The Ongaku

Vertical scrolling shoot-em-up Karous launched for Windows through Steam

Jerry on
Vertical scrolling shoot-em-up Karous launched for Windows through Steam
Developed by MileStone Inc., vertical scrolling shoot-em-up Karous arrived in arcades in Japan in November of 2006, designed for Sega NAOMI hardware. The Sega Dreamcast port launched the following year.

Rebranded as RS34, the developers opened "The Clean Rooms Project" on the Campfire crowdfunding platform in 2024, leading to remastered ports for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation consoles in Japan. Karous has launched for Windows through Steam with added English-language interface and subtitles.


A central gameplay mechanic encourages the player to consider how every attack makes you stronger. The Steam product page reads, "Your main options are Shot, Sword, and Shield. The more you use them, the more powerful they become. Mix and match your weaponry as you tackle each stage."

Original music is by Ko Hayashi and Daisuke Nagata, credited under the collaborative alias k.h.d.n. The Karous Soundtrack Original & Remixed teaser movie can be viewed on the developer's YouTube channel.


From the Steam product page:
Slash, shoot, guard, grow! Karous, a Dreamcast shoot 'em up originally released back in 2007, is now soaring onto PC. Play as Karous, a girl who lost her parents in a great war with humans. Driven by her father's dying words, she descends to Earth in search of the Sanguis Dei.
Steam - Karous