- The second shooting game by PlayShift Games (wltr3565) in Jakarta, Indonesia
- The closer you are to the enemy, the stronger you become… Close-quarters Bullet Hell combat that turns danger into reward receives widespread acclaim.
Instead of dodging bullets, you dive into the middle of the enemy lines. ‘Brave Rounds,’ a vertical-scrolling bullet hell shooter developed by the indie developer PlayShift Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, was officially released on PC (Steam) and Nintendo Switch on June 4.
The game had its first encounter with shooting game fans by also showcasing a demo version at Steam Bullet Fest, which ran from June 8 to 15.
Inspired by the vibe and intense action of arcade shooting games from the 2000s, Brave Rounds boldly overturns the genre’s traditional formula of “keep your distance.” Players can inflict greater damage the closer they get to enemies, and the core fun is designed around aggressive, risk-taking gameplay.
2000s animation-inspired visuals and an energetic soundtrack
Brave Rounds is a work that reinterprets the unique aesthetics of classic arcade games and 2000s animation in a modern way.
The hand-drawn-style high-resolution 2D artwork and dynamic character animations create the impression of simultaneously embodying a retro sensibility and modern direction. Set against the backdrop of the mysterious occult sci-fi world of ’20XX’, each stage delivers high visual density with screen-filling bullet patterns and spectacular explosion effects.
The music, composed by Dicky Teja Pratama, Jasson Prestiliano, and Scowsh, features an energetic, genre-crossing composition that simultaneously supports the tension of battles and the emotional arc of the story. It heightens immersion with a fast tempo during combat scenes and completes the game’s atmosphere by delicately expressing the characters’ emotions in the visual novel-style story sections.
The closer, the stronger… The rewards for risk and challenge are “efficiency”
Unlike most bullet hell shooting games that emphasized distance-keeping and evasion-oriented gameplay, Brave Rounds took the exact opposite approach.
Players must dive into the enemy’s bullet barrage by utilizing wide shots, focus shots, powerful bombs, and character-specific special abilities. Since attack efficiency increases the closer you are to the enemy, aggressive gameplay involving risk-taking is required.
The cooperative gameplay style is also noteworthy. In 2-player co-op mode, the second player can directly control the Option (Sub Fire Unit) and share the responsibility for offense and defense. Additionally, the ‘Dual Control Mode,’ where one player controls two characters simultaneously, stimulates the competitive spirit of shooting enthusiasts seeking high-difficulty gameplay.
An Indonesian veteran gamer’s development philosophy on ‘shooting’
PlayShift Games is an indie developer specializing in shooting games, founded and operated by veteran shooting gamer wltr3565. The development team experimented with incorporating story elements into shooting games with their previous title, ‘Hell Blasters,’ released in 2022, and further developed this in Brave Rounds.
In addition to an Arcade Mode consisting of five stages, this title features a Story Mode with 41 Challenge Stages. Through an upgrade system, collectible elements, and visual novel-style animation, it offers narrative-driven gameplay that goes beyond a simple shooting game.
Overseas media outlets are paying attention to Brave Rounds’ unique approach. The combat system, designed to force players to charge into danger rather than avoid enemies, is being praised as a key element differentiating it from existing shooting games, and the game is garnering interest as a distinctive bullet-hell shooter presented by an Indonesian indie developer.
The concept of fighting through a barrage of bullets at the closest possible distance to the enemy. Brave Rounds breathes new tension and aggression into the familiar Bullet Hell genre, stimulating the desire for a challenge among shooting game fans.
Information regarding ‘Brave Rounds’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | PlayShift Games (Jakarta, Indonesia / Developer: wltr3565) |
| Genre | Vertical Scrolling Bullet Hell Shooting / Arcade Action / Visual Novel |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) / Nintendo Switch |
| Release date | June 4, 2026 |
| Play Mode | Solo / 2-Player Co-op / Dual Control Mode |
| Playable character | 3 types |
| Main Mode | Arcade Mode (5 stages) / Story Mode (41 Challenge stages) / Score Attack Mode |
| Soundtrack | Dicky Teja Pratama / Jasson Prestiliano / Scowsh |
| Public history | Steam Next Fest February 2026 / Steam Bullet Fest 2026 (June 8–15 Demo) |
| Previous work | Hell Blasters (2022, Steam·Itch.io·Nintendo Switch) |
| Support features | TATE / Vertical Mode / Replay / Rebindable Controls |
| Main Keywords | Bullet Hell, Shooting, Close Range, Co-op, Arcade, Animation, 20XX, Krakatau |
| Official Channel | X(@PlayshiftG) · Discord · YouTube |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
