Under Night In-Birth

Under Night In-Birth
250px Under Night In-Birth arcade flyer
Developer(s)	Ecole Software French Bread
Publisher(s)
Director(s)	Nobuya Narita
Producer(s)	Nobuya Narita Toshimichi Mori
Composer(s)	Raito
Platforms	Arcade PlayStation 3 Windows
Release date(s)	Arcade PlayStation 3 (Exe: Late) Windows (Exe: Late)
Genre(s)	2D fighting game
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Cabinet	Sega RingEdge 2

Under Night In-Birth (アンダーナイトインヴァース, Andā naito invāsu) is a visual novel and 2D fighting game co-developed by Ecole Software and French-Bread, known for the Melty Blood series. It features a brand new cast of characters and a story that spins around modern fantasy.

Sega released the arcade version in Japan on September 20, 2012. A major revision of the arcade version, entitled Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late (アンダーナイトインヴァース エクセレイト, Andā naito invāsu ekusereito), was released on September 9, 2013. It was announced by Famitsu that Arc System Works would release the game for PlayStation 3 on July 24, 2014 in Japan. A 2015 release for North America and Europe was later announced. The North American release date, which is set for March 31, 2015, was revealed on the GameStop website. However, Aksys Games revealed the true release date for the upcoming fighter Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late, they said that the game will be releasing on February 24, 2015 for the PlayStation 3, as well as confirmed there won't be an English dub in Western releases. A further update to the game entitled Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] (アンダーナイト インヴァース エクセレイト エスト, Andā naito invāsu ekusereito esuto) was announced on May 15, 2015 and released in July 23, 2015.

Plot

Under Night In-Birth takes place in a fictional modern-day setting some time in the 21st century. A phenomenon called the Hollow Night (虚ろの夜 utsuro no yoru) has been enveloping particular regions of Japan once a month for several centuries. Each area engulfed in the Hollow Night is beset by shadow-like creatures called Voids (虚無 kyomu) that utilize and feed upon a power known as "Existence", or EXS (イグジス igujisu). Normal humans cannot see or come into contact with Voids, but certain people have the potential to perceive them. Those who acquire this perception are targeted by Voids and risk either being consumed by them or losing their sanity. Under special circumstances, a person who maintains their sanity after being attacked by a Void can become a being known as an In-Birth (インヴァース invāsu). While this status places a person into a sort of limbo where they are neither living nor dead, they also gain the ability to control Existence. The protagonist, Hyde, is one character who survived a Void attack and became an In-Birth.

Many characters are involved with the Hollow Night phenomenon, and several of them are affiliated with particular organizations. Two rival groups, the Yatō (夜刀) and Licht Kreis, both serve to maintain order in areas affected by the Hollow Night but differ in their methods. The tarnished Yatō primarily hunt Voids, while Licht Kreis uses its lawful order and hierarchy to protect civilians. A third organization, Amnesia, is more chaotically structured and seeks to stop the influence of both the Yatō and Licht Kreis.

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to that of French Bread's previous Type-Moon based game, Melty Blood and its updates, and Arc System Works's Guilty Gear and Blazblue, with an additional gameplay systems introduced for this game.

Characters

These are the characters from the game and within the updates:

• Hyde (voice: Ryōhei Kimura) - Hyde is the protagonist and a 2nd year student in the same high-school as Orie, Carmine, Seth, and their middle-school juniors Nanase and Phonon. He and Yuzuriha know each other from their childhood, but currently their relationship is awkward. Hyde was living alone after his parents left for work abroad. One day he is attacked by "Shadows who devour people" he had only heard rumors of, but is saved by Linne. Hyde doesn't lose his sanity and awakens to the power of EXS. Linne is amazed that the boy had the power she had searched for so long, and decides to train the boy. That's also when a mysterious witch sets her eyes on the boy. After that, Linne, her pet Kuu and a mysterious old man move to Hyde's home. They teach to Hyde all about the Hollow Night and the Power of Existence, so that Hyde would be ready when the next Hollow Night arrives. During the training time Hyde becomes a rumor on the streets as an Unknown Actor (不明なる共演者, Fumei naru Kyouensha) who accompanies Yato's Princess.

