Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes
- January 24, 2024
- FRENCH-BREAD
- 46h median play time
Get on SteamUNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes is the sequel to the dramatic stylish 2D fighting game, featuring 24 characters with renewed visuals, including 3 new fighters. The game boasts of easy-to-learn controls, intense battles with HD pixel art graphics, and a gripping storyline about the impending collapse of the world. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the full game, 25 announcer characters, and a season pass. Catastrophe beckons as Sys:Celes sinks towards ruination, and the Immortalize faces the collapse of all that is. Get ready for the final chapter of the Hollow Night.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging combat system with deep mechanics that reward both offensive and defensive play.
- The character roster is diverse, with each character feeling unique and offering various playstyles, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans.
- The tutorial and training modes are comprehensive, providing excellent resources for players to learn the game and improve their skills.
- The PC port had a rough launch, with numerous issues including crashes, poor matchmaking, and a lack of basic features like borderless window mode.
- Online play was initially broken, leading to frustration among players trying to connect for matches, although many of these issues have been addressed in patches.
- The game is region-locked, limiting the player base and making it difficult for some players to find matches, especially in less populated regions.
- gameplay185 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Under Night In-Birth II: Sys:Celes" is widely praised for its deep and unique mechanics, particularly the innovative GRD system that encourages strategic play and rewards both offensive and defensive actions. Players appreciate the diverse cast of characters, each with distinct abilities, and the game's balance between accessibility for newcomers and complexity for veterans. Overall, the gameplay is described as satisfying, engaging, and visually appealing, making it a standout title in the fighting game genre.
“I've put in 126 hours on PlayStation and I can say with certainty I want to see more people play this perfect game. Its system mechanics feel amazing, the movement is top-notch, and all the characters feel great and unique with loads of depth and things to learn with each of them.”
“The gameplay rewards execution and creativity while giving beginners plenty of options to start.”
“The game manages to have very cool execution challenges without feeling obtuse or impossible through a huge number of different motion inputs, a unique feel due to being as fast as an anime game without many air options, extremely well thought out system mechanics that influence the game's strategy constantly without either causing aggression or defense to outright win.”
“The game manages to have very cool execution challenges without feeling obtuse or impossible through a huge number of different motion inputs, a unique feel due to being as fast as an anime game without many air options, extremely well thought out system mechanics that influence the game's strategy constantly without either causing aggression or defense to outright win, and all with a set of characters that maintain their individuality while being balanced.”
“It's absolutely filled with broken defensive options with no offensive counterparts to balance them out, and centers around a tug of war mechanic that simultaneously feels out of your control and also completely 100% determined by you, which makes it not feel good to win but bad to lose.”
“Gameplay feels like old uni, with a lot of new stuff added (somehow they managed to make the game even more crazy on deep mechanics) - it's good, it's fun but that would definitely filter out newcomers - if they are still here after online fail.”
- music57 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as one of the best in fighting games, featuring compositions by renowned composer raito. Players appreciate the updated remixes and new tracks, highlighting their energetic and memorable qualities that enhance the overall gaming experience. The combination of great music, beautiful visuals, and engaging gameplay mechanics contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The music really slaps and goes hard; it's even in my top 10 favorite video game OSTs of all time.”
“The soundtrack by Raito is fire.”
“The music is some of the best I've ever heard in a fighting game.”
“All characters are annoying, connection sucks as always in fighting games, visuals are kind of boring, and the music is extremely forgettable.”
“The aesthetic is amazing, doing combos feels just so right to land, but the music can be aggravating when playing against someone else.”
“While the soundtrack has been updated with remixed music that sounds pretty good, it still doesn't stand out enough to be memorable.”
- graphics38 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful and detailed character designs and overall aesthetic, particularly the nighttime cityscapes. However, some players noted issues with resolution scaling and performance, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they may not hold up well at higher resolutions. Overall, the artwork and visual style are considered a significant strength of the game, despite some criticisms regarding specific graphical elements.
“Really fun game with amazing graphics and combo variety, as well as amazing character designs along with their own gimmicks unique to only the specific character being played by you.”
“The graphics for uni2 are beautiful, the designs on the characters have been updated and they all look fantastic, with the stages matching the upgraded experience which look amazing.”
“Awesome graphics and gameplay mechanics!”
“The visuals improved a little bit but also got worse thanks to the new effects.”
“I really wish they had just made changes to the original game instead of this; besides the new moves and mechanics, it feels like a stylistic downgrade all around in terms of aesthetics.”
“All characters are annoying, connection sucks as always in FB games, visuals are kind of boring, and the music is extremely forgettable.”
- story31 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking or "cringe," particularly noting the absence of a traditional story mode and reliance on arcade mode narratives. While some appreciate the character backstories and the depth of gameplay mechanics, others express disappointment in the overall storytelling, suggesting that those seeking a rich narrative experience may be let down. Overall, the focus seems to be more on gameplay and mechanics rather than a compelling story.
