Developer: Tennen-sozai

eXceed 3rd: Jade Penetrate Black Package (2007)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

eXceed 3rd: Jade Penetrate Black Package – A Ferocious Fighting Frenzy

Overview

eXceed 3rd: Jade Penetrate Black Package, released in arcades in 2007, is a captivating fighting game that reboots the eXceed storyline, taking it in a bold new direction. Developed by Arika and published by Taito, this arcade classic brings intense battles, featuring a diverse cast of characters and their powerful familiars, to the realm of Pandemonium.

Story

The narrative of eXceed 3rd centers around Rayne Lindwurm, a skilled warrior who fights her way through a grand tournament to become one of the 7 Cardinal Lords who rule Pandemonium. As a descendant of the legendary Dragon Clan, Rayne possesses immense power and a strong determination to prove herself worthy of the title.

However, Rayne’s path to becoming a Cardinal Lord is not without its challenges. She must confront formidable opponents and their familiars, including her own older sister, Celestia Lindwurm, the heiress to the mighty Dragon Clan. As Rayne progresses through the tournament, she uncovers the secrets of her lineage and the true nature of the power she wields.

Gameplay

eXceed 3rd introduces a unique and innovative fighting system that sets it apart from other games in the genre. Players control a team of two characters: a main fighter and a familiar. The main fighter engages in close-quarters combat, while the familiar provides support and assistance from the sidelines.

Each character possesses a distinct set of moves and abilities, allowing for a wide range of strategies and combinations. Players must master the art of tag-teaming, seamlessly switching between their main fighter and familiar to gain an advantage in battle.

The gameplay is fast-paced and adrenaline-pumping, requiring quick reflexes and strategic thinking. Players must carefully manage their resources, including their Tension Gauge, which powers special moves and abilities, to outmaneuver and defeat their opponents.

Characters

eXceed 3rd features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique fighting styles and motivations. Some of the playable characters include:

  • Rayne Lindwurm: A fierce warrior and descendant of the Dragon Clan, Rayne seeks to prove her worth and become a Cardinal Lord.
  • Celestia Lindwurm: Rayne’s older sister and heiress to the Dragon Clan, Celestia is a formidable opponent who wields powerful dragon magic.
  • Eltnum: A skilled elf archer who fights alongside her loyal bird familiar, Pippin.
  • Vulcan: A burly fighter who uses his immense strength and pyrokinetic abilities to overwhelm his foes.
  • Alisia: A young and energetic mage who relies on her elemental spells and her familiar, a mischievous imp named Pocky.

Familiars

Familiars play a crucial role in eXceed 3rd, providing valuable support and assistance to their main fighters. Each familiar possesses unique abilities and can be summoned to perform special attacks, defend against enemy attacks, or enhance the main fighter’s capabilities.

Some of the notable familiars include:

  • Pippin: Eltnum’s bird familiar who can fire arrows and distract opponents.
  • Pocky: Alisia’s imp familiar who can cast elemental spells and teleport.
  • Gargant: Vulcan’s dragon familiar who can breathe fire and grapple opponents.
  • Fenrir: Rayne’s wolf familiar who can attack enemies and enhance her physical abilities.

Graphics and Sound

eXceed 3rd showcases vibrant and detailed 2D sprites that bring the characters and environments to life. The animations are fluid and visually impressive, capturing the dynamic and over-the-top nature of the battles.

The soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a mix of energetic and atmospheric tracks that perfectly complement the gameplay and create an immersive experience.

Legacy and Impact

eXceed 3rd: Jade Penetrate Black Package has garnered critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay, diverse cast of characters, and stunning visuals. It has become a beloved classic among fighting game enthusiasts and is still enjoyed by many today.

The game’s unique tag-team system and emphasis on character synergy have influenced subsequent fighting games, leaving a lasting impact on the genre. eXceed 3rd remains a testament to the creativity and innovation that can be found in the arcade gaming scene.

Conclusion

eXceed 3rd: Jade Penetrate Black Package is an exceptional fighting game that offers an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. With its fast-paced gameplay, diverse cast of characters, and stunning presentation, it stands as a true gem in the arcade gaming landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned fighting game veteran or a newcomer to the genre, eXceed 3rd is sure to provide hours of intense and rewarding entertainment.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX (2007)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX: A Vertical Shmup Masterpiece

Released in 2007, eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX is a vertical shoot-em-up (shmup) game developed by Taito and Aksys Games. It is the second game in the eXceed series, and it follows the story of Lia Fyle, a half-human, half-vampire girl who fights on the side of the deviants against an army of exorcists.

The game features an innovative dual-polarity gameplay system, which allows players to change the polarity and color of their character to absorb enemy bullets of the same polarity while charging the special weapon in the process and doing double damage to enemies of the opposite polarity. This system adds a layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully consider which polarity to use in each situation.

eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX also features beautiful art, challenging stages, and an awesome soundtrack. It is a must-play for any fan of shmups.

Gameplay

eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX is a vertical shmup in which the player controls a ship that scrolls up the screen. The player must shoot down enemies and avoid their bullets. The game features a variety of different enemy types, each with its own unique attack patterns.

The game’s dual-polarity gameplay system is its most unique feature. Players can change the polarity and color of their character at any time by pressing the X button. This allows them to absorb enemy bullets of the same polarity while charging the special weapon in the process. When the special weapon is fully charged, the player can unleash a powerful attack that can clear the screen of enemies.

The dual-polarity system adds a layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully consider which polarity to use in each situation. For example, if the player is facing a group of enemies that are all the same polarity, they can use the opposite polarity to absorb their bullets and charge their special weapon quickly. However, if the player is facing a group of enemies that are all different polarities, they may want to use the same polarity as the majority of the enemies to avoid taking damage.

In addition to the dual-polarity system, eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX also features a variety of other gameplay mechanics, such as:

  • Chain combos: Players can earn chain combos by defeating enemies in quick succession. Chain combos increase the player’s score and give them access to more powerful attacks.
  • Special weapons: Each character has their own unique special weapon that can be used to clear the screen of enemies. Special weapons are charged by absorbing enemy bullets of the same polarity.
  • Overdrive mode: Overdrive mode is a temporary power-up that increases the player’s speed and firepower. Overdrive mode is activated by collecting power-ups that drop from enemies.

Story

The story of eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX takes place in a world where humans have begun to purge vampires and “deviants” – those born of a mix of human and vampire. Lia Fyle is a half-human, half-vampire girl who fights on the side of the deviants as they embark upon a turnaround strategy, the “Siege on the Holy Land.” Their plan: to lay siege upon the humans’ “Holy Land” and to destroy the Holy Lady Anhel who is the source of the human military power. This is a battle in which defeat is an option for neither army.

The story of eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX is told through a series of cutscenes that are interspersed between the game’s stages. The cutscenes are well-animated and voice-acted, and they do a good job of conveying the game’s story and characters.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics in eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX are beautiful. The game’s characters and backgrounds are all hand-drawn, and they are full of detail and color. The game’s special effects are also very impressive, and they help to create a sense of excitement and chaos.

The sound in eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX is also top-notch. The game’s soundtrack is composed of a mix of rock and electronic music, and it perfectly captures the game’s fast-paced and intense gameplay. The sound effects are also very well done, and they help to create a sense of immersion.

Overall

eXceed 2nd: Vampire REX is a masterpiece of the shmup genre. It features beautiful art, challenging stages, an awesome soundtrack, and an innovative dual-polarity gameplay system. It is a must-play for any fan of shmups.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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