
【About "The Hurricane of the Varstray"】"The Hurricane of the Varstray" is a vertically scrolling shoot'em up with a SF story: in the distant future, to defend the Earth against the invasion of mystery mechanical structures, 4 girls head to "the Varstray sector," far away from the Earth and considered as the v
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About
About This Game
【About "The Hurricane of the Varstray"】
"The Hurricane of the Varstray" is a vertically scrolling shoot'em up with a SF story: in the distant future, to defend the Earth against the invasion of mystery mechanical structures, 4 girls head to "the Varstray sector," far away from the Earth and considered as the villain.
This is the latest original work by "Studio SiestA" which produced "The TOMBOYISHl☆WITCHES" after an interval of 7 years, into which we exhaustively poured our long-held shooting game development know-how!
【Feature】
■Abundant in game mode
・Arcade mode : basic mode with 12 stages total
・Score attack mode : mode to compete on how much you can score within a certain time
(This mode will be implemented with an additional free patch in early Jan.)
・Story mode : mode to enjoy the story with voices attached to all the characters
・Unlock mode : special mode which will appear when you fulfill certain conditions
Additionally, you can freely select (by default) 1 character from among 4. Every character has different properties and you'll get a wide range of attack methods.
■Supporting English
The game interface supports Japanese and English. You can also select subtitle language in "Story mode." Therefore, English-speaking people can enjoy the game content exhaustively.
■Offering various download contents
After the release of the main story, the successive provision of download contents such as additional modes or characters is scheduled; you can play it long time.
■Offering refreshed feeling for a wide range of users
Various relief measures for beginners are ready to have them experience the same refreshed feeling as that of experts.
Additionally, methods of operation are designed to be user-intuitive; anyone can enjoy the game right away.
For more information, please visit our website.

Stats
All-time low is the lowest price we've recorded for this game since we started tracking it.
Languages: English, Japanese**languages with full audio support
Engagement
Hours played at review time, across 40 reviews with recorded playtime.
Reviews
Themes across 40 recent reviews and how positive each mention is. A keyword signal, not full sentiment analysis.
positive critical· bar length = how often the theme comes up
Reviews
这么密的弹幕真的有人能躲过去么?
I am 32 years old. My ex-wife and I have a daughter together, and we adopted our son together. Both are now 4 years old. When we were going through our separation, I felt lost and unhappy. I was self-destructive. One day, I was so angry with everything spiraling out of control that I punched a concrete wall in a moment of overwhelming emotion. This resulted in breaking my fifth metacarpal in my right hand—the hand I worked with, played games with, and used to carry my children to bed—the hand I desperately needed to ensure I could continue providing. Upon learning the severity of the self-inflicted damage, I became almost suicidal. Keep in mind that just a few months before this, I was the happiest man, with no history of depression or anxiety. I had never experienced anger outbursts, nor was I the type to break down and cry, but I was in a tough situation that truly prevented me from seeing the light on the other side. With nothing better to do, I looked for a game I could play WITH ONE HAND while recovering. Somehow, I stumbled upon this game and read some of the comments. I decided it was worth a try... I must admit I didn't beat the game, nor did I play as much as some of you. In fact, I may have played this game for only a day or two. That being said, after doing so, I had a new joy and hope for life. I managed to leave behind the pain and suffering that had been thrust upon me. I could experience the joy and happiness of other people. I relaxed for 5 ♥♥♥♥ minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay. After realizing this, I turned off the game and went back to work. My hand hurt a lot, but I was motivated. I stopped feeling so sorry for myself and became the father I needed to be at that moment, not the weak boy I was behaving like. Today, I am close friends with the mother of my children. We don't fight, argue, or say hurtful things to each other. We are parents and friends. Now I have 3 children. My third child is, wait, ALSO 4 YEARS OLD. The woman I am with was going through a very similar situation at the time of my separation, and we just unexpectedly stumbled into each other's lives. We have been dating for a year and are very happy together. Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today. This silly little game helped me realize that. Thank you.
This is a great hidden gem shoot-em-up if you can get it on sale. Insanely difficult but ultimately forgiving given the unlimited continues during normal gameplay. The game also has a small community of dedicated fans here on Steam. Pick it up on sale if this genre interests you at all.
Ne vous fiez pas à la présentation du jeu, qui pourrait faire un peu peur. ok, l'écran est surchargé mais ça reste un excellent jeu accessible aux non acharnés. Un bon défouloir moins punitif qu'il n'y parait. C'est le genre de petites perles qu'on aime malgré les années.
