History VideoGame / TriggerheartExelica

As of July 28, 2016, the Xbox 360 version of the game has became backwards compatible for the UsefulNotes/XboxOne, coinciding with the game's 10th Anniversary. A series of official {{doujinshi}} by Kazuhiko Kakoi, ''Trigger Heart Exelica RE:Anchor'' were also published at the beginning of 2016, which explores new concepts and ideas for a potential sequel. On May 2023, game developer Cosmo Machia (a company composed of ex-Warashi employees) acquired the rights to the property, promising to reissue the game alongside new developments.

''Triggerheart Exelica'' is a vertically-scrolling shooter by the small video game development team of Warashi. It was first released to [[UsefulNotes/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]][=MileStone=]'s ''VideoGame/{{Karous}}'' being the final one[[/note]], then later to the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 via UsefulNotes/XboxLive world-wide on February of 2008, and finally to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 (published by Alchemist) with an UpdatedRerelease as ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' [[NoExportForYou exclusively in Japan]] in 2009. 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.

On July 2023, Cosmo Machia launched a crowdfunding campaign via [[https://www.makuake.com/project/cosmomachia/ Makuake]] for funding of a potential Switch port of the game... which has came to pass; at the end of its campaign on August 6, 2023, it has raised over '''''6,300,420円''''', doubled its original 3,000,000円 funding goal. A release date was announced during a press conference at Tokyo Game Show 2023 and will be releasing on December 14 that year. The Switch version will feature the Arcade and Story Modes from the previous console releases in addition to the Arranged Mode and a Training Mode for beginners, a vertical (or "TATE") display option, sound options for the original or arranged soundtracks, and online leaderboards like in the Xbox 360 port.

* BonusBoss: Accumulating enough Medals on certain stages unlocks a confrontation with Faintear after the bosses of Stages 1 and 3. Defeating her in both stages under a single credit is required to unlock the game's "good" ending.

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

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

** The Xbox Live Arcade version lacks most of the features of both the Dreamcast and [=PlayStation=] 2 versions, it does however have updated visuals, an arranged soundtrack, and online leaderboards.

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]], [[ScoringPoints and you do this to score points]]. 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 UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast ([[DaddySystem yes, really]]) in Japan as its penultimate title[[note]][=MileStone=]'s ''VideoGame/{{Karous}}'' being the final one[[/note]], then later to the UsefulNotes/XBox360 via UsefulNotes/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.

On July 2023, Cosmo Machia launched a crowdfunding campaign via Makuake for funding of a potential Switch version of the game... which has came to pass; during Tokyo Game Show 2023, a Switch version of the game was announced and will be releasing on Decemeber 14. The Switch version will feature the Arranged and Story Mode from the console versions in addition to a Training Mode for beginners, a vertical (or "TATE") display option, a sound mode with arranged sound options, and online leaderboards.

* DownerEnding: In the Xbox Live Arcade version's of Exelica's "normal" ending, [[spoiler: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]].

On July 2023, Cosmo Machia launched a crowdfunding campaign via Makuake for funding of a potential Switch version of the game... which has came to pass; during Tokyo Game Show 2023, a Switch version of the game was announced and will be releasing later that year. The Switch version features the Arranged and Story Mode from the console versions in addition to a Training Mode, a vertical (or "TATE") display option, a sound mode with arranged sound options, and online leaderboards.

As of July 28, 2016, the Xbox 360 version of the game has became backwards compatible for the UsefulNotes/XboxOne, coinciding with the game's 10th Anniversary. A series of official {{doujinshi}} by Kazuhiko Kakoi, ''Trigger Heart Exelica RE:Anchor'' were also published at the beginning of 2016, which explores new concepts and ideas for a potential sequel. In May 2023, game developer Cosmo Machia (a company composed of ex-Warashi employees) acquired the rights to the property, promising to reissue the game alongside new developments.

