favorite games in your preferred language. By following the steps outlined above, you can change the language of any Touhou Project game and enjoy it to the fullest. Whether you’re diving into the bullet-hell action for the first time or revisiting old favorites, these patches ensure that language is never a barrier.
