VG Exiles

VG Exiles is a sprite-based web series by R1665 on Newgrounds. It is a primarily action based series with a storyline based on the Marvel Exiles series.

The first episode (episode 0) was launched on Newgrounds on May 10, 2008 and wasn't noticed by many. The next episode, launched on November 29 of the same year, was much well received and gained a lot of praise. The third episode (episode 2) kicked the violence up a notch and was just as well received as the second if not more.

A fourth episode (Episode 3) has been in the works for over two years and has now finally been released.

R1665's Newgrounds account, can be seen here

Tropes used in VG Exiles include:

Apocalypse How: The backstory to Episode 3 reveals Kurtis Stryker's dimension has suffered a Class X-4. Jill Valentine's is implied to be well on the way to a Class 3a at the very least.
All There in the Manual: It has an impressive storyline and to fully understand it you must read about the character backgrounds after the credits.
An Ice Person: Sonya Blade, thanks to precise genetic manipulation, based off of Sub-Zero's DNA.
Anyone Can Die: As with the original Exiles, the heroes can be killed off at anytime. Their work is dangerous, and made even moreso due to the fact that the Acolytes (a rogue group of reality-hoppers) is out there trying to do them in whenever they get the chance.
Art Evolution: CE-Rap has brought a serious quality shift in art style to the series as of Episode 3. In previous episodes, the seemingly endless dialog during art scenes----while still important----felt tedious and static. Though still not "full" animation, the art scenes are now FAR more engaging.
Author Appeal: R1665 has stated on his Newgrounds account that the fight for Episode 3 was one that he wanted to do for years and was the reason he got interested in Flash movies.
Back From the Dead: In the first episode it is revealed in the character background section that the version of Ken Masters shown within had been killed and resurrected after spending fifteen years in Hell.
Badass Crew: The Exiles. In spades.
- Though we've only confirmed one member's identity, the Acolytes are clearly a force to be reckoned with. They wiped out the entire previous incarnation of the Exiles, save Johnny Cage and Jon Talbain.
Badass Finger-Snap: Found in Episode 3 SHADOWLAWLESS when Nash reveals his suspicions that his C.O. is a Shadowlaw spy. Cue Action Music as three, fully armored troops leap away from Nash, turn-off their stealth camouflage, and efficiently surround a shocked Jill Valentine, weapons hot.

Nash: "...well I guess you ALSO didn't know...that the executive command codes that you used to take control of this mission...were among the compromised files." -SNAP-

