I realize I kinda overuse the "pull the title card back up and stare at it in confusion"
bit, but I think in this case it's wholly justified.
Yeah.
I can come up with about eleven thousand disturbing mental scenarios, most of which involve the
protagonist of Beyond Good and Evil and pointy objects.
So we'll move beyond that, into... gratuitous catgirl panty shots.
Yep, it's another doujin bullet hell shooter, which means there's plenty of time for dialogue
and setting the stage, telling the story of... well, it's not so much about humans and vampires
fighting for control of a city this time, instead it's about an intramural tournament
to the death at a girls' school for witches and summoners and yes, indeed, catgirls.
And, because it's an eXceed game, there's probably going to be a sudden musical cut
before the person you're talking to engages in hardcore bullet hell combat with you.
Am I wrong?
Nope!
Called it!
And sure, the bullets might be different colors, and the previous game in this series MIGHT've
been Ikaruga by any other name, but don't be mistaken, this is much more of a medals-everywhere-style
bullet hell, the kind you'd see in KOF Sky Stage or the like.
Also, for the first time since one particular girl in eXceed 1st, you've got OPTIONS.
Not, y'know, option options, but "Mini Tiamat" satellite dragons that follow in your wake
and add to the chaos erupting all over the screen.
They're adorable, they're resilient, and they can be re-collected if and when you meet your
untimely demise.
The "focus" function from the first game returns for eXceed 3rd... um...
Jade Penetrate Black Package... allowing you to cut your speed in half for tighter maneuvering
through the mass of ordnance headed your way at any given time.
This also has the added benefit of making your Mini Tiamat option satellite options
focus fire on the nearest target.
So the eXceed series comes to a close, what with its cute girls and insane bullet-slaloming
action and unspeakably badass soundtracks, especially as far as boss battles are concerned.
I mean, sweet Altana is the music in this game - and this series as a whole, for the
most part - awesome.
If it turns out that the game itself is just a clever marketing tool for their own soundtracks...
well, I'd be fine with that.
They just might bilk me for some more cash there, then I can listen to this awesomeness
next time I'm trying to saw through Ocha-Ken no Heya DS 4 (and yes, that's a thing that's
currently on my desk).
So get thyself to Steam, and find thyself the eXceed collection, and worry not about
the pantyshots and whatnot because it's bullet hell that makes you want to run through a
brick wall.