UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes Review

A new numbered entry in the series, FRENCH-BREAD and Arc System Works’ UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes carries the series forward after a strong reception from fans and critics – including us! The series has established itself as a cult classic after multiple versions; does this full measure mark a substantial leap for the series?

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes Review

For those just entering the Hollow Night, Sys:Celes will transport players to a world where speed and maneuverability reign supreme. Dashes and combos are the key to coming out on top, with stuns, EX Moves, and Special Moves also playing a big role. Don’t be fooled though; Sys:Celes has got a much different feel than Street Fighter 6 or Mortal Kombat 1. This, in turn, makes for a refreshing experience – albeit one with a high skill ceiling.

All of Sys:Celes’ intricacies admittedly are a lot to take in, this 2D fighter gives players multiple options for players to fly. Like previous entries, Simple Inputs make it easy for players to get a feel of each battle, with characters like series mainstay Hyde featuring familiar inputs that are easy to grasp. A robust Tutorial, Missions, and an Arcade Mode also provide the proper training ground. There’s even Casual Matches in its online mode, with rollback netcode ensuring a smooth experience.

Sys:Celes does have enough new content for returning Under Night players as well. Featuring incredible names like “Twin Barrel Beauty” Kaguya, “Steel Guardian” Tsurugi, “Eternal Re-Birth” Kuon, this trio provides additional variety to the cast. Whether it’s gunslinging, a bulwark, or countless floating blades, each of these three features a wildly different style we enjoyed diving into.

Sys:Celes also packs some new tricks with additional moves among its roster. Our tried-and-true habits caught the best of us with these changes, but they do help differentiate this entry and add depth all the same.

New mechanics also make an appearance in the form of Creeping Edge and Celestial Vorpal. The former is a clever dodge, not unlike the system found in SNK’s The King of Fighters series. As for the latter, Celestial Vorpal gives players the entire GRD gauge if there are six or more nodes. While we like how Creeping Edge taps into i-frames, we feel like Celestial Vorpal lacks balance. Time will tell how things play out with future play and patches.

Note that those braving the Steam version of Sys:Celes like us will have a less than smooth experience. We had trouble at launch with options like fullscreen and menus, though it should be noted that there have been some patches as of February 5 that have improved upon things. While not as polished as previous entries, it does provide a serviceable experience.

While the Steam version still has some bugs that need to be ironed out, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes provides a number of great reasons to visit the Hollow Night in what is the most robust roster to date.

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