Side Bullet to Launch as PS5 Exclusive

South Korean studio PressA have revealed that their side-scrolling shooter Side Bullet will be coming later this summer as a free-to-play title. Moreover, the game will launch exclusively on PlayStation 5.

Side Bullet is an interesting side-scrolling take on the Battle Royale shooter. Set in an urban concrete jungle, players will be pitted against both each other and strange monsters. Players must choose a fighter from one of eight cartels including Psychos, Special Agents, and Prisoners. Each cartel offers its own passive skill known as a Unique Perk. Furthermore, special weapons can be used together with active skills known as Perks. 

Once your character has been chosen, you’ll use your guns in conjunction with your grappling hook for smooth, agile precision platforming. Defeat strange monsters to acquire more powerful weapons and supplies. You’ll then unlock further perks as you play to customise your battle experience.

Side Bullet Launch Plans

At launch, Side Bullet will include Battle Royale Solo and Battle Royale Trio modes. More content will be introduced in future updates.

As a free-to-play game, SIDE BULLET offers microtransactions, but developer PressA assures these aren’t pay-to-win bonuses. Instead, there are Item Bundles, which include customisable cosmetic items. Costumes, furniture, emotes, and more are bundled together and said to be offered with a low price. However, there’s no suggestion as to exactly what that price will be right now.

There’s also the Premium Battle Pass that allows players to earn various additional rewards. This is on top of the Free Battle Pass rewards available to all.

“Side Bullet uses a 2D perspective which allows you to see everything around you at a glance,” said Seong-Uk Kim, director of SIDE BULLET at PressA. “It’s a game that uses a variety of strategic elements – like smashing props to obstruct enemies’ view, or hiding behind terrain for a surprise attack – to keep you alive. You have to use your brain, rather than just your aiming skills. We really wanted to make a Battle Royale game that’s easy to get into but hard to master.”

The PlayStation 5 is becoming a hub for eastern free-to-play titles of late, with Tower of Fantasy also choosing to launch solely on PlayStation consoles.