One month later, when the Hollow Night finally appears Linne and Waldstein suddenly disappear. Hyde decides to search for them, but ends up meeting a mysterious naked girl. Hyde makes it in time to save Linne from the Paradox and gets to settle the score with her. After the Night is over, Vatista also starts to live in Hyde's house.

Hyde's ability is the EXS of Darkness (漆黒のEXS, Shikkoku no EXS) called Void Red (ヴォイドレッド). This power makes it possible to summon a sword called the Indulgence of Assunder (断裂の免罪符, Danretsu no Menzaifu) from within his hand. That sword has a power to rend apart things. It can even be used to rip person's Existence apart - meaning it can kill Immortals and those similar to them.

• Linne (voice: Ayane Sakura) - Linne is the heroine and has long been searching for a legendary sword "Pardon of Assunder/Rending" to end her eternal life. Hundreds of years ago, Linne and her brother Kuon were used in Yato's human experiment to create new abilities. As a result, Linne gained the power to transfer her consciousness from one body to another - making it possible for her to live eternally. In addition, if her host body is killed, then Linne's consciousness is automatically transferred to a new body. Not wanting to continue possessing and ruining the lives of unknown girls, she began searching for a way to end her eternal life. The answer Linne found was that a legendary sword called the Indulgence of Assunder could rend her existence apart and end the curse she is bound to.

Linne has the EXS of Swiftness (疾駆のEXS, Shikku no EXS) called Speed Star (スピードスター). Linne fights using a combination of long sword and a folding knife. The long sword is called No Name (無銘, Mumei) because apparently the swordsmith who created the sword didn't give the sword a name. The little folding knife is called Nameless (名無, Nanashi) simply because Linne has yet to give the knife a name.

• Waldstein (voice: Kōji Ishii) - A man who lives an eternal life within a body that looks like a monster. Several hundred years ago, Waldstein worked for Licht Kreis under the direct orders from their leader Adelheit. But after meeting Linne's brother Kuon on the battlefield and being inspired by Kuon's chivalry, eventually lead him to betray the Licht Kreis and change sides. After that, Waldstein worked for the Yato until the organization fell apart. Ever since then, he has been following Linne and taking care of her. Waldstein and Linne both currently live at Hyde's house where they together help him to study about the Hollow Night. Waldstein apparently has a score to settle with Enkidu, but the details haven't been revealed yet.

Waldstein's ability is the EXS of Herculean Strength (剛力のEXS, Gouriki no EXS) called Hekatonkheires (ヘカトンケイル).

Waldstein fights with a weapon called Sturdy Iron Claws: "Destroyers" (剛鉄爪:破軍, Goutessou: Hagun). They are custom-made claws Waldstein created himself. Waldstein's usually always keeps them on, but his actual hands can be as seen in Waldstein's arcade ending when he removes the claws.

• Carmine (voice: Takashi Kondō) - A 3rd year student in the high-school that Hyde goes to. After he awakened to his powers as an In-Birth, he has lived for the thrill of fighting. Despite this, Carmine is still fully aware of the situation between Licht Kreis and Amnesia even though he hasn't joined any organization. Pretty much nothing is known about his past.

Carmine's ability is the EXS of Life Blood (命血のEXS, Meiketsu no EXS) called Blood Spike (ブラッドスパイク) which makes it possible for him to control blood. He can shoot blood, slash with waves of it, crystallize blood, drain others blood and much more. His weapon is of course his own blood, but goes by the name Rein Blood (レインブラッド).

• Orie (voice: Saori Hayami) - An Executor of the Licht Kreis. When Orie was 10 years old, her parents were devoured by a Void right before her eyes. That Void was a special kind of Void who could speak human language. Orie was then saved by a member of Licht Kreis who brought her to their orphanage. There she learned all the basics about the phenomena surrounding the Hollow Night. She also became good friends with Mika, Kaguya and Lex who she met in the same orphanage, and the three eventually formed an Execution Team together. Ever since, Orie and her friends have been fighting against the Voids to make sure no one else has to suffer the same fate as they did. Orie personally has also been in search for that mysterious Void who spoke the human language on that fated day years ago, but her current mission is to stop the Paradox's ambition.

