Under Defeat coming to Dreamcast

http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/image/poster.jpg

http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/screen/snap00.jpg

http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/screen/snap03.jpg

According to gamefront.de and Play Asia, GRev's gritty, old school heli shooter Under Defeat will see a DC release on March 23, 06. FWIW Seven Force from our shmup forums has spent a lot of time with the game and loves it. I am every bit as excited about this game as Senko No Ronde.

Gamefront.de (look in the middle of 12/29 front page for news story):

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Sega kündigt Under Defeat an

29.12.05 - Sega gibt bekannt, dass der Shooter Under Defeat von Grev am 23.03.06 für Yen 6.090 (Euro 44 / USD 52) ausgeliefert wird. Das Spiel wurde bislang nur in der Arcade veröffentlicht. Im Set mit der Soundtrack CD kostet Under Defeat Yen 8.190 (Euro 59 / USD 69).

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http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-...t-70-15x1.html

For those who don't know, it is a vertical TATE aligned shooter similar in appearance to Zero Gunner 2 except instead of 360 turns, you tilt your 'copter at a slight angle. Looks quite nice and very hectic from the pics and video so far with lots of beautiful, gritty details, smoketrails, tank tracks, zooming fighters overhead, ect.:

Watch this video now. Beautiful winter stage with falling snow, will make you weep with joy if like me you love the winter stage from Strikers 1:

http://asx.pod.tv/am-sega/free/underdefeat_1_4.asx

Fight over a forest/plateau area, small shades of Garegga here:

http://asx.pod.tv/am-sega/free/underdefeat_1_1.asx

Another video, nice fight over a naval/battleship stage:

http://asx.pod.tv/am-sega/free/underdefeat_1_2.asx

More vids/pics here at Sega's AM info site for the game:

http://am.sega.jp/utop/closeup/under_04.html

GRev's official site for the arcade game:

http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/index.html

Attractive yet angsty punk girl pilots!

http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/image/character.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...nh/screen4.jpg

http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/screen/snap02.jpg

http://www.grev.co.jp/ud_ac/screen/snap04.jpg

I love anything G.Rev touches, so I just preordered.

Oh snap. Sold.

I again emphasize to watch the videos too. They rock.

This I am interested in.

So this'll be released in just Japan and if I want it, I'll have to import it right?

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Originally Posted by Dylan1CC

I again emphasize to watch the videos too. They rock.

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I don't know that I see anything wildly original going on in the videos, though it's clearly a compotent shooter. I'm going to get this based on the merits of Border Down, mostly, which is maybe one of the most underappreciated games ever.

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Originally Posted by kbuchanan

So this'll be released in just Japan and if I want it, I'll have to import it right?

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DC is pretty import friendly, so I'd rather see it there than, say, PS2. This is the same developer that was responsible for Border Down, right? If that's the case, I'm there.

By "rock" i mean it looks intense and it is a gritty yet pretty Naomi title.

This is wonderful, thank you G.Rev :) .

I've wanted to play this game since seeing the stage three video where your heli heads into battle with a armada of tanks behind it and planes screaming overhead. *-neo

I wish my dreamcast still worked.

The Dreamcast is undead.

Under Defeat? Do they mean "Utter Defeat", or is it engrish for "Under the Feet"?

This does not look like ass.

It is relevant to my interests.

More G.Rev goodness please. This makes me want to play some Zero Gunner 2 again. Preordered! :)

I'm getting this no matter what. Border Down is one solid production. I love you g-rev.

I loved Border Down, and Zero Gunner 2 is my second favorite game ever right behind Mars Matrix. So, I am going to pre-order this game ASAP and hope its half as good as any of those games.

I forget; will JAP NTSC imports run 60hz PAL on PAL dc consoles? Or do I just get black borders? I don't mind borders, but I refuse 17% slowdown.

Hell yeah!

*pre-orders*

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Originally Posted by Kev

The Dreamcast is undead.

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The only way to kill it is to shoot it in the head....and it has no head!

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Originally Posted by Opaque

I wish my dreamcast still worked.

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I think I had a co worker over here that snagged one from EB for around $15.00 about six months ago.