Badass Longcoat: Remy Boudreaux
Badass Normal: Kurtis Stryker is described by the other Exiles as an ordinary human with no supernatural abilities. He's also incredibly resilient to ki attacks (especially Psycho Power), uses weapons of any technology effortlessly (including The Soulcube) and is a natural expert in martial arts. To add to that, the fight in Episode 3 is not the first time he's taken on an alternate reality M. Bison before. His alternate reality red-shirted counterpart is no slouch either, given that he kills Akuma in the Easter Egg.
Battle Cry: 'OPEN-WIIIIDE MUTHAFUCKAAA!!'
Berserk Button: The value of life is immeasurable to Jon Talbain. The needle on his rage-o-meter hits critical with every life Remy Boudreaux blithely took during their one and only battle, to the point of Jon's blue fur turning a bright fiery red, exploding into a burst of glowing red energy swirls and accompanied by a bloodcurdling howl.
Beyond the Impossible: Though Alvin Earthworm, creator of Super Mario Bros Z, was the first notable Flash Series creator to do it, VG Exiles: Episode 3 officially holds the title as the biggest Flash movie ever to be uploaded to Newgrounds.com, capping off with a whopping 39.6mb.
- According to CE-Rap, who it seems is now Co-Captain, the initial episode actually hit a total of 43.4mb. R1665 was told by Newgrounds.com admin, Tom Fulp,that 40mb was the current limit that could be given for a flash project on the website, which led to the episode's current file size after some chopping.
BFG Stryker played this straight in SHADOWLAWLESS in the very literal sense. He didn't just use a BFG, he used the ACTUAL BFG-9000 from the DOOM series.
Big Bad Ensemble: So far, Shang Tsung and M.Bison have both made appearances. It's fair to assume more will show up later.
Black and Grey Morality: The Exiles are the good guys----no doubt. But under Johnny's leadership, they are the heroes that aren't heroes. They police Multiverse through whatever means necessary. They never take prisoners, go to great lengths to ensure non-Exile individuals NEVER learn of the existence of Multiverse, and are forbidden from interfering with events that are fixed moments in time----like the utter destruction of Stryker's entire homeworld. And since Johnny Cage sees sentient life through crap-colored glasses, he has no remorse for his actions and those of his team. This almost always puts him at direct odds with the group. Nevertheless, even they have to admit, he kind of knows what he's doing. That----and the Acolytes have it coming.
Boom! Headshot!: How Stryker finishes M.Bison.
Camera Abuse: Displayed during Stryker's point blank execution of M.Bison
Cat Fight: Episode 1's main event.
Catch and Return: Remy Boudreaux takes an incoming kunai hurled at him by Ibuki and hurls it back at her.
- Used with hilarious efficiency in the same fight when Remy Boudreaux sends Sakura flying with a swing of his staff. Talbain catches her, then tosses her back at him----leading to a flying kick to his face.
Combat Pragmatist: Red-Shirted Stryker from Episode 3 proves to be a damn good one, wasting not a single moment gunning down Akuma in the Episode 3 Easter Egg. Though this is just for lulz.
Could Have Been Messy: Subverted. Remy Boudreaux catches and hurls the kunai that Ibuki threw at him. She ducks, avoiding it. It ends up lodging itself in the back of Makoto's head, killing her.
Creator Cameo: Both R1665 and CE-Rap conveniently place their logos in two distinct places in Episode 3. The name "R1665" is seen on a sign hanging near the far wall of the subway that Stryker and Bison crash into. And it would seem that Jill Valentine's favorite brand of combat boot is a nice pair of "CE-Raps".
Death Seeker: Stryker, although subverted in that he does have one thing left to live for - looking after Jill.
Emotionless God: Johnny Cage. This stems from being The Spock.
Finish Him!: With such great influence from Mortal Kombat, this was inevitable.
For the Evulz: Remy Boudreaux kills everyone he sees, even the innocent onlookers of his fight.
Good Smoking, Evil Smoking: Stryker enjoys a fine Black and Mild after a job well done.
- In the infirmary, no less.
Gorn: The series runs on this. Hard. Several examples can usually be found in each fight. Averted in Episode 1 for Sonya and Cammy's fight because they were only having a friendly sparring session.
- When one of your the influences for your series is Mortal Kombat, this trope might as well be your tag line.
Groin Attack: Johnny Cage uses these pretty freely in combos.
Guns Akimbo: Done more than once by Stryker, and an obvious staple of his fight style.
Hero-Killer: Remy Boudreaux
Hurricane Kick: Ken Masters performs this attack, as does Sakura in Episode 2.
Hyperspace Arsenal: Justified with Stryker; his weapons are stored in a pocket dimension in Panoptichron and summoned by Tallus units in his gloves warping them into his hands with simple gestures.
- This also goes hand and hand in justifying why he has lots of bullets.
Instant Death Bullet: Nicely subverted. In Episode 3, after Bison's Psycho Power is drained, Stryker double taps him, but Bison does not fall over or die instantly. He instead just hunches down a bit with a groan. It's only when Stryker breaks Bison's leg bones that he falls over----and then busts a cap in his crown.
Jerkass Gods: It's easy to see Johnny Cage this way, but he does have shades of a Knight in Sour Armor.
Just Before the End: It is stated by "Heart" that her homeworld has reached this point.
Kamehame Hadouken: Both Johnny Cage and Ken do this. So does Cammy.
