History VideoGame / TriggerheartExelica

* BlondesAreEvil: Faintear Imitation [[spoiler:although it turns out she's actually good and under the Ver'mith's control]].

* ShoutOut: [[spoiler: The bad endings where Exelica or Crueltear wait for one of their safe return not know that they possibly sacrificed themselves is probably one to the bad ending of the Unlimited Blade Works route in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight''.]]

'''''Triggerheart Exelica''''' is a vertically-scrolling shooter by the small video game development team of Warashi. It was first released to [[ArcadeGame arcades]] in Japan on the Creator/{{Sega}} NAOMI hardware in 2006. The game's storyline is [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture set in the future]] where the interplanetary defense organization of Tilde have created [[ArtificialHuman Artificial Humans]] known as "Triggerhearts" to hold back the forces of the militant [[MechanicalLifeform Ver'mith]]. Unfortunately, two Triggerheart sisters -- the [[GenkiGirl energetic]] Exelica and the HotBlooded Crueltear -- fell through one of the Ver'mith's emergency escape wormholes during battle, which leads straight to PresentDay Earth. Cut off from everyone and everything they ever knew, the two Triggerhearts begin to lose hope and question their purpose for living. It was then that they decided to try and live a normal life... That is, until the day that a massive wormhole appears over Earth, signalling the start of a full-scale Ver'mith invasion, led by none other than [[EvilCounterpart another Triggerheart]]: one that Crueltear recognizes as Faintear.

After its arcade debut, the game was ported to various video game consoles; it was first released in 2007 for the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast ([[DaddySystem yes, really]]) in Japan as its penultimate title[[note]]''Karous'' being the final one.[[/note]], then later to the {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade world-wide on February of 2008, and finally to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 (published by Alchemist) with an UpdatedRerelease as ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The [=PlayStation 2=] re-release features a fully-voiced Story Mode ([[BadExportForYou that the Xbox LIVE Arcade version never received]]), a new playable character [[spoiler:(the original, non-evil Faintear)]], complete with a shiny new AnimeThemeSong opening.

* TheMerch: The game has spawned a guide book with strategies, artwork, and concept art of the game, and an Audio Drama CD by Frontier Works that was divided into two parts: one for the story and one non-canon section made for humor. There was a 1/8 scale PVC figurine of Exelica released in 2008 by Alter and another by Toy Works in the same year. A set of Exelica, Crueltear, and Faintear figurines was also released in 2010.

After its arcade debut, the game was ported to various video game consoles; it was first released in 2007 for the SegaDreamcast ([[DaddySystem yes, really]]) in Japan as its penultimate title[[note]]''Karous'' being the final one.[[/note]], then later to the {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade world-wide on February of 2008, and finally to the PlayStation2 (published by Alchemist) with an UpdatedRerelease as ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The [=PlayStation 2=] re-release features a fully-voiced Story Mode ([[BadExportForYou that the Xbox LIVE Arcade version never received]]), a new playable character [[spoiler:(the original, non-evil Faintear)]], complete with a shiny new AnimeThemeSong opening.

* NonIdenticalTwins: Exelica and Crueltear are from the same production line, making them "blood sisters" in a way. Crueltear being the older one. [[spoiler:Faintear is also from the same production line, and is the middle sister.]]

* BlondesAreEvil: Faintear Imitation [[spoiler:although it turns out she's actually good and under the Ver'mith's control.]]

* ScoringPoints: You gain points for shooting up stuff, but there are other mechanics in the game that boosts score. While holding the Fire button when Medals are on screen, they steadily grow in size and value until the player releases the button or fallen out of the screen. Destroying enemies using your Anchor Shot (either by throwing or swinging the captured enemy against each other) yields more Medals to be drops. Finishes off bosses (or their multiple forms) quickly also yields for greater score bonuses

* AllThereInTheManual: The story, naturally. This was averted in the [=PlayStation 2=] version as it has a full-fledged Story Mode that adds a great deal of narrative to the game.