When Orie became an Executor she was given a rapier called the Ruler (ルーラー) which she currently uses as her weapon. Rapier also goes by the name Guardian of Law and Order (法と秩序の守護者, Hou to Chitsujo no Shugosha).

Orie's ability Tanatos (タナトス) is the EXS of Purity (純潔のEXS, Junketsu no EXS) which makes it possible for Orie to materialize a spirit from the Ruler and control it.

• Gordeau (voice: Kōsuke Toriumi) - A former member of Amnesia. Gordeau has a quite carefree personality and is a person who holds his friends very dear to him. He's currently freeloading at Chaos' residence, though it is unknown if they truly work closely together due to their separate duties. Gordeau once worked in the Amnesia together with Hilda, Chaos and the other members. Gordeau was a great fighter and soon became known as one of the most powerful EXS users. But one day their friend called Bob exceeded the limit of his power and turned into a Void, only to be ruthlessly killed by the Red Knight of the Licht Kreis soon after. After that incident, Gordeau left the Amnesia to pursue revenge for Bob's sake. He participates in the Hollow Night every time trying to find the Red Knight who killed his friend.

Gordeau fights with the EXS of Greed (強欲のEXS, Gouyoku no EXS) called Snatcher (スナッチャー). This power takes a form of long purple claws on Gordeau's right hand. The weapon Gordeau uses is the Demon Sickle called Demon Sickle Devourer (魔鎌ディバウアー, Maren Dibauaa).

• Merkava (voice: Hidenobu Kiuchi) - Once a human who pursued the status of a Re-Birth, but he was consumed by the Power of Existence and turned into a Void. For some reason he managed to retain his consciousness and ability to speak, though he lost his memories at the same time. Ever since his new body has craved for more and more Existence to devour.

Merkava fights with his stretching and changing body. This is thanks to his ability, the EXS of Serpent (怪蛇のFLS, Kaija no EXS) called Jormungandr (ヨルムンガンド)

The pattern on Merkava's body is a technique called Curse Commandment which is needed to transfer the power Merkava uses, FLS, around his body. Normally one's body would produce the FLS they needed, but Merkava's body doesn't produce FLS. That's the reason why Merkava attacks people and feasts on their Existence.

• Vatista (voice: Nao Tōyama) - One of the Autonomic Nerve units that were created during the ancient times. Using similar technology to that used in the creation of Golems, human-created Autonomic Nerves were given the purpose to watch over the Hollow Night and make sure no one devoured too much the Power of Existence. Vatista is awakened into the Night and she is surprised that people don't use horses as a transport method anymore. On her way to search for information she then meets with Hyde. Together they take down the Paradox, but afterwards, Vatista believes that the Paradox was part of an even bigger plot. Hyde suggests that Vatista would lodge at his residence for a month until the next Hollow Night takes place.

Vatista's ability is the FLS of Servitude (隷約のFLS, Reiyaku no EXS) called Restriction (レストリクション). It is unknown what this ability does.

Vatista's weapon is the Aegis-Attributer unit called Crimson Wings: Seven Flowers (紅翼:七花, Kouyoku:Nanaka). It is supposed to have seven wings, but apparently for a "certain reason" she can currently only use just the six of those wings.

The pattern on Vatista's body is technique called Curse Commandment. It's needed for beings that use FLS as their power source.

• Seth (voice: Yūki Kaji) - A 1st year student in the same high-school as Hyde. Many years ago, certain groups within the Yato started to think that people should be allowed to do whatever they want to do with their abilities. This resulted a rebellion and internal fighting within the Yato. Seth's ancestors were among these rebels, and as such, Seth took it upon himself to seek redemption for the mistakes Yato made in the past. He aims to claim the Indulgence of Assunder and remove the "curse" placed on Linne and Kuon using that sword.

Seth's ability is the EXS of Chained (穿鎖のEXS, Sensa no EXS) called Kerykeion (ケーリュケイオン).

Seth was entrusted with the Twin Swords: Eliminator (双剣・エリミネーター, Souken: Erimineetaa) from Kuon. The other name of the blades is the Indulgence of Seal-Destroyer (封滅の免罪符, Fuumetsu no Menzaifu). Its relation to Hyde's sword with a similar name hasn't been explained yet, but it is told to have to the opposite power to that of Hyde's sword.