- As of Episode 2, Jon Talbain and Sakura perform this as well.
Kick the Dog: Remy Boudreaux, who makes his first on screen appearance by blowing up Remy for absolutely no reason.
- M. Bison wipes the floor with a small group of Tarkarans. Upon seeing how his brethren have been laid to waste by this one man, a fearful Tarkaran presents Bison with a gift-wrapped peace offering. Bison retorts by grabbing him and throwing him out a window. Worse even, he laughs after doing it.
Lack of Empathy: Johnny is an interesting example of a good guy using this trope. He's made it clear that Jill has no business being on the team since "she's supposed to be dead." He has no qualms about manipulating his teammates or even brutally killing an opponent----whether they can defend themselves or not, as displayed when he killed a shackled Remy Boudreaux.
- M.Bison from Episode 3. He speaks calmly as he instructs one of his dolls to activate the cyanide capsules on ALL nonessential personnel and sets the auto-destruct sequence for his base.
Lightning Bruiser: Cammy.
Limit Break: Sakura has one in Episode 3 after Talbain is hit by a barrage of kinetic cards, rendering him KO'd for a few seconds. With a bright blue aura surrounding her, she's able to land a series of clean, swift and powerful blows against her opponent.
Made of Iron: All fighters. While it's a given, considering the series includes highly super-powered beings, of particular note is Jon Talbain, who continually got hammered by kinetic cards so strong, Sakura would've died if even one of them hit her.
- Stryker free falls off a New York City skyscraper while standing over Bison and unloading an ungodly amount of bullets in his face----only to have both men blast through the concrete and into the subway tunnels. They both come out okay. Well....Bison less so.
- It's subverted at the end of Episode 3's main fight, specifically when it comes to guns. They inflict real world damage, able to kill a person with one or two well placed shots. Bison withstands a continuous rain of bullets through the fight----many at point blank range----but only when his force field is up. Once his Psycho Power runs out, he's taken out with just 3 shots.
Manipulative Bastard: Although you wouldn't think it in episodes 0 and 1, reading the background information to episode 2 shows Johnny Cage is definitely one of these.
- He's shown to be one in the background info to Episode 1. This is the same man that got Jon Talbain to become an Exile, with the premise that he'd get to see his dead wife again. He wasn't lying. Jon DID get to see Felicia again----because there are trillions of Felicias through out Multiverse, and not ONE of them are like his dead wife.
Massive Multiplayer Crossover: With characters from Darkstalkers, Street Fighters, Mortal Kombat, Marvel, and more this can't be helped.
Mega Manning: Johnny Cage proves he can do this at the end of Episode 0.
Meteor Move: M. Bison performs one against Stryker that sends him straight through the floor.
Mission Control: Johnny Cage has been seen doing this from time to time from the Panoptichron. Since this is the Exiles, however, it can be assumed that the team will have more than one of these in the future.
Morality Pet: Jill Valentine acts as one for Stryker, much to Johnny Cage's chagrin and Jon Talbain's approval.
- Jon Talbain can even be considered this to Johnny as well, in a kind of "time to make the donuts" fashion.
More Dakka: Plays a big part in Stryker's fight strategy.
Ms. Fanservice / Every One Remembers the Stripper: Heart gets her reveal at the end of Episode 3.
- Thankfully, she also appears to be interesting.
Neck Lift: Jon Talbain delivers one to his opponent at the end his fight scene in Episode 2.
Nipple-and-Dimed: Doubly Subverted during the shower scene of Episode 3. The all-encompassing steam blurs the picture, making the viewer unsure if the nipple is actually drawn in or just their imagination creating what they WANT to see.
Our Werewolves Are Different: Jon Talbain, who in this series is trapped in a permanent Lycanthropic state and can never revert to human form. It becomes a major source of his woes.
Posthumous Team: Most of the team, in typical Exiles tradition. Thankfully, however, their sacrifice was honored in a brief flashback in Episode 2, and Jon is still alive to avenge them. Rest in peace, Chun-Li, Sonya Blade, Terry Bogard, and Strider Hiryu.
Power Glow: So far, every single character that has been in a fight has displayed this at some point, even Stryker, albeit through one of his toys.
Put on a Bus: Cammy White, from the universe where Shadowlaw was a force for peace, making the world a better place. She has yet to reappear since the flashback/recording where she was seen sparring with Sonya Blade.
Red Eyes, Take Warning: Remy Boudreaux
Red Herring Shirt: Appropriately, Red-shirted Stryker in Episode 3.
Rooftop Confrontation: The stage for 1/3 of Stryker and M.Bison's fight.
Rule of Cool: What the series is all about. You've got Johnny Cage's SOUL beating up Violent Ken's soul----Ken receiving the accumulated damage in one sitting once his soul is tossed back into his body. As a bonus, Johnny gets to keep any special abilities Ken has by doing this.
- Johnny ends that same fight with a furious combo, finishing with an uppercut so mighty, Ken's body explodes, leaving behind his staggered soul. Johnny then grabs said soul and chucks it back into Hell.
- Sonya Blade commands ice so proficiently, she makes Iceman jealous.
