Under Night In-Birth

Under Night In-Birth

Under Night In-Birth arcade flyer
Developer(s) Ecole Software
French Bread
Publisher(s)
Director(s) Nobuya Narita
Producer(s) Nobuya Narita
Toshimichi Mori
Composer(s) Raito
Platform(s) Arcade
PlayStation 3
Windows
Release date(s)

Arcade

  • JP September 20, 2012

PlayStation 3 (Exe: Late)

Windows (Exe: Late)

  • WW Summer 2016
Genre(s) 2D fighting game
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Cabinet Sega RingEdge 2

Under Night In-Birth (アンダーナイトインヴァース Andā naito invāsu) is a visual novel and 2D fighting game co-developed by Ecole Software and French-Bread, known for the Melty Blood series. It features a brand new cast of characters and a story that spins around modern fantasy.

Sega released the arcade version in Japan on September 20, 2012. A major revision of the arcade version, entitled Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late (アンダーナイトインヴァース エクセレイト Andā naito invāsu ekusereito), was released on September 9, 2013. It was announced by Famitsu that Arc System Works would release the game for PlayStation 3 on July 24, 2014 in Japan.[5] A 2015 release for North America and Europe was later announced.[6] The North American release date, which is set for March 31, 2015, was revealed on the GameStop website. However, Aksys Games revealed the true release date for the upcoming fighter Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late, they said that the game will be releasing on February 24, 2015 for the PlayStation 3, as well as confirmed there won't be an English dub in Western releases. A further update to the game entitled Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] (アンダーナイト インヴァース エクセレイト エスト Andā naito invāsu ekusereito esuto) was announced on May 15, 2015 and released in July 23, 2015.[7]

Plot

Under Night In-Birth takes place in a fictional modern-day setting some time in the 21st century. A phenomenon called the Hollow Night (虚ろの夜 utsuro no yoru) has been enveloping particular regions of Japan once a month for several centuries. Each area engulfed in the Hollow Night is beset by shadow-like creatures called Voids (虚無 kyomu) that utilize and feed upon a power known as "Existence", or EXS (イグジス igujisu). Normal humans cannot see or come into contact with Voids, but certain people have the potential to perceive them. Those who acquire this perception are targeted by Voids and risk either being consumed by them or losing their sanity. Under special circumstances, a person who maintains their sanity after being attacked by a Void can become a being known as an In-Birth (インヴァース invāsu). While this status places a person into a sort of limbo where they are neither living nor dead, they also gain the ability to control Existence. The protagonist, Hyde, is one character who survived a Void attack and became an In-Birth.[8]

Many characters are involved with the Hollow Night phenomenon, and several of them are affiliated with particular organizations. Two rival groups, the Yatō (夜刀) and Licht Kreis, both serve to maintain order in areas affected by the Hollow Night but differ in their methods. The tarnished Yatō primarily hunt Voids, while Licht Kreis uses its lawful order and hierarchy to protect civilians. A third organization, Amnesia, is more chaotically structured and seeks to stop the influence of both the Yatō and Licht Kreis.

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to that of French Bread's previous Type-Moon based game, Melty Blood and its updates, and Arc System Works's Guilty Gear and Blazblue, with an additional gameplay systems introduced for this game.

Characters

These are the characters from the game and within the updates:

One month later, when the Hollow Night finally appears Linne and Waldstein suddenly disappear. Hyde decides to search for them, but ends up meeting a mysterious naked girl. Hyde makes it in time to save Linne from the Paradox and gets to settle the score with her. After the Night is over, Vatista also starts to live in Hyde's house.
Hyde's ability is the EXS of Darkness (漆黒のEXS, Shikkoku no EXS) called Void Red (ヴォイドレッド). This power makes it possible to summon a sword called the Indulgence of Assunder (断裂の免罪符, Danretsu no Menzaifu) from within his hand. That sword has a power to rend apart things. It can even be used to rip person's Existence apart - meaning it can kill Immortals and those similar to them.
Linne has the EXS of Swiftness (疾駆のEXS, Shikku no EXS) called Speed Star (スピードスター). Linne fights using a combination of long sword and a folding knife. The long sword is called No Name (無銘, Mumei) because apparently the swordsmith who created the sword didn't give the sword a name. The little folding knife is called Nameless (名無, Nanashi) simply because Linne has yet to give the knife a name.
Waldstein's ability is the EXS of Herculean Strength (剛力のEXS, Gouriki no EXS) called Hekatonkheires (ヘカトンケイル).
Waldstein fights with a weapon called Sturdy Iron Claws: "Destroyers" (剛鉄爪:破軍, Goutessou: Hagun). They are custom-made claws Waldstein created himself. Waldstein's usually always keeps them on, but his actual hands can be as seen in Waldstein's arcade ending when he removes the claws.
Carmine's ability is the EXS of Life Blood (命血のEXS, Meiketsu no EXS) called Blood Spike (ブラッドスパイク) which makes it possible for him to control blood. He can shoot blood, slash with waves of it, crystallize blood, drain others blood and much more. His weapon is of course his own blood, but goes by the name Rein Blood (レインブラッド).
When Orie became an Executor she was given a rapier called the Ruler (ルーラー) which she currently uses as her weapon. Rapier also goes by the name Guardian of Law and Order (法と秩序の守護者, Hou to Chitsujo no Shugosha).
Orie's ability Tanatos (タナトス) is the EXS of Purity (純潔のEXS, Junketsu no EXS) which makes it possible for Orie to materialize a spirit from the Ruler and control it.
Gordeau fights with the EXS of Greed (強欲のEXS, Gouyoku no EXS) called Snatcher (スナッチャー). This power takes a form of long purple claws on Gordeau's right hand. The weapon Gordeau uses is the Demon Sickle called Demon Sickle Devourer (魔鎌ディバウアー, Maren Dibauaa).
Merkava fights with his stretching and changing body. This is thanks to his ability, the EXS of Serpent (怪蛇のFLS, Kaija no EXS) called Jormungandr (ヨルムンガンド)
The pattern on Merkava's body is a technique called Curse Commandment which is needed to transfer the power Merkava uses, FLS, around his body. Normally one's body would produce the FLS they needed, but Merkava's body doesn't produce FLS. That's the reason why Merkava attacks people and feasts on their Existence.
Vatista's ability is the FLS of Servitude (隷約のFLS, Reiyaku no EXS) called Restriction (レストリクション). It is unknown what this ability does.
Vatista's weapon is the Aegis-Attributer unit called Crimson Wings: Seven Flowers (紅翼:七花, Kouyoku:Nanaka). It is supposed to have seven wings, but apparently for a "certain reason" she can currently only use just the six of those wings.
The pattern on Vatista's body is technique called Curse Commandment. It's needed for beings that use FLS as their power source.
Seth's ability is the EXS of Chained (穿鎖のEXS, Sensa no EXS) called Kerykeion (ケーリュケイオン).
Seth was entrusted with the Twin Swords: Eliminator (双剣・エリミネーター, Souken: Erimineetaa) from Kuon. The other name of the blades is the Indulgence of Seal-Destroyer (封滅の免罪符, Fuumetsu no Menzaifu). Its relation to Hyde's sword with a similar name hasn't been explained yet, but it is told to have to the opposite power to that of Hyde's sword.
Yuzuriha's ability, the EXS of Scattered Flowers (散華のEXS, Sange no EXS) called Ainsel Lost (エインセルロスト). Ainsel Lost makes it possible for Yuzuriha to make herself disappear and appear again from elsewhere.
The sword she uses is the Iris Blade: Glory of the Divine Path (菖蒲刀・神路誉, Shoubu: Kamiji-no-Homare). It is the traditional sword passed in Yuzuriha's family to those who learn their special Twin Moon's One-Handed Sword-Drawing Style (Sougetsu Ittou Battoujutsu Ryu).
She made a cameo appearance in Skullgirls.
Hilda's ability Paradox (パラドクス) is the EXS of Glittering Haze (煌朧のEXS, Gourou no EXS). This ability makes her able to summon swords from thin air. Apparently the swords Hilda can summon should normally be shining brightly, but now that she has been consuming too much Existence, the swords have corrupted and changed their color to black.
Her weapon is the Dress of Darkness called Masquerade (闇の衣, マスカレード).
Chaos uses a book called Code of Chaos (混沌の法典, Konton no Houten) to command a fierce lizard, Azhi Dahaka (アジ・ダハーカ). His ability is the EXS of Fake Shadows (肖影のEXS, Shou'ei no EXS) called Umbral (アンブラル). He also has some form of acrobatic combat prowess to compensate for times his powers are not available and for close-quarters combat.
She fights with a huge sword that is longer than herself. The sword's name is Zephyr (ゼファー).
Nanase's ability is the EXS of Spinning Ties (旋纏のEXS, Senten no EXS) called Windmill (ウインドミル). According to her concept art, she can create wing-shaped things called Winglet (ヴィングレット) into her boots.
Byakuya controls countless dark claws as he fights. The way he fights is told to resemble a cruel spider.
His weapon is called the Predator (プレデター). It's also referred as the Eight Legs of Shredding (八裂の八脚, Yatsuzaki no Yatsuashi).
Byakuya's ability is the EXS of Dark Needle (闇鉤のEXS) called Chelicerata (ケリケラータ). It can consume the Existence from its target.
Her weapon is a whip called Meunière (ムニエル ). It can freely change its shape.
Phonon's ability Baroque Noise (バロックノイズ) is the EXS of Whipping Sounds (振鳴のEXS, Shinmei no EXS).

