Under Defeat

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Under Defeat

Developer(s) G.rev
Publisher(s) Sega
Platform(s) Arcade, Sega Dreamcast
Release date October 30 2005 (Arcade)
March 23 2006 (DC)
Genre(s) Vertical scrolling shooter
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Media GD-ROM (arcade, DC)
Arcade system Sega NAOMI

Under Defeat is a shoot 'em up arcade game by G.rev. It was released for the Dreamcast in March 2006. The game takes place in an alternate reality based on World War II, and, in a controversial twist, players control German-speaking characters with uniforms that resemble those of the Nazi SS. The game was released very late in the life of the Dreamcast, but sold much better than expected, probably because there were no other home ports planned in the foreseeable future.

Players assume control of a helicopter, which can be rotated like a more limited version of the mechanism in Zero Gunner 2. Gameplay is largely very traditional, and bears a strong resemblance to some older Toaplan games, especially Twin Cobra. It uses 3D graphics, and a slightly angled perspective to give the game more depth than most other titles in the genre.

Contents

[edit] Release information

There are three different releases of Under Defeat for the Dreamcast:

[edit] Standard Version

The game only.

[edit] Limited Edition Version

The game (with alternate cover art) and a soundtrack CD featuring arranged tracks from the home port and original remixes.

[edit] Sega Direct Version

The game, a Dreamcast version soundtrack CD, a wallposter, and a sticker.

[edit] Gameplay

The engine is simplistic in design and execution (machine gun and bomb buttons), but there are a multitude of strategies that you can employ. You have 3 basic forms of attack:

  • Machine Gun
By holding down the X button, you fire a continuous stream of bullets. This is your primary weapon throughout the game.
  • Bomb
Beginning each life with 3, you can accumulate up to 6. Pressing A button unleashes a screen-devastating blast, destroying most enemies instantly. This also protects you from all enemy fire, but not collisions.
  • Options
Your helicopter has one of three possible weapon assists during the course of the game. These provide extra firepower, and using the right one at any given time determines how tough certain battles and stages will be.

Your helicopter can move in 8 directions, though your move speed is fixed in relation to the stage's scroll speed. Also, the option to have your left/right directions reversed (pilot style) or not is presented before actual play begins.

The best feature, though not really affecting gameplay itself, is the multiple resolution modes. Clicking the R button provides you with 4 resolution modes, one which rotates the whole screen 90 degrees to the right so the entire viewable space is the stage itself (removing the two characters' profiles on either side of the screen, taking up 50% of the space). This means, though, that you have to turn your television on its side. If you are able to do it, then it's a definite perk.

[edit] Weapon 'Options'

These options, dropped by certain enemies or when you are killed, provide you with 3 possible additional attacks. Any that appear on screen stay on screen until you touch it. Each option icon is color-coded, and change every 5 seconds or so, allowing you to switch between them. Also note that these options won't necessarily target what you're currently firing at, but are smart enough most of the time.

  • Vulcan Machine Gun (yellow) - The same as your helicopter's machine gun. It is the weakest in terms of power, but the fastest to recharge.
  • Cannon (green) - Eight moderately-powerful salvos are fired one every second, taking out most small and medium tanks and helicopters within a shot or two. Recharge is longer than the vulcan but shorter than the rocket grendade.
  • Rocket Grenade (blue) - A single, powerful shot takes out nearly all enemies in the game, as well as doing blast radius damage. This one is especially good for bosses, but its recharge time can be a serious liability.

Each one attacks a certain amount of times, then has to recharge. While the bar is green the option attacks, until it turns entirely red (as the option is attacking). Then, you have to wait for the bar to fade to black. Then, so long as you're not firing your primary weapon, the option bar will turn green again, but if you fire before it fully becomes green again, it resets to black. You can use your selected option as many times as you want, but must allow for the reload time if you want to use it again.

[edit] Point Modifiers

The weapon options secondary benefit is multiplying your score. Any destructible item that the option destroys doubles the points earned. This can be as little as 100 (represented as x100) and as large as 100,000 (reserved for bosses). Points in and of themselves do not contribute anything other than trying to top your previous hi-score.

[edit] Rumors of final Dreamcast game

Under Defeat boasts excellent use of particle effects
Under Defeat boasts excellent use of particle effects

At the time of its release, Under Defeat was billed as the final Dreamcast game, both on the website and on the back of the packaging. There was some debate as to whether this interpretation was correct (it literally said that the game "decorates the end of the Dreamcast."). However, it was confirmed in an interview not long after the release of Under Defeat that this was the true intent [1]. However, Milestone, developers of Radilgy and Chaos Field, have stated that they intended to continue developing for the Dreamcast and they contacted Sega to ensure that future Dreamcast games would be possible. [2] In November of 2006, Warashi announced that they would be releasing another arcade shooter; Trigger Heart Exelica on the console in February of 2007.

[edit] External links

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