The Dreamcast's original ad campaign was right. "It's thinking," alright. In fact, it has perpetual consciousness! :eek:

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Originally Posted by dakidski

I forget; will JAP NTSC imports run 60hz PAL on PAL dc consoles? Or do I just get black borders? I don't mind borders, but I refuse 17% slowdown.

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Most will run properly, but a small number don't. You must wait for the game to be released and check at a forum like www.ntsc-uk.com to find out.

And if you get black borders you automatically get the slowdown too.

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Originally Posted by Mikey

if you get black borders you automatically get the slowdown too.

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My bad, I always thought the black borders meant less stuff to render (or less cpu directed towards the display) and hence a fullspeed game in 50hz. Black borders + slowdown sure sounds sucky. The Dreamcast has usually been nice to me though, so I figure it will run just fine.

Best news of 2005. This is a Day One Import for the OST & game bundle. This looks so good from the videos that even a HQ picture isn't enough to do it justice. Wait 'til you see the boss explosions- especially the large battleship that breaks in two.

Thanks a million, G.Rev. :D

I don't think this will hold a candle to Zero Gunner 2 but I still plan on snatching it up. God, the Dreamcast has some awesome shmups.

Haha, I love the bullet casings flying out of the copter's guns.

That's some nice smoke.

Wow, I want that. It looks incredible! I need to play more Border Down, kind of forgot about it.

Wow. The Dreamcast lives on into 2006! :D (with this game AND Rajirugi/Radilgy)

Scoring system apparently revovles around fast kills and having a low amount of lives (AKA, you have to kill yourself to score better).

Not too interested...first levels seem boring to me.

BTW the game beats Ikaruga for team size. The main programming crew was two people with some help from G.Rev members working on other projects. *-neo

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

BTW the game beats Ikaruga for team size. The main programming crew was two people with some help from G.Rev members working on other projects. *-neo

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Sorry if I have your post upside down, but Ikaruga had GRev employees working on it with Treasure? Didn't know this.

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

BTW the game beats Ikaruga for team size. The main programming crew was two people with some help from G.Rev members working on other projects. *-neo

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So...did those two programmers do all the art and music too?

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Originally Posted by Dylan1CC

Sorry if I have your post upside down, but Ikaruga had GRev employees working on it with Treasure? Didn't know this.

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What he meant was: While Ikaruga was dev'ed by a small crew, Under Defeat is being dev'ed by an even smaller one than that.

I've heard people on this and other forums go on about how lacking and how much of a disappointment DC's library is compared to Saturn's. When it's all said and done (when developers finally decide to cease support for the platform), I'd say DC will compare very favorably to Saturn's library, with each console seeing eye to eye (both libraries having more than enough quality shooters and fighters) as well as having slight advantages over each other (Saturn having more Adventure and RPGs than DC, DC arguably having more unique and groundbreaking titles, etc).

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Originally Posted by Valgar

So...did those two programmers do all the art and music too?

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Hmm actually I guess they had similar size teams. In a interview the head of G.Rev said the Under Defeat team had two members with some help from team members working on other projects. The music composer worked outside the company, he did soundtracks for a number of Namco games like Dragon Spirit and Cyber Sled.

Ikaruga's team had three members, the producer of game also composed the music. G.Rev assisted with background graphics.

Incidentally concerning Under Defeat, a Japanese website claims the game will contain a gallery mode, tutorial mode, and a "original element" in addition to the standard arcade experience. Still no news on G.Rev's site about the game though.... *-neo

How do you know they assisted with the BG graphics? I thought they only worked on the engine.

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Originally Posted by Valgar

How do you know they assisted with the BG graphics? I thought they only worked on the engine.

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You're probably right, I'm going by the credits. I do see bits and pieces of similar design in Ikaruga, Border Down, and Gradius V though. *-neo

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

Still no news on G.Rev's site about the game though.... *-neo

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Oh damn... This better not be a rumour! So far this is my most anticipated game of 2006... :)

G.Rev updated their website today with details of DC Under Defeat:

-The game will be arcade perfect (no additional slowdown, missing elements like Border Down's birds)

-Replay option with the ablity to view your replays from multiple camera angles.

-Arrange soundtrack option

-Art gallery

*-neo

it's official then. goty 2006 plz.

Dang, virtually no slowdown and some solid extra features (I especially dig the idea of the multi camera replay). Thanks for the update, Neo.

