eXceed Series

[AntiFritz]

Definately buying from steam as soon as its available.

[cfx]

.

[GenkiPatton]

Steam is DRM. The fact that other companies have gotten even more intrusive doesn't change that fact. Whenever I hear people talking about games being "DRM-free on the Steam version" I think of that line from The Usual Suspects:

"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist."

No, Steam's DRM is optional. t's up to the developer or publisher to choose whether or not they want DRM on their games.

It's not optional in order to be able to download the game from them in the first place.

Barrakketh is right. Steam is a digital distribution platform and is not DRM in and of itself. It has DRM functionality, but that doesn't mean it's always used.

[MrChiggins]

Was planning on buying the collection anyway just to support more releases like this but holy cow... eXceed3rd is fun as hell. I've been playing the demo for hours.

The scoring mechanics are genius.

The combination of killing enemies as fast as possible (and proximity plays into your damage output) and grazing to fill up an Ikaruga-esque bomb meter so you can kill enemies even FASTER... this is one of the more fun scoring systems I've encountered.

You have to play it as aggressively as you would Ketsui or Raiden Fighters, BUT THERE'S GRAZING. And not like milk-the-boss-for-3-hours grazing... like, aggressive grazing.

<3

[GenkiPatton]

Feeling the love - thanks, guys!

[Jeneki]

March 29th!

Woot! Oh wait, I'm out of town all weekend. Well I'll have something to look forward to on Monday.

[Mischief Maker]

The eXceed Collection (& the standalone games) will go on sale, direct & 100% DRM free from http://exceedseries.com/ from March 29th!

That's more like it!

Now all I've got to do is convince Rockin' Android to release Crescent Pale Mist for PC direct DL.

[GenkiPatton]

Release time!!

It’s been a long time in coming, but we are proud to present The eXceed COLLECTION – on sale direct and 100% DRM-free NOW at http://www.exceedseries.com/ !

Bundled in the collection are English language versions of all 3 installments of the series: eXceed – Gun Bullet Children, eXceed 2nd – Vampire REX and eXceed 3rd – Jade Penetrate Black Package!

Highlights of the highly anticipated collection include:
• SOLID GAMEPLAY MECHANICS, including the renowned polarity-based gameplay popularized in Ikaruga and multiple scoring systems including melee attacks, bullet grazing and bullet cancelling
• The STELLAR ORIGINAL JAPANESE VOICEOVER CAST, including Chiwa Saito (Homura Akemi – Puella Magi Madoka Magica), Yukari Tamura (Nanoha Takamachi – Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha) and Nana Mizuki (Wrath in Fullmetal Alchemist)
• KILLER ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS by prodigies Saitama Saisyu Heiki (also on sale separately now at http://tennen-sozai.bandcamp.com/)
• OUTSTANDING VALUE FOR MONEY!] Outstanding value! 3 games worth $14.97 for only $9.99! Save $4.98 versus purchasing separately!

BULLET HELL COMES AT A HEAVENLY PRICE!

Support the game and the developer – purchase your copy at http://www.exceedseries.com/ !

[Chaos Phoenixma]

When's the Steam release happening. That's the one I'm waiting for.

[Danny]

Yeah I am wondering that too as I don't like manually updating stuff unless it's super easy. How would I theoretically update these games if an patch where to be made in the future?

[Drachenherz]

Bought and downloading the series right now... Looking forward to it.

[Observer]

From Nyu Media's Facebook:

Steam is in the pipe, being readied by Capcom now. Release date is TBC, but you will know as soon as we do!

[Udderdude]

So what's up with this series? It seems like Touhou with more production values to me. Anyone got some info? I would like to buy it, but not if it's just going to be "Shinier Touhou".

[RNGmaster]

So what's up with this series? It seems like Touhou with more production values to me. Anyone got some info? I would like to buy it, but not if it's just going to be "Shinier Touhou".

All I really have experience with is Exceed 3rd, but it's a bit faster-paced and more akin to Crimzon Clover in stage design and such. More big enemies and u-streaming sections, you know.

The scoring system does involve grazing, but as MrChiggins noted it's very different from Touhou. There's a huge emphasis on point-blanking and speedkills.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

On the face of it, its basically Touhou for ppl who dont like Touhou. Longer stages, faster pacing, No damn fairies. But with Touhou boss fights. Hell even the conversation text of BP is atleast mildly intresting compared to badly translated jokes in Touhou, which is about as intresting as listening to 2 old ladies gossiping over the garden fence

(EDIT) Hopefully it wont be too long before the Steam verson drops

[Udderdude]

Just tried the demo of 3rd, it's pretty cool. It's what I imagine Touhou would be if it grew the fuck up and got some actual stage design and better patterns.

I think I game overed on the 3rd boss's last pattern (hard mode). That's a pretty generous demo, but I'm pretty sure the 3rd stage was the last in the demo.

Also, I have no clue how to score in it .. D:

[Observer]

Just tried the demo of 3rd, it's pretty cool. It's what I imagine Touhou would be if it grew the fuck up and got some actual stage design and better patterns.

I think I game overed on the 3rd boss's last pattern. That's a pretty generous demo, but I'm pretty sure the 3rd stage was the last in the demo.

Also, I have no clue how to score in it .. D:

Well, the music for once is pretty damn good. The voice acting has the actresses who did Nanoha, Fate Testarossa, Akemi Homura, Wrath from Full Metal Alchemist and more. So lines are delivered pretty competently. (Tennen-Sozai operated a huge miracle here)

You have to graze some of the generous patterns to fasten the charge of the special attack and launch it whenever you think you will be able to chain multiple enemies at the same time or to get rid of bigger stuff/additional damage output during bosses. The longer you stay alive, the higher the multiplier goes up when chaining enemies with the laser missiles (I think 8x is the max?).