• Yuzuriha (voice: Ayumi Fujimura) - Years ago, Yuzuriha's ancestors worked for the Yato, but eventually grew tired of the clan's constant battles and rebelled, hoping to start their lives anew. The only relic they have left from the Yato is the Iris Sword passed down on their lineage. Yuzuriha now holds the Iris Sword herself, though she hates trouble and prefers to laze around. Yuzuriha and Hyde are childhood friends, but their relationship has gotten awkward after a "certain incident".

Yuzuriha's ability, the EXS of Scattered Flowers (散華のEXS, Sange no EXS) called Ainsel Lost (エインセルロスト). Ainsel Lost makes it possible for Yuzuriha to make herself disappear and appear again from elsewhere.

The sword she uses is the Iris Blade: Glory of the Divine Path (菖蒲刀・神路誉, Shoubu: Kamiji-no-Homare). It is the traditional sword passed in Yuzuriha's family to those who learn their special Twin Moon's One-Handed Sword-Drawing Style (Sougetsu Ittou Battoujutsu Ryu).

She made a cameo appearance in Skullgirls.

• Hilda (voice: Hatsumi Takada) - Hilda is a beautiful though somewhat naive woman with great ambitions. Hilda is one of the leaders and founders of the Amnesia, but believes that the Hollow Night needs brand new rules and more freedom. She is interested in the Indulgence of Rending and the Autonomic Nerves. She aims to become a Re-Birth so she can destroy the "old leaders" of the world with her own hands. But in her own story she plans to become a "spear" that will pierce through the Door of Resurrection that lies at the bottom of the Abyss. It is later revealed that she is being used by Kuon for the sake of his unknown goals. In the ending of Carmine's story it is revealed that Kuon had stolen all the equipment needed to become a Re-Birth from Hilda.

Hilda's ability Paradox (パラドクス) is the EXS of Glittering Haze (煌朧のEXS, Gourou no EXS). This ability makes her able to summon swords from thin air. Apparently the swords Hilda can summon should normally be shining brightly, but now that she has been consuming too much Existence, the swords have corrupted and changed their color to black.

Her weapon is the Dress of Darkness called Masquerade (闇の衣, マスカレード).

• Chaos (voice: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) - A tactician who works for the Amnesia. Chaos is a very good friend of Gordeau. He does all kinds of paper work and planning for the Amnesia and rarely comes out of his own room. His personality is calm and collected, but he still often jokes around with Gordeau. Chaos tends to be quite the worrywart when it comes to Gordeau. According to Gordeau, Chaos was once a violent youngster, even stating to Hilda that he has never beaten Chaos in a fight, though Chaos says that's a lie. Chaos changed his style and started to fight using the intelligence instead of brute force. Even after Gordeau left the Amnesia, Chaos and he have been in contact and working together to track down the Licht Kreis and find the Red Knight. Chaos personally is aiming to beat the Aion and the Licht Kreis with the allies he has.

Chaos uses a book called Code of Chaos (混沌の法典, Konton no Houten) to command a fierce lizard, Azhi Dahaka (アジ・ダハーカ). His ability is the EXS of Fake Shadows (肖影のEXS, Shou'ei no EXS) called Umbral (アンブラル). He also has some form of acrobatic combat prowess to compensate for times his powers are not available and for close-quarters combat.

• Nanase (voice: Mayu Iizuka) - A character who was originally planned to be added in the arcade version, and was later planned to be introduced in the console version of Exe:Late. Nanase is middle-school girl who goes to the same school as Hyde, Carmine, Orie and Seth, who are educating in a high school branch. She is a mysterious pretty girl who persistently targets Hyde, repeatedly stating "If you're a man, then take responsibility", but the circumstances and details are not known... After hearing rumors about Hyde, she dashes towards the Abyss of the Hollow Night without knowing of its dangers or the way back.

She fights with a huge sword that is longer than herself. The sword's name is Zephyr (ゼファー).

