View source for Border Down

{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Border_Down_flyer.png
| caption = Arcade flyer
| developer = [[G.rev]]
| publisher = G.rev
| director = 
| producer = Hiroyuki Maruyama
| programmer = Katsuyuki Fujita
| artist = Hideyuki Kato<br />Tsukasa Kado
| composer = Yasuhisa Watanabe
| platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[Dreamcast]]
| released = '''Arcade'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|25 April 2003}}'''Dreamcast'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|25 September 2003}}
| genre = [[Scrolling shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| arcade system = [[Sega NAOMI]]
}}

'''''Border Down''''' is a horizontally [[scrolling shooter]] video game developed and published by [[G.rev]]. It was released in Japanese [[Amusement arcade|arcades]] in April 2003 on [[Sega NAOMI]] hardware, and was ported to the [[Dreamcast]] later that year. The story takes place in the future where humans are defending their [[Mars]] colony from an invading alien attack. The game employs a "border system" where each stage has three variations of different difficulty. The player starts on the easiest variation, and is lowered to a more difficult variation with each subsequent loss of a [[Life (gaming)|life]].

Producer Hiroyuki Maruyama was heavily inspired by [[Taito]]'s shooter ''[[Metal Black (video game)|Metal Black]]'' (1991) and founded G.rev with ex-Taito employees specifically to develop a shooter of his own. The team of five did subcontract work to gather funding and build their skills programming [[SEGA NAOMI|NAOMI]] arcade hardware. Among the projects they worked on were Treasure's ''[[Ikaruga]]'' (2001) and ''[[Gradius V]]'' (2004). Due to lack of funds, they were not able to realize all the ideas they conceptualized for the game. ''Border Down'' was released to mixed reception, but was commercially successful and continues to maintain a steady interest from shooter fans. G.rev went on to make other shoot 'em ups including ''[[WarTech: Senko no Ronde|Senko no Ronde]]'' and ''[[Under Defeat]]''.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Border_Down_screenshot.png|thumb|left|The player, controlling the red ship, fights off enemies to the right in the first stage.]]
''Border Down'' is a side-scrolling [[shoot 'em up]] set in a futuristic setting.<ref name=":3" /> Centuries after humans have colonized Mars, hostile aliens begin attacking the planet. The Mars defense force mobilizes and launch a new type of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|unmanned aircraft]]. The player takes on the role of a pilot, controlling the aircraft through a remote control interface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grev.co.jp/border_down/story00.html|title=Prologue|date=2003|website=G.rev|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106100451/http://www.grev.co.jp/border_down/story00.html|archive-date=6 January 2017|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grev.co.jp/border_down/story01.html|title=R.A.I.N|date=2003|website=G.rev|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106162118/http://www.grev.co.jp/border_down/story01.html|archive-date=6 January 2017|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018|language=ja}}</ref> The game's name is derived from its "border system".<ref name=":3" /> Each stage has three parallel variations, or "borders" of varying difficulty. The player starts on the easiest border ("green"), and if they lose a [[Life (gaming)|life]], drop to "yellow", and then finally the difficult "red" border.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grev.co.jp/border_down/rule.html|title=Border|date=2003|website=G.rev|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820181448/http://www.grev.co.jp/border_down/rule.html|archive-date=20 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> If the player loses a life in the red border, it is [[game over]], though a [[Continue (video games)|continue]] option can be unlocked through repeated play. Each border is slightly different from the others, usually featuring other enemies and modified stage layouts and backgrounds. The final stage and ending are determined by the amount of time spent in each border during a playthrough.<ref name=":3" /> The Dreamcast version also features a "Remix mode" with new enemy attack patterns.<ref name=":0" />

The ship's main weapon can either be fired as a continuous barrage of bullets by holding down the fire button, or as a set of homing missiles by tapping it.<ref name=":3" /> A power meter slowly fills up over time which determines the strength of the ship's weaponry. It can also be boosted by destroying enemies.<ref name=":0" /> This meter can also power a secondary laser attack, which has an additional function of canceling out any boss attack, reflecting it back at them. Using the laser comes at a cost, as it drains the meter and therefore weakens the main weapon.<ref name=":3" />