Grazing also gives score. Finishing enemies up close and personal also provides extra coins: extends are obtained through collecting enough of these special coins.

In later stages there are plenty of moments where you can destroy a bunch of enemies with the special or save it to quickly get rid of a bigger threat and then deal with the popcorn using the mini-Tiamats.

Overall, I quite liked it. Now, I gotta unlock the Extra Stage. I think that one is supposed to be hard as nails.

eXceed 2nd might appear like Ikaruga at first but it ditches the boring-as-shit three colour chaining for a different chaining approach and a dynamic rank. For example, starting on Easy rank will still eventually lead to the player facing the eXceed Rank but if they keep dying, they can keep it on Easy and survive OR, do something more refined like rank control (sacrifice a life at some hard-as-shit pattern) at the expense of score. The game has 7 stages as well, quite long.

Overall, I found 2nd more enjoyable than Ikaruga since the polarity mechanic is much more flexible and at least allows some slight space for improvisation. Don't be fooled by the first bosses either, things go batshit crazy at the end.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Overall, I found 2nd more enjoyable than Ikaruga since the polarity mechanic is much more flexible and at least allows some slight space for improvisation. Don't be fooled by the first bosses either, things go batshit crazy at the end.

I agree its less puzzler / memoriser than Ikaruga and more seat of your pants dodging like most modern bullet hells are.

[RNGmaster]

You have to graze some of the generous patterns to fasten the charge of the special attack and launch it whenever you think you will be able to chain multiple enemies at the same time or to get rid of bigger stuff/additional damage output during bosses. The longer you stay alive, the higher the multiplier goes up when chaining enemies with the laser missiles (I think 8x is the max?).

There's a damn good replay on YT (I can't access it right now on school computers, so I'll edit this post when I get home). Max multiplier is actually x64, and I've gotten x16 in my few hours of experience.

[Observer]

You have to graze some of the generous patterns to fasten the charge of the special attack and launch it whenever you think you will be able to chain multiple enemies at the same time or to get rid of bigger stuff/additional damage output during bosses. The longer you stay alive, the higher the multiplier goes up when chaining enemies with the laser missiles (I think 8x is the max?).

There's a damn good replay on YT (I can't access it right now on school computers, so I'll edit this post when I get home). Max multiplier is actually x64, and I've gotten x16 in my few hours of experience.

hahaha, oh shit! I need to play it better then, lol. I doubt I'll ever get to 64x! Damn.

[dannnnn]

Only tried the first game so far, but when I plug my MadCatz SE stick directly in to the USB port, it constantly cycles through the menu as if I'm holding 'up'. Any idea what's causing this and how to prevent it? It doesn't matter whether I have Xpadder open or not, simply connecting via USB sets it off.

[Udderdude]

Probably reading from a nonexistant input that's permanently set to 'on' .. common problem with doujin games :(

Not sure what the best solution would be ..

[RNGmaster]

Here's part of the run.

[Udderdude]

Here's part of the run.

Nice, lots of crazyness and skill on display there.

[Korszca]

Purchased!
Thanks for bringing these games over.

[Moniker]

Only tried the first game so far, but when I plug my MadCatz SE stick directly in to the USB port, it constantly cycles through the menu as if I'm holding 'up'. Any idea what's causing this and how to prevent it? It doesn't matter whether I have Xpadder open or not, simply connecting via USB sets it off.

It's probably reading the analogue input, which tends to get messed up with digital controllers. Try switching to POV hat on your stick and see if that resolves matters. Often games won't recognize POV hat input, so you'll have to use Xpadder. Though I have run into some games that read analogue input whether I'm using it or not. There are some programs out there that will disable any given input for you. Haven't had much luck, myself.

[TheSoundofRed]

Anyone have an idea of the average wait time to get your download e-mail after purchasing?

Been waiting a few hours now... although it wouldn't have been DRM-free, hosting the game via Steam would have been way more convenient (for me at least )

[Barrakketh]

Only tried the first game so far, but when I plug my MadCatz SE stick directly in to the USB port, it constantly cycles through the menu as if I'm holding 'up'. Any idea what's causing this and how to prevent it? It doesn't matter whether I have Xpadder open or not, simply connecting via USB sets it off.

It's probably reading the analogue input, which tends to get messed up with digital controllers. Try switching to POV hat on your stick and see if that resolves matters. Often games won't recognize POV hat input, so you'll have to use Xpadder. Though I have run into some games that read analogue input whether I'm using it or not. There are some programs out there that will disable any given input for you. Haven't had much luck, myself.

This is an issue with a lot of doujin games. Even if you use Xpadder or Joy2Key, when you go to start the games they'll still catch that you pressed a button on your stick/pad and ignore promptly ignore what you did with those apps.

Using the XBCD drivers (for 360 sticks) or dual-modding your stick is the way to go.

From Nyu Media's Facebook:

Steam is in the pipe, being readied by Capcom now. Release date is TBC, but you will know as soon as we do!

This scares me.

[GenkiPatton]

Anyone have an idea of the average wait time to get your download e-mail after purchasing?
Been waiting a few hours now... although it wouldn't have been DRM-free, hosting the game via Steam would have been way more convenient (for me at least )

You should get it immediately. What is your email address?

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Steam is in the pipe, being readied by Capcom now. Release date is TBC, but you will know as soon as we do!

This scares me.

Thankfully they are just publishing the game (and should be just the same as they published Satazius) and are not behind development, I balk at the thought of a Capcom made shmup where bullet patterns, bosses and 2nd loops sold as DLC