* TheBackwardsR: A backwards "E" is used in "EXELICA"

* BulletHell

* EveryTenThousandPoints
* EverythingIsBetterWithSpinning

** [[spoiler:In the Exelica's "good" ending in the Xbox Live Arcade version, the Faintear Imitation sacrifices herself so that both Exelica and Crueltear can escape the explosion in the Final Stage.]]

* InnocentBlueEyes: Exelica.

* NonIdenticalTwins: Exelica and Crueltear are from the same production line, making them "blood sisters" in a way. Crueltear being the older one. [[spoiler:Faintear is also from the same production line, and is the middle sister]].

* ScoringPoints
* SingleUseShield: The Triggerheart's Anchor Shot can grab a Ver'mith vehicle to use as a shield, but it's destroyed in one hit.

* ZettaiRyouiki: Faintear ranks in at Grade-A, although the other Triggerhearts [[http://am.sega.jp/utop/closeup/exelica_05.html can sometimes be seen with thigh-highs on]], too.

* GameplayAndStorySegregation: Averted. The Triggerhearts are varied by their speed. It's explained in plot that Exelica can adapt with peaceful life on Earth ''too well'', so she rarely did the routine maintenance for her equipments. Crueltear, however, felt herself is without purpose on this peaceful planet and thus kept her equipment in as good condition as possible. So when Ver'mith attacks Earth, Exelica's equipment are nowhere near their full potential. In ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'', Faintear had just recently escaped from Ver'mith, and despite losing her original weapon units, has equipment in perfect condition. These are reflected in gameplay, with Exelica being slowest, Faintear being fastest and Crueltear in the middle.

[[caption-width-right:320:Squeeze the trigger of your heart.[[hottip:*:Counter clock-wise from bottom: Exelica, Crueltear, and Faintear.]]]]

After its arcade debut, the game was ported to various video game consoles; it was first released in 2007 for the SegaDreamcast ([[DaddySystem yes, really]]) in Japan as its penultimate title[[hottip:*:''Karous'' being the final one.]], then later to the {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade world-wide on February of 2008, and finally to the PlayStation2 (published by Alchemist) with an UpdatedRerelease as ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The [=PlayStation 2=] re-release features a fully-voiced Story Mode ([[BadExportForYou that the Xbox LIVE Arcade version never received]]), a new playable character [[spoiler:(the original, non-evil Faintear)]], complete with a shiny new AnimeThemeSong opening.

* ItsUpToYou: The technology of Earth can't be compare to Ver'mith nor Tilde, so the Triggerhearts are only obstacles to Ver'mith's invasion.

* RuleThirtyFour: It's a no-brainer that this rule would apply to the Triggerhearts with {{hentai}} {{doujinshi}}, especially to Crueltear.

* BadExportForYou: The Xbox Live Arcade version, as it lacks the Story Mode and Arrange Mode from the Dreamcast port. And to put salt on the wound, ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' for the [=PlayStation=] 2 was released ''after'' XBLA version, which has most the Dreamcast's version feature plus a fully-voiced Story Mode [[spoiler:and the ability to play as the original Faintear]].

* GirlishPigtails: Faintear Imitation [[spoiler:and the original]]; although her twin-tails doesn't connect to her head.

* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:In the "normal" ending, the Triggerheart you didn't play will sacrifice herself to save you from Faintear Imitation's grasp]].
** [[spoiler: In the Exelica's "good" ending in the Xbox Live Arcade version, the Faintear Imitation sacrifices herself so that both Exelica and Crueltear can escape the explosion in the Final Stage.]]
* HeyItsThatVoice:
** Exelica is ShihoKawaragi.
** Crueltear is Kozue Shimizu.
** Faintear Imitation is Yuko Ishibashi [[spoiler:and the original is Nana Mizuki]].
** C'r_na is MisatoFukuen.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: According to the game's guidebook, Crueltear was originally suppose to be a [[HumongousMecha mecha]].

* EyesOfGold: Crueltear.

