UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st] is a fighting game, developed by Ecole and French Bread and published by Arc System Works. French Bread is a studio responsible for Melty Blood series, set in the TYPE-MOON universe. The game features 20 playable characters, each of whom has their own set of moves and special attacks. The game was first released in Japan and has since received many updates, adding new characters and improving the mechanics.

2D-fighter gameplay

UNIST follows the mechanics of other 2D-fighting games, such as Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series. In the game, the player’s job is to deplete their opponents' vitality or {VIT} with series of attacks. The player can use combinations of light, medium and heavy attacks into combos, as well as perform throws, dashes and universal mechanic attacks. The mechanic called Passing Link allows canceling attacks to speed-up the recovery time. After landing a successful attack the player fills the EXS gauge, which allows performing devastating super attacks when filled to either 50 or 100%.

Grind Grid and Cross-Cast Veil Off

The main element of the game, one that dictates the flow of the match, is the Grind Grid. Grind Gird is a “tug-of-war” type mechanic where players gain Grid Blocks by landing successful attacks on the enemy. In contrast, being attacked and hit depletes the number of Grid Blocks. The meter situated between the players’ EXS gauges fills with said blocks, and when full it activates Vorpal State. In this state, the player’s character gains a 10% attack power boost and can perform specific attacks based on their Vorpal Traits. The Late{st} version added a new mechanic called Cross-Cast Veil Off, which grants them additional boosts when in Vorpal State and wit 50% of EXS gauge full.

Visual novel-like story mode

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st] tells the story through visual novel-inspired cutscenes, connected by a series of battles. The story of the game takes place in 21^st-century Japan. Once a month, an event called Hollow Night occurs in particular regions of the country, during which creatures known as Voids take over the streets of towns and cities. Invisible to humans, Voids can be perceived only by those possessing a special gift. They are In-Births, humans who survived being attacked by a Void. Endowed with amazing new powers, In-Births fight for the control over the Hollow Night.  

Playable characters

The game features a roster of 20 playable characters. They include:

• Hyde Kido – the protagonist of the game, a high school student who gained EXS powers due to a Void attack. 
• Linne – the deuteragonist of the game and the main female lead of the story. A member of the Night Blade organization who helped Hyde when he was attacked by Voids, and now aids him in understanding his In-Birth purpose. 
• Yuzuriha – Hyde’s childhood friend and a powerful warrior who protects her family’s shrine.
• Hilda – the leader of Amnesia – an organization responsible for the events in the game. She holds a grudge against the current leadership of the Hollow Night overseers.
• Nanase – added in the Late{st} version, Nanase is a middle-school girl accidentally turned into an In-Birth. She chases after Hyde, seeking vengeance for not saving her soon enough.
• Byakuya – added in the Late{st} version, Byakuya is a mysterious young man traveling with his sister under the dark skies of the Hollow Night. His goals are as of yet unknown.

Reception

The game received positive reviews from critics. Reviewers praised the games competent mechanics, which put UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st] on par with other similar titles, as well as the new additions to the gameplay, which made it even more spectacular.

Key features:

• Action-packed 2D-fighter game
• Engaging tory told in a form of a visual novel
• 20 playable characters with unique sets of moves
• Innovative Grid Grind system, changing the flow of battle
• New Cross-Cast Veil Off mechanic