宝藏低价低难stg
The Hurricane of the Varstray -Collateral Hazard-, developed by Studio SiestA and published by Rocket-Engine Co., Ltd., is a high-energy vertical shoot ’em up that channels the intensity of classic arcade bullet-hell games while adding its own modern polish and narrative flair. It’s a game that feels both nostalgic and fresh—a tribute to an era of shooters defined by reflex, pattern recognition, and precision, while still daring to experiment with structure and storytelling. The premise is firmly rooted in the familiar sci-fi framework of interstellar war. Humanity faces destruction at the hands of a mysterious mechanical army, and the only hope rests on four elite female pilots who set off into the Varstray sector to confront the enemy and end the conflict. The story’s simplicity is deliberate, serving as a backdrop for the relentless action, yet the inclusion of voiced characters and brief dialogue interludes gives the world a personality that’s rare in most bullet-hell shooters. The gameplay of The Hurricane of the Varstray is where it truly shines. Players choose one of several pilots, each commanding a unique ship with distinct weapon loadouts and abilities, creating a subtle layer of strategy even before entering the first mission. The controls are crisp and responsive, allowing for tight navigation through impossibly dense bullet patterns. Every movement counts, and each frame of dodging carries weight. The weapon systems are satisfying to use—standard shots, focused lasers, and special attacks that can clear the screen or tear through armored enemies. As in the best shoot ’em ups, success depends on both memorization and adaptability: players must learn enemy patterns, predict incoming waves, and make split-second decisions about when to attack or evade. The game maintains an exhilarating rhythm where survival itself becomes a form of artistry. It’s demanding but fair, rewarding practice and precision with tangible progress and an almost hypnotic sense of flow once you master its patterns. A major strength of The Hurricane of the Varstray lies in its variety of gameplay modes, which add depth and replayability beyond a single arcade run. The Story Mode is the most accessible, introducing each of the four pilots and their perspectives while unfolding the light narrative through voiced segments and illustrated cutscenes. It provides a sense of context that makes the endless waves of mechanical enemies feel like more than just targets. For purists, Arcade Mode delivers the classic experience: twelve stages of escalating difficulty designed purely for score chasing and survival. There’s also Score Attack, which caters to competitive players seeking perfection through ranking and optimization, and Unlock Mode, which gradually opens up new challenges and customization options. Each mode complements the others, ensuring that players can approach the game however they prefer—either as a casual space opera or as a grueling test of reflex and endurance. Visually, the game adopts a bright, stylized aesthetic that bridges 2D sprite work with 3D effects. Explosions, lasers, and enemy designs all pop with vivid colors, and the sheer density of on-screen activity at times borders on overwhelming. Studio SiestA’s visual direction deliberately embraces chaos; the screen is often flooded with energy beams, missiles, and particle effects, creating a spectacular dance of destruction. While this can occasionally hinder clarity—especially when dodging through dense bullet storms—the overall presentation is striking and kinetic. The anime-inspired character portraits and menu designs add personality and contrast, breaking up the intensity of battle with moments of visual calm. The environments, ranging from mechanical fortresses to cosmic battlefields, are rich in texture and detail, evoking the grandeur of space warfare despite the linear stage progression. It’s a visually loud game, but one that never loses its sense of identity. The audio design complements the visual chaos perfectly. The soundtrack pulses with high-tempo electronic beats that mirror the pace of gameplay, keeping adrenaline levels high throughout every encounter. The sound effects are sharp and satisfying—each shot, explosion, and hit registering with clarity amid the barrage of noise. Japanese voice acting gives the story sequences and character interactions a distinct charm, even for players who may not understand the language. The mix of futuristic synth melodies and heroic crescendos captures the spirit of the genre while adding a touch of drama to the narrative segments. It’s a cohesive soundscape that reinforces the feeling of intensity without becoming grating, managing to strike a balance between immersion and impact. In terms of difficulty, The Hurricane of the Varstray offers a genuine challenge that will test even seasoned shooter veterans. The game’s bullet patterns are intricate and unforgiving, and mistakes are punished quickly. Yet the satisfaction of surviving a particularly brutal barrage or defeating a massive boss without taking damage is immense. Newcomers to the genre may find the learning curve steep, but the controls are intuitive enough that perseverance pays off. The inclusion of multiple difficulty settings and assist options allows players to tailor the experience to their skill level. This accessibility, combined with the rewarding progression of skill mastery, makes the game approachable without diluting its hardcore appeal. For players