[[caption-width-right:320:Squeeze the trigger of your heart.[[hottip:*:Clock-wise from top: Faintear, Crueltear, and Exelica]]]]

'''''Triggerheart Exelica''''' is a vertically-scrolling shooter by the small video game development team of Warashi. It was first released to [[ArcadeGame arcades]] in Japan on the {{Sega}} NAOMI hardware in 2006. The game's storyline is [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture in the future]] where the interplanetary defense organization of Tilde have created [[ArtificialHuman Artificial Humans]] known as "Triggerhearts" to hold back the forces of the militant Ver'mith. Unfortunately, two sister Triggerhearts -- the [[GenkiGirl energetic]] Exelica and the HotBlooded Crueltear -- fell through one of the Ver'mith's emergency escape wormholes during battle, which leads straight to PresentDay Earth. Cut off from everyone and everything they knew, the two Triggerhearts begin to lose hope and question their purpose for living. It was then that they decided to try and live a normal life... That is, until the day that a massive wormhole appears over Earth, signalling the start of a full-scale Ver'mith invasion, led by none other than [[EvilCounterpart another Triggerheart]]: One that Crueltear recognizes as Faintear.

In this game, players can play as one of the two Triggerhearts, either Exelica or Crueltear, and they can either gun down the horde of Ver'mith trying to take over the Earth the old fashion way, or make use the Triggerhearts' [[GrapplingHookPistol Anchor Shot]] against the Ver'mith -- be it a small drone fighter or a battleship the size of a 747 -- and swing them around like a [[EpicFlail ball-and-chain]], [[GrievousHarmWithABody hurl them against each other]], or [[SingleUseShield even use them as a shield]], and you do this [[ScoringPoints to gain Medals]]. Although not all enemies are fair game to picked up by and ready to be abused the Triggerhearts' Anchor Shot; In the case of bosses or grounded enemies, the anchor will latch on to the enemy and Triggerhearts gunfire will go along the anchor's line a for stronger, pin-point attack. Another unique feature of the game is the DynamicDifficulty of its boss battles; The bosses in ''Triggerheart Exelica'' uses a Variable Boss Attack System (or [[FunWithAcronyms V.B.A.S.]] for short) to determine how hard they are willing to fight. Generally speaking, the more Medals you rack up, the harder they will fight back.

After its arcade debut, the game was ported to various video game consoles; It was first released in 2007 for the SegaDreamcast ([[DaddySystem yes]], really) in Japan as its penultimate title[[hottip:*:''Karous'' being the final one.]], then later to the {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade worldwide on February of 2008, and finally to the PlayStation2 (published by Alchemist) with an UpdatedRerelease as ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The [=PlayStation 2=] re-release features a fully-voiced Story Mode ([[BadExportForYou that the Xbox Live Arcade version never received]]), a new playable character [[spoiler:(the original, non-evil Faintear)]], complete with a shiny new AnimeThemeSong opening.

* CuteBruiser: The Triggerhearts.
* DangerouslyShortSkirt: Crueltear wears one.
* DownerEnding: [[spoiler:In the Xbox Live Arcade version's of Exelica's "normal" ending, Crueltear commits a HeroicSacrifice by using her Anchor Shot to save to her younger sister from the impending explosion. This follows with Exelica standing with her cat Omelette on Earth's ruins.]]

* EleventhHourSuperPower: [[spoiler: Crueltear unleashes her WaveMotionGun against the final boss during her "good" ending.]]
* EmpathicWeapon: While they never talk, Triggerheart's [[AttackDrone Attack Drones]] have sentient A.I., and the Triggerhearts (save for Faintear Imitate) treat them as companions.

* EvilTwin: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation. You can play as the original in the [=PlayStation 2=] version]].

** Another one with Exelica in {{Stripperific}} two-piece with either Crueltear or [[spoiler:the original]] Faintear, and it's heading into [[HoYay Les Yay]] territory.
** There's also a piece has that Crueltear showing off [[MaleGaze her lovely backside]] with Exelica on top of her.

* GirlishPigtails: Faintear [[spoiler: (both the original and the Ver'mith's Faintear Imitation)]]. This an odd example for Faintear [[spoiler:Imitation]] as her twin-tails don't connect to her head.
* GrapplingHookPistol

* HeyItsThatVoice

** Crueltear is KozueShimizu.
** Faintear [[spoiler:(the original one)]] is NanaMizuki[[hottip:*:([PlayStation2 version)]]; Likewise, Faintear [[spoiler:Imitation]] is also YukoIshibashi[[hottip:*:(Arcade, Dreamcast. and Xbox Live Arcade versions)]].

