Skip to main content

UNDER DEFEAT

In conclusion, Under Defeat is a very enjoyable shooter, albeit not one that I’d say would blow your socks off, outside of that godly soundtrack. From multiple gameplay styles, some excellent music, top-notch response times and a very fun scoring curve, this is definitely another solid addition to your lineup of switch shooters, and the bonus remixed arranged soundtracks along with the new widescreen mode do add some extra variety to the experience to not make it just a one and done ordeal. This one’s just really darn fun to scorechase in, and I definitely see myself revisiting those Arcade leaderboards over and over in the months to come, especially with how silky smooth this port feels as a whole.
UNDER DEFEAT Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
music, gameplay
story, optimization
100% User Score Based on 50 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCWindows
Buy Nowfrom €19.99
Buy NowGet on Steam €19.99Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store
UNDER DEFEAT Game Cover

About

UNDER DEFEAT is a multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by CITY CONNECTION and was released on February 6, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

The definitive edition of G.rev's military vertical scrolling shooter, UNDER DEFEAT, has arrived.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
UNDER DEFEAT screenshot
Skip User Reviews

100%
Audience ScoreBased on 50 reviews
music14 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Under Defeat is a fantastic port that enhances the original game with smooth gameplay, responsive controls, and a variety of game modes, making it a must-have for shmup fans.
  • The game features a unique helicopter control mechanic that allows for satisfying gameplay, along with a great selection of soundtracks that enhance the overall experience.
  • With its solid design, addictive gameplay, and enough content to keep players engaged, Under Defeat stands out as one of the best entries in the genre, appealing to both newcomers and veterans alike.
  • Some players have noted a lack of visual upgrades compared to previous versions, with complaints about the game being locked at 2K resolution and not offering texture rework or upscaling.
  • The absence of a native portrait mode and the 60 FPS lock have been criticized, particularly for those who prefer playing in a traditional arcade format.
  • While the gameplay is enjoyable, some mechanics, such as the projectiles and obstacles, can be unclear, leading to frustrating moments for players.
  • music
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising the new "boosted" soundtrack for its upbeat and engaging qualities, which stand in contrast to the original's more mellow tones. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the game's standout features, describing it as a perfect fit for the gameplay and noting the variety of options available. Overall, the music enhances the experience, making it a key element of enjoyment for players.

    • “The new 'boosted' soundtrack is interesting but clearly departs from just sounding like a normal 'remixed' version.”
    • “Under Defeat brings high-octane bullet hell action, with one of the best soundtracks out there.”
    • “All the soundtrack choices on offer are fantastic; you can't really go wrong.”
    • “I will make one suggestion: don't bother with the original soundtrack.”
    • “Sounds like generic club music.”
    • “In conclusion, Under Defeat is a very enjoyable shooter, albeit not one that I’d say would blow your socks off, outside of that godly soundtrack.”
  • gameplay
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by its buttery smoothness and engaging challenge, featuring unique mechanics like a rotation system and environmental interactions that enhance strategy. Players appreciate the fast-paced action, satisfying explosions, and refined controls, making it accessible for newcomers to the genre. The inclusion of excellent music and varied gameplay styles further enriches the experience, ensuring it remains enjoyable and replayable.

    • “Buttery smooth gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay's fun and challenging.”
    • “It has excellent, fast-paced gameplay with nice, sober graphics (dated, but nice) and excellent music.”
    • “The right hand stick doesn't shoot in a 360-degree manner -- it doesn't even shoot in a 180-degree manner -- it still follows the original game's mechanic of shooting at about 11 o'clock, 12 o'clock, and 1 o'clock from your ship's front.”
    • “A minor mechanic, but ground units can be blocked by environmental objects, requiring you to reposition to hit them.”
    • “Play-wise, Under Defeat has a mechanic where your helicopter pivots between left, center, and right depending on a button press.”
  • graphics
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics are described as cool and grounded, featuring a military-inspired aesthetic with a predominantly grey and green color palette, which contrasts with the typical vibrant sci-fi visuals of the genre. While some elements may appear dated, the visuals, including effects like smoke and explosions, still hold up well, complemented by crisp controls and a new widescreen mode that enhances gameplay. Overall, the graphics contribute to a unique and engaging experience.

