Round one: the first night
Under Night has a quieter reputation than its loud art suggests. Smart Steer, the auto-combo on one button, gives newcomers full combos with repeated presses, and EX moves sit on a single button too. The tutorial and mission modes explain the systems properly.
The story is told in Chronicle mode as a visual novel, and the arcade mode has endings. It is not a big solo package, but it is enough to learn a fighter.
The GRD meter turns every round into a tug-of-war you can see at the bottom of the screen.
Round two: online
This is the first Under Night with rollback netcode, and online play is good. There is no crossplay that we could confirm, so on PC you play other PC players, and the queues are smaller than for the big games.
The game also does not run on Steam Deck.
Round three: depth
The GRD system is unique: a tug-of-war meter that fills when you move forward, block well or attack, and empties when you back away. Win the cycle and you get a damage bonus and a powerful Veil Off. It means the game rewards moving with purpose, not running scared.
The cast of 28 is varied and strange, from Hyde's straightforward sword to Waldstein's giant claws.
Round four: the bill
The base game is £44.99 on Steam UK, which is a lot next to Fatal Fury at £19.99. The Season Pass is £7.99 and Zohar £3.99, so the full cast is about £57.
It drops in the big sales; at full price it is hard to recommend over the cheaper 2D games here.
| Steam UK | Usual | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes, base game | £44.99 | £44.99 |
| Season Pass | £7.99 | £7.99 |
| Zohar | £3.99 | £3.99 |
| Full cast | £56.97 | £56.97 |
The Season Pass covers Uzuki, Ogre and Izumi with their stages and unlocks Kuon straight away. Zohar, added in September 2026, is sold on her own for £3.99. The 25 Announcer Characters pack (£15.99) changes voices only.
Who to pick first
Hyde
The lead: a sword fighter with a fireball and an uppercut. Easy to learn, effective at every level.
Waldstein
A giant with huge claws and grabs. Slow, but one good guess wins the round.
Before your first ranked match
- Move forward. The GRD meter rewards pressing in, not backing away.
- Use Smart Steer combos at first, then learn one real combo for your fighter.
- Learn the Shield: blocking with it at the right time fills GRD and starts your turn.
Is it for you?
Buy it if
- You like anime fighters that reward thinking
- You enjoy a meter you can see and plan around
- You want something different from the big two
Skip it if
- You play on Steam Deck
- You want crossplay
- You want the cheapest option
The verdict
A clever, distinctive 2D fighter with one of the best systems in the genre. The price and the smaller player base keep it from scoring higher.
Sources
Played on PC by the Battle Themes team. Facts and prices checked 4 November 2026.