* MechanicalLifeforms: The Ver'mith are race of war machines..
* MoeAnthropomorphism: The girls themselves show the influence of the Mecha Musume style, essentially anthropomorphizing the sorts of fighter ships you'd play in other shooters of this type.

* MsFanservice: The Triggerhearts themselves easily qualify, with their [[SensualSpandex skin-tight bodysuits]] and whatnot. Exelica can appeal to the {{Lolicon}} crowd, too.

* RestrainingBolt: Faintear [[spoiler:Imitate]] has one in the glowing Ver'mith core on her forehead, which ensures that she can't turn on her masters. [[spoiler:Which she does the second that it gets removed. Though she had good reason to, considering [[YouHaveFailedMe how it got removed in the first place]]]].
* {{Rule 34}}: It's a no-brainer that this rule would apply to the Triggerhearts with h-{{doujinshi}}, especially to Crueltear.

* [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair You Gotta Have Purple Hair]]: Exelica.
* YouHaveFailedMe: [[spoiler:The Ver'mith Core to Faintear Imitate after the Triggerhearts defeat her a third time. Unfortunately for it, all its attack manages to do is remove her RestrainingBolt]].
* ZettaiRyouiki: Fainter ranks in at Grade-A, although the other Triggerhearts [[http://am.sega.jp/utop/closeup/exelica_05.html can sometimes be seen with thigh-highs on]], too.

In this game, players can play as one of the two Triggerhearts, either Exelica or Crueltear, and they can either gun down the horde of Ver'mith trying to take over the Earth the old fashion way, or make use the Triggerhearts' [[GrapplingHookPistol Anchor Shot]] against the Ver'mith -- be it a small drone fighter or a battleship the size of a 747 -- and swing them around like a [[EpicFlail ball-and-chain]], [[GrievousHarmWithABody hurl them against each other]], or [[SingleUseShield even use them as a shield]], and you do this [[ScoringPoints to gain Medals]]. Although not all enemies are fair game to picked up by and ready to be abused the Triggerhearts' Anchor Shot; In the case of bosses or grounded emeies, the anchor will latch on to the enemy and Triggerhearts gunfire will go along the anchor's line a for stronger, pin-point attack. Another unique feature of the game is the DynamicDifficulty of its boss battles; The bosses in ''Triggerheart Exelica'' uses a Variable Boss Attack System (or [[FunWithAcronyms V.B.A.S.]] for short) to determine how hard they are willing to fight. Generally speaking, the more Medals you rack up, the harder they will fight back.

* BrainwashedAndCrazy: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation, thanks to the cloning process. In ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'', however, reveal that she is actually good person and the Ver'mith uses a control core to change her pesonality.]]

* EmpathicWeapon: While they never talk, Triggerheart's [[AttackDrone Attack Drones]] have sentient A.I., and the Triggerhearts (save for Faintear Imitate) threat them as companions.

* GameplayAndStorySegregation: Averted. The Triggerhearts are varies by their speed. It's explain in plot that Exelica can adapt with peaceful life on Earth ''too well'', so she rarely did the routine maintenance for her equipments. Crueltear, however, feel herself is without purpose on this peaceful planet and thus keep her equipments in as good condition as possible. So when Ver'mith attack Earth, Exelica's equipments are nowhere near their full potential. In ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'', Faintear was just recently escape from Ver'mith, and despite lossing her original weapon units, has equipments in perfect condition. These reflect in gameplay, with Exelica being slowest, Faintear being fastest and Crueltear in the middle.

* ItsUpToYou: The technology of Earth can't be compare to Ver'mith nor Tilde, so the Triggerhearts are only obtacles to Ver'mith's invasion.

