Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys Celes is a strong fighter with gorgeous visuals that challenges players to learn, adapt, and take risks.

86%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

stability, grinding

86% User Score Based on 2,219 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes is a single player and multiplayer arcade fighting game. It was developed by Arc System Works and was released on January 24, 2024. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

UNDER 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.

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Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes screenshot

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,219 reviews

gameplay169 positive mentions

stability26 negative mentions

The game features a unique and engaging combat system that rewards both offensive and defensive play.
Rollback netcode has been implemented, significantly improving online play and matchmaking.
The extensive tutorial and training modes provide excellent resources for both new and experienced players.

The PC port had a rough launch with numerous bugs, including crashes during online matchmaking and issues with display settings.
There is currently no crossplay, limiting the player base and making it difficult to find matches.
The game is locked to 720p resolution, which can lead to a subpar visual experience on higher resolution displays.

gameplay
366 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
53%
1%
The gameplay of "Under Night In-Birth II: Sys:Celes" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, featuring unique mechanics like the GRD system that encourages strategic play and rewards both offensive and defensive actions. Players appreciate the diverse character roster, fluid combo systems, and the balance between accessibility for newcomers and challenges for veterans, making it a standout in the fighting game genre. Despite some initial online matchmaking issues, the overall experience is described as satisfying, visually appealing, and musically engaging, solidifying its status as one of the best modern fighting games.
- “I absolutely love the mechanics of it, the character variety is amazing, and its system mechanics are so varied and fun to use.”
- “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, 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 determined by you, which makes it not feel good to win but bad to lose.”
- “This tug of war mechanic gives you access to even more broken defensive options that have literally zero counterplay, but some of that isn't even universal across the cast; if you don't have a dp, you can't make use of it nearly as well.”
- “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.”
music
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
30%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack composed by raito as one of the best in fighting games, featuring catchy and memorable tracks. The updated remixes and new songs have been highlighted as particularly impressive, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere of the game. Overall, the music is described as a standout feature that complements the vibrant visuals and engaging gameplay.
- “The music really slaps and goes hard; legit, the music is amazing that 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 goes hard as always. However, playing against someone else can be so aggravating.”
- “The story is passable, but the music, world, and the mechanics of each character are really unique and fleshed out.”
graphics
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
44%
5%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful character designs and detailed visuals that enhance the overall aesthetic experience. However, some players noted issues with resolution scaling and performance, particularly at higher settings, which detracted from the visual appeal. Overall, the artwork and graphical style are considered a significant strength, despite some criticisms regarding specific visual elements and performance on different hardware.
- “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 looks amazing.”
- “The graphics are stunning in my opinion.”
- “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.”
- “Artwork is... definitely something else.”
story
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
60%
10%
The story in this game is generally considered weak and often described as "cringe," with most players noting that it lacks a substantial narrative beyond character interactions in arcade mode. While some appreciate the unique character backstories and visuals, many agree that the focus is primarily on gameplay mechanics rather than storytelling, making it less appealing for those seeking a rich narrative experience. Overall, the game offers plenty of single-player content and tutorials, but players looking for a traditional story mode may be disappointed.
- “Great mechanics, cool characters, astounding music, interesting story, beautiful stages.”
- “The story is passable but the music, world, and the mechanics of each character are really unique and fleshed out.”
- “We’re begging :3 other than that everything is so streamlined and beautiful from character design to backstory!”
- “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.”
stability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game's stability has been criticized for frequent crashes and bugs, particularly in the online mode, where issues like network instability and audio glitches persist. While some players report improvements in single-player and online performance, the overall experience remains marred by these technical problems, leading to mixed feelings about the game's reliability. Many hope that ongoing updates will address these issues, but the initial launch has left a negative impression on some users.
- “The single player is standard, the online currently runs great, and the game itself has a wealth of resources built in that are above and beyond to help you learn and improve if it suits you.”
- “Network is buggy as hell that you won't be able to play without it crashing the game constantly.”
- “Buggy port, constant crashes.”
- “As much as I recommend the game, I can't recommend this port due to its buggy nature and frequent crashing.”
humor
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by quirky character interactions and amusing scenarios, such as playful catchphrases and unexpected moments during gameplay. Players appreciate the lightheartedness, with characters like Linne and the "funny whip lady" adding charm, despite frustrations with game mechanics. Overall, the humor contributes positively to the experience, making even challenging moments entertaining.
- “Linne is still very cute and funny.”
- “I can't block anything in this game, but I like 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.”
optimization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
Overall, the game's optimization has improved significantly, with most major network issues resolved, leading to a generally smooth experience. However, players still report occasional stuttering and performance hiccups, particularly on PC, where fullscreen optimizations are not fully utilized, resulting in input lag. While the game is enjoyable when running well, some users express frustration over inconsistent performance compared to console versions.
- “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 development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its unique and original character designs, which contribute to a strong sense of individuality and attachment among players. The combination of well-crafted personalities, engaging backstories, and appealing pixel art enhances the overall experience, making each character feel distinct and enjoyable to play. Overall, the character designs and their associated gimmicks are celebrated as a standout feature of the game.
- “Character designs are super cool and seem to have a longtime attachment to them from fans (this is my first uni).”
- “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).”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a mixed experience with grinding, noting that despite spending significant time on matches—often with low win rates—they still find enjoyment in the process. However, issues such as frequent disconnections from matchmaking queues and frustrations with mission grinding detract from the overall experience.
- “Quick search for grinding random matches is impossible for some reason and constantly kicks you out of the queue every few seconds.”
- “I already spent 2 hours grinding the mission for Hyde, and I probably can't refund it.”
- “But 9 hours of grinding matches and even at a 30% win rate, I'm having an absolute blast getting my ass kicked.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its complexity and richness, featuring a diverse and engaging cast, complemented by fantastic music that enhances the overall experience.
- “The atmosphere is rich and immersive, drawing you into the game's world with its stunning visuals and sound design.”
- “The combination of haunting music and detailed environments creates an unforgettable atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
- “Every corner of the game is filled with a unique atmosphere that enhances the storytelling and player experience.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate a lack of emotional engagement in the single-player modes, which are criticized for being repetitive and unoriginal, failing to offer meaningful experiences that resonate with players.

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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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46h Median play time

31h Average play time

2-60h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes is a arcade fighting game.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 31 hours playing Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes was released on January 24, 2024.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes was developed by Arc System Works.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Melty Blood: Type Lumina, THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, Guilty Gear Xrd: Sign, BlazBlue Centralfiction and others.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes

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