History VideoGame / UnderNightInBirth

''Under Night In-Birth'' is a UsefulNotes/{{H|ighDefinition}}D 2D FightingGame made by Creator/FrenchBread. It combines fast paced, flashy combat with a unique Tug of War mechanic which rewards good defence. As of now, the roster includes twenty-four characters, with a couple of [[GuestFighter guest characters]] thrown in for good measure.

Originally released on September 20, 2012 in arcades. It later received [[UpdatedRerelease two major updates]] titled ''Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late'', released on September 9th 2013, and ''Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st]'', released on July 23, 2015. Both revisions served to rebalance the roster, updated graphics, and added several new characters, which can be read about on the game's character sheet. ''Late[st]'' also added Chronicle Mode, a collection of visual novel-esque stories that finally show the game's universe and backstory. A UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 port of ''Exe:Late'' was released on July 24, 2014, and [[http://shoryuken.com/2014/07/04/aksys-games-bringing-under-night-in-birth-exelate-to-north-america-in-2015/ would eventually be localized in 2015]] in North Amercia, with Europe getting the game a few days later. It was later released, in its ''Exe:Late'' form, on Steam on June 12, 2016. ''Exe:Late[st]'' also received a console port on UsefulNotes/Playstation3, UsefulNotes/Playstation4, and UsefulNotes/PlaystationVita consoles, releasing in Japan on July 20, 2017. ''Exe:Late[st]'' was released on February 9th, 2018 in both NA and EU regions and localized by both Aksys/P-Qube respectively. "Exe:Late[st]" was released on PC on August 20th, 2018.

Another update of the game titled ''Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late [cl-r]'' (Pronounced "Claire") released for [=PS4=] and UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch on Feburary 20th, 2020 in the US/JP and on the 21st in EU/PAL regions. ''[=UNIclr=]'' was also released on PC on March 27th, 2020. Those with a [=PS4=] or PC copy of ''[=UNIst=]'' are able to update the game to have the balance changes of ''[=UNIclr=]'' on the same day of its release, however, DLC specific to ''[=UNIclr=]'' for ''[=UNIst=]'' owners is sold seperately. Standalone versions of ''[=UNIclr=]'' (physically and digitally) includes DLC's for colors 31-40 for all characters and Round Call voices up to the ''[=UNIst=]'' cast. [[note]]Londrekia's Round Call voice is sold seperately, however.[[/note]]

A new installment was confirmed to be in development on Twitter on September 20th, 2021, and was fully revealed almost two years later on August 4th at EVO 2023 by the name of ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]''. This sequel partially [[GrandFinale concludes the story set up in the first game]], and includes new characters, as well as rollback netcode. ''[Sys:Celes]'' released worldwide for [=PS4=], Switch, PC, and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 on January 25th, 2024.

* FinalBoss: Hilda is normally the final opponent in most of the Arcade stories, but this has slowly phased out as more characters were added. [=UNI2=] so far seems to suggest Kuon will be everybody's arcade boss.

* ImmortalBreaker: The Insulator destroys EXS directly, meaning it can kill any being. This, naturally, has gained the interest of multiple characters - Linne wants Hyde to use it to stop her from ruining the lives of any more host girls, while Hilda wants to free herself from having to answer to Kuon the Eternal and become limitless in her own right.

* NoodleIncident: Hyde and Yuzuriha apparently had one and Hyde has been trying to get over it. Yuzuriha on the other hand doesn't seem to mind all that much but [st]'s Chronicle Mode shows that she's trying her best to forget it.

* PowerStable: The In-Birth Front, organizations and groups who operate within the Hollow Night for different goals. Most characters on the roster and [=NPCs=] from the Arcade and Chronicle modes are aligned with the major ones, although a few (Carmine, Yuzuriha, Byakuya, etc.) remain unaffiliated:

* SymbolicWings: Vatista's wings are arranged in such a way.

''Under Night In-Birth'' is a UsefulNotes/{{H|ighDefinition}}D 2D FightingGame made by Creator/FrenchBread. It combines fast paced, flashy combat with a unique Tug of War mechanic which rewards good defence. As of now, the roster includes twenty-one characters, with a couple of [[GuestFighter guest characters]] thrown in for good measure.

