Software:Under Defeat

From HandWiki
Short description: 2005 video game

Under Defeat
Developer(s)G.rev
Publisher(s)Sega (Arcade)[lower-alpha 1]
G.rev (Dreamcast)
Director(s)Hideyuki Kato
Designer(s)Masakazu Takeda
Programmer(s)Masakazu Takeda
Artist(s)Nanashiki Yamamoto
Composer(s)Shinji Hosoe
Yousuke Yasui (HD)
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Shoot 'em up
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSega NAOMI

Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value). is a shoot 'em up video game developed by G.rev and released in Japanese arcades in 2005. The game takes place in an alternate reality during World War II, where players control German-speaking characters (dubbed "the Empire") fighting against English-speaking characters ("the Union"). Their vehicles are patterned after those of real-life Allied and Axis powers. A port for the Dreamcast was released in 2006 and marketed as the last game for the system, although two more were released the following year. The game was commercially successful, but received average reviews from critics because of its traditional and derivative gameplay.

A high-definition remaster, Under Defeat HD, was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2012, published by Rising Star Games. The updated version contains improved visuals, new control scheme options, and a new gameplay mode to adapt the game for 16:9 displays. This version was re-released in arcades as Under Defeat HD+. Another enhanced version by City Connection was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2024 in Japan, with Windows port and western release in 2025.

Gameplay

The player firing at enemy battleships

In Under Defeat, the player assumes control of a helicopter. The gameplay bears resemblance to early Toaplan games such as Twin Cobra. It uses 3D graphics, and a slightly angled perspective to give the game more depth than most other titles in the genre. The player's helicopter can move in eight directions, though its move speed is fixed in relation to the stage's scroll speed.

The player has 3 basic forms of attack: the machine gun, bombs, and options. The primary weapon is the machine gun, which can fire a continuous stream of bullets. Bombs unleash a screen-devastating blast, destroying most enemies instantly, and protects the player's ship from enemy fire. The player begins each life with three bombs and can accumulate up to six. Finally, the helicopter has three possible weapon assists, or "options", which provide extra firepower. The weapon options are a machine gun, cannon, and rocket grenade. Using the right one at any given time determines how tough certain battles and stages will be.

Development and release

Under Defeat was developed by G.rev for Sega's NAOMI arcade board.[1] It was released in Japanese arcades on October 27, 2005,[2] followed by a companion soundtrack release in December.[3] A Dreamcast port was released on March 23, 2006,[4] over five years after Sega announced they were pulling support for the system.[5] G.rev promoted it as the last Dreamcast game,[6] although Triggerheart Exelica and Karous were released for the system the following year. G.rev credited the promotion as helping its commercial success.[6] It sold through its first printing within one week, becoming the best-selling game on the system since G.rev's own Border Down (2003).[6] Dreamcast copies were released in limited numbers and continue to command high prices on secondary markets.[7]

The music was composed by Shinji Hosoe, and has been described as jazz fusion.[8] He was asked to compose music with a melancholic feel to correlate with the game's storyline, which made him emotional.[9] A limited edition version with a pack-in soundtrack CD was also released (different from the soundtrack released earlier).[10]

Under Defeat HD

In response to fan requests for a re-release,[11] G.rev announced a high-definition version of Under Defeat for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in October 2011.[12] The re-release was titled Under Defeat HD published by Rising Star Games.[11] Most of G.rev's recent games were Xbox 360 exclusives, so out of fear of being framed exclusively as Xbox 360 developers in the industry, they decided to create a PlayStation 3 port as well.[1] In addition to digital storefronts, G.rev produced physical copies as a show of gratitude to their fans.[11] An arcade version was released in 2013 as Under Defeat HD+.[13]

Building on the original, Under Defeat HD has a new gameplay mode, New Order mode, which stretches the gameplay to fill a 16:9 display and gives the player the ability to shoot at wider ranges.[14] G.rev developed this mode in an effort to adapt the game for modern 16:9 displays.[1][14] A new optional dual stick control setup was added as well.[1] Under Defeat HD also has improved shadowing and textures.[14] Because the textures were originally created in high resolution, the team used those to replace the lossy versions used in the original though some pixel art needed to be tediously enlarged.[1] The team also needed to manually reproduce the deferred background polygon rendering, a process handled by PowerVR technology in the original arcade and Dreamcast hardware.[1] The New Order mode also features a new soundtrack by SuperSweep composer Yousuke Yasui, who also scored G.rev's Mamorukun Curse!.[15]

In April 2024, City Connection announced that it will release an updated version of Under Defeat HD for the PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC. It features new music composed by original composer Shinji Hosoe, as well as contribution, rank and communications subtitles displays, and other features.[16] In Japan, the game was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on December 5, 2024.[17] Clear River Games planned to publish the game in the west and for Windows via Steam on the same date,[18] but later delayed the release until February 6, 2025.[19]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DreamcastPS3
DestructoidN/A6.5/10[20]
Edge6/10[21]N/A
Eurogamer7/10[5]N/A
Famitsu27/40[22]28/40[23]
GameRevolutionN/AStarStarStarHalf star[24]
Hardcore GamerN/A4/5[26]
Push SquareN/A7/10[25]
Aggregate score
MetacriticN/A73/100[27]