As of July 28, 2016, the Xbox 360 version of the game has became backwards compatible for the UsefulNotes/XboxOne, coinciding with the game's 10th Anniversary. A series of official {{doujinshi}} by Kazuhiko Kakoi, ''Trigger Heart Exelica RE:Anchor'' were also published at the beginning of 2016, which explores new concepts and ideas for a potential sequel.

* BareYourMidriff: Crueltear's civilian outfit is essentially a sports bra and miniskirt.

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 UsefulNotes/XBox360 via UsefulNotes/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.

* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Exelica has purple, and Crueltear's hair is magenta.

* DangerouslyShortSkirt: Crueltear wears one when she's not in combat.

* ArrangeMode: The UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast port introduces an arrange where you play an extremely hard version of the main game with 2 lives, 2 bombs, 2 score-based extends, and no continues. You also have to fight [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation]] before the final boss. And what do you get for your trouble? [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation [[AWinnerIsYou taunting you]] in a [[TheStinger stinger]]. Yay.]]

* {{Bowdlerise}}: The Xbox 360 port edited Crueltear's "normal" ending; in the other versions, Crueltear's full body can be seen as [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wikiheartexelica/images/5/55/Crueltear_-_Ending_01.PNG/revision/latest?format=original she]] [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wikiheartexelica/images/4/41/Crueltear_-_Ending_02.PNG/revision/latest?format=original falls]] from the Ver'mith's liar, whereas the Xbox 360 version had her character artwork is [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wikiheartexelica/images/4/43/XBLA_Crueltear_Normal_Ending.png/revision/latest?format=original zoomed-in]] focusing on her face, hiding a shot of her butt and crotch.

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

* CloningBlues: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation, an evil clone of the original Faintear controlled by the Ver'mith]].
* CloneDegeneration: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation's personality is a corrupted version of the original Faintear's]].

* {{Doujinshi}}: Apart from {{N|otSafeForWork}} fanworks, the game spawned a series of official doujinshi titled ''Trigger Heart Exelica RE:Anchor'' by Kazuhiko Kakoi, the artist of the game.

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

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

** Another one with Exelica in {{Stripperiffic}} two-piece with either Crueltear or [[spoiler:the original]] Faintear, and it's heading into [[HoYay Les Yay]] territory.

* GirlishPigtails: Faintear Imitation [[spoiler:and the original]], although her twin-tails doesn't connect to her head.
* GrapplingHookPistol: The Anchor Shot.

* [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice: 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.]]

* RestrainingBolt: [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation has one in the glowing Ver'mith core on her forehead to ensure that she can't turn on her masters, 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]].]]

* 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 and more points. Finishing off bosses (and their multiple forms) quickly also yields for greater score bonuses

* SmartBomb: Your Triggerheart flies "up" to deliver the screen-clearing blast.

* TitleScream: "[[ComputerVoice Trigger Heart Exelica]]"

* AWinnerIsYou: Beating the ArrangeMode simply has Faintear Imitation taunting you.

* YouHaveFailedMe: The Ver'mith Core to [[spoiler:Faintear Imitation]] after the Triggerhearts defeat [[spoiler:her]] a third time. Unfortunately for it, [[spoiler:all its attack manages to do is remove her RestrainingBolt]].

As of July 28, 2016, the Xbox 360 version of the game has became backwards compatible for the UsefulNotes/XboxOne.

As of 7/28/16, the Xbox 360 version of the game is now backwards compatible for the Xbox One.

* ArrangeMode: The UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast port introduces an arrange where you play an extremely hard version of the main game with 2 lives, 2 bombs, 2 score-based extends, and no continues. You also have to fight [[spoiler: Faintear Imitate]] before the final boss. And what do you get for your trouble? [[spoiler: Faintear Imitate [[AWinnerIsYou taunting you]] in a [[TheStinger stinger]]. Yay.]]