In this game, players can play as one of the two Triggerhearts, either Exelica or Crueltear, and they can either gun down the horde of Ver'mith trying to take over the Earth the old fashion way, or make use the Triggerhearts' [[GrapplingHookPistol Anchor Shot]] against the Ver'mith -- be it a small [[{{Mecha-Mooks}} Mecha-Mook]] or a battleship the size of a 747 -- and swing them around like a [[EpicFlail ball-and-chain]], [[GrievousHarmWithABody hurl them against each other]], or [[SingleUseShield even use them as a shield]], and you do this [[ScoringPoints to gain Medals]]. Although not all enemies are fair game to picked up by and ready to be abused the Triggerhearts' Anchor Shot; In the case of bosses or grounded emeies, the anchor will latch on to the enemy and their shots will go along the anchor's a for stronger, pin-point attack. A unique feature of the game is DynamicDifficulty of its boss battles; The bosses in ''Triggerheart Exelica'' uses of the game a Variable Boss Attack System (or [[FunWithAcronyms V.B.A.S.]] for short) to determine how hard they are willing to fight. Generally speaking, the more Medals you rack up, the harder they will fight back.

In this game, players can play as one of the two Triggerhearts, either Exelica or Crueltear, and they can either gun down their the horde of Ver'mith trying to take over the Earth the old fashion way, or make use the Triggerhearts' [[GrapplingHookPistol Anchor Shot]] against the Ver'mith -- be it a small [[{{Mecha-Mooks}} Mecha-Mook]] or a battleship the size of a 747 -- and swing them around like a [[EpicFlail ball-and-chain]], [[GrievousHarmWithABody hurl them against each other]], or [[SingleUseShield even use them as a shield]], and you do this [[ScoringPoints to gain Medals]]. A unique feature of the game is DynamicDifficulty of its boss battles; the bossed uses of the game a Variable Boss Attack System (or [[FunWithAcronyms V.B.A.S.]] for short) to determine how hard they are willing to fight. Generally speaking, the more Medals you rack up, the harder they will fight back.

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/triggerheartexelica.JPG[[caption-width:317:Clockwise from top: Faintear, Crueltear, Exelica]]

Do you like [[ShootEmUps shooting games]]? And do you like [[{{Fanservice}} boobies]]? Then you'll love the combination of the two, also known as ''Triggerheart Exelica''.

In the future, the interplanetary defence organization of Tilde created [[ArtificialHuman artificial humans]] called "Triggerhearts" to hold back the forces of the militant Ver'mith. Unfortunately, two sister Triggerhearts -- the [[GenkiGirl energetic]] Exelica and the HotBlooded Crueltear -- fell through one of the Ver'mith's emergency escape wormholes, which leads straight to PresentDay Earth. Cut off from everyone and everything they knew, the two Triggerhearts begin to lose hope and question their purpose for living... That is, until the day that a massive wormhole appears over Earth, signalling the start of a full-scale Ver'mith invasion led by none other than [[EvilCounterpart another Triggerheart]]: One that Crueltear recognises as Faintear.

''Triggerheart Exelica'' is a vertically-scrolling ShootEmUp where the player can play as one of the two Triggerhearts, either Exelica or Crueltear, and they can either gun down their enemies the old fashion way, or make use the Triggerhearts' "[[GrapplingHookPistol Anchor Shot]]" at the enemy -- be it a small [[{{Mecha-Mooks}} Mecha-Mook]] or a ship the size of a 747 -- and swing them around like a [[EpicFlail ball-and-chain]], [[GrievousHarmWithABody hurl them against each other]], or [[SingleUseShield even use them as a shield]], and you do this [[ScoringPoints to gain Medals]]. During boss battles, the bossed uses of the game [[DynamicDifficulty Variable Boss Attack System]] (or [[FunWithAcronyms V.B.A.S.]] for short) to determine how hard they are willing to fight. Generally speaking, the more Medals you rack up, the harder they will fight back.

'''''Triggerheart Exelica''''' was first released in [[ArcadeGame arcades]] by the small video game development team of Warashi on the {{Sega}} NAOMI hardware in 2006. The game was subsequently released in Japan for the SegaDreamcast in 2007 ([[DaddySystem yes]], really) as its penultimate title[[hottip:*:''Karous'' being the final one.]], then later to the {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade worldwide on February of 2008, and finally to the PlayStation2 with an UpdatedRerelease as ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The [=PlayStation 2=] re-release features a fully-voiced Story Mode ([[BadExportForYou that the Xbox Live Arcade version never received]]), a new playable character [[spoiler:(the original, non-evil Faintear)]], complete with a shiny new AnimeThemeSong opening.