Reviewing the Dreamcast version, Edge and Eurogamer agreed that Under Defeat was traditional in its gameplay, absent of the more inventive bullet patterns, scoring methods, and controls seen in modern shooters.[21][5] Edge wrote that it although it lacks the excitement of other shooters, it makes up for it through rewarding dedicated players.[21] Eurogamer described it as "'80s gaming dressed in '00s visuals running on '90s hardware" and recommended it for shooter aficionados. They also argued that the scarcity of good shoot 'em ups may influence fans of the genre to overstate Under Defeat's quality. They concluded their thoughts by calling it "sweet and eloquent but, [...] also tired and relentlessly derivative. Whether that annoys you or not depends on whether you were looking simply some well-made twitch fun or a glorious resurrection."[5] Both publications praised the graphics, particularly the explosions and smoke effects.[21][5] In a retrospective review, Retro Gamer praised the game's particle effects and wrote that Under Defeat "shows how, with good developers, the Dreamcast was perfectly capable of hanging with the competition."[28]

Critics reviewing the high-definition version primarily recommended the game for fans of the shooter genre.[24][25][20] Push Square wrote that its longevity was mostly in beating high scores, for better or worse.[25] GameRevolution called it "a game trapped in time" for its traditional feel, but felt the game's unique controls will give satisfying nuance for shooter fans.[24] Destructoid wrote that "getting used to Under Defeat’s controls is both the game's blessing and curse", believing that perhaps the game was developed for arcade sticks and a standard controller was not ideal.[20] Critics overall praised the graphical improvements.[24][25]

Notes

  1. ↑ 2012 release published by Rising Star Games; 2024 release published by City Connection in Japan and Clear River Games in the west

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "アンダーディフィートHD 、哭牙KOKUGA: interview：丸山博幸（グレフ）". Shooting Gameside 5. May 2012.  (Translation )
  2. ↑ "2005 年11月のひみつ". October 27, 2005. http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/qa_0510.html. 
  3. ↑ "サウンドトラック情 報". 2006. http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/index.html. 
  4. ↑ "アンダーディフィー ト(DC版) 製品概要". 2006. http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/index.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Parkin, Simon (2006-05-25). "Under Defeat" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_underdefeat_dc. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Fahs, Travis (April 17, 2006). "Indie Spotlight: G.rev". http://www.got-next.com/features_read.php?id=344&pno=0. 
  7. ↑ "WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Rev-ved Up! We chat with G.Rev president Hiroyuki Maruyama!". February 19, 2012. http://www.pinkbullets.co.uk/blogs/g-rev-interview/. 
  8. ↑ Napolitano, Jayson (April 24, 2012). "A Hosoe to the Past: UNDER DEFEAT DC Edition (Review)". https://www.originalsoundversion.com/a-hosoe-to-the-past-under-defeat-dc-edition-review/. 
  9. ↑ Hosoe, Shinji (January 11, 2006). Under Defeat -Sound Tracks- (CD) (in 日本語).
  10. ↑ "2006 年01月のひみつ". January 2006. http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/qa_0601.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Hannley, Steve (2012-10-29). "Interview: Under Defeat HD's Hiroyuki Maruyama and Yen Hau" (in en-US). https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2012/10/29/interview-under-defeat-hds-hiroyuki-maruyama-and-yen-hau/16889/. 
  12. ↑ 丸山博幸 (October 27, 2011). "アンダーディフィートHD！" (in ja). http://www.grev.co.jp/blog/archives/216. 
  13. ↑ "Under Defeat HD+". 2013. http://www.grev.co.jp/udhd/hdac.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Fletcher, JC (November 19, 2012). "Under Defeat's Maruyama on shmup stagnation". http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/19/under-defeats-maruyama-on-shmup-stagnation/. 
  15. ↑ "UNDER DEFEAT". http://www.grev.co.jp/udhd/about.html. 
  16. ↑ Romano, Sal (April 6, 2024). "Under Defeat coming to PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC this winter". https://www.gematsu.com/2024/04/under-defeat-coming-to-ps5-xbox-switch-and-pc-this-winter. 
  17. ↑ "『アンダーディフィート』グレフの名作ヘリシューティングが本日（12/5）Switch、PS5/PS4、Xboxで発売。3つのゲームモードや新BGMを収録した決定版". Famitsu. December 5, 2024. https://www.famitsu.com/article/202412/26572. Retrieved January 25, 2025. 
  18. ↑ Romano, Sal (November 5, 2024). "Under Defeat for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Switch, and PC launches December 5 worldwide". https://www.gematsu.com/2024/11/under-defeat-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-switch-and-pc-launches-december-5-worldwide. 
  19. ↑ McFerran, Damien (January 14, 2025). "Under Defeat HD Has Finally Got A Western Release Date". https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/01/under-defeat-hd-has-finally-got-a-western-release-date. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Pinsof, Allistair (2012-11-28). "Review: Under Defeat HD" (in en). https://www.destructoid.com/review-under-defeat-hd-239449.phtml. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 "Under Defeat". Edge (163): 97. June 2006. 
  22. ↑ Freund, Josh (March 15, 2006). "News - Latest Famitsu reviews - Yggdra Union, Ace Combat Zero, more". GamesAreFun. http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=6123. 
  23. ↑ Romano, Sal (February 14, 2012). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1211". Gematsu. http://gematsu.com/2012/02/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1211. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Bischoff, Daniel (December 18, 2012). "Under Defeat HD Review". https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/58412-under-defeat-hd-review. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 McFerran, Damien (2012-11-14). "Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition Review" (in en-GB). http://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps3/under_defeat_hd_deluxe_edition. 
  26. ↑ Cunningham, James (2012-12-03). "Review: Under Defeat HD" (in en-US). https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2012/12/03/review-under-defeat-hd/19790/. 
  27. ↑ "Under Defeat HD for PlayStation 3 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/under-defeat/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  28. ↑ "Pushing the Limits: Under Defeat". Retro Gamer (180): 86-87. August 2018. https://archive.org/details/RetroGamerUKAugust2018. 
  • Official website
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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