2020 Review

As per usual, it's another time for 2020 review article. Also like in previous year, it only consists 12 MVPs (Most valuable pictures) and top/most-viewed 12 articles. Much to my surprise that there's lots of article with the same reader count for this year. Note that the MVP is in chronological order while the top 12 articles is sorted by reader counts.

I) MVP (Most Valuable Pictures)

1. The Firemen (SNES)

I played The Firemen off-the-record to the finish. The ending is not worth the trouble that i had along the way but it's quite breathtaking. After breaking glass that results in huge explosion that extinguish the flame, the crisis ends. Rain turns into snow fall as we bask in our victory. Frank Weller the architect see the error of his corruption and feel guilty. But Pete the captain of the fire brigade, forgives him because it's Xmas moment! Medic_positivevocalization01.wav  

2 & 3. Mario Is Missing! (SNES)

They need King Kong to be returned to Empire State Building? What were they thinking? Yes, i try to imitate James Rolfe or better known as Angry Video Game Nerd. The reason why it's baffling is explained well by Nerd in his video here. I can explain it myself but i'm lazy less competent than him so you should watch that video instead.

Here's the ending of Mario Is Missing!: Mario comes out from that hole on right. Bowser jump from balcony on center to prevent the bros reunited. But then Luigi pull the lever to reveal a giant cannon that immediately traps Bowser within. Luigi fires the cannon and Bowser flies to the sky and later plummet to snowfield and cracked. Bowser waves at me first before blown out. Demoman_taunts08.wav  

4. Blood-over- (PC)

Sadly, i can't finish Blood-over-  because it keep crashing on my PC. What a shame. I like the gameplay. This gif will be wonderful memorial of this 2D shooter action game.   

5. Warriors All-Stars (PC)

That dog person being surrounded by dwellers and Yoki. It's time for me William to shine. Go, Soirsen!

6. Beauty and The Beast - Roar of The Beast (Genesis)

 

It's very rare to see the final boss being so dorky or lame like Gaston here that run away from Beast's fang. Demoman_laughlong02.wav

7. Cuphead (PC)

In what other game that you can make Devil cries besides Cuphead? Devil May Cry, perhaps? Anyway, The Devil cries but not down yet! This is his last phase though. Beat him one more time and you will get the last laugh over The Devil!

8. Bioshock 2 (PC)

I didn't think i ever see Big Daddy that do any other work than strolling around with or without little sister. But here it is! He keep doing maintenance work even though Rapture is beyond repair, socially. Good job, bro!

9. Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (SNES)

I know that you hate Red Arremer/Firebrand but i love to see his happy dancing while either mocking me to hit him or celebrating my doom. Most people see him or Arthur's demise as frustrating but to me they're the charm of this game. Yes, i love to this game even though it's tedious ones. Speaking of it, there's race of this game by 4 persons and you can see their misery here. It goes without saying that they don't like this game unlike me. XP

10. Alpha Mission II (Arcade)

On the opposite feeling of Gaston, this final boss from Alpha Mission is so freaking magnificent! I don't think it's often to fight giant walking robot as final boss in any other vertical shmup game. As you can guess that this fight is tedious but i like this giant bastard anyway.

11. Alien vs. Predator (Arcade)

That's true! Predators is the best hunter in whole galaxy. For instance, i carry bigger gun than you, fatty!  

12. Gadget Twins (Genesis)

The final MVP goes to wacky surprised expression of King's and Gadget Twins'. I bet you're surprised with this uncalled taste. :P

II) The Top 12 List

12. DX-Ball (PC) / Alien vs. Predator (Atari Jaguar) / Art of Fighting 3 - The Path of The Warrior (Arcade)

This Arkanoid clone is intense and fun but do mind that you don't get continue/credit at all. Nonetheless it's fun only for the sake of reaching high score. Perhaps, there's someone who finish the game even without breaking a sweat but he is definitely not me.

This game is said to be the best in Atari-Jaguar's library but it feels too jank for me. Apparently someone else think the same. My problem with this game besides loose hit detection on melee attack, is enemies respawn after loading my game. The Predator can utilize that to rake more honor point (that access to better weapon) but for the other, it's more hassle than beneficial. Up to this time, we have better Alien Vs Predator games than this so play them instead.

Ryo's quest to search his best pal/rival: Robert Garcia, is achieved by kicking anyone he meets while his sister Yuri watch from the roadside as the fights unfold. One of his opponent is Kasume Todoh who her father is beaten up badly in the first game. The path of the warrior is filled with adversaries that need to be kicked, i see.

