Under Defeat (Switch)

So last week left use with a bit of a letdown with Macross Shooting Insight, which didn't really make the most of its parts and delivered a sub-par experience. Now we have Under Defeat looking to buoy us up with it's impeccable arcade credentials. Developer G.Rev was staffed by ex-Taito talent responsible for classic shooters such as Raystorm and Darius, giving them an intricate knowledge of what it is that makes the genre tick. They proved as much with their 2003 classic Border Down in both arcades and for Dreamcast, a copy of which adorns my retro shelf. Under Defeat was originally released three years later in 2006, opting for a vertical layout this time - it was popular at the time, so the question is less about whether the game works, but if it still works in the modern era.

With a grounded military aesthetic, the game stays just the right side of dour by using anime characters with pink hair to break up all the muddy colours. Thanks to the upscaling the game still looks stunning despite the military palette, and whether its enemy mecha, huge explosions or special effects, the game feels weighty and authentic.

Of course, Macross got the visual element down too and it still wasn't much cop as a shooter, so let's have a look under the shiny hood to see if Under Defeat is as killer in the gameplay department.

Your gunship flies bottom to top of the screen, and the key mechanic here is the ability to tilt your ride and lock the angle of fire, which is simple but effective when it comes to working out the best position and angle of attack. It means the little grey sells have something to do while your itchy trigger finger does its thing.

There are five stages to master which makes the  game relatively short, but the key word here is "master" - you'll have to put the work in if you want to get that one credit run-through or high score. Enemies aren't all that fast but they are clever, and safe screen positions are precious and few. 

Your primary shot can't be upgraded, but you have a choice of secondary weapons - a Vulcan cannon which fires a stream of high-velocity death, or the more powerful single rocket (which takes a while to recharge). You can alternate by picking up different icons on the screen, and mastering what you need and when is another of the game's key mechanics. Of course, if you get stumped, the old staple of "kill-em-all" bomb is at your disposal in limited quantities.

To vary things up, the game has three modes; Arcade, New Order (which allows for widescreen and subsequently wider range of fire) and New Order Plus, which shakes up the enemy patterns for when you're too familiar with the original release. Practice mode allows you to get to grips with all three, also providing the courtesy of adjusting your starting position and weapon loadout before commencing.

The music is worth a mention too, given that it has more soundtracks than game modes (4) with composer Shinji Hosoe (Street Fighter EX) providing Original, Arrange and New Order tracks, while Yousuke Tasui has created a bombastic techno take on things called "Boosted". Doesn't quite fit the game for me, but it's nice to have the option.

Speaking of options, the games DLC comes unlocked from the outset, giving you the option of 4 ships with their varied load outs to choose from.

It may be an older title, but Clear River Games has made sure that players get the full Under Defeat experience, with every extra they can throw into the box, and that's commendable.

Your enjoyment of the game will largely depend on how well you get to grips with the unusual mechanics. It's not the standard twitch bullet shooter that many enjoy, it forces you to think ahead and plan your angle of attack, but master the game (and it took me a while to be honest) and it's plenty rewarding for the money.