==Development==
''Border Down'' was developed and published by [[G.rev]], a team founded by producer Hiroyuki Maruyama with the explicit purpose to develop a shoot 'em up.<ref name=":0" /> The team consisted of five ex-[[Taito]] employees: three programmers, one designer, and Maruyama himself.<ref name=":0" /> After founding the company in July 2000, he first needed to build [[Financial capital|capital]] and give his team an opportunity to learn the skills and techniques to develop a shooter.<ref name=":0" /> They were able to gather most of the funds through producing their first game, ''Doki Doki Idol Star Seeker'' (2001), a puzzle game for the [[Sega]]'s [[SEGA NAOMI|NAOMI]] arcade board.<ref name=":0" /> The remaining amount was accumulated through freelance work, including subcontract work with [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]] on two shooters, ''[[Ikaruga]]'' (2001) and ''[[Gradius V]]'' (2004).<ref name=":0" /> ''Ikaruga'' gave G.rev the key experience of programming for NAOMI hardware.<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine|date=17 July 2008|title=The Making of: Border Down|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=53|pages=70–73}}</ref>

The initial concept for ''Border Down'' took root with Maruyama before he founded G.rev. He was heavily inspired by Taito's shooter ''[[Metal Black (video game)|Metal Black]]'' (1991), specifically the game's "Beam Level" system.<ref name=":0" /> He also borrowed ideas from his experiences with producing ''[[G-Darius]]'' (1997) with Taito, particularly the game's branching level system which inspired the border system in ''Border Down''. With a parallel world system like this, the team would not need to develop as many distinct levels. This was one of the few parts of his original concept that was kept in the final game.<ref name=":0" /> For visual inspiration, Maruyama pulled from [[Kim Stanley Robinson]]'s science fiction novel ''[[Red Mars]]''.<ref name=":0" /> Character design was handled by artist Tsukasa Kado.<ref name="AeroGardenNostalgia">{{cite web|last=Kado|first=Tsukasa|url=http://www1.u-netsurf.ne.jp/~sakabon/work.html|title=WORK LIST|website=空中庭園ノスタルジア|language=ja|access-date=2025-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322164012/http://www1.u-netsurf.ne.jp/~sakabon/work.html|archive-date=2025-03-22|url-status=live}}</ref> The music was composed by Yasuhisa Watanabe, who also composed the music to ''Metal Black'' and was the only member of the staff who had worked on the 1991 shooter.<ref name=":0" />

The team had to cut a significant amount of material due to lack of funds. In particular Maruyama wanted to flesh out the ending and opening cinematics. They also had plans for more visual flair, including background details and explosion effects, but had to cut about a third of these ideas because of the NAOMI's graphical limitations.<ref name=":0" /> They commissioned help for extra sound and design work.<ref name=":0" /> In [[Game One]]{{'}}s 2006 French [[TV documentary]] ''Japon: Histoire du Shooting Game'', Maruyama said that all he wanted was to make ''Border Down'' and would have been happy if G.rev collapsed afterwards.<ref name="GOJapon">{{cite AV media|last1=Pilot|first1=Alex|last2=Ruchet|first2=Sébastien|date=2006|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc69PzQt5Bo|title=Japon: Histoire du Shooting Game|trans-title=Japan: History of the Shooting Game|work=[[Game One]]|medium=[[YouTube]]|series=Japon|language=fr|location=France|publisher=[[MTV Networks France]]|time=22m44s|access-date=2021-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228213214/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc69PzQt5Bo|archive-date=28 December 2021|url-status=bot: unknown}} ([http://shmup.canalblog.com/ Transcription and translation] by CanalBlog. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421112948/http://shmup.canalblog.com/ |date=2014-04-21 }}).</ref>

