Salty Hounds

Early access since Jun 2023

Run a bodyguard agency and fall for five intriguing men through calls, texts, and dates in this open-world romance RPG. Set your own schedule in a pixel-art metropolis where every day brings new encounters!

74% positive · 343 reviews

Not yet

In early access, content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Not yet

In early access, content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $19.99

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Evaluation

Salty Hounds is an open-world dating sim currently in Early Access, having launched on June 27, 2023. The game has had a turbulent but persistent development history, with the developer ultimately rebuilding the entire game from scratch after a dispute with the original programmer in mid-2023. Since then, the team has delivered a consistent series of major content updates: dating system and Affection Level 2 content across multiple characters in June 2024, expanded story events for Noru, Yujin, and Junho in October 2024, and Seha's story content in May–June 2025. After a lengthy hiatus, the developer returned in March 2026 with a candid explanation — rather than rush endings into the game, they chose to fundamentally rebuild the game's core systems first, and released a comprehensive overhaul (version 0.90.1) on March 24, 2026. A further quality-of-life and UI update followed on April 13, 2026. The most recent update, released today (August 22, 2026), is a major one — a full UI/UX overhaul, new romance locations and content, and engine optimizations described as preparation for the full 1.0 release. Crucially, the developer confirms in this post that they are "currently hard at work on the final presentation and QA for Seha's ending" and explicitly promise to bring players "the grand finale for each character." The full release transition is confirmed for 2026. The game is actively approaching its 1.0 release, but the character endings — which are the narrative conclusion of the game — are not yet delivered. Players waiting for a complete experience should expect the full release to arrive sometime in 2026, based on the developer's own stated timeline.

Evidence

Developer confirms the game is preparing for full release in 2026, with a major UI overhaul and new romance content delivered. States they are actively working on Seha's ending and promise 'the grand finale for each character' in a coming update.

news post · Aug 22, 2026 source content planned

high

Developer apologized for a long hiatus, explaining they chose to rebuild core systems before adding endings. Confirmed official release is planned for later in 2026.

news post · Mar 24, 2026 source content planned

high

Media

Details

Developer

Topping Palette

Publisher

Topping Palette

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Otome Dating Sim Romance Life Sim Open World Pixel Graphics Visual Novel Female Protagonist Anime Story Rich Choices Matter RPG Simulation Multiple Endings Indie

About this game

WELCOME TO SALTY HOUNDS!

SALTY HOUNDS is an open-world dating sim in which you will create your own love story.

(*Please find the streaming guide at the bottom)

LOVE INTERESTS

The love interests have their own daily schedules, preferences and secrets that wait to be unraveled.

GAMEPLAY

After your father's accident, you take charge of Salty Hounds, a small bodyguard agency. Meet your love interests and win their hearts through many daily encounters, special events and romantic dates. Enjoy a romantic life in a living and breathing open-world city featuring a fully realized night / day cycle.

Find the love interests, talk to them, learn about them and build up your relationship over time. As you make friends with them and gain their trust, you will unlock new events and romantic dialogues.

An immersive world and smoothly animated characters in high-quality pixel art
Many beautiful hand-painted illustrations and character artworks
Many voiced contents (more will be added), recorded by famous Korean VAs
Dynamic dialogues with the NPCs that change with your affection level and other stats
Enjoy random encounters throughout the city and activities to raise your skills

Your Lovers

Fall in love with five unique characters, each with their own charm!

♥ Noru, the Chief Bodyguard

"I don't remember us ever being that close."

An aloof loner that borders on unsociable, but an excellent bodyguard in the field. Despite being a childhood friend of yours, he doesn't seem comfortable with you around.

♥ Seha, the Head of a Rival Company

"Is that really the sorta thing you should be asking your 'rival'?"

The young but capable head of the rival company, 'Haeryang Securities'. Both gentle and ruthless at will, he is a foe to be reckoned with.

♥ Taemin, the Cheerful Bodyguard

"What? Triple overtime pay? Be there in a second!"

A playful and suave bodyguard with soft but powerful leadership. You've come to accept his free spirit, but with that he'd at least wear a tie to work.

♥ Yujin, the Crime Investigator

"Now is the time to exercise your right to remain silent."

A capable crime investigator, set out to create a world without injustice. He used to give you private lessons, but that was a long time ago.

♥ Junho, the Gullible Bodyguard

"Really? You don't deduct hot water from my paycheck?"

A gullible bodyguard working for a shady security agency, getting ripped off on a daily basis. Maybe you should help him out?

STREAMING GUIDE:

To prevent story spoilers, we'd like to ask you to limit streams to content up to Affection LV 1 ~ 2 for each character!
Kindly include 'Early Access' in your title and a link to our Steam page.