Very similar to Ikaruga

[Keyosuke]

I've been wanting to play an old Sega Dreamcast game called Ikaruga for a while, and this game reminds me of it. The two colored gameplay mechanics seem directly pulled from that game, and I mention it because it is refreshing. I'm glad I don't have to get my hands on Ikaruga to enjoy this gameplay. Does anyone else remember that game? If you like this one, you might want to get an old Dreamcast or Gamecube and check it out.

[Squire Grooktook]

Ikaruga is also coming to Steam soon.

The game does lift its main mechanic from Ikaruga, but I think it's more twitch focused than the puzzle shooter Ikaruga.

[Sgtkirby45]

What you mean by "twitch focused"?

[Squire Grooktook]

Originally posted by Sgtkirby45:

What you mean by "twitch focused"?

IMO Treasures games always had kind of a "puzzle shooter" style with lots of patterns and gameplay mechanics you had to really figure out and memorize.

Exceed 2nd IMO feels more like a traditional shooter where you can more or less play by reflexes and improvisation and get by fine, falling back on memorization if you have trouble.

[Gargamel]

Ikaruga... that is exciting. I have the Dreamcast version but would like a nice HD version like on XBOX 360. Any work on Radian Silvergun or the unrelated Rez?

I jus might have to pick this game up. But I am not expecting a game on par with Ikaruga.

[Squire Grooktook]

Originally posted by jfoe1980:

Ikaruga... that is exciting. I have the Dreamcast version but would like a nice HD version like on XBOX 360. Any work on Radian Silvergun or the unrelated Rez?

I jus might have to pick this game up. But I am not expecting a game on par with Ikaruga.

In my honest opinion, it's a better designed game than Ikaruga. Definitely not aestheticly as powerful, but in terms of level design, telegraphing, scoring system, balance, etc. I think it's a more entertaining and well rounded game overall.

But that's just my opinion.

[yrpi]

I think the scoring and rank system in Exceed 2nd is much more fun than Ikaruga. Ikarugas scoring system is too strickt, freestyling is not an option, just like Dodonpachi. The game's ok for survival runs tho.

[Squire Grooktook]

Originally posted by Picozord:

I think the scoring and rank system in Exceed 2nd is much more fun than Ikaruga. Ikarugas scoring system is too strickt, freestyling is not an option, just like Dodonpachi. The game's ok for survival runs tho.

One of the main complaints about pure surival gameplay of Ikaruga though is that there are certain points that "don't make sense" if you don't approach them in terms of chaining, and that the patterns are a bit bland if you don't take into account chaining. Dodonpachi at least still feels very fun when you have to just drop the scoring and try to survive as hard as you can.

[Johnny Two-Carts]

This game is an insult to Ikaruga =]

[Squire Grooktook]

Originally posted by bowling ball dragon fisto:

This game is an insult to Ikaruga =]

Not at all. It's an excellently designed shmup that stands on its own merits. It's got fun frantic movement, cool speed killing on bosses, agressive up close and personal play, etc. It's fantastic.

[Fishman465]

Originally posted by mischievous quim:

This game is an insult to Ikaruga =]

I disagree as sure the two may have the same color type mechanic but this is more of a fast furious flavor, perfect for those preferring soemthing faster than what Ikaruga has.

[SamuelioX]

I think the difficulty system is pretty cool, as it gets harder when you chain better.

[Kuehnau]

I have Ikaruga on my arcade cabinet, it's nothing too amazing.

[Keyosuke]

We're all entitled to our opinions; it's too bad we're not all entitled to good taste.

[Squire Grooktook]

After devoting more time to both games, I have to reverse my opinion that ex is better than Ikaruga. It's a bit more fast and frantic, but Ikaruga has superior depth and replay ability.

Both great games though.