== Release ==
''Border Down'' was released in Japanese arcades on 25 April 2003.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/24222/|title=ボーダーダウン (アーケード)|magazine=Famitsu|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> It was common for NAOMI shooters to be ported to Sega's home console, the [[Dreamcast]], making a significant portion of the aging console's extended output.<ref name=":0" /> Sega had effectively ceased support for the system in the west by this time, but some support remained in Japan. Although a Dreamcast conversion would seem like an obvious choice with it being a NAOMI game, G.rev spent time considering which console was most suitable for a home port. They decided against the [[PlayStation 2]] because the game would have needed a complete rebuild from the ground up. As for the [[GameCube]], they believed ''Border Down'' was not suited for the system's audience.<ref name=":0" /> With these factors, along with the ease of porting NAOMI games to the Dreamcast, they chose Sega's home console.<ref name=":0" /> According to ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' and ''[[Jeuxvideo.com]]'', a fan petition for a Dreamcast port was another factor.<ref name=":22">{{Cite magazine|date=December 2003|title=Border Down|magazine=Edge|issue=130|pages=105}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> The simplicity of the porting process left G.rev with more time to add the Remix mode.<ref name=":0" />

The Dreamcast port was released a few months after the arcade version, on 25 September 2003.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://sega.jp/dc/030902/|title=ボーダーダウン {{!}} ドリームキャスト {{!}} 家庭用ゲーム {{!}} SEGA|website=Sega|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029054547/http://sega.jp/dc/030902/|archive-date=29 October 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> If bought through Sega Direct, the game came with a ''Border Down'' branded mouse pad.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1141246_1124.html|title=セガダイレクトには話題のグッズが満載！ - ファミ通.com|date=7 August 2003|magazine=Famitsu|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804023027/https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1141246_1124.html|archive-date=4 August 2018|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> In addition to the standard version, 3000 limited edition copies were produced that came bundled with the soundtrack.<ref name=":1" /> The soundtrack contains tracks not included in the original game, and was also sold separately.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/info/1138007_1113.html|title=ファミ通.com / アツいサウンドに耳を傾けろ！ 『BORDER DOWN イメージサウンドトラック』発売決定！|date=28 November 2002|magazine=Famitsu|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804023027/https://www.famitsu.com/game/info/1138007_1113.html|archive-date=4 August 2018|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> Maruyama was prepared to fold G.rev if ''Border Down'' was not successful,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/143/G014329/20170310047/|script-title=ja:生粋のシューティングゲームメーカー，グレフ。その職人集団のアーケードへのこだわりと，情熱について聞いてきた（ゲーム開発会社探訪 第5回）|date=16 March 2017|work=4Gamer.net|access-date=4 August 2018|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121194632/http://www.4gamer.net/games/143/G014329/20170310047/|archive-date=21 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> but the number of customer orders at launch exceeded G.rev and Sega's expectations, so they continued producing new copies until they felt demand was met.<ref name=":0" />

''Border Down'' has seen continued interest post-release. A second volume to the soundtrack was released on 13 May 2004 through Sega Direct, containing tracks from the Remix mode and an original track by Watanabe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0404/08/news17.html|title=「ボーダーダウン」CD第2弾が5月発売開始！|date=8 April 2004|website=ITmedia|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005191756/http://www.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0404/08/news17.html|archive-date=5 October 2016|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> By 2007, Japanese retailer Messe Sanoh was still seeing demand for the game, and so requested Sega and G.rev for another production run. Their request was granted; a second run was produced and sold exclusively through Messe Sanoh retailers beginning on 17 January 2008.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1212848_1124.html|title=ドリームキャスト用『BORDER DOWN（ボーダーダウン）』がメッセサンオーにて限定"再販売"決定|date=28 December 2007|magazine=Famitsu|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511075043/https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1212848_1124.html|archive-date=11 May 2018|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> Both production runs included, less than 20,000 copies were sold.<ref name=":0" /> It has since become one of the most coveted Japanese exclusives for Dreamcast collectors.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-02-super-bank-breakers|title=A guide to gaming's most valuable treasures|last=Massey|first=Tom|date=25 January 2015|work=Eurogamer|access-date=4 August 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185519/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-02-super-bank-breakers|archive-date=12 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-sega?page=11|title=IGN Presents the History of SEGA|last=Fahs|first=Travis|date=21 April 2009|website=IGN|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409215822/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-sega?page=11|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> In 2011, Maruyama said that he would consider rereleasing ''Border Down'' or his 2005 game ''[[Under Defeat]]'' on modern platforms.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamezone.com/news/grev_has_considered_a_border_down_remake/|title=G.rev Has Considered a Border Down Remake|last=Donato|first=Joe|date=4 May 2012|work=GameZone|access-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804023026/https://www.gamezone.com/news/grev_has_considered_a_border_down_remake/|archive-date=4 August 2018|url-status=live|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gen16.com/archives/9578/interview-with-g-rev-ceo-hiroyuki-maruyama|title=Interview with G.rev CEO Hiroyuki Maruyama {{!}} gen16|last1=Godoy|first1=Joan|date=18 May 2011|website=Gen16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117075457/http://gen16.com/archives/9578/interview-with-g-rev-ceo-hiroyuki-maruyama|archive-date=17 November 2011}}</ref> ''Under Defeat'' was rereleased in 2012 for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/143/G014328/20120217083/|title=まさに"シンプルイズベスト"な良作STG。ワイドな戦場となった「アンダーディフィートHD」のプレイムービーを掲載|date=18 February 2012|website=4Gamer|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918100933/http://www.4gamer.net/games/143/G014328/20120217083/|archive-date=18 September 2017|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> A [[resin kit]] for the player ship from ''Border Down'' was released in February 2013.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201301/07026916.html|script-title=ja:横スクロールシューティング『ボーダーダウン』の自機“アンタレス”のレジンキャストキットが登場|date=7 January 2013|magazine=Famitsu|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430221635/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201301/07026916.html|archive-date=30 April 2013|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref>

