2025 is quite rough. I must send my laptop to repair service twice. Last one is 20th December and the repair finish last Sunday. That’s why this annual review comes late. I planned to write one more article before this last year but it wasn’t meant to be. On top of that I’m unemployed for an entire year. They said “God let thing happens for some reason”. That probably true. During my laptop’s absence, I finish Doom (2016) on switch. I’m very late, I know. When there’s already Doom Eternal and Doom: The Dark Ages, this particular dolt just finishes the Doom (2016). In 2025, I wrote 26 articles. It may doesn’t sound very productive but considering I have to send my laptop to repair twice in that year. I think I have done well. But things turn better now that laptop is fixed. I have significant better luck than unfortunate people in Western Sumatera and Aceh provinces. Horrible and massive flood sweep those provinces due to irresponsible deforestation, done by greedy bastards. I hope God helps the victim of the flood and condemns the irresponsible bastards behind the ecology disaster. Anyway, the moment that you may or may not wait for: the 2025 overview.
I) MVP (Most Valuable Pictures)
For first MVP, we have Sharon the player 1 character in Numan Athletic: Sharon. She is cute and beautiful. I mean look at that charming smile when she wins a sport event. I can’t resist it.
The peak performance in this movie is war between modern military force versus ancient evil army. The war consists of 2 main scenarios: combat choppers versus small dragons, and infantry + tanks versus footmen + cannon mounted kodo beasts. The former scenario happens fast and hectic. They fly very fast anywhere between building. I can’t capture a good picture out of it. The latter scenario only involves exchange of volley of fire between each side. I don’t this there’s a moment where both good and evil sides are within a frame. Not even moment of evil footmen closing on America soldiers and tanks. Once again, there’s no good picture for that scenario. In the end, I settle with this picture where a small dragon engaging combat with snipers on the roof. This is the only good moment where the pace is not so fast and both sides captured within a frame.
3 & 4. Team Fortress 2 Arcade (PC)
“Use a gun. If that don’t work, use more gun” as Engineer said. It works in this situation but when he’s surrounded by enemies from sides, using melee wrench is better way to do it because it hits enemies around engineer. So, use more gun is not always the solution.
Obviously, my most favorite moment is when I play as Pyro. Bit unfortunately, I didn’t manage to capture screenshot where I’m happily flamethrowing enemies. Instead, here’s me capturing control point while hacking enemies with fire axe, which is not shabby moment.
5 & 6. Battle Circuit (Arcade)
For anniversary edition, I wrote a review about Capcom’s Battle Circuit. The main charm of the story is Dr. Saturn and his funny shenanigans including when he got run over by his blob assistant that about to rescue him from imprisonment.
Another thing that I like from this game is how smug Pola able to lift enemy over his head. I mean sure, she must have strong arm to do so but the weight is shared with Pink Ostrich.
7 & 8. My Top 100 SegaGenesis/Megadrive games - Part 2
2 years ago, I said that I will continue the Top 100 Sega Genesis game and I did for one part. One at the time. So be patient, please. As for the MVP, I like the opening of Dinosaurs for Hire where your mercenary Dino shooting at giant lizard monster on a dam. The scenario feels very American Comic when in fact this game is based on Tom Mason’s comic with same title.
Speaking of American Comic, our next MVP is from Robocop versus Terminator. The moment that I like is when I burnt down a criminal with this 3-way fireball launcher. The fire weapon is quite environmental-friendly because I only burn my enemy and the fire doesn’t spread to entire building. Not even to curtain on that window either. I’m aware that I make bloodstain on the curtain but that’s not my concern.
9. Capcom Fighting Evolution (PS 2)
It’s easy to pick MVP from Capcom Fighting Evolution: ending of Jedah Dohma with cameo of Dante from Devil May Cry. This is few decades away from Marvel Versus Capcom 3 where Dante become actual fighting game character.
10. Godzilla 2 - War of The Monsters(NES)
I just simply like the picture of Godzilla defeated in this tactical strategy game. He cross-legged sits and looks sad while rising white flag. No idea how or with what material Godzilla makes the white flag though.
11 & 12. Night Slasher (Arcade)
I like the protagonists run over their enemies in both Contra Hardcorps and Night Slasher. Nuff said.
I also like the moment where Jake uses his opponent as living surfboard. Nevermind, the werewolf is no longer living as his pops like balloon filled with blood.
II) The Top 10 List
10. My Top 100 Sega Genesis/Megadrivegames - Part 2
I can see why lots of people are curious about my Top 100 Sega Genesis games. But I humbly ask you to be very patience to see the whole list of the top 100. Anyway, I like General Chaos. The concept is quite solid but the actual gameplay still pretty rough.