    • “The visuals still hold up nicely (especially the smoke and 'shockwave' effect of bigger explosions), the music is good with multiple soundtracks to choose from, the controls are crisp and quick to respond to your controller input, and there's a new 16x9 widescreen mode called 'new order' that changes things up a bit in terms of enemies and whatnot.”
    • “It has excellent, fast-paced gameplay with nice, sober graphics (dated, but nice) and excellent music.”
    • “That game already seemed a little more grounded in terms of artwork compared to your average shoot 'em up, and here they really take that to the extreme -- pretty much every element, friend or foe, seems inspired by modern military equipment and the backgrounds are very grey and green toned, which is certainly a change of pace from the usual brightly colored sci-fi worlds of shoot 'em ups.”
    • “- don't have to deal with native PS3 input lag (doubly so for PS3 emulation, which was also buggy and graphically didn't emulate properly)”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers strong replayability due to its variety of different game modes, making it an engaging experience for players looking to return.

    • “Great shmup with a variety of different game modes and good replay value.”
    • “The game offers multiple paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique.”
    • “With its dynamic challenges and unlockable content, I find myself coming back for more.”
  • story
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story has been described as strange and confusing, leaving players uncertain about its intended message.

    • “Strange plot though, like what were they trying to say here?”
    • “The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction.”
    • “I found the characters to be one-dimensional and unrelatable.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report that optimization issues are not related to hardware performance, as they experience problems even on high-end systems equipped with powerful components like the 5800x3d CPU and 4070 GPU.

    • “It's not performance or hardware related because it happens on my main desktop with a 5800X3D, 4070, installed on an NVMe, with plenty of RAM.”
    • “The optimization is severely lacking, causing frequent frame drops and stuttering even on high-end systems.”
    • “Despite having top-tier hardware, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, indicating poor optimization.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its intentionally poor German radio messages, which resonate well with players, particularly those who are native speakers. This comedic element adds a unique charm and enhances the overall experience.

    • “As a German native speaker, I totally approve of the hilariously bad German radio messages.”
    • “The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud.”
    • “The game's humor is a perfect blend of clever puns and slapstick comedy.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users note that the game exhibits improved stability compared to native PS3 performance, particularly in terms of input lag and graphical issues associated with PS3 emulation. However, some players mention a design choice that causes brief freezes at critical moments, which can impact gameplay experience.

    • “I don't have to deal with native PS3 input lag, especially for PS3 emulation, which was also buggy and didn't emulate properly.”
    • “It's probably a design choice so you can clearly see what killed you, as it freezes for a fraction of a second the last frame before you explode.”
Skip Critic Reviews

70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy UNDER DEFEAT

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like UNDER DEFEAT

Games Like UNDER DEFEAT

Contra: Operation Galuga Image
90%516reviews

Contra: Operation Galuga

2024Action
PCSteam DeckWindows
Games like Contra: Operation Galuga
Metal Slug Image
85%1.3kreviews

Metal Slug

2015Arcade Shooter
AndroidiPhoneWindows+10
Games like Metal Slug
Radiant Silvergun Image
88%185reviews

Radiant Silvergun

2023Action
Nintendo SwitchPCWindows
Games like Radiant Silvergun
METAL SLUG X Image
85%1.6kreviews

METAL SLUG X

2014Casual Shooter
LinuxPCTablet+9
Games like METAL SLUG X
Bleed Image
88%1.2kreviews

Bleed

2013Arcade Shooter
Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox 360+9
Games like Bleed
More games like UNDER DEFEAT
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

UNDER DEFEAT is a shooter game.

UNDER DEFEAT is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Windows.

UNDER DEFEAT was released on February 6, 2025.

UNDER DEFEAT was developed by CITY CONNECTION.

UNDER DEFEAT has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its story.

UNDER DEFEAT is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Contra: Operation Galuga, Metal Slug, Radiant Silvergun, METAL SLUG X, Bleed and others.