Xexex

File:ARC Xexex (Orius).png

The gameplay is similar to R-Type and X-Multiply.{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/xexex/|title=Xexex|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=11 September 2017|access-date=2020-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706232643/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/xexex/|archive-date=2020-07-06|url-status=live}}Xexex operator's manual (Arcade, EU){{cite magazine|last=C. Mylonas|first=Eric|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamefanVolume8Issue04April2000#page/n95/mode/2up|title=The Graveyard - Xexex|magazine=GameFan|volume=8|issue=4|publisher=Shinno Media|date=April 2000|pages=94–95}} The player's ship, the Flintlock, has a detachable orb attachment called the Flint, which behaves similar to R-Type{{'}}s Force Device. Power-ups can be obtained to increase the Flint's tentacles, movement speed, change the main weapon, or even give the player an extra life or energy.

There are different gameplay mechanics between the original Japanese release and the overseas releases. The overseas versions introduce a variety of changes, with the most notable being the removal of all but one upgradable weapon, as well as the removal of a lives system, which is replaced with an energy bar. The enemy patterns are also changed slightly and the bosses have more health.

• In the Japanese version, the player starts with the Proton Laser, a thin stream of weak bullets. Defeating certain enemies will drop other weapons. The name of the current weapon is displayed at the bottom of the screen. The game uses a traditional lives system, and when a life is lost, the player continues play from a checkpoint.
• In the overseas versions, the only available weapon is the Proton Laser, with Missiles acting as a secondary weapon; powering up the Proton Laser increases its spread, and powering up the Missiles increases the amount fired. The Flint's tentacles have been shortened in this version, and it now can only be shot forward and released instead of being able to be detached near the ship. This version opts for an energy bar instead of lives, and the Flintlock can take multiple hits before being destroyed. If the ship's energy reaches zero, the player must insert another credit, and then can begin immediately where they left off with a newly restored energy bar.

The game takes place in the far future, where mankind has recently developed technology allowing them to quickly travel to other planets. One day, Earth receives a telepathic distress call from Princess Irene La Tias (known as Elaine La Tias in international versions), whose home planet E-Square has been taken over by Lord Klaus Pachelbel and his bio-mechanical army. Humans soon also discover the mysterious alien life form "Flint", and quickly assemble a new space fighter, the Flintlock TMF01, that is capable of carrying the Flint with it. The Flintlock and Flint are then sent out to save Irene and her planet.

After each stage, the player is treated to a short cutscene, usually involving either Irene crying for help, or Klaus taunting the player.

Xexex was developed by Konami.{{cite magazine|last1=Ishii|first1=Zenji|author2=KAL|last3=Koken|first3=Sato|last4=Sakai|first4=Hajime|title=コーナー: 開発者インタビュー - イレーネ (ゼクセクス)|magazine=Gamest|issue=87|publisher=Shinseisha|date=28 February 1993|page=83|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/xexex/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117060455/http://shmuplations.com/xexex/|date=2018-01-17}}).{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/i-ii-iii-iv#page/n60/mode/1up|title=Gradius II Interview|work=Gradius Portable Official Guide -Legend of I・II・III・IV・Gaiden-|series=Konami Official Books|publisher=Konami|date=28 March 2006|pages=58–63|language=ja|isbn=4-86155-111-0}} ([http://shmuplations.com/gpg-gradiusii/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230201312/http://shmuplations.com/gpg-gradiusii/|date=2019-12-30}}).

Xexex was re-released for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch as part of their Arcade Archives series in 2021.{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/10/four-more-classic-shmups-confirmed-for-switch-including-konamis-cult-hit-xexex|title=Four More Classic Shmups Confirmed For Switch, Including Konami's Cult Hit, Xexex|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=October 4, 2021|access-date=2021-10-04}}

{{Video game reviews

|CVG = (Arcade) 72%{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_123_1992-02_EMAP_Publishing_GB#page/n88/mode/1up|title=Arcade Action - Xexex|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=123|publisher=EMAP|date=February 1992|page=89}}

|rev1 = Gamest

|rev1Score = (Arcade) 39/50{{cite magazine|last1=Ishii|first1=Kenji|last2=Y|first2=Mēryoku|last3=Ishii|first3=Zenji|last4=Yamakawa|first4=Yuri|last5=Umemura|first5=Zuru|url=https://archive.org/stream/gamest0066#page/113/mode/1up|title=グッドなゲームはかく語れ!!AMショー持選版クロスレビユー!!: ゼクセクス|magazine=Gamest|issue=66|publisher=Shinseisha|date=December 1991|page=113|lang=ja}}

|rev2 = Game Zone

|rev2Score = (Arcade) {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Wilson|first=David|url=https://archive.org/stream/game-zone-04#page/74/mode/1up|title=Kill Zone - Xerex|magazine=Game Zone|volume=1|issue=4|publisher=Dennis Publishing|date=February 1992|page=74}}

|rev3 = Zero

|rev3Score = (Arcade) {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Stokes|first=Doris|url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-29#page/n58/mode/1up|title=Dosh Eaters: Xexex (Konami)|magazine=Zero|issue=29|publisher=Dennis Publishing|date=March 1992|page=59}}

|award1Pub = Gamest Mook (1998)

|award1 = Grand Prize 3rd, Best Shooting Award 2nd, Best Performance Award 6th, Best Graphic Award 1st, Best VGM Award 1st, Popular Player 9th, Annual Hit Game 10th (Arcade){{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/vol.-112-2#page/n15/mode/2up|title=ザ・ベストゲーム2 - アーケードビデオゲーム26年の歴史: ゲーメスト大賞11年史|work=Gamest Mook|volume=5|edition=4th|publisher=Shinseisha|date=17 January 1998|pages=14–15|language=ja|isbn=9784881994290}}

}}

In Japan, Game Machine listed Xexex on their November 15, 1991 issue as being the fifth most-popular arcade game at the time.{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=415|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=15 November 1991|page=25|lang=ja}} In the January 1992 issue of Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine, the game was ranked on the number ten spot in popularity.{{cite magazine|last=Yamashita|first=Nobuyuki|url=https://archive.org/stream/micomBASIC_1992-01#page/n240/mode/1up|title=Super Soft Hot Information - Video Game (ビデオゲーム) - Hot 20|magazine=Micom BASIC Magazine|issue=115|publisher=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|date=January 1992|page=241|lang=ja}} At the 1992 Gamest Awards, Xexex was awarded Best Graphics (beating Virtua Racing) and Best VGM (beating Metal Black). Xexex was also nominated for Game of the Year (ranked 4th), Best Shooter (ranked 2nd), and Best Direction (ranked 6th), but lost to Street Fighter II: Champion Edition, Sonic Wings, and Art of Fighting, respectively.

Xexex has been met with positive reception from critics since its initial launch.

Konami released four Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game cards as a reference to Xexex: Flint, Flint Lock, Flint Attack (Flint Missile) and King of Destruction Xexex.

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/583963-orius Orius] at GameFAQs
• [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10507 Xexex] at Killer List of Videogames
• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/arcade/xexex Xexex] at MobyGames

{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Xexex}}

Category:1991 video games

Category:Arcade Archives games

Category:Arcade video games

Category:Hamster Corporation games

Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters

Category:Konami arcade games

Category:Konami games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:PlayStation Portable games

Category:Science fiction video games

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games set on fictional planets