Baroque Shooting: Reversed Brings the Cult Classic to Steam and Switch This Week

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Sting’s dark post-apocalyptic universe is reaching a wider audience with the global release of Baroque Shooting: Reversed. This updated version of the rare 2000 PC shoot ’em up will launch on December 17, 2025, arriving on Steam and the Nintendo Switch eShop. The original game was only released in Japan for Windows 95 and 98, making this the first time players around the world can officially experience the title.

The game is a spin-off of the cult classic RPG Baroque, which first launched on the Sega Saturn in 1998. It takes place in a ruined world shaped by guilt, angels, and strange creatures. You take on the role of an angelic being and fight their way up the mysterious Neuro Tower, facing waves of twisted enemies and crumbling ruins. The action unfolds in a 2D top-down view, staying true to classic vertical shooter design while keeping the series’ dark tone.

While it looks like a classic arcade shooter, Baroque Shooting: Reversed offers much deeper gameplay. Players collect special items that change how their attacks work, how fast they move, and how their shots spread. Choosing which items to pick up, and in what order, is key to surviving. This system allows you to carefully shape your playstyle and prepare for the game’s five difficulty levels.

The Reversed edition also adds several modern improvements. You can now continue after a game over and the on-screen display has been updated for modern screens, but fans can switch back to the original look if they prefer. Longtime followers of the series can also unlock the Great Heat Gallery, which includes artwork from past Baroque events. These images can even be used to change the game’s title screen.