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

G.Rev updated their website today with details of DC Under Defeat:

-The game will be arcade perfect (no additional slowdown, missing elements like Border Down's birds)

-Replay option with the ablity to view your replays from multiple camera angles.

-Arrange soundtrack option

-Art gallery

*-neo

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Rock on. Very solid package. You really gotta love G.Rev for their dedication to the fans.

A few notes, the Sega Direct edition of the game ships with a sticker and a poster with the illustration shown in the first post of this thread.

Also according to:

http://www.sega.co.jp/dc/undefeat/home.html

This will be the final Dreamcast game, definitely a good way to go :) . *-neo

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

The music composer worked outside the company, he did soundtracks for a number of Namco games like Dragon Spirit and Cyber Sled.

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Could it be Shinji Hosoe? (who also did SFEX and some of the later Cave STs)

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Originally Posted by Eight One

Could it be Shinji Hosoe? (who also did SFEX and some of the later Cave STs)

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That's him.

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

Also according to:

http://www.sega.co.jp/dc/undefeat/home.html

This will be the final Dreamcast game, definitely a good way to go :) . *-neo

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So Sega's officially pulling the cord on any potential licensees? I guess that's sad, but really, I guess it did last almost 8 years now... And it seems like a good note to go out on.

Recomend a place to preorder pls.

Play-asia might be the best bet.

If you're anywhere on the east coast NCSX will probably get it to you the fastest. If I order UPS ground shipping from them I get it the next day.

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Originally Posted by Eight One

Could it be Shinji Hosoe? (who also did SFEX and some of the later Cave STs)

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There's another couple games that he has worked on recently, with Ayako Saso - Tetris: The Grand Master Ace & Spikeout Battlestreet.

It's a bit of a downer that Sega nixed all future DC development, but it's still been a good run. Kiss a DC version of Exelica goodbye, but just hope it shows up on some system at least. At least UD is a spectacular title to end it with.

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Originally Posted by gameoverDude

There's another couple games that he has worked on recently, with Ayako Saso - Tetris: The Grand Master Ace & Spikeout Battlestreet.

It's a bit of a downer that Sega nixed all future DC development, but it's still been a good run. Kiss a DC version of Exelica goodbye, but just hope it shows up on some system at least. At least UD is a spectacular title to end it with.

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They did Ibara as well. :D

Agree on UD being the last game.

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Originally Posted by Josh

Recomend a place to preorder pls.

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As mentioned NCS is always top-notch.

www.videogamedepot.com is very reliable and might be a better option if you live in the midwest.

http://www.segagagadomain.com/welcome-news.htm run by Yakumo is selling the Sega Direct version of the game.

*-neo

The offical cover art for the game has been revealed. It looks for certain now that the game will come in a DVD case like Cosmic Smash. The game also got reviewed by Famitsu. 8,7,6,6, a point higher than Ibara or Mushie, not that they're rating of shooters matters.

One more week... *-neo

Fucking hot. Ordered two copies of this: one regular and one LE for appreciation purposes. I saw what happened with Border Down.

Thanks to the guys at Shmups here's a picture of the back of the case too. Only important for one line of Japanese text translating to:

"This game decorates the end of Dreamcast"


:)

Don't bump this thread when the game is still so far away. It makes me sad.

It's only one week away.

The last Dreamcast game being released in Q1 2006. Die hard with a vengeance.

So is this shipping in a DVD case or something?

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

"This game decorates the end of Dreamcast"

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That line is also found on Sega's listing for it:

http://sega.jp/dc/undefeat/home.html

G. Rev need to get a Border Down re-print made before DC GD-ROM production stops.

They can't let it die. It's just a baby! :(

I can't believe that quality DC releases lasted this long. A fitting end to the system.

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Originally Posted by Mikey

G. Rev need to get a Border Down re-print made before DC GD-ROM production stops.

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Eh, but what I don't get is why people waited 3 years before looking for a copy...

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Originally Posted by Tsubaki

Eh, but what I don't get is why people waited 3 years before looking for a copy...

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It kind of got a mixed reception when it was released. I think its reputation has gone way up in the years since its release. The same happened with Radiant Silvergun.