==Reception==
Initial reactions to the arcade release were mixed. Maruyama recalled: "It's a really individualistic type of game, so when we first released it [in the arcades] it received both positive and negative reactions".<ref name=":0" /> ''Edge'' gave the Dreamcast version a 6 out of 10, feeling that the game had all the ingredients to be an outstanding shooter, but lacked the energy to push it to that next level. They explained that ''Border Down'' lacked the intensity to frighten players, and felt that good shooters need that type of panic inducing gameplay.<ref name=":22" />

In retrospect, ''[[Eurogamer]]'' called ''Border Down'' "arguably [G.rev's] best game", among the likes of ''[[WarTech: Senko no Ronde|Senko no Ronde]]'' and ''[[Under Defeat]]''.<ref name=":2" /> ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' called it one of the highest regarded late-era releases for the Dreamcast.<ref name=":0" /> Kurt Kalata of ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' wrote that the game remains popular with hardcore shoot 'em up fans, but found it hard to recommend given its high price tag within secondary markets.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://hg101.kontek.net/dcshooters/dcshooters.htm|title=Post-Mortem Dreamcast Shooters|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|date=19 March 2007|website=Hardcore Gaming 101|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> ''Jeuxvideo.com'' believed it to be the best horizontal shooter for the Dreamcast.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014651-border-down-test.htm|title=Test : Border Down|date=24 March 2011|work=Jeuxvideo.com|access-date=4 August 2018|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519154245/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014651-border-down-test.htm|archive-date=19 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Kalata and ''Jeuxvideo.com'' agreed that the game had excellent replayability due to the border and scoring systems.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> ''Retro Gamer'' thought the graphics were good for the game's limited budget,<ref name=":0" /> and ''Jeuxvideo.com'' agreed,<ref name=":4" /> but Kalata believed they were bland outside of some interesting backgrounds.<ref name=":3" /> Regarding the music, ''Retro Gamer'' wrote that it was "strong enough to stand on its own",<ref name=":0" /> while Kalata and ''Jeuxvideo.com'' felt it was strange synth and techno jazz.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> Kalata felt gameplay similarities to the ''[[Darius (series)|Darius]]'' series,<ref name=":3" /> while ''Jeuxvideo.com'' called it a great mix of classic style shooters like ''[[R-Type]]'' and more modern manic shooters.<ref name=":4" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.grev.co.jp/border_down/index.html}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{KLOV game|id=12697}}

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Dreamcast games]]
[[Category:G.rev games]]
[[Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Japan-exclusive video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Yasuhisa Watanabe]]
[[Category:Video games set on Mars]]