Tairum is a top-down cyberpunk arena auto-shooter roguelite set on PC. Players control undying rebels known as Phantoms who battle corporate forces in the city of New Elysium in 2098. The Tairum Corporation dominates the police, the streets, and even the afterlife, and the goal centers on bringing down its control through repeated runs filled with combat and strategic choices.
Gameplay
Combat unfolds in fast-paced top-down arenas where movement, active reloads, dashes, and class-specific abilities drive the action. Enemies include corporate cops, goons, drones, and mechs that arrive in waves across sectors filled with new hazards each time. Players select routes that branch into regular fights, elite encounters, stranger offers, or smuggler caches containing special items. These caches help fill five ability slots, each with its own upgrade ladder tied to stat families. Between runs, operatives receive augmentations and stat upgrades while the hideout, called the Spectre Bar, expands through room unlocks and improvements that bring in specialists to enhance capabilities further. Multiple intensity levels adjust the overall challenge, and accessibility settings cover color vision correction, screen shake reduction, and combat speed adjustments.
Game Modes
The core experience consists of roguelite runs that can be tackled solo or in two-player local co-op on a single screen. In co-op, each participant selects and controls their own operative independently, making separate route and ability choices. If one player falls during a fight, the surviving partner can complete the encounter to revive them and continue. Route selection remains central in both modes, letting players weigh risks such as tougher elite zones against safer paths or resource-gathering opportunities before committing to the next sector.
Operatives and Classes
Six distinct operatives provide varied playstyles through unique movement, weapons, and abilities. Ronin cuts through groups while summoning a spectral echo from a fallen master. Biker rides a rebuilt racer to overrun foes. Alpha holds position with a shotgun supported by charging hounds on each blast. Ricochet functions as a sharpshooter with ricochet-focused attacks. Hacker turns enemy units against their former allies. Breaker relies on raw power to smash through resistance. Each operative levels up during a run and carries forward permanent upgrades across sessions.
Is It Worth Playing?
Tairum suits players who enjoy top-down arena shooters combined with roguelite progression and meaningful run-to-run decisions. The local co-op option adds a layer of coordination on one screen without requiring online connectivity. Those drawn to cyberpunk themes, class variety, and base-building elements between runs will find consistent systems to explore across multiple intensity settings. The emphasis on route planning and ability customization rewards experimentation and adaptation to new enemy types and hazards in each sector. Availability on PC makes it accessible for solo sessions or shared play with a friend in the same room.