* NonIdenticalTwins: Exelica and Crueltear are from the same production line, making them "blood sisters" in a way. Crueltear being the older one. [[spoiler:Faintear is also from the same production line, and is the middle sister]].

* ZettaiRyouiki: All of the Triggerhearts can sometimes be seen with thigh-highs on.

'''''Triggerheart Exelica''''' was first released in [[ArcadeGame arcades]] by the small video game development team of Warashi on the {{Sega}} NOAMI hardware in 2006. The game was subsequently released in Japan to the SegaDreamcast in 2007 ([[DaddySystem yes]], really) as its penultimate title[[hottip:*:''Karous'' being the final one.]], then later to the {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade worldwide on February of 2008, and finally to the PlayStation2 with an UpdatedRerelease as ''Triggerheart Exelica -Enhanced-'' [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The [=PlayStation 2=] re-release features a fully-voiced Story Mode ([[BadExportForYou that the Xbox Live Arcade version never received]]), a new playable character [[spoiler:(the original, non-evil Faintear)]], complete with a shiny new AnimeThemeSong opening.

* AttackDrone: Triggerheart's {{BFG}} are actually float on her side.

* BonusBoss: Accumulating enough Medals on certain stages unlocks a confrontation with Faintear at the end of Stages 1, 3, and the Final Stage. Defeating her in all three said stages under a single credit is required to unlock the game's "good" ending.

** One of the game's promotional items feature the girls in a more swimsuit-styled version of their regular bodysuit at a [[PoolScene pool]] or [[BeachEpisode beach]] setting.
** Another one with Exelica in {{Stripperific}} two-piece with either Crueltear or [[spoiler:the original]] Faintear, heading into [[HoYay Les Yay]] territory. The former also has Crueltear showing off [[MaleGaze her lovely backside]].
** [[spoiler:Both the original and Ver'mith Faintear also gets a similar form of fanservice.]]

* GirlishPigtails: Faintear [[spoiler: (both the original and the Ver'mith's Faintear Imitation)]].

* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:In the "normal" ending, the Triggerheart you didn't play will sacrifice herself to save you from Faintear Imitate's grasp]].

** Exelica is ShihoKawaragi
** Original Faintear is NanaMizuki
** C'r_na is MisatoFukuen

* HumanoidAlien: We never actually see people of Tilde, but since Triggerhearts and holographic of C'r_na, the ship's AI, appear as girl, it's pretty obvious.

* BrainwashedAndCrazy: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation, thanks to the cloning process. In Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-, however, reveal that she is actually good person and the Ver'mith uses a control core to change her pesonality.]]

* EmpathicWeapon: While they never talk, Triggerheart's {{Attack Drone}}s have sentient AI, and the Triggerhearts (save for Faintear Imitate) threat them as companions.

* {{Fanservice}}: Exaggerated with game's promotional goods.

In the future, the interplanetary defence organization "Tilde" creates [[ArtificialHuman artificial humans]] called "Triggerhearts" to hold back the forces of the militant Ver'mith. Unfortunately, two sister Triggerhearts- GenkiGirl Exelica and the HotBlooded Crueltear- fall through one of the Ver'mith's emergency escape wormholes, which leads straight to PresentDay Earth. Cut off from everyone and everything they knew, the two Triggerhearts begin to lose hope and question their purpose for living... that is, until the day that a massive wormhole appears over Earth, signalling the start of a full-scale Ver'mith invasion led by none other than [[EvilCounterpart another Triggerheart]]: one that Crueltear recognises as Faintear.

''TriggerheartExelica'' is a [[ShootEmUps shoot 'em up]] where the player controls either Triggerheart Exelica or Crueltear and can have them either shoot their enemies old-school-style, or use an ability called the "Anchor Shot" -- that is, firing a [[GrapplingHookPistol huge grappling hook]] at an enemy -- be it a small [[{{Mooks}} mook]] or a ship the size of a 747 -- and toss it around, deflecting bullets like a shield or hurling it right back at your enemy.

