Cosmo Machia acquires Triggerheart Exelica (UPDATE 2024-25: TH ENHANCED)

[Hero of Legend]

Stretch Goals announced
https://wikiheartexelica.fandom.com/wik ... h_Goal.png

Looking up translations, looks like the first is just a wallpaper for PC (which naturally says is not usable on Switch), and the second is a PC port that will begin only after the Switch version's release (like the original release last/this year).

[NeoStrayCat]

Wallpaper for your PC and/or phone is the most disappointing stretch goal I have ever seen. Raise 5,000,000 yen and get... a fucking picture. That better be a really damn good picture. It's probably not even going to be a lossless picture and will be a damn .jpeg instead.

There is probably no way that the goal for what actually matters, the PC version, will be met, but maybe they'll do it anyway like last time. Can we swap the stretch goals and have the PC version be 5,000,000 yen and the wallpaper be 8,000,000 instead?

Yeah, that's embarrassing for the 5M yen stretch goal, all for just a jpg/png? (And at that, its just basically the artwork/cover that they used for "Gravity Error" CD single without the text).

And you're right, that could have just been the PC/Steam stretch goal instead. I'm not sure what's going on at Cosmo Machia, but nonsensical business decisions for an unnecessary stretch goal like that is pointless. I mean, even if they don't reach it, like you said, they'll just eventually port it later like they did with the original.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Some info about figures and sketches of the old Nendoroid Exelica by Kazuhiko "GRA" Kakoi
https://www.makuake.com/project/cosmoma ... l/1550649/

[NeoStrayCat]

Crowdfunding campaign for Enhanced on Makuake ends with nearly 8M (7,926,000) yen reached in total. One stretch goal reached (original wallpaper) and another closely there (Steam port), hopefully Cosmo Machia will say "Ehh...close enough" since it was almost close to the Steam port stretch goal, lol.

Otherwise, posts on the project past the Nendoroid concepts have lately be going fairly well, as the game has been going through various amounts of development to make sure the contents of of Enhanced are added back in and as close enough as possible. Considering they're not using source code or any relevant data from the PS2 version, and all assets for this version are now in HD.

Either way, its going to be a long wait until early next year at the latest for Enhanced to come out (on Switch/JP), and a while longer for a multi-language release (and whenever the PC/Steam release does happen).

[Hero of Legend]

Glad they got the money they need for the game on Switch (either period or it's to pay back what they're already spending), but my main gripe (not having bought it yet) is that it's not simply DLC for the base game. Also as others have noticed; a lot of crowdfunding seems to be going on for shmups these days like with RS34 for the Karous ports.

I know shmups don't set the charts on fire, but are their margins and such that pitiful? I mean I'll take this as long as they get to keep making them, but still it's sad since it's not like they even ask for THAT much. Not like millions of dollars. Hell I wouldn't say no to Live Wire doing it if it can get them to port more Cave shmups to Switch now that the rest of the trio will be all gone by next month.

Hopefully CM are working closely with Red Art Games to make sure the localizations are already underway so it won't be too long into 2025 for the rest of the world to get this, and for RAG to do a proper full definitive retail release of the whole thing. I'm glad they're seemingly delaying the physical for the current release as it's kind of pointless now.

Actually I'm shocked Red Art Games haven't gone to RS34 or Live Wire for localizations/physical releases. They have a great thing with CM and other devs, why not make them the western haven of shmups on Switch? Little late now for the Cave lot, but still. They could start with maybe a Radirgy collection with 1, 2, and Swag or something. Hell I think they should consider remastering the 3DS RS34 games, while not fantastic, could find new life and bring more income for RS34. Just an idea.

[NeoStrayCat]

Yeah, I can understand if other devs and publishers would take the initiative to work with each other. Would make things go easier and faster. It still bugs me why does it need crowdfunding in the first place despite it being announced first. As mentioned before, I understand that Cosmo Machia barely has any budget to work on future projects themselves without any crowdfunding.