To those who like to read this article about Konami’s fighting game with robot that can shoot breast projectile: you like this image, huh? I won’t judge you for your unusual taste [may or may not be sarcasm]
After long hiatus of writing movie review, here comes D-War: Dragon Wars review. Apparently, many people read it. I like to do movie review again once I have movie that I like to talk about it. Preferably action-ish movie about monster like this one, rather than pure horror monster movie.
7. Last Stand at Fort Bagarre (PC)
I’m not sure why peoples want to read this article. This FPS game is pretty obscured. I think I only see 2 videos on Youtube about this game. FPS about French legionnaire is very rare and has potential. The game also has point-and-click element into it to search key item and open door. Pretty interesting for very short game. There are some flaws in this game: stupid living object’s animation and behavior (though it’s funny to see like in this screenshot), the absence of melee attack, lack of ammo, and lack of objective marker.
Soul Fighter, the spiritual successor of Legend on PS1. My assessment toward the game is mixed bag. My main problem is the camera that’s very bad. In this case, it’s fine as it stays behind my character. But when I turn, the camera goes anywhere. It’s serious problem as some of the move like picking up item, need directional input which either affects or affected by the camera. But I have fun moment where this stupid schmuck keeps running into pendulum blade.
This one is very understandable. Peoples around the world loves Valve’s Team Fortress 2. Naturally they’re curious about indie game of it. What I can describe the genre is: side-scrolling shooter like Konami’s Bucky O’ Hare on Arcade. Maybe the lack of health item is the biggest flaw of the game. But overall, the game is great. What’s not great is the current state of the original game which is filled with Bots. :(
On the brighter note, I find it funny that previous year #5 is: Fortress 2 Blue Arcade, which has word “Fortress” and “Arcade” like this game. Pretty funny coincidence.
Maybe the reason many people read this article is: childhood nostalgia. I also played this math game when I was kid for the first time. It wasn’t easy to rediscover this game only rely on my feeble childhood memory about the game’s title. I asked Mobygames discord to no avail. Finally, I rediscover the game on my lucky search on some website. After playing it a bit, I immediately think “I should review this game soon” so here we are.
Numan Athletics is one of sport events game that I can enjoy a lot. The control is simple and easy to understand. But the timing on Niagara Falls event that confuse me. It won’t be arcade game if there’s no twist to make the player put on more credit. But Numan Athletic is still very good game. Besides, as I’ve mentioned before that Sharon is charming.
2. Final Fantasy - Mystic Quest(SNES)
I think FF Mystic Quest also childhood game of dozens people like Googol Math Games. Especially westerners who are “deceived” with this game claimed as part of Final Fantasy series. I mean it’s official American Square’s game but I doubt Japanese’s Square acknowledge this Final Fantasy game. I’m quite certain nowadays Square-Enix even forget this game existed. Anyway, I pretty like the game although the part member only consists of 2 characters unlike -you know- other Final Fantasy games.
Other than this article is the first debut of Sega Master System review, I have no idea why horde of people want to read this. The game itself is not that good, especially compared to the mighty Toaplan’s Cabal. Regardless. Good for you, Double Hawk. You’re number 1 article with the most read count in 2025.
Honorable mention: #11 Ghostbusters (Sega Genesis), probably the best early Ghostbuster game. Also worth to mention that Egon, Ray, and Peter are in chibi/super deformed form that some people consider them cute. #12 Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh. I don’t know why this Gameboy game based on relatively unknown mecha anime, gets quite lot reader count. Maybe the readers know the anime well unlike me. Also, another #12 Battle Circuit. Even though you’re not within top 10. I still very fond of you, Battle Circuit.
III) Special Section
Dragon Valor - epilogue
So, I finished Dragon Valor off the record for Retro Achievement. Luckily, I took some screenshots. Here they are.
Before we go to the end of Dragon Valor, I like to show you the history of Dragon and the sword that’s bane to the dragon. So, dragons originally from huge meteor that fell into the world long time ago. Acceptable.
