Starush , a horizontally scrolling shooter, sees the player tasked with saving four worlds based on the elements from alien attacks. The player must navigate from left to right, shooting everything in their path and facing off against a boss. A unique twist comes when the player flips direction, requiring them to replay the same level from backwards while facing new enemies and another boss.
The game offers various rewards for collecting extra symbols, including upgrades for the weapon and transportation methods. These upgrades serve dual purposes: they boost the player's abilities and also represent a health bar, with each hit resulting in an upgrade level being lost. With only one life to lose, the challenge is high.