Also, the bosses use the VBAS (Variable Boss Attack System): how hard a boss is depends on how high a score you have, how many medals you collected, how many bombs/lives in stock, etc. Generally speaking, the more you have, the harder the boss gets.

Released in arcades in 2006, was the penultimate SegaDreamcast game in 2007[[hottip:*:''Karous'' being the final one.]] ([[DaddySystem yes]], really), and became part of XboxLiveArcade in February 2008. An UpdatedRerelease for the PS2 named ''Triggerheart Exelica -enhanced-'' has also been released, complete with a new selectable character ([[spoiler:the original, non-evil Faintear]]) and a shiny new AnimeThemeSong opening.

* AllThereInTheManual: The story, naturally. Though the PS2 version has a fully fledged "Story Mode" that adds a great deal of narrative to the game.

* BadExportForYou: The Xbox Live Arcade, as it lacks the Story Mode and Arrange Mode from the Dreamcast port. And to put salt on the wound, ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' for the [=PlayStation=] 2 was released ''after'' XBLA version, which has most the Dreamcast's version feature plus a fully-voiced Story Mode [[spoiler:and the ability to play as the original Faintear]].
* BonusBoss: Accumulating enough Medals on certain stages unlocks a confrontation with Faintear at the end of Stages 1, 3, and the Final Stage. Defeating her in all three stages under a single credit is required to unlock the "good" ending.

* DynamicDifficulty: The more medals and higher score you have, the harder the game gets, and the more boss forms you fight.

* EmpathicWeapon: While they never talk, Triggerheart's {{Attack Drone}}s have sentient AI, and Triggerheart (except Faintear Imitate) threat them as companions.
* EvilTwin: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation. You can play as the original in the PS2 version]].
* {{Fanservice}}

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: According to the game's artbook, Crueltear was originally suppose to be a [[HumongousMecha mecha]].

* ZettaiRyouiki: Crueltear and Fainter both ranks in at Grade-A.

!!This game contains the following tropes:

* ArtificialHuman: The Triggerhearts

* BonusBoss: Accumulating enough Medals on certain stages unlocks a confrontation with Faintear at the end of the level. Defeating her on certain stages is required to unlock the various MultipleEndings.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitate, thanks to the cloning process. ''Enhanced'', however, reveal that she is actually good person and Ver'mith use control core to change her pesonality.]]

* CloningBlues: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitate, an evil clone of the original Faintear controlled by the Ver'mith]].
* CloneDegeneration: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitate's personality is a corrupted version of the original Faintear's]].
* CoolShip: The C'rnadyne support ship, it only appears in ''Enhanced'' though.

* EvilTwin: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitate. You can play as the original in the PS2 version]].

* GameplayAndStorySegregation: Aversion. The Triggerhearts are varies by their speed. It's explain in plot that Exelica can adapt with peaceful life on Earth ''too well'', so she rarely did the routine maintenance for her equipments. Crueltear, however, feel herself is without purpose on this peaceful planet and thus keep her equipments in as good condition as possible. So when Ver'mith attack Earth, Exelica's equipments are nowhere near their full potential. In ''Enhanced'', Faintear was just recently escape from Ver'mith and despite lossing her original weapon units, has equipments in perfect condition. These reflect in gameplay, with Exelica being slowest, Faintear being fastest and Crueltear in the middle.

* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:In the normal ending, the Triggerheart you didn't play will sacrifice herself to save you from Faintear Imitate's grasp]].

* HotBlooded: Crueltear

* MultipleEndings: Based on the multiple bosses.
* NonIdenticalTwins: Exelica and Crueltear are from the same production line, making them "blood sisters" in a way. Crueltear is the older one. [[spoiler:Faintear is also from the same production line, and is the middle sister]].

* SchoolSwimsuit :Exelica's body suit is white school swimsuit.

* SocialDarwinist: The Ver'mith to an extent: they maintain a constant state of warfare because they believe that fighting will strengthen their evolution.