This is a remake of the 2007 vertical shoot 'em up, eXceed 2nd: Vampire. The game is set in a world where humanity is engaged in a conflict against vampires and "deviants," individuals of mixed human and vampire heritage. Players assume the role of Lia Fyle, a half-human, half-vampire character fighting for the deviant cause. The narrative centers on a counteroffensive strategy known as the "Siege on the Holy Land," aimed at destroying the Holy Lady Anhel, who is the source of human military power. This sets the stage for a high-stakes conflict where neither side can afford to be defeated.

Story and Setting

The game's narrative is set against the backdrop of a world embroiled in a war of extermination. Humanity, seeking purification, has initiated widespread purges of vampires and those with mixed bloodlines, carried out by an exorcist corps called the "Gun Bullet Children." As human forces gain the upper hand, deviant communities face systematic eradication. In response, the remaining deviant armies are rallying their forces and seeking allies to launch a counteroffensive. The story follows Lia Fyle's involvement in this critical phase of the war, emphasizing the desperate struggle for survival and the fight for the future of the deviant population.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

At its core, this title is a vertical shoot 'em up that features a distinctive dual-polarity gameplay system. Players have the ability to switch their character's polarity and color. This mechanic directly impacts gameplay: by matching the polarity of incoming enemy bullets, players can absorb them. This absorption serves a dual purpose: it charges a special weapon and allows players to deal double damage to enemies of the opposite polarity. Successfully absorbing bullets contributes to building the power of the special weapon, which can then be unleashed for significant offensive impact.

What makes this game unique?

The defining feature of this title is its dual-polarity gameplay system. This mechanic necessitates strategic decision-making in real-time, as players must manage their character's polarity to absorb enemy fire, charge their special weapon, and exploit enemy weaknesses. The ability to absorb bullets not only provides a defensive advantage but also directly fuels offensive capabilities, creating a dynamic loop of risk and reward. This system distinguishes it within the shooter genre by integrating defensive actions directly into offensive power progression.

Remake Context

This release is a remake of the original eXceed 2nd: Vampire. As a remake, it aims to modernize the experience while preserving the core elements of the parent game. Improvements typically found in remakes include enhanced visual and audio presentations, updated gameplay mechanics for contemporary audiences, and potentially new content or features. The goal of such a project is often to offer a faithful rendition of the original's spirit and challenge, enhanced with modern technological capabilities and design sensibilities.

Gameplay Modernizations and New Features

The remake is designed to offer an updated take on the original's foundation. This would likely involve graphical enhancements to bring the visuals up to date, improvements to the audio design, and potentially refinements to the control scheme or user interface. The core dual-polarity gameplay is preserved, but its implementation may have been tweaked for a more fluid or accessible experience. The remake seeks to capture the essence of what made the original notable, particularly its challenging stages and addictive gameplay loop.

Faithfulness to the Original

The remake is designed to be a faithful adaptation, retaining the core narrative and gameplay mechanics that defined the original eXceed 2nd: Vampire. The focus is on enhancing the existing experience rather than drastically altering its direction. This approach ensures that players familiar with the original can expect a recognizable yet improved version, while new players can experience the game as it was originally intended, but with modern polish.

Technical Details

This game was released on December 31, 2007, exclusively for PC (Microsoft Windows). It falls under the genres of Shooter, Indie, and Arcade.