who thrive on perfecting runs, chasing high scores, or simply surviving another wave, it offers endless replay value. However, the game’s intensity can also be its biggest drawback. The visual overload—while exhilarating—sometimes makes it difficult to track projectiles or gauge safe zones, especially in later stages where the screen is nearly consumed by explosions and effects. For some, this sensory excess enhances the thrill; for others, it can border on disorienting. Additionally, the story, while voiced and stylishly presented, is lightweight and functions more as flavor than as a driving narrative. Those expecting deep character development or complex lore may find it lacking. Still, these shortcomings are minor in the context of what the game sets out to achieve. Its focus remains firmly on delivering a finely tuned arcade experience, and in that respect, it rarely falters. As a complete package, The Hurricane of the Varstray -Collateral Hazard- succeeds in being both a celebration of the shoot ’em up genre and a showcase of Studio SiestA’s dedication to craft. It captures the essence of the classic arcade experience—tight gameplay, spectacular presentation, and an unrelenting sense of challenge—while modernizing it with aesthetic flair and thoughtful mode design. It’s not the most innovative bullet-hell shooter on the market, but it’s one of the most consistent, delivering a polished and satisfying experience that rewards patience and precision. For fans of titles like DoDonPachi, Raiden, or Crimzon Clover, it’s a must-play; for newcomers, it’s an accessible entry point into a demanding but rewarding genre. The Hurricane of the Varstray stands as a vibrant reminder of why arcade shooters continue to endure—because when done well, they offer pure, unfiltered gameplay that transcends time and trend. Rating: 7/10
Pushpa M. Vallampati is my new waifu. Wish there was less shooting from space ships and other and dumb action segments, because I really just want to listen to Pushpa talk all day.
A fun little fact about Hurricane of Varstray is that this is more or less a spiritual sequel to a discontinued game Studio Siesta once released back in 2006 called Soldier Force. After I finished that game, I decided it would be time to give Varstray a shot. This isn't my personal favorite game to play, but I have booted it up every once in a while to just go HAM and blast away without trying to think very hard. It's a good game for that, and I would recommend it if that's the kind of game you want. On the other hand, there is actually legitimate scoring in this game but it is bogged down by something that knocks the game down a peg or two until more information is found. Currently I have no idea how to unlock it, but inside the DLC there is a way to unlock the Dibaryon Laser which is a tool that can be used to crank the multiplier to x1024 instead of the usual x512 cap. The game does not separate scores in any way, and once you unlock the Dibaryon Laser you can use it in the original game as well. You MUST unlock this thing if you want to compete with the top scores on the leaderboard, you literally cannot compete without the DLC and taking the time to unlock it (which I have no idea how it is done because there is no information on this game anywhere on the internet). Thankfully I don't really invest much into this game beyond being a game I turn my brain off for, so this doesn't really matter to me much. The level design and boss designs aren't very interesting as it feels repeated at times and unless you have a higher interest in Caravan games in the slightest, this might be better off ignoring in favor of something more traditional. As can be seen by several other reviews there are some minor technical issues such as needing to lock the frame rate so the game doesn't run too fast, or the mouse never disappearing in full screen mode. I would recommend getting it on sale if it looks interesting but aren't sure if you want to buy it at full price, I wish there was a middle option between recommend and not recommend cause I'm honestly right in the middle but can see why some people would like this game more than me.
Bom, barato, com modos de jogo divertidos, colecionáveis malucos e com muito brilho na tela. A mecânica é divertida porém meio estranha de entender, tem modo story com contexto da coisa toda e arcade se você cagou e andou pra (quase nula) narrativa e é isso. Não é perfeito, tem músicas que soam todas iguais mesmo sendo boas, tem dificuldade meio torta, um final verdadeiro escondido de maneira idiota, porém, pra um jogo que se pode terminar em 25/30 minutos com pelo menos 4 personagens e que funciona muito bem, acho que é justo o valor promocional que fica entre 2 a 5 reais (e compre a DLC também). Não espere um jogo profundo, só uma aventura de waifus de anime com naves no espaço porque sim e pronto.
一見爽快感があるようだが、とにかく画面が敵機や弾でごちゃついて何が起こっているかもわかりづらく、何故生き残っているか、なぜやられたのかも実感できない。プレイしていて成長を実感できないため、ただただ流れに任せて淡々と遊ぶ形になる。各ステージもボスも代り映えしないし、繰り返し遊ぼうという気は起きない。これは誰にもお勧めできない。
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Trends
Modeled estimate over time, reconstructed from Steam's monthly review histogram.
Momentum
Pace estimated from the game's recent review growth (our daily snapshots) at its own sales-per-review ratio — a momentum signal, not booked sales.
Audience
Estimated from the language of this game's reviews — a proxy for where players are, not official Steam demographics.
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