The guest characters Sion Eltnam Atlasia (dubbed as Eltnum) (voice: Satomi Akesaka) from Melty Blood and Akatsuki (voice: Shinobu Matsumoto) from Akatsuki Blitzkampf appear in the game.

Development

Development of the game began some time in 2010. In an interview with video game news website 4gamer.net, French-Bread producer Nobuya Narita discussed how the project arose from the development team's experiences working on Melty Blood. French-Bread originally planned to work on a new HD title in the Melty Blood series, but development later stalled while Type-Moon went on to work on Mahōtsukai no Yoru. Early prototypes eventually provided the foundations for Under Night In-Birth. Narita particularly emphasized that they wanted to differentiate the game from Melty Blood, so the lore, visuals, systems, and combat flow are much different from their previous work. It is also the team's first game to run in high definition and features hand-drawn high-resolution sprites.[9]

In March 2013, Sega added support for its ALL.Net P-ras Multi service, a distribution network that allows multiple arcade owners to receive copies of the game without having to provide a dedicated arcade cabinet for each copy. Other games that utilize this service include Arc System Works' Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R and Triangle Service's Game Center Love.[10]

Since its initial arcade release in Japan, Under Night In-Birth has received numerous version updates at an approximately monthly basis, adjusting various system features and character attributes, as well as adding several new playable characters to the roster. The September 2013 update included several major changes, along with updating the game's title to Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late. The PlayStation 3 version of the game is based on these changes.

On December 8th, 2015, it was confirmed by publisher Arc System Works that the game would be receiving a port to Valve Corporation's digital store, Steam, to be released in Summer of 2016.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings80.00%[11]
Metacritic80/100[12]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid9/10[13]
Eurogamer8/10[14]
Famitsu29/40[15]
IGN8/10[16]
Hardcore Gamer4/5[17]

The PlayStation 3 version of Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late received a 29/40 from Famitsu.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "■■速報＠保管庫(Alt)■■ : F1326: PS3「アンダーナイト インヴァース （＊＊）」AC対戦格闘ゲームがPS3で7/**発売". Blog.hokanko-alt.com. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  2. ↑ "Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late Venturing to PlayStation 3 on July 25 with New Character Nanase". Shoryuke.comn. 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  3. ↑ Baltimore, Steve. "Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late Release Date Revealed - oprainfall". Operationrainfall.com. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  4. ↑ "News: Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late Coming to Europe, Screens Released". Gamershell.com. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  5. ↑ "Under Night In-Birth coming to PS3 in Japan this July". Gematsu. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  6. ↑ "VIDEO: "Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late" Busts Out a Debut Trailer". Crunchyroll. 2014-07-09. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  7. ↑ "Under Night In-Birth Update Will Add New Character Phonon". GamesNosh. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Under Night In-Birth - Story". inbirth.info. Ecole, French-Bread. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  9. ↑ ハメコ。 (November 3, 2012). "同人から商業にフィールドを移したフランスパンが，新作「アンダーナイト インヴァース」で目指したもの。代表・なりた氏に聞く，その思惑". 4gamer.net. 4Gamer.net. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  10. ↑ "ALL.Net P-ras MULTI". sega.jp. Sega. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
  11. ↑ "Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late for PlayStation 3". GameRankings. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  13. ↑ MacGregor, Kyle (February 20, 2015). "Review: Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late". Destructoid. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  14. ↑ Facchetti, Filippo (September 15, 2014). "Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late - review" (in Italian). Eurogamer.it. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  15. 1 2 Romano, Sal (July 12, 2014). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1336". gematsu.com. Gematsu. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  16. ↑ Ayora, Víctor (March 3, 2015). "Under Night: In-Birth Exe:Late - Análisis - Lucha de la buena" (in Spanish). IGN España. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  17. ↑ Storm, Bradly (February 18, 2015). "Review: Under Night In-Birth". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved February 28, 2015.

External links

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