I also would have liked it if it was possible for international support too for these crowdfunding projects, but from what I've read/heard/gathered, those sites like Campfire and Makuake seems to be only applicable for those in Japan. As any physical product that you campaigned for from those sites will not be shipped overseas. Which I doubt to assume you can use credit/debit cards from foreign users.

And yeah, its sad that the digital releases of the CAVE games on Switch are getting delisted. I'd assume its limited licensing for x amount of time or that CAVE asked for a renewal price that LiveWire can't afford. At least physical versions for those are available depending where you get it. (At least Radiant Silvergun will still be around for the time being.)

Also, it wouldn't be just Red Art Games, ININ just got the overseas license of Trouble Witches Final (no date yet, but dropping info slowly on the game). And also Under Defeat for modern platforms (out in early December for PS and Switch, Xbox and PC/Steam TBA) from Clear River Games. So we got other overseas publishers making waves for STG titles.

[Hero of Legend]

Yeah, I can understand if other devs and publishers would take the initiative to work with each other. Would make things go easier and faster. It still bugs me why does it need crowdfunding in the first place despite it being announced first. As mentioned before, I understand that Cosmo Machia barely has any budget to work on future projects themselves without any crowdfunding.

I also would have liked it if it was possible for international support too for these crowdfunding projects, but from what I've read/heard/gathered, those sites like Campfire and Makuake seems to be only applicable for those in Japan. As any physical product that you campaigned for from those sites will not be shipped overseas. Which I doubt to assume you can use credit/debit cards from foreign users.

And yeah, its sad that the digital releases of the CAVE games on Switch are getting delisted. I'd assume its limited licensing for x amount of time or that CAVE asked for a renewal price that LiveWire can't afford. At least physical versions for those are available depending where you get it. (At least Radiant Silvergun will still be around for the time being.)

Also, it wouldn't be just Red Art Games, ININ just got the overseas license of Trouble Witches Final (no date yet, but dropping info slowly on the game). And also Under Defeat for modern platforms (out in early December for PS and Switch, Xbox and PC/Steam TBA) from Clear River Games. So we got other overseas publishers making waves for STG titles.

Issue with Clear River is that maybe due to them being the sister company to LRG, have a similar distribution business. Not as egregious, but at least in Canada, they don't send any games to retailers IIRC, though ironically LRG HAVE improved a bit, releasing games like the Jurassic Park Collection at retailers like GameStop Canada which legit shocked me.

Red Art Games (thanks to VideoGamesPlus) most of the time do release their games at major retailers like GameStop and Best Buy Canada IIRC, so finding physical copies is very easy. So much of my preference towards RAG is more due to Canadian bias admittingly.

And yeah, it's sad that Live Wire don't see fit to keep the Cave games long term, but that'd be fine if there was a regular rotation of games, so that when one goes, another replaces it and so forth, but right now they have NOTHING else on that front coming. By Jan Radiant Silvergun will be their only shmup on the Switch eShop.

I know RS34's been slow (apparently they were even against this originally?) in remastering their OG shmups. By now we should've had a new Milestone Shooting Collection 2 equivalent for Switch, but so far they've only done Radirgy 1 and only now Karous. Lord knows when they'll ever get to Chaos Field, Radirgy Noa, and Ilvelo. But again the big issue most of all is the sheer lack of localization. I understand they got burned hard by Dispatch, but UFO is right there who the team worked with at Milestone (like the original Ultimate Shooting Collection on Wii), so I'm not sure why they haven't gone back to them. Bad experience we don't know about maybe? Still baffled how UFO skipped Raiden 3 MM entirely (not even just the Switch version ala 4) but came back finally for Raiden Nova which by all accounts seems to be REALLY bad.

But honestly I'm just thanking my lucky stars UFO still actually exists. I'm not sure if they're an independent team from Tommo or if it's just Tommo with the UFO name tag on boxes. Either way UFO's output has severely paled compared to the Wii and DS era, culminating in a strange near hiatus not long after the 3DS' launch, with them cancelling some games like Balloon Pop 2 and Super Black Bass 3D (the latter came out via Rising Star Games instead), only to instead do a stream of eShop games IIRC mostly developed by their in-house team in Asia? They did a couple more PS3 localizations but then finally sort of came back during this gen with Raiden 5 getting physical releases with the UFO brand on PS4 and then Switch. IIRC Bubsy: Woollies Strikes Back was under the Accolade brand, not UFO. But now they went like 2 years without a proper presence (the Humongous ports were under UFO on the eShop, but under Tommo via the physical LRG Humongous Classic Collection release on Switch). I'd love to know more about what on Earth is going on with them.