Nanase's ability is the EXS of Spinning Ties (旋纏のEXS, Senten no EXS) called Windmill (ウインドミル). According to her concept art, she can create wing-shaped things called Winglet (ヴィングレット) into her boots.

• Byakuya (voice: Mutsumi Tamura) - A completely new character never before mentioned in the game's story. He was introduced in the console version of Exe:Late. Byakuya is a mysterious young man who wears a black school uniform. Byakuya is told to be acting together with a woman called Tsukuyomi (voice: Asami Seto). They refer the Hollow Night as the "Nest" where they hunt the prey who get caught in the web they've set up. Byakuya is told to be fighting to fulfill Tsukuyomi's wish, but details haven't been revealed yet...

Byakuya controls countless dark claws as he fights. The way he fights is told to resemble a cruel spider.

His weapon is called the Predator (プレデター). It's also referred as the Eight Legs of Shredding (八裂の八脚, Yatsuzaki no Yatsuashi).

Byakuya's ability is the EXS of Dark Needle (闇鉤のEXS) called Chelicerata (ケリケラータ). It can consume the Existence from its target.

• Phonon (voice: Saori Ōnishi) - A green haired whipped girl who was originally from a scrapped character idea and was originally named Chemeti, introduced in an arcade update of the console version of Exe:Late, Exe:Late[st]. Admiring the abilities and wanting to freely use her own ability, she leaves a strictly disciplined student vigilante group, "EFG". This sensitive girl is common in these days. She is educated in a same school as Hyde, Carmine, Orie, Seth and Nanase, but in a middle school branch like his junior, Nanase, and was told to have a big brother. Her real name is Yoshiko, which she dislike it, especially from someone like Nanase often call her by her real name. She has grown bored of her peaceful life as a student and kept searching for her "true self" for a long time. She keeps thinking that her powers as a "Fake Born" was what finding her true self meant. She walks under the night thinking that her powers should be used on other people. But people rumor that within the people who wander under the night, there's someone who takes a form of your "false self" from the time before you awakened as your "true self"...

Her weapon is a whip called Meunière (ムニエル ). It can freely change its shape.

Phonon's ability Baroque Noise (バロックノイズ) is the EXS of Whipping Sounds (振鳴のEXS, Shinmei no EXS).

The guest characters Sion Eltnam Atlasia (dubbed as Eltnum) (voice: Satomi Akesaka) from Melty Blood and Akatsuki (voice: Shinobu Matsumoto) from Akatsuki Blitzkampf appear in the game.

Development

Development of the game began some time in 2010. In an interview with video game news website 4gamer.net, French-Bread producer Nobuya Narita discussed how the project arose from the development team's experiences working on Melty Blood. French-Bread originally planned to work on a new HD title in the Melty Blood series, but development later stalled while Type-Moon went on to work on Mahōtsukai no Yoru. Early prototypes eventually provided the foundations for Under Night In-Birth. Narita particularly emphasized that they wanted to differentiate the game from Melty Blood, so the lore, visuals, systems, and combat flow are much different from their previous work. It is also the team's first game to run in high definition and features hand-drawn high-resolution sprites.

In March 2013, Sega added support for its ALL.Net P-ras Multi service, a distribution network that allows multiple arcade owners to receive copies of the game without having to provide a dedicated arcade cabinet for each copy. Other games that utilize this service include Arc System Works' Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R and Triangle Service's Game Center Love.

Since its initial arcade release in Japan, Under Night In-Birth has received numerous version updates at an approximately monthly basis, adjusting various system features and character attributes, as well as adding several new playable characters to the roster. The September 2013 update included several major changes, along with updating the game's title to Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late. The PlayStation 3 version of the game is based on these changes.

On December 8th, 2015, it was confirmed by publisher Arc System Works that the game would be receiving a port to Valve Corporation's digital store, Steam, to be released in Summer of 2016.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 80.00% Metacritic 80/100 Review scores Publication Score Destructoid 9/10 Eurogamer 8/10 Famitsu 29/40 IGN 8/10 Hardcore Gamer 4/5

The PlayStation 3 version of Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late received a 29/40 from Famitsu.

See also

• Melty Blood
• Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax

External links

• Official website (Japanese)