The Under Night series has fast become a competition standard, with a solid fighting engine, well-balanced characters and stepping-stone releases, such as this latest, near unpronounceable iteration.
Previously released on PS3 and PS Vita, handheld duties have moved to the Nintendo Switch, and this is the version of the game we're covering here. As such, there are a few factors to bear in mind if you're wanting to fight on the go. The first thing to mention is common with all Switch fighting games, and that's the lack of a D-Pad on your standard controller. This is near essential for a game like this, even with Under Night's more forgiving controls. If you like to fight and run, a Hori pad is a good investment, even if they are a bit ugly (mine has Mario plastered all over it - I'd kill for a plain grey version!) Obviously when attached to a nice big TV you can use any number of third party pads, but generally I only use the Switch when I travel. The right controller will make all the difference to your enjoyment of the game.
It would be fair to say that, to a casual observer, not much will seem to have changed since the previous entry, and that's a shame because there's a lot more here than meets the eye. With the addition of one new character, the icy Londrekia, the roster now boasts 21 colourful characters, each with their own unique moves, specials and styles. With this new release comes new moves for the existing cast, as well as tweaked balancing between characters to eliminate unfair advantages.
I've had a soft spot for this game ever since I learned I could kick my friend James all over the screen on it, rich justice for the amount of humiliating defeats he's served to me on Arc's other competition standard, Blazblue. Where that game is a very technical fighter that leaves me mystified at times, Under Night is a friendlier title that is far more forgiving of input, allowing the player to concentrate on tactics. The ability to create combos using the A button as a shortcut is useful for beginners, but as these attacks will do less damage than properly executed combos, there's incentive to fight without such training wheels. The perfect balance between accessibility and mastery.
Linne, the diminutive poster-girl for the game, has always been my go-to character in the game, but I do enjoy the charms of the rest of the cast. Newcomer Londrekia provides a suitably distinctive move-set and allows the story mode to expand for those that follow such things. Eltnum's gun combat and Mika's gauntlets still entertain as they always have too, so the lack of new characters, while a little disappointing, shouldn't be the only thing you consider when looking to pick this game up. Obviously for newcomers it's all fresh and as well balanced as possible, so this will likely delight those lucky people discovering the game for the first time.
And what a sumptuous feast the game is, whether watching it being played or immersing yourself in the action. The music is suitably compelling, but watching these colourful characters dance across the screen in traditional 2D style is just joyful. I've often cited this genre as the pinnacle of gaming, the ability to instantly go against another equally balanced character where timing, tactics and ability are paramount is about as good as it gets. Watching two competition level players go at it is a thing of absolute beauty, and while I've no illusions of ever reaching that level, the sense of satisfaction that comes from defeating your opponent in such a game is, for me anyway, unmatched by any other style of gaming. This is the good shit.
And as an example of its genre, Under Night is right up there with the best of them. True, Street Fighter will always be the headline tournament fighter, but in those shadowy enclaves where more adventurous brawlers can be found, it's Blazblue and Under Night in Birth that rule supreme. Small wonder that both feature large at Evo (The Evolutionary Championship Series). This is a terrific game and well worth picking up, especially if you want a game you can grow into. Not just a pretty face, this game has what it takes to be a contender, and even the best of the best are competing on it.
Under Night Switch launch trailer:
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