* ArtEvolution: Seiichi Yoshihara's art saw a noticeable switch from a more hued, soft-shaded style to a much brighter, cel-shaded and more detailed style around the time that ''Exe:Late[cl-r]'' released. Compare the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/in-birth/images/a/ad/Undernight6-clean.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180511062139 box art]] of ''Exe:Late[st]'' to the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/in-birth/images/8/84/Uniclr-box.png/revision/latest?cb=20190803195800 box art]] of ''Exe:Late[cl-r]''. This new style is featured front and center for UNI2.

* BattleIntro: While unique battle lines were slim, more characters being added has led to more unique opening lines. UNI2 reflects the in-game passage of time with more unique intro dialogue than ever before.
* BigBad: Hilda, at first glance, who is really just a pawn beneath Kuon. The latter reveals himself to be the new, or the original, big bad in UNI2.

** UNI2 is officially a numbered sequel but still retains most of its predecessor's gameplay and visuals.

* DashAttack: All characters have at least two special running attacks. UNI2 grants a privileged few a third running attack.

* FinalBoss: Hilda is normally the final opponent in most of the Arcade stories, but this has slowly phased out as more characters were added. UNI2 so far seems to suggest Kuon will be everybody's arcade boss.

A new installment was confirmed to be in development on Twitter on September 20th, 2021, and was fully revealed almost two years later on August 4th at EVO 2023 by the name of ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]''. This sequel is set to [[GrandFinale conclude the story set up in the first game]], and will include new characters as well as rollback netcode. ''[Sys:Celes]'' is set to release worldwide for [=PS4=], Switch, PC, and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 on January 25th, 2024.

* Introduced in '''''[Sys:Celes]''''': [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe Tsurugi]], [[GunsAkimbo Kaguya Jingu]], ''[[BigBad Kuon]]''[[note]]UnlockableContent, but can also be purchased as DLC[[/note]]

* Introduced in '''''[Sys:Celes]''''': [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe Tsurugi]], [[GunsAkimbo Kaguya Seikaiguu]], ''[[BigBad Kuon]]''[[note]]UnlockableContent, but can also be purchased as DLC[[/note]]

* MightyGlacier: Waldstein is an absolute mountain of a man. Enkidu is all 7-feet tall, being even taller than Merkava, while still being physically human.

* ParryingBullets: Waldstein's Destroyers and Wagner's Ancile can nullify projectiles if they make contact with them. Other characters like Enkidu, Akatsuki, Hyde, and Vatista have their parries. Tsurugi can just tank through them.

* ArtEvolution: Seiichi Yoshihara's art saw a noticeable switch from a more hued, soft-shaded style to a much brighter, cel-shaded and more detailed style around the time that ''Exe:Late[cl-r]'' released. Compare the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/in-birth/images/a/ad/Undernight6-clean.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180511062139 box art]] of ''Exe:Late[st]'' to the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/in-birth/images/8/84/Uniclr-box.png/revision/latest?cb=20190803195800 box art]] of ''Exe:Late[cl-r]''.

* BattleIntro: While unique battle lines were slim, more characters being added has led to more unique opening lines.
* BigBad: Hilda, at first glance, who is really just a pawn beneath Kuon.

* CallingYourAttacks: A fighting game staple. Linne even does it to get her in the fighting mood.

* DashAttack: All characters have at least two special running attacks.

* EveryoneWentToSchoolTogether: Around half the cast is composed of students in both middle-school and high-school. Hyde shares the same high-school with Orie, Seth, and Carmine while Phonon and Nanase share middle-schools. Byakuya and Tsukuyomi attend a different school and Wagner attends an all-girls academy.
* {{Expy}}: The series aped a number of things from ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood'', ''French Bread''[='s=] prior fighting game based on ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'', likely due to uncertainty over whether or not ''Melty Blood'' is getting a HD remake (it eventually does in 2021 in the form of ''Melty Blood Type Lumina'') As such, ''UNI'' borrows some of its architypes and recontextualize them, before going on in its own direction entirely in later entries. Some of the notable silimiarities are:

** ChurchMilitant entity who deals with supernatural occurence in the story.
** A 'forgotten junior' character who got involved by concidence.

* FinalBoss: Hilda is normally the final opponent in most of the Arcade stories, but this has slowly phased out as more characters were added.

