It’s always nice to see a classic developer get love on the modern front. In this particular case, G.rev. While the company hasn’t made consistent shooters like, say, Cave has, its releases are excellent. The Senko no Rondeseries no doubt has its fans, as do Border Down and Strania (which actually just got a re-release). But in this particular case, let’s discuss Under Defeat.
Given a second chance by Clear River Games, this top-down shooter is short but sweet. You control a chopper in the midst of an alternate war setting, trying to attain peace with firepower. Of course, the journey ain’t easy, but it sure is a good time.
The game was a hit on the Dreamcast, as well as Xbox 360 and PS3 with its re-release in 2011. But it truly hits its stride with this wider release. Not only does it still feel like a challenging, worthwhile shooter, but it’s packed with extras. And it’s ideal for all skill levels, though you’ll still need to apply some quick thinking.
Though some elements take getting used to, Under Defeat is a blast to play again. And fans of “shmups” or classic Dreamcast fare would be wise to add this to their library imminently.
Under Defeat? Not If You’re Good
The gameplay provides a unique wrinkle in the “shmup” category with Under Defeat. First off, you can actually turn your helicopter various degrees. That means you can move in one direction with one analog stick and aim with the other. It takes some practice, but it’s a terrific technique.
What will really help, however, is the Option. This serves as a secondary firing tool that you can activate once it’s done overheating. You can also acquire power-ups to gain additional firepower, including rockets that can turn boss enemies into sashimi. And let’s not forget the glory of those earth-shattering bombs, which can protect you from dangerous gunfire.
Honestly, this game feels very different from other “shmups.” That’s really why I enjoy it. It’s a lot of fun, albeit challenging. Fortunately, Clear River’s release offers various difficulty settings, as well as unlockable ones for that extra push.
It is a bit on the short side, clocking in at just about five levels. But keep in mind that G.rev initially released it in Japanese arcades, so that’s the concept. The publisher did a great job budget pricing it at $20, with just enough incentives to push for more playthroughs. Oh, and you can bring a friend along in two-player mode as well.
While it may look “simple” compared to other space shooters, don’t hesitate to give Under Defeat a go. It stands out in a crowd enough that you may find yourself returning to it for repeated sessions. Plus there’s the Practice Mode, so you can get acquainted with what it’s about.
The Victorious Presentation
While the gameplay is Under Defeat’s biggest draw, the presentation isn’t something to scoff at.
The visuals, while obviously something originally from the Dreamcast era, are good. Though a little on the low-res side, they do impress with nice explosions and animations. I do wish a little more imagination went into the settings, but, remember, this is a history-based shooter. Not outer space.
I do like we have other options as well, including a cool widescreen mode. (That’s perfect for 4K TV’s.) Oh, and if you have an arcade monitor, don’t worry – there’s a TATE mode included as well.
As for the soundtrack, it was awesome to begin with. However, once again, Clear River surprises with not one but four different soundtracks based on the original tunes. My personal favorite is Boosted, taking a dance approach to the music. But Arranged is awesome as well. And, of course, the original is bound to be a hit with the Dreamcast crowd.
So, yeah, much praise here. What could’ve been a simple port instead gets an abundance of cool little options.
You’ll Enjoy This Defeat
Even with its short length and difficulty curve, Under Defeat is cool as heck. It retains all the goodness of the arcade release, but then piles on extras galore. The soundtracks alone should be a huge hit with fans. Of course, the gameplay is top-notch too, with different things to tinker with.
And we did mention the $20 price tag, yeah? That’s definitely better than the countless dollars the other physical versions go for. (Though we’re likely to see a physical release down the road, which I’ll happily pursue.)
Under Defeat is anything but a loser. In fact, it’s one of the most winning home releases we’ve gotten so far this year. And I didn’t even have to use the “#Winning” hashtag on social media. Take that, Charlie Sheen!
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Clear River Games for the review code! Under Defeat is available on February 6th on Xbox,PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Steam!
Want more “shmup” fun from Gamerhub UK? Check out our review of CYGNI: All Guns Blazing and Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Volume 2!
