UNDER DEFEAT

Although Under Defeat looks simple, there are a lot of little nuances that make it fun to replay even after 50 hours. This approach to detail likewise applies to its visuals and music too. A great example of a game that does a lot with very little, and my favorite G.rev shmup to date. There are some unique-to-shmups concepts I wish would have been explored more. For example, in most shmups your shots will hit ground targets if your shots collide with them visually regardless of depth or height, but in Under Defeat your shots will first automatically travel downwards to hit ground targets, meaning that ground objects like barricades and walls can block your shots from reaching the ground targets hiding behind them, which then means you have to position and angle yourself properly to get your shots to connect with the target instead of a wall. Some stages play into this, though not heavily. Same goes for other cool ideas like headlights that blind you or lightning bolts that slow your ship speed. Still, the stage design as is is nice. I especially loved the second stage, where instead of having to kill one big enemy, you have to destroy battleships that comprise of multiple small…

Difficult, but very fun

✍️ A Theory of Shmup Evolution By: Joseph Salomonsen Gradius → R‑Type → Darius → Toaplan → Cave / Treasure / G.rev 🟨 Foundations — Designed Space Gradius (Konami, 1985) The origin of control: resource systems, checkpoints, and authored space. The player shapes their ship to survive the level. R‑Type (Irem, 1987) The Force system: space becomes weaponized. A slow, methodical philosophy—positioning over reflex. Darius (Taito, 1987) Branching structure and spectacle. The first step toward non-linear shmup identity. 🟥 Line 1 — Density → Pattern → Bullet Hell (Toaplan → Cave) Twin Cobra (Toaplan, 1987) The definitive military shooter. Discipline, routing, survival. (my personal fave) Truxton / Tatsujin (Toaplan, 1988) The birth of the “Mega-Bomb” aesthetic—power as expression. Batsugun (Toaplan, 1993) The bridge to Bullet Hell. Density begins to dominate space. DoDonPachi (Cave, 1997) The system is complete. Patterns become language. Mushihimesama (Cave, 2004) The organic extreme. Bullets form ecosystems, not just obstacles. Deathsmiles (Cave, 2007) A divergence: horizontal design fused with atmosphere. Bullet hell becomes mood, not just system. 🟩 Line 2 …

If you like this game, you have good taste.

Ultra boring. Uh wow! This one uber barker got offended enough to say something that breaks Steam terms of use. I'll be gentle on ya this time. I'm really glad if you own this title and think it is manna from heaven. I definitely noticed the atrocity of obvious German nazi WW2 axis uniforms cosplay. That part makes me feel very uncomfortable to play this title. I was drawn in by the fact it was a NAOMI hardware title I did not get a chance to play. I was super excited when I purchased Under Defeat on 50% off sale. Unfortunately, I did not get the Twin Eagle feels, not even the Scramble Spirit feels. It just seems like old SHMUP mechanics got a polish and now you can make your copter turn around. Sort of. It looks great, and wish you a great Under Defeat gaming experience. After checking out Under Defeat, I got a refund. The NAOMI hardware was awesome..

As of 05/29/2026, I have just completed my first playthrough of new order mode. If you like the Strikers games or Sky Force games, there is a pretty good chance that you will like this as well. The core gameplay mechanics take some getting used to, but are quite fun nonetheless. I will definitely be coming back to this and trying out the other modes. Get this on sale.