Under Defeat
Encyclopedia
Under Defeat is a shoot 'em up
arcade game
by G.rev
. It was released for the Sega 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 (under the banner of "the Empire") with uniforms that resemble those of the Nazi SS
, fighting against enemies ("the Union") that speak English and possess weapons patterned after those of both real-life Allied and Axis powers (for example, naval units in Level 2 bear heavy resemblance toward the Imperial Japanese warships). 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.
On October 27, 2011, G.rev announced a remake titled Under Defeat HD to be released for the Xbox 360
and PlayStation 3
.
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.
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.
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 http://www.got-next.com/features_read.php?id=344&pno=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. http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/index.php/Main/News200602 In November of 2006, Warashi
announced that they would be releasing another arcade shooter; Triggerheart Exelica on the console in February of 2007.
Shoot 'em up
Shoot 'em up is a subgenre of shooter video games. In a shoot 'em up, the player controls a lone character, often in a spacecraft or aircraft, shooting large numbers of enemies while dodging their attacks. The genre in turn encompasses various types or subgenres and critics differ on exactly what...
arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
by G.rev
G.rev
G.rev is a Japanese arcade video game developer. The company was founded by former employees of Taito's arcade division who had worked on G-Darius and RayStorm, and is known primarily for their acclaimed arcade shoot 'em up games.-History:G.rev was founded with the mission of developing arcade...
. It was released for the Sega 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 (under the banner of "the Empire") with uniforms that resemble those of the Nazi SS
Schutzstaffel
The Schutzstaffel |Sig runes]]) was a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Built upon the Nazi ideology, the SS under Heinrich Himmler's command was responsible for many of the crimes against humanity during World War II...
, fighting against enemies ("the Union") that speak English and possess weapons patterned after those of both real-life Allied and Axis powers (for example, naval units in Level 2 bear heavy resemblance toward the Imperial Japanese warships). 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
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
, which can be rotated like a more limited version of the mechanism in Zero Gunner 2
Zero Gunner 2
Zero Gunner 2 is a 3D multidirectional shooter developed by Psikyo as a sequel to Zero Gunner, the original arcade game. It was released for the Dreamcast in Japan in 2001.-Story:...
. Gameplay is largely very traditional, and bears a strong resemblance to some older Toaplan
Toaplan
, sometimes written as Toa Plan, was a video game developer from Japan. They were responsible for the creation of a wide array of relatively famous scrolling shooters and arcade games, yet the company declared bankruptcy in 1994.-Games developed :...
games, especially Twin Cobra
Twin Cobra
Twin Cobra, known in Japan as , is a 1987 helicopter-themed shoot 'em up arcade game developed by Toaplan. It was published by Taito Corporation in Japan, and by Romstar in North America, and is one of Toaplan's most popular arcade games...
. It uses 3D graphics, and a slightly angled perspective to give the game more depth than most other titles in the genre.
On October 27, 2011, G.rev announced a remake titled Under Defeat HD to be released for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
.
Limited edition version
The game (with alternative cover art) and a soundtrack CD featuring arranged tracks from the home port and original remixes.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.
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.
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).Rumors of final Dreamcast game
Radilgy
, short for Radio Allergy , is an arcade video game developed by Milestone Inc. in 2005 using the Sega NAOMI arcade system board....
and Chaos Field
Chaos Field
-External links: from Able Corporation from Milestone Inc from Sega *...
, have stated that they intended to continue developing for the Dreamcast and they contacted Sega to ensure that future Dreamcast games would be possible. http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/index.php/Main/News200602 In November of 2006, Warashi
Warashi
Warashi Inc. is a small Japanese company who develops video games for arcade, home console, and mobile platforms, specializes in Mahjong and shoot 'em up titles...
announced that they would be releasing another arcade shooter; Triggerheart Exelica on the console in February of 2007.