* GenderEqualEnsemble: The roster of 20 is evenly split between male and female fighters. Subverted as of ''Late[cl-r]'' with Londrekia's inclusion.

* GrandFinale: ''[Sys:Celes]'' is set to be tihs for the series as a whole, being billed as the "epic conclusion to the enthralling tale of the Hollow Night".

* HumanoidAbomination: Merkava. Most of the other Void probably qualify as well.

* LightEmUp: Orie and to a certain extent, Chaos.

* MightyGlacier: Waldstein is an absolute mountain of a man.

* ParryingBullets: Waldstein's Destroyers and Wagner's Ancile can nullify projectiles if they make contact with them. Other haracters like Enkidu, Akatsuki, and Vatista have their parries.

* RoyalRapier: Orie's Ruler. It also stores her GuardianEntity.

* SuperMode: Veil Off. Gives a 10% damage boost and doubles as a pseudo-ComboBreaker.

* {{The Gimmick}}: The character-specific Force Function.

* UnblockableAttack: Slightly averted. Seth is the only character that can make use of unblockable set-ups.

A new installment was confirmed to be in development on Twitter on September 20th, 2021, and was fully revealed almost two years later on August 4th at EVO 2023 by the name of ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]'' (pronounced "System Celes"). This sequel is set to [[GrandFinale conclude the story set up in the first game]], and will include new characters as well as rollback netcode.

* {{Bishounen}}: Hyde and Seth, to name a few.

* Introduced in '''''[Sys:Celes]''''': [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe Tsurugi]], [[GunsAkimbo Kaguya Seikaiguu]], [[BigBad Kuon]]

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

** Introduced in '''''Exe:Late[st]'''''/'''''Exe:Late[cl-r]''''': [[{{Chuunibyou}} Phonon]], ''[[PintSizedPowerhouse Mika Returna]]'', ''[[KnightTemplar Erika Wagner]]'', ''[[BareFistedMonk Enkidu]]'', ''[[AnIcePerson Londrekia Light]]''

A new installment was confirmed to be in development on Twitter on September 20th, 2021, though it remains to be seen if this will be another update or a brand new game entirely. On August 4 at the Evolution 2023 tournament, it was officially revealed that the sequel is named ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]'' (pronounced "System Celes"). This sequel is set to [[GrandFinale conclude the story of the original installments]], and will include new characters as well as rollback netcode.

A new installment was confirmed to be in development on Twitter on September 20th, 2021, though it remains to be seen if this will be another update or a brand new game entirely. On August 4 at the Evolution 2023 tournament, it was officially revealed that the sequel is named ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]'' (pronounced "System Celes"). This sequel is set to [[GrandFinale conclude the story of the original installments]], and will include new characters as well as rollback netcode

* BlindIdiotTranslation: The localizations for both ''Exe: Late'' and ''Exe: Late[st]'' were rather rushed to put it nicely, but ''Exe Late[st]'' definitely stands out. Both are plastered with spelling and grammatical errors, while ''Exe: Late[st]'''s localization flat out changes the names of terminology that has already been established, labels Wagner as male and even has the character themes renamed.

A new installment was confirmed to be in development on Twitter on September 20th, 2021, though it remains to be seen if this will be another update or a brand new game entirely. On August 4 at the Evolution 2023 tournaemnt, it was officially revealed that the sequel is named ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]'' (pronounced "System Celes"). This sequel is set to [[GrandFinale conclude the story of the original installments]], and will include new characters as well as rollback netcode

A new installment was confirmed to be in development on Twitter on September 20th, 2021, though it remains to be seen if this will be another update or a brand new game entirely. On August 4 at the Evolution 2023 tournaemnt, it was officially revealed that the sequel is named ''Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]'' (pronounced "System Celes"), and will include new characters as well as rollback netcode.

A new installment was confirmed to be in development on Twitter on September 20th, 2021, though it remains to be seen if this will be another update or a brand new game entirely.

* RatedMForManly: Gordeau certainly looks the part, Enkidu more so.

* EXSpecialAttack: Performed by using C to do a special move. They cost half of your EXS bar, but [[SuperMode Veil Off]] reduces the cost to a third.

* WhipItGood: Phonon's pet snake, Meuniel[[note]]Localized as Mooney[[/note]], can transform into an incredibly long whip.