I'm not even sure what it is I really enjoy about Borderdown, but it's still the shooter that draws me in the most and doesn't let go until at least an hour or so later. I guess I'm hoping Under Defeat will do the same, though its a kind of high standard to live up to.

I don't think Border Down is so great. It has some amazing sections and a lot of annoying mistakes in terms of pace and design, but I hate when a game is too rare or expensive for people to acquire; and G Rev would make some money from the re-release of the game.

Sometimes shooters take a while to really gain appreciation (i.e. Gunbird 2), as seems to be the case with Border Down's recent spike in demand. I personally think Border Down is fantastic, a little bit of Darius, a little bit of Metal Black feel to it.

Looks like the LE version shipped early. I should have mine by Thursday.

NCSX says they hope to convince G.Rev to port Senko no Ronde to DC by guarunteeing them 3,000-5,000 sales.

Really? NCSX says it will ship tomorrow.

Senko no Ronde will sell more copies on the DC than it will on the 360 over there.

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Originally Posted by Gooch

Really? NCSX says it will ship tomorrow.

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Right. that's a day early. Play Asia shipped today or yesterday.

NCSX has just shipped it. So, I'll probably be getting mine on Friday.

Lovely. :) Can't wait to read some impressions :D

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

It kind of got a mixed reception when it was released. I think its reputation has gone way up in the years since its release. The same happened with Radiant Silvergun.

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Radiant Silvergun sold out quickly. It was the talk in most Saturn mags and even had a layout in Gamefan. I tried to get a copy 2 months after it's release. It was already sold out.

I remember the C&VG RS review in 1998 - 5 Stars. And that was a magazine that only reviewed a small selection of imports.

I remember when EB was selling Radiant Silvergun and Nocturne in the Moonlight for $40.00 a pop brand new.

Damn, I wish I would have bought them then.

Under Defeat makes me really happy and I'm not even sure why. It's just a very satisfying shmup, easily the best DC shmup since Border Down. The firing patterns are really straightforward; all straight shooting bullets, not really intricate patterns, but it's very challenging. The explosions are amazing, the options are very satisfying, especially the rocket. The rotation gimmick is simple and works well. It's just got an old school sensibility to it, but a feel of its own. I'm digging it.

Better than Zero Gunner 2? Because if so...omfg.

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Originally Posted by Giga Power

Better than Zero Gunner 2? Because if so...omfg.

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Zero Gunner 2 isn't really a good comparison. They honestly feel totally different. But they're of the same calibur, I think. I have to spend more time with UD before I can say that with confidence, but I'm very much impressed so far.

Actually, maybe UD isn't a bad comparison to ZG2 in that they both have very straightforward scoring system, and use a lot of conventional mechanics but have a feel of their own. But the rotation gimmick in UD is very different than ZG2's and a lot more limited. The screen only ever scrolls forward, and most bullets come from above. As a result it's also much faster paced than ZG2 (which was one of Psikyo's slowest shmups)

Wow, that's pretty impressive right there honestly. I just might have to pick this up, maybe even more now that I've heard some bad things about Rafopugsdgusdgsdgy. (whatever it's called)

Rajirugi's not bad, just not really a stand-out. It's a bit on the easy side, and it hurts my eyes to look at, but there's some depth to it. It's worth owning if you need a new shmup, but Under Defeat stomps its face.

If I wasn't such a cheapskate on shipping, I would be playing this right now. Oh well, nice to hear that it came out as well as it looked. I think I'll go a few rounds with Borderdown while I wait.

I live an hour from NCSX's warehouse, so I get stuff quick, but don't be fooled; I, too, am a cheapskate about that stuff.

To be truthful, I haven't touched Rajirugi since Ibara arrived. Maybe later I'll pick it up again.

Under Defeat does look amazing. In comparison to Type-X shooters, it blows away Giga Wing Generations and wrestles Raiden III into a standoff.

The rocket option fires only one shot per use, but if you directly hit a target you've signed its death warrant. Splash damage isn't too bad either, and a few rockets are good for softening up the bosses. I love that explosion. The way the large ship boss in stage 1-2 goes down is fucking amazing. You really feel that you have kicked its ass. Once the heavy smoke clears, the sucker is split in two and starts to sink.

Shinji Hosoe has done yet another great soundtrack for UD, and this game deserves it.