Speaking of Rising Star... the fuck's happened to them? I know they alongside Zoink and Image & Form merged to become Thunderful (I think all were part of Bergsala), but after Deadly Premonition 2 on Switch (and seemingly the PC port in 2022), the name's evaporated, AND it's not like Thunderful has done more JP localizations. Hell IIRC all the RSG games on the eShop are now Thunderful-labeled. What happened?! Man, remember when Rising Star Games WAS effectively Marvelous Europe (and owned by Marvelous)? I sure do. Their first NA release was indeed Akai Katana on 360 even IIRC. Why did Marvelous give them up to only make their own Marvelous Europe I'll never know. What a shame. I love XSEED, but RSG was right there and could've been Marvelous' entire western arm. Not up to the task maybe? Hell I still have a soft spot for Natsume and really feel they should've just bought Natsume as well. Yeah I know Natsume has had spotty localizations here and there but they WERE a worthy Marvelous USA in the 2000's. But that's a whole 'nother topic altogether.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Looks like the "Exeli-clock" is ticking in Japan and the release date is April 24th.
https://www.gematsu.com/2024/12/trigger ... 5-in-japan

[Steven]

lol not falling for that again. I'll wait until the PC version releases and then MAYBE I'll get it.

Is there any reason to actually play the normal version instead of Enhanced?

[TransatlanticFoe]

I don't think Enhanced includes the original arcade game, or the same story mode - I'm sure I've read both include extra cut enemies. The DC's arrange mode is also exclusive to that version (and thus the first Switch release).

Still hanging on to the hope that the Western release will include everything!

[NeoStrayCat]

Is there any reason to actually play the normal version instead of Enhanced?

No, not really, it isn't any different gameplay and graphic wise, however, the only difference from Enhanced other than just having the same stuff as the PS2 version. (Faintear playable [with a slight change to her laser shot], animated opening, Enhanced's story mode [expanded from the original's story mode], gallery. However, the voices and dialogue between the two versions are different.)

I don't think Enhanced includes the original arcade game, or the same story mode - I'm sure I've read both include extra cut enemies. The DC's arrange mode is also exclusive to that version (and thus the first Switch release).

Still hanging on to the hope that the Western release will include everything!

No, everything from both original and enhanced is the same, characters, enemies and all (even its Arcade mode). But yeah, the only omission in enhanced is no Arrange mode (since the PS2 version didn't have it either.) The story mode is expanded in the PS2 version to include CG's that weren't in the original and more dialogue. And sorry to break it to you, the overseas Switch release of the original physically will be just that, the original and not enhanced. As they are treated as 2 separate games. (Considering there's going to be a "bundle" for the JP Switch version of Enhanced that contains both Enhanced and the original on there with some physical items on it, basically a limited edition.)

Also, with the date being released in April of 2025, the crowdfunding backers were supposed to get the game early digitally in "Late January" has now been pushed to "Early March". Cosmo Machia has also brought up in their recent activity post for Enhanced down at Makauke that...

Regarding the development status of the Nintendo Switch version of "Triggerheart Exelica Enhanced", the master-up and Nintendo's approval have been more difficult than originally planned... (Well, there is also the change in the development environment for the platform that has been talked about recently in the community.)

Cosmo Machia's well aware of changes being handled lately at Nintendo going draconian on their "guidelines" for the overseas market as of late. (Basically, censorship of anime games, and cancellations of certain titles from third parties on the Switch platform. Even EastAsiaSoft, a publisher that has since released a few STG's physically/exclusively previously at Play-Asia are well aware and affected. Though the hypocrisy is that there's AI shovelware on the E-shop that gets in without issue. In short...Nintendo was the last bastion of having titles uncut than Sony's own draconian policies for games on PS4/PS5 as of late, not anymore.)