* BonusBoss: Accumulating enough Medals on certain stages unlocks a confrontation with Faintear after the bosses of Stages 1 and 3. Defeating her in all both stages under a single credit is required to unlock the game's "good" ending.

* DifficultyLevels: Your stock Easy, Normal, and Hard settings.

* [[spoiler:DownerEnding: 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.]]

* [[spoiler:EleventhHourSuperPower: Crueltear unleashes her WaveMotionGun against the final boss during her "good" ending.]]

* GenkiGirl: Exelica.

* GrievousHarmWithABody: You can throw around enemies with the Anchor Shot.

* HomoeroticSubtext: While there's no implication of any kind seen in the actual game, but [[http://products.alchemist-net.co.jp/products/exelica/gentei.html these promotional items]] by Alchemist for the Limited Edition of ''Trigger Heart Exelica -Enhanced-'' may have those thinking otherwise.
* HotBlooded: Crueltear.
* HumanoidAlien: We never actually see people of Tilde, but since Triggerhearts and holographic of C'r_na, the ship's A.I., appear as girl, it's pretty obvious.

* LeotardOfPower: Crueltear and Faintear.
* LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition: The Dreamcast version has a Limited Edition release that includes the game's soundtrack. The [=PlayStation=] 2 re-release also has a Limited Edition that comes bundled with a Nendoroid Exelica figurine. {{Pre|OrderBonus}}-orders of the [=PlayStation=] 2 version also comes with a car balloon accessory.

* SpectacularSpinning: Swinging your victims around isn't just amusing, but can be used to clobber enemies against each other ([[SpinToDeflectStuff while shielding you from bullets]]) or thrown into a group of them.
* SuperDeformed: Chibi versions of the Triggerhearts are often used in the game's promotional art and goods. A chibi Faintear is also seen in the menus of the Dreamcast version of the game.

* TitleScream: [[AC:[[ComputerVoice Trigger Heart Exelica]]]]

** The Xbox LIVE Arcade version lacks most of the features of both the Dreamcast and [=PlayStation=] 2 versions, it does however have updated visuals, an arranged soundtrack, and online leaderboards.

* [[spoiler:YouHaveFailedMe: The Ver'mith Core to Faintear Imitation after the Triggerhearts defeat her a third time. Unfortunately for it, all its attack manages to do is remove her RestrainingBolt.]]

* ZettaiRyouiki: Faintear ranks in at Grade-A, although the other Triggerhearts [[http://web.archive.org/web/20130924223257/http://am.sega.jp/utop/closeup/exelica_05.html can sometimes be seen with thigh-highs on]], too.

Do you like [[BulletHell bullet]] [[ShootEmUp shoot'em ups]]? Do you also like [[MoeAnthropomorphism mecha-musumes]] clad in [[SensualSpandex skin-tight]] [[SchoolSwimsuit bodysuits]]? Then you'll enjoy the combination of the two with ''Triggerheart Exelica''.

Do you like [[BulletHell bullet]][[ShootEmUp shoot'em ups]]? Do you also like [[MoeAnthropomorphism mecha-musumes]] clad in [[SensualSpandex skin-tight]] [[SchoolSwimsuit bodysuits]]? Then you'll enjoy the combination of the two with ''Triggerheart Exelica''.

Do you like BulletHell [[ShootEmUp shooters]]? Do you also like [[MoeAnthropomorphism mecha-musumes]] clad in [[SensualSpandex skin-tight]] [[SchoolSwimsuit bodysuits]]? Then you'll enjoy the combination of the two with ''Triggerheart Exelica''.

* EverythingIsBetterWithSpinning: Swinging your victims around isn't just amusing, but can be used to clobber enemies against each other (while shielding you from bullets) or thrown into a group of them.

* AWinnerIsYou: Beating the Arrange Mode simply has Faintear Imitation taunting you.

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

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 UsefulNotes/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.

'''''Triggerheart Exelica''''' is a vertically-scrolling shooter by the small video game development team of Warashi. It was first released to [[UsefulNotes/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.