This really is a terrific game. Much more welcoming than Zero Gunner 2, whose slow pace and cumbersome rotating mechanic was something that prevented me from really getting into the game.

And the explosion and smoke effects - very, very nice.

I really liked Zero Gunner 2's rotation, but it took getting used to. You're right about the slow pace in the first few levels though. I had to turn the difficulty up to really get into it.

Under Defeat is more approachable, though. I think it's something that casual shooter fans and the hardcore can pick up and enjoy. The satisfying pyrotechnics and attention to detail just kind of give it a universal appeal.

Was nicely surprised when I got home today. Thought I ordered this UPS from NCS and would see it Monday/Tuesday. Instead there was a priority mail box with Under Defeat LE and Sega Ages: Treasure Box :) .

Very solid game. I've stared at videos for months and still am amazed by the tiny details present. The helicopters to blow away on the Battleship deck, large shells sitting next to the mortar cannons in the first stage. The game has the same attention to detail you'd expect from Raiden's enivroments with some great Tiger Heli gameplay. Also cool to see Grev is focused enough on their DC releases to even give the VMU attention like Border Down.

Definitely worth dusting off the DC for, with G.Rev you can never be sure on a cross-console port though I don't rule it out. *-neo

This is sounding very good - MORE impressions please ;)

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

Very solid game. I've stared at videos for months and still am amazed by the tiny details present. The helicopters to blow away on the Battleship deck, large shells sitting next to the mortar cannons in the first stage. The game has the same attention to detail you'd expect from Raiden's enivroments with some great Tiger Heli gameplay.

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The detail is really staggering. It goes far beyond this. The fine brush details are astonishing... All the environment pieces cast accurate shadows, shell casings fall from your gun, ships break apart and crash into each other, leaving convincing smokestreams and smoldering craters in their wake. Missiles leave convincing jetstreams. Explosions cause trees to bend in their wake, and the downforce blows the flora below around. You can even scare tiny cows with the explosions of the ensuing war. It makes you feel like you're part of a war. There are friendly units fighting at your side and you get a bonus if you can defend them.

There's just so much going on. It's really staggering. Ikaruga may have had some visually stunning art design, but it had a fairly abstract, lifeless world to toy with. Under Defeat manages to pull off a more down-to-earth style really convincingly.

Is there a hardware bundle for this game, or was that just for Rajirugi?
I need a new DC before mine chokes.

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Originally Posted by kedawa

Is there a hardware bundle for this game, or was that just for Rajirugi?
I need a new DC before mine chokes.

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both.

Are all the bundles refurbs?
I did a little shopping around and all I can find is the game with a refurb console for about $150.
I can get a universal modified DC and the game seperately for $145 from Lik-Sang, so unless the bundle has some other kind of bonus, it seems a bit pointless.

yes it's a refurb, and yeah, it's not a great price (although I do think the bundle is the LE, so you get the bonus CD out of the deal)

Never heard of this game, but looks cool.

Thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

The detail is really staggering. It goes far beyond this. The fine brush details are astonishing... All the environment pieces cast accurate shadows, shell casings fall from your gun, ships break apart and crash into each other, leaving convincing smokestreams and smoldering craters in their wake. Missiles leave convincing jetstreams. Explosions cause trees to bend in their wake, and the downforce blows the flora below around. You can even scare tiny cows with the explosions of the ensuing war. It makes you feel like you're part of a war. There are friendly units fighting at your side and you get a bonus if you can defend them.

There's just so much going on. It's really staggering. Ikaruga may have had some visually stunning art design, but it had a fairly abstract, lifeless world to toy with. Under Defeat manages to pull off a more down-to-earth style really convincingly.

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Well, Under Defeat does define itself as "Reality-imitating vertical scroll shooting" (according to the genre-definition on the back of the case).

Those flying walker things on the last level sort of mess that up just a bit.

http://www.got-next.com/features_read.php?id=342

So I ended up giving this my first 5 star review ever. I really enjoyed it. It's not as deep as some new-school shooters, but it reminds me of all the reasons I fell in love with the genre to begin with.

Wonder how long before you get flamed over a GN link...

Never been flamed for it before. I'm just presenting it as something I wrote, not like "HAY Check out what's on GN!"

lol @ got-next

I knew he wouldn't disappoint. Very predictable.