[TransatlanticFoe]

Stop breaking my heart and let me have my wishful thinking dammit

[NeoStrayCat]

Stop breaking my heart and let me have my wishful thinking dammit

LUL, yeah, I know, but just letting you know that I'd rather you not get disappointed for a product you'd think might have everything in one version/region, but won't. Besides, no localization/translation has yet to be announced for Enhanced. Hopefully waiting on the day that might happen...

[Hero of Legend]

I can't fathom why they can't do an all-in-one release on Switch. Just have an "Original Story" mode and an "Enhanced Story" mode in the menu or something.

Similarly I find it a bit odd/funny that they went and back-released the western release of Castle of Shikigami 2 as the ye 'olde "International Edition" in Japan just now, that as far as I know is literally merely the addition of the added languages. The physical edition has some physical goodies but did they not even release that as a patch like in the west or is it also a 2nd sku ala Triggerheart in Japan? Or did the western release have some secret sauce balance tweaks and/or fixes that most aren't privy to?

[NeoStrayCat]

I can't fathom why they can't do an all-in-one release on Switch. Just have an "Original Story" mode and an "Enhanced Story" mode in the menu or something.

Similarly I find it a bit odd/funny that they went and back-released the western release of Castle of Shikigami 2 as the ye 'olde "International Edition" in Japan just now, that as far as I know is literally merely the addition of the added languages. The physical edition has some physical goodies but did they not even release that as a patch like in the west or is it also a 2nd sku ala Triggerheart in Japan? Or did the western release have some secret sauce balance tweaks and/or fixes that most aren't privy to?

IKR? An all-in-one version would have been a pipe dream, either in the form of a launcher selecting either the original and/or enhanced version. Or even rather, have all the modes in one place to select (though there would be the issue of voice audio being different between the original and enhanced, unless that would have been a separate toggle or otherwise.)

As for Shiki 2, yeah, the JP version's physical "International Edition" just includes the additional languages that the western physical Switch version had. They've also eventually added the additional languages on the digtial E-shop release (on all regions). Though originally, it only supported Japanese and English. Sadly, the additional languages (French/Italian/Spanish) are not in the PC/Steam version. But yes, for all intents and purposes of the JP physical Switch version of the International Edition is a re-release, as they already released the game before previously in JP physically.

[Hero of Legend]

I can't fathom why they can't do an all-in-one release on Switch. Just have an "Original Story" mode and an "Enhanced Story" mode in the menu or something.

Similarly I find it a bit odd/funny that they went and back-released the western release of Castle of Shikigami 2 as the ye 'olde "International Edition" in Japan just now, that as far as I know is literally merely the addition of the added languages. The physical edition has some physical goodies but did they not even release that as a patch like in the west or is it also a 2nd sku ala Triggerheart in Japan? Or did the western release have some secret sauce balance tweaks and/or fixes that most aren't privy to?

IKR? An all-in-one version would have been a pipe dream, either in the form of a launcher selecting either the original and/or enhanced version. Or even rather, have all the modes in one place to select (though there would be the issue of voice audio being different between the original and enhanced, unless that would have been a separate toggle or otherwise.)

As for Shiki 2, yeah, the JP version's physical "International Edition" just includes the additional languages that the western physical Switch version had. They've also eventually added the additional languages on the digtial E-shop release (on all regions). Though originally, it only supported Japanese and English. Sadly, the additional languages (French/Italian/Spanish) are not in the PC/Steam version. But yes, for all intents and purposes of the JP physical Switch version of the International Edition is a re-release, as they already released the game before previously in JP physically.

Curious. Red Art of course handled the western physical release on Switch, but surely also did the new languages (they're in France IIRC), but it's odd that these languages never made it to the PC version. Odd "Red Art-exclusive" contract thing?

Also yep, the digital version at least in the west got them too as I myself found and tested to see; they're actually dependent on the system's language setting and not an in-game setting weirdly. Cumbersome, but it's there for those who need them.