As for the Dragon Valor part, is more delusional, wacky, or whatever you want to call it. The dragon-slaying sword origin is: 3 angels infused with evil and later becomes Dragon Valor swords. They open Gehenna portal to seal the dragons. Though the dragons still can make trouble in the world, by being evil in human’s heart. If human get heavily influenced by the dragon, they turn into dragon or dragon halfling. Gods or angels (The game kind of inconsistent with the role of good guy) were exhausted from winning the war with dragons, later become humans and their bloodline become Dragon Valor, the dragon slayer. It means unlike Belmont Clan, who are the only one that can wield vampire slayer. Sets aside some person like Nathan Graves or John Morris. There’s more flexibility who can wield Dragon Valor as long as they’re descendant of said Gods or angels. Good thing way back then, Clovis happens to be (unknowingly) Dragon Valor’s bloodline and luckily find the Dragon Valor sword. That’s one big coincidence if you ask me. Anyway, you may ask who’s this metal guy that tell the origin story of Dragon and Dragon Valor…
There you go. His name is Igunis the fourth Dragon Valor sword. I really baffled with his statement that says that he was made from the very flesh of the gods. Was he another God turn into Dragon Valor? Or was he the collection of multiple God’s flesh that turn into Dragon Valor? Whatever, he was. He’s here as failsafe when the Gehenna gate opened with the 3 Dragon Valor swords as key to unlock it. You heard that right. The dragon slayer’s swords can also used as key to open gate that seal dragons. Those 3 swords are stolen by dragon halfling and he use it to open Gehenna gate to free dragons. Luckily, Mihael (this final chapter’s protagonist) heard prophecy about another magic sword which is none other than this Igunis, on a ruin somewhere. Although he has to defeat Igunis first before he can wield the failsafe magic sword.
Let’s skip to the final battle. From the story told by Igunis, the main evil dragon is Dahaka right here. I can’t take his name seriously because his name is Indonesian word for phlegm: “dahak” plus an “a”. Sorry, Namco. But you should come up with more intimidating name than this. The final boss fight also feels…trivial. It’s fairly similar to fight the dragon boss in first chapter: Dragon ‘Titan’. I fought trickier bosses than this final dragon boss. There’s one that block attack to his stomach and immediately counter my attack. Another one push me into poisonous water with wind created with his wings. Then another one stays on flying platforms and I have to destroy them before I can hit him. However, Dahaka still final boss and shouldn’t be taken too lightly. He has 2 phases like really 2 phases where he recovers his health bar entirely once get defeated and also his attacks get stronger. He can also fly and blow fire from the sky. In my opinion, Rathalos from Monster Hunter or dragon in Elder Scroll V Skyrim, are more scumbag when it comes to flying out of your reach and still able to attack you than Dahaka.
Dahaka is defeated and Gehenna gate has been sealed (hopefully forever). Mihael’s twin big sister Anna who’s thought dead as Gehenna gate opened, encased in magic crystal and drop down near Mihael.
“We were so intent on destroying evil, but we’ve been going about it the wrong way”. Hah! Tell that to your great grandfather Clovis, Anna. The man is so obsessed to avenge his sister by killing the dragon. It’s pretty funny that the game starts and ends with sibling’s love. So, Mihael spots a town yonder and they decide to spend a night there and have dinner. The End. The ending kind of falls flat. I mean they’re from royal family, they should ask for big banquet or party for saving the world. They freaking deserve it! Even the simple commoner’s dinner is completely offscreen!
There’s no further ending. Not even wall of text to further elaborate the ending. But that just for me and not for you who hate dozens line of texts. Anyway, we get to see the Dragon Valor’s bloodline that I have been through. On my first playthrough, Clovis married with Caroline the inventor girl. But this time, he married with princess Celia who was imprisoned in her bedroom. The bedroom is quite missable so I missed her on my first playthrough. So, Clovis bloodline branched into commoner or royal type. Marrying Caroline leads to commoner bloodline while marrying Celia leads to royal bloodline. It means there’s branching path that adds replay value to the game!
You also unlock gallery of art when finishing the game. Mihael is certainly the most naïve fool among the protagonist. I mean look at him there. He is like “Where’s the dragon?” while a pair of giant scaly legs stand behind him. The dragon probably smirks evilly at the density of Mihael’s.
The game also encourages you with this message. That’s like if you finish Doom game there’s message “…but there’s more demons to rip and tear!”. I don’t mind with that because we all can agree that demons are evil and need to be destroyed. But I don’t know with dragon. I reckon not all dragons are outright evil and need to be slain. Plus, Dahaka is barely on same level with Satan. I think I want to replay this game later. Here’s some iseng wordplay: I search Skyrim dragon language for valor is “Vur”, so you may call Dragon Valor as Dovah Vur. :P
There you go the 2025 overview. As I mentioned before the 2025 is not so good time but I notice that the reader counts pretty significantly increased compare to 2024. For that I really thanks to you both new and old reader. I’m feeling very grateful.
Future holds mystery as we all know. There may be unexpected thing happens and that may affect my writing schedule. Maybe I get new job and I have to move out from my home. Maybe I get new laptop. Anything can happen in future. In the meantime, I keep trying write article as always even though sometime I feel like doing Retro Achievement takes higher priority.
The detail of my plan 2026 for writing article: more PC games (including from my STEAM backlog) now that the technical problem is sorted out. Maybe the continuation of the Top 100 Genesis games. As always, more review about Beat em up games!
Bye for now. Stay safe, healthy, and happy, everyone!
