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.