Under Defeat HD review

Despite an ever-shrinking amount of physical space as well as a dwindling number of television inputs, a SEGA Dreamcast remains a permanent fixture in my office. The reason for its enduring residency is simple: the console is home to some of the best shoot ‘em ups around. From cherished fan favorites like Ikaruga and Zero Gunner 2 to beloved bullet hell blasters such as Chaos Field, and even personal favorite- Bangai-O, shooters are both abundant and accomplished on SEGA’s system.

Released in 2006, amidst the Dreamcast’s waning days and once purposed to be the console’s final game, Under Defeat has garnered a remarkable amount of attention since its inception in arcades. Beyond the provocative perspective where German-speaking protagonists are pitted against an antagonistic group of English-tongued allies, the game also became notable for its distinctive input scheme. As with the 2012 release for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, that once- contentious element remains tweaked for the Nintendo Switch port.

Muting the Fascists

For American audiences, the references to Nazism have been diluted. Although post-stage stills still show manga-styled pilots clad in Third Reich-like gear, the voices of each faction have been submerged in a bit more static. It’s a small change which maintains the integrity of the port while not offending modern audiences. But there’s an option for translated subtitles, if you’re curious.

However, a much larger modification is offered by Under Defeat HD’s control method. The original arcade game allowed the player’s helicopter to fire in three directions: vertically, as well as slightly to the left and right. Players could choose the angle of attack while the copter wasn’t firing. Holding down the fire button locked the craft’s bearing.

Take the Twin-Stick Advantage?

For players accustomed to the typical unidirectional shmup, the first few plays of Under Defeat will likely live up to the game’s moniker. But following a few incursions, players will learn to simultaneously dodge enemy projectiles, while using the system to exploit a wider field of fire. For the port of Under Defeat HD, players may even employ a dual stick approach- using the right analog stick to direct their barrage of ballistics. In execution, it’s a competent option which tempers the game’s difficulty.

The game’s other distinction is the supplement of a single ‘option’ which increases the player’s firepower. Occasionally, downed adversaries will reveal a power-up. Shirking tradition, these floating icons don’t augment the main weapon but rather extend three different AI routines for your companion drone. Balancing power, reload time, and the ability to identify ground and air-based foes, each proves to be instrumental against the game’s more formidable opponents. Naturally, options can’t be utilized continuously; their deployment is tied to both a cool-down timer and nerve-racking intervals where players have to lay off the fire button.

Switching Perspective and Shooting Sideways

Like any respectable shmup, this risk/reward trade-off persistently goads players into using an augment attack now, or to hold off and use the advantage against an imminent, elevated foe. Rounding out the players’ arsenal are bombs – last ditch efforts which clear the screen of enemy projectiles that exact heavily damage on fortified adversaries.

The Switch port of Under Defeat HD provides several variants. Purists will relish the game’s arcade port, which recreates the 4:3 ratio of the original Japanese coin-op. Pleasingly, players may rotate the screen orientation to enjoy Defeat in its unadulterated tate form. Additionally, you can adjust details such as overscan, playfield position, and border wallpaper. True to its arcade roots, this version forgoes the interactive score calculations which took place on the sides of the screen in the Dreamcast iteration.

The title’s other component is New Order mode, which extends a true 16:9 widescreen playfield. To accommodate the new ratio, some environmental elements have been modified. This kind of remix is at the forefront of New Order Plus, which offers a comprehensive shift of enemies to keep players on their toes.

Conclusion

Although you can listen to the original soundtrack, composer Shinji Hosoe and the team Super Sweep offer a rousing new score as well. Alternatively, Yousuke Yasui delivers a searing EDM setlist filled with a thumping bass line that’s probably more appropriate for clubs than an alternative-WWII setting, but that’s an inconsequential criticism on an otherwise winning package.

Under Defeat HD was played on Switch with review code provided by the publisher.