“Custom character colors, so many good tutorials and combo trials, and story modes you don't even have to touch online play to get your money's worth.”
“Great mechanics, cool characters, astounding music, interesting story, beautiful stages.”
“Under Night In-Birth 2 perfectly honors what the first revisions achieved with the depth in its gameplay, the freedom it grants in player expression thanks to being able to chain normals in whatever order you want.”
“That's it in terms of the story for this game; there isn't any other story that the game has, other than what the characters will go through in the arcade mode.”
“If you care about the story, you're probably going to be really disappointed. I definitely was, but that was always just a bonus and it doesn't really have any bearing on my enjoyment of the game because it's really fun and for sure the best version of the game we've gotten.”
“The visual novel story mode is not in this game, so if you want that, you need to buy the previous one (UNICLR), but I mean most people don't play fighting games for the story.”
- stability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- -15 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been a significant concern, particularly with frequent crashes and network issues, especially in online modes. While single-player experiences are generally stable, players report persistent audio glitches and problems when alt-tabbing during lobbies. Despite these issues, some users express hope for future improvements, acknowledging the game's potential if the bugs are addressed.
“The single player experience is standard, but the online mode currently runs great. I've heard that matchmaking is a bit quiet, yet the game offers a wealth of built-in resources that are exceptional for helping you learn and improve if that's what you're looking for.”
“The game maintains a solid level of stability, ensuring a smooth experience whether you're playing solo or online.”
“I've had a consistently stable experience with the game, which allows me to focus on improving my skills without worrying about technical issues.”
“Don't alt-tab in lobbies (probably the same thing in the ranked waiting room) that still either freezes you or kicks you out.”
“Network is buggy as hell that you won't be able to play without it crashing the game constantly.”
“As much as I recommend the game, I can't recommend this port due to its buggy nature and frequent crashing.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by quirky character interactions and amusing scenarios, such as unexpected reactions during battles and playful dialogue. Players appreciate the comedic elements, particularly through character antics and funny combos, which enhance the overall enjoyment despite gameplay challenges.
“The funny girl says yippee now.”
“I can't block anything in this game, but I enjoy doing the funny Hilda combos, so that makes it good.”
“Not sure if Byakuya is laughing because he is having fun or because of my unmatched skill issue.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally good, with smooth performance reported by many users, though some still experience occasional stuttering and minor performance issues. While major network problems have been addressed, players note that there are still lingering optimization concerns, particularly regarding fullscreen settings and input lag. Recommendations for PC players remain positive, provided they are prepared for some intermittent hiccups.
“Presently, issues are rare, and the game runs smoothly.”
“I would still recommend getting this game on PC, especially if that's the platform most of your friends are playing on; it's an incredibly fun game when it does run smoothly, just be prepared for semi-frequent hiccups.”
“It is unacceptable to have so much stuttering on connections from 90-120.”
“I want you to know that most of the major network issues have been solved, but there are still many, less impactful, performance issues left to be fixed at the time I'm writing this review.”
“Pretty much all that's left is to make Steam invites work and the game not utilizing Windows 10 fullscreen optimizations (which means there's additional input lag if you play in windowed/borderless).”
- character development7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its unique and engaging character designs, each with distinct gimmicks and personalities that resonate with players. The combination of well-crafted sprite art and compelling backstories enhances the overall experience, making characters feel memorable and beloved by the community. Overall, the attention to detail in character design contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“Really fun game with amazing graphics and combo variety, as well as amazing character designs along with their own gimmicks unique to only the specific character being played by you.”
“Original character designs that cause each character to feel and look unique and interesting.”
“The character designs are nice and the character personalities feel fun (I main like 5 characters).”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express mixed feelings about grinding, noting that while it can be time-consuming and frustrating—especially with issues like frequent queue kicks and low win rates—many still find enjoyment in the process. The experience is further complicated by technical issues, such as bugs on certain platforms, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of grinding through missions and matches.
“But 9 hours of grinding matches and even at a 30% win rate, I'm having an absolute blast getting my butt kicked.”
“The PS port had all their bugs fixed early since they had an early beta, which I still feel is unfair, but I've already spent 2 hours grinding the mission for Hyde; I probably can't refund it.”
“Quick search for grinding random matches is impossible for some reason and constantly kicks you out of the queue every few seconds.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its complexity and the diverse, engaging cast of characters, complemented by fantastic music and effective rollback mechanics, creating an overall immersive experience.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world with its rich details and stunning visuals.”
“The combination of haunting soundscapes and beautifully crafted environments creates a truly captivating atmosphere.”
“Every corner of the game is filled with a unique ambiance that enhances the overall experience and keeps you engaged.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the emotional impact of the single-player modes is lacking, as players feel they are merely repetitive experiences without meaningful engagement or differentiation.