- John Talbain swings his nunchucks so fast, he deflects a barrage of kinetic cards hurled at him with the speed of a bullet.
- Remy Boudreaux at one point is sandwiched between Sakura and John Talbain...and is STILL pwning.
- Stryker stands toe-to-toe with M. Bison, and more or less kicks his ass.
  - He also gets to teach a few Tarkarans a lesson in stylish butt hurt.
Set Right What Once Went Wrong: Like the series, this team of Exiles is doing the same thing, just with different realities than those of the Marvel Universe.
Shirtless Scene: Mr. Stryker gets one in SHADOWLAWLESS, complete with a camera pan-up from his legs to his head. It's possible he'll be that guy.
- Which would be fitting, considering his connection with Heart.
Shoryuken Performed by Ken Masters and Sakura appropriately.
Shout-Out: largely to Exiles
- Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter are givens, as the series was also inspired by Proxicide's 'MK vs. SF' Flash series.
- The series has made the "(!)" sound from Metal Gear Solid a staple part of the series. It can be seen and heard in every fight to date.
  - Episode 3 even used one comically during an art scene.
- Episode 1's reveal of Remy Boudreaux was accompanied by a hip-hop remix of the X-Men theme song from the cartoon.
- Stryker channels Cleric John Preston as he mows down a group of Baraka clones.
  - His fight also had 2 Doom nods by way of Soul Cube and BFG-9000.
  - Based on his style of amassing and utilizing weapons from across Multiverse, he will most assuredly have many more nods in future battles. If he gets any future battles.
- Episode 3 featured music from Salt, a film in which Angelina Jolie plays a C.I.A. analyst accused of being a traitor that is working with terrorists. The theme song from this movie plays right at the moment "Heart" is accused of being a traitor that is working with terrorists.
- Anyone else get a sense of deja-vu from Episode 3's shower scene? A kind of...Chun-Li'esque sense of deja vu? Well, that's probably because CE-Rap stated it was an homage to that scene of the movie----even going as far as to include a shot that mirrored this one exactly.^{[dead link]}
Shower Scene: Oh...hell...yes.
Supercop: Kurtis Stryker embodies this trope.
Super Soldier: Cammy White of Episode 1. According to her back story, she's the only successful M.Bison clone, and is imbued with an outrageous amount of Psycho Power.
Talking Is a Free Action: Averted HARD in Episode 3. Everytime Bison opens his mouth mid-fight to gloat, he gets SHOT.
Take That: R1665 does not like Shotoclones. As well as Episode 2 featuring Ryu getting decapitated in one hit by Remy Boudreaux, an easter egg short for Episode 3 features Akuma getting owned by the red-shirted Kurtis Stryker.
- Not only that, but in episode 2, Gambit also charges Ryu's decapitated head with kinetic energy and blows Sean up with it! The only reason Sakura survived is because Jon shielded her from the explosion.
The Charmer: Remy Boudreaux to a "T."
The Lost Lenore: Sonya Blade. Her death sends Jon Talbain into depression for 13 months----then into a maddening rage when he finally finds her killer.
- This is also true of Felicia, his wife, who is killed by an angry mob before the series starts. Jon only agrees to be an Exile because Cage assured him that he'd get to see Felicia again.
  - FOR GODSAKES, SOMEONE GIVE HIM A HUG!
The Multiverse: The series' multiverse seems to be comprised of worlds from multiple fighting-games, such as Street Fighter (referred to as 6013's), Darkstalkers, Capcom vs. Whatever, Mortal Kombat, and so on. As of Episode 3, elements from Doom, Mass Effect and Resident Evil can also be spotted.
The Reveal: Jon approaches his nemesis in the end of Episode 1, Remy. But it's the wrong one.
- At the end of Episode 3, we learn that "Heart" is actually Jill Valentine from Resident Evil
Unsportsmanlike Gloating: "Aww, look. You're outta continues..."
What the Hell, Hero?: Subverted. SHADOWLAWLESS shows Heart and Jon each taking a moment to express what they think of Johnny, his motives and his methods. He could care less.
Wouldn't Hit a Girl: Averted to Hell and back in Episode 2 by Remy Boudreaux, who not only hit women----he would go as far as to flirt with them seconds before killing them.
You Aren't The Monster Here: Sakura invoked this upon Jon Talbain, a giant, talking, kung-fu fighting wolf-man she only just met, when he necklifts the man who killed Sonya Blade AND her master Ryu Hoshi (and a shit ton of other people).

Sakura: A big part of me wants to watch that man die. Despite that, I still remember what Ryu told me when he lost his own best friend. He said, "The dead find no comfort in vengeance. It can only serve to impugn the honor of the living." This man deserves justice, NOT vengeance...and so do you. Whatever you may have done in the past, you still have a choice with this man. You aren't the monster here, HE is. Don't lower yourself to his level.

- Though not in close up, if you pay close attention to Talbain's face, you will notice a shift as Sakura speaks----from fangs showing and snarling, to surprised when she approaches him, to genuine understanding as he lowers his head in remorse for even letting himself get THAT far.
You Wouldn't Shoot Me: Interestingly Subverted. Stryker meets his alternate, who at first believes him to be a "shapeshifting assassin" and holds him at gunpoint. Not only is Stryker unphased, we learn that he WANTS to die, and thinks being killed by his alternate would be a fitting end.
Your Head Asplode: Hey Bison, your gray matter is showing.