[NeoStrayCat]

Curious. Red Art of course handled the western physical release on Switch, but surely also did the new languages (they're in France IIRC), but it's odd that these languages never made it to the PC version. Odd "Red Art-exclusive" contract thing?

Also yep, the digital version at least in the west got them too as I myself found and tested to see; they're actually dependent on the system's language setting and not an in-game setting weirdly. Cumbersome, but it's there for those who need them.

Yes, Red Art Games (I'm supposing) also did the additional languages to whoever they worked on for those translations. As for text language selection, it can be toggled in the game options in the PC/Steam version either changing it to English or Japanese, though you say the Switch version defaults it to the system language selected. And yeah, its odd that the PC/Steam version didn't get the additional languages.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

More Enhanced merchandise announced, from acrylic figure sets to a Crueltear 3D crystal.
https://www.famitsu.com/article/202412/28821
https://www.wonder.co.jp/benefit/game/detail/?id=28841
https://ebten.jp/p/7015025042441

[PC Engine Fan X!]

How does the upcoming 3D Crystal of Crueltear work (and are there other similar items like it but both stg-related and not necessarily stg-related)?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Jonpachi]

Hope this trash funds a new port of Shiki III

[NeoStrayCat]

How does the upcoming 3D Crystal of Crueltear work (and are there other similar items like it but both stg-related and not necessarily stg-related)?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Well, if you look up 3D Crystal photos, it'll look most likely be those examples.

Hope this trash funds a new port of Shiki III

First off, Exelica is not trash. And second, Shiki 3 already got crowdfunded a while back for a PC/Steam port via Camp-Fire. However it got delayed for backers to get their DL codes until the "End of Feburary 2025" (was originally supposed to be out December 2024).

[Jonpachi]

Sorry, not the game itself. I meant the cheap tat being peddled with the new version.

[TransatlanticFoe]

European version appears to be here early - Red Art haven't updated their shop (still shows pre-order) but their social media says it's released and Amazon shows in stock!

[Jucksalbe]

Amazon.de still has it slated for "March 27th", but Amazon.co.uk supposedly has it in stock so I ordered it from there. 10€ cheaper, too.

[RayForceFan]

European version appears to be here early - Red Art haven't updated their shop (still shows pre-order) but their social media says it's released and Amazon shows in stock!

Yes, I got the physical release on the 17th of January.

[dai jou bu]

LE version now up for preorder on play-Asia. Way more value than what I paid for my LE Dreamcast version eons ago:

https://www.play-asia.com/triggerheart- ... /13/70i46t

2007 me wants my money back.

[DrTrouserPlank]

.... (Considering there's going to be a "bundle" for the JP Switch version of Enhanced that contains both Enhanced and the original on there with some physical items on it, basically a limited edition.)

Wait, is this edition here going to contain the original release and the new enhanced version in one package?

https://www.play-asia.com/triggerheart- ... /13/70i46t

If so I might as well just wait for this release rather than buy separately.

[NeoStrayCat]

.... (Considering there's going to be a "bundle" for the JP Switch version of Enhanced that contains both Enhanced and the original on there with some physical items on it, basically a limited edition.)

Wait, is this edition here going to contain the original release and the new enhanced version in one package?

https://www.play-asia.com/triggerheart- ... /13/70i46t

If so I might as well just wait for this release rather than buy separately.

Yes, the Switch physical Limited Edition of Enhanced will include both games. Not sure if they'll have them in seperate carts, or have both games in 1 cart. I guess we'll wait and find out.

LE version now up for preorder on play-Asia. Way more value than what I paid for my LE Dreamcast version eons ago...

2007 me wants my money back.

Yeah, the Switch version's LE is cool and all, but it'll never top the PS2's LE (which I have) with the Nendoroid Exelica.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

The "Enhanced Exeli-Clock" is ticking, and the preorders are up on My Nintendo Store.
https://nitter.poast.org/cosmo_machia/s ... 07554657#m

Also, Cosmo Machia posted an article about the upcoming Exelica Enhanced Visual Fanbook.
https://www.makuake.com/project/cosmoma ... l/1611302/

[system11]

Are they going to release it on any other platforms? PS5 would be nice.