DRAINUS
Released May 2022
This is a side-scrolling shooting game in which you take control of the "Drainus", the Kharlal Empire's most cutting-edge fighter with the ability to absorb energy bullets, and take down the enemy ships zipping through space.
96% positive · 1,147 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $14.99
Can't confirm — worth a look
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Evaluation
DRAINUS launched on May 22, 2022 as a complete side-scrolling shoot-em-up. In the weeks following launch, Team Ladybug issued several patches addressing bugs and adding quality-of-life features — including new Arcade Mode variants and accessibility options — all within the first few weeks of release. The last substantive update to the game itself was on February 2, 2023, when support for 10 additional languages was added (ver1.0.6.1). Since then, there have been no further updates to DRAINUS itself.
The two most recent news posts on the DRAINUS page (December 2024 and January 2025) are announcements for Team Ladybug's next game, Blade Chimera — a Metroidvania released on January 16, 2025. These posts are cross-promotions and contain no indication of new content coming to DRAINUS; in fact, they implicitly signal that the studio's creative focus has moved on. The only DLC ever released was a soundtrack pack on launch day, and no additional DLC has been announced or listed.
DRAINUS launched as a complete, self-contained game and has received no content additions beyond the launch-window patches and a language update. There is no announced future content, no unreleased DLC, and no developer communication suggesting more is planned.
Evidence
Team Ladybug's news post on the DRAINUS page announces the release of their next game, Blade Chimera, with only a passing reference to a DRAINUS character cameo. No new DRAINUS content is mentioned.
DRAINUS launched as a complete 2D side-scrolling shooter with Normal/Hard difficulty and two bonus modes unlocked after clearing the game.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
WSS playground
Achievements
20
Platform
Windows
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player
About this game
This is a side-scrolling shooting game in which the player takes control of the "Drainus", a ship that can absorb energy bullets, to take down the countless enemy ships zipping through space. Energy absorbed can be used to enhance the ship's functions, such as adding new weapons.
His daughter, also a slave, is both devastated by her father's illness and helpless to do anything about it.
At that moment, a humanoid named Ghenie, who looks strangely like a frog, appears and says, "I have come from 50 years in the future. A galactic war is about to break out, in which more than 5000 planets will be annihilated by the Kharlal Empire. I have come to this time period to stop that war and the oppressive rule of the Kharlal Empire. I need your help."
Why me? What can I do? Irina had no idea what was going on, but her father's illness was worsening by the minute. With no time to hesitate and nowhere else to turn, she takes Gehnie's green hand and sets off...
Now she has begun her journey into a universe filled with the armies of the Kharlal Empire, and her quest to reach her distant home planet while taking the Empire down once and for all.
When activated, it absorbs enemy attacks for a certain period of time. Counterattacks can then be launched in accordance with the amount of attacks absorbed.
The absorbed energy is also stored in tanks. That energy can be used to enhance the various functions of your ship.
Story
The Planet Halpax is located in the far reaches of space, suffering from the oppressive rule of the Kharlal Empire. One of the slaves residing there is battling an illness. He must return home to the faraway planet of Earth to be cured of the disease, known as "Planetary Compatibility Disorder".His daughter, also a slave, is both devastated by her father's illness and helpless to do anything about it.
At that moment, a humanoid named Ghenie, who looks strangely like a frog, appears and says, "I have come from 50 years in the future. A galactic war is about to break out, in which more than 5000 planets will be annihilated by the Kharlal Empire. I have come to this time period to stop that war and the oppressive rule of the Kharlal Empire. I need your help."
Why me? What can I do? Irina had no idea what was going on, but her father's illness was worsening by the minute. With no time to hesitate and nowhere else to turn, she takes Gehnie's green hand and sets off...
Now she has begun her journey into a universe filled with the armies of the Kharlal Empire, and her quest to reach her distant home planet while taking the Empire down once and for all.
Game Features
The "Reflector", which absorbs enemy shots, is the most distinguishing feature of this game.When activated, it absorbs enemy attacks for a certain period of time. Counterattacks can then be launched in accordance with the amount of attacks absorbed.
The absorbed energy is also stored in tanks. That energy can be used to enhance the various functions of your ship.
Characters
- Irina
Determined to save her father, Irina steals the Drainus - the Kharlal Empire's most cutting-edge fighter ship - and heads for a faraway planet. - Layla
A commander in the Kharlal Empire. Irina's older sister. Layla joined the Kharlal Empire military while still a child. - Gehnie
A humanoid soldier who has traveled back in time from the future in order to destroy the Kharlal Empire and prevent a devastating galactic war. - Izumo
Governor-General of the Kharlal Empire. Controlling the vast imperial army, Izumo is wholly evil yet also an extremely skilled general.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 21, 2026
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