 

10. Beauty and The Beast - Belle's Quest (Genesis) / Dead Angle (Arcade) / Contra Hard Corp (Genesis) as Browny / Guardian of Paradise (PC) - Part 1 / Super Double Dragon (SNES) / Top Gear 2(SNES) / Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (SNES) - Part 1
Aliens vs. Predator - 2010 (PC)

I can say that people read this article certainly follow the "Walt Disney cartoon movie" fad of its time. The game itself is rather friendlier to play or at least compared to "The Beast" counterpart. But its control is quite peculiar because there's dedicated button to crouch instead of using "down" button on D-Pad.

 

This Seibu Kaihatsu's gallery shooter is probably unique because the protagonist can float anywhere to shoot out any Italian mafia that lurk on every corner of the level.

 

I reckon this Contra game is one of the best one so no wonder people like this review. Plus i play as my main: Bronwy which is the easiest character to pick because of his smallest hit spot and the boss-killer Yoyo.

This indie Zelda-clone is relatively obscured so my mission to make this game more popular can be considered success. Even with rough early portion of the game where i don't have weapon to deal with enemies, i still recommend this game.

 

It's Double Dragon game on SNES. What could possibly go wrong? Well, fairly everything. This side-scrolling brawler game is unfinished and not polished enough. Compare to Double Dragon 2 on NES, this game is sluggish, arduous, and boring. At least there's dragon meter that allow you to execute more powerful moves.

 

Usually, i don't root for racing game but i consider Top Gear 2 is pretty great. The main problem is: you are forced to rely on Nitro boost to get pass your opponent as your normal top speed isn't up to the task.

Rejoice, SNES owner! For you get this exclusive Ghosts 'n Goblins / Makaimura game as launch title. Instead of straight console port of Ghouls 'n Ghosts that Sega Genesis/Megadrive owner got. What do you mean you don't like it? Just kidding. I'm aware that every Ghosts 'n Goblins / Makaimura game is acquired taste thanks to its brutal difficulty. Plus in this one, Arthur (the protagonist) is deprived of ability to shoot his weapon up or down. Instead, he gets double jump ability. But combined it with inability to change his flight during jump, he quite often falls into dangers instead of safe landing.

I like this better than the one in Atari-Jaguar and it seems quite lots of people agree with me. The melee mechanism is good. The stealth kill is pretty well applied. Marine isn't lame thanks to shotgun and smartgun. My only problem with this game that i don't get to stab Weyland Yutani himself to death.

10. Streets of Rage 4 (PC) - Part 1 / Flame Gunner (Arcade) / Aliens Vs. Predator (Arcade)

Streets of Rage 4 is one of bliss in 2020. I mean, sure. There's still lots of Side-Scrolling brawling games are made to this day. But Streets of Rage is one of famous trademark on its genre (besides Final Fight that's stuck to 3rd game in 1995  TmT ). They're back [This link to the OST on Youtube] indeed!

 

I'm also proud to the fact that Flame Gunner review is within this list because not many people know this game. This game could be your favorite if you're into TAD's Cabal or its clones. Someone points me out that this game resembles Crisis City on PSX. Maybe, one day i will check that game.

It's kind of crime to use picture of Maj. Schaefer beating Xenomorph as representation of Aliens vs. Predator (Arcade) which doesn't represent the title well. But it can't be helped as he's my main and this rapid knee strike looks cool, don't you agree?

9. Groove Coaster (PC)       

Maybe you wonder "How can i enjoy the beauty of danmaku pattern on Touhou Project without getting hit by it?". The answer is simple: play Groove Coaster plus buy related music. :p     

8. Fat Princess - Fistful of Cake (PSP) / Gadget Twins (Genesis)

This game accurately represents the tediousness of being King's men that do King's bidding even the dirty work such as kidnapping his rival's princess. I didn't know that the game is part of its series! Shall i try the other game of the series? I don't think i can because i don't own Playstation 3. Quite a shame.

 

This game also about King's men but has more childish tone. For you who don't know about this game, it's not horizontal shooter game like what the game suggest. Not until you get flying bomb that moves very slowly, that is. But the metal weight is decent bomb drop weapon, for sure!

7. Warriors All-Stars (PC) / Guardianof Paradise (PC) - Part 2

I have strong interest towards Crossover games especially with characters that i know and Warriors All-Stars is one of them. William from Nioh is certainly my top choice because obviously i love that Soulsborne made by Koei-Tecmo. If you like to play more mindless fun version of Nioh or Ninja Gaiden, this game could be the alternative.

I'm happy that both part's review of this game is in the list. I hope this game get more popularity than before because this Zelda-clone is fun and enjoyable. Plus the story is some quality. The story of brother's love toward his sick sister, is simply touching. There's also bit of plot twist at near the end of story. I would say that this game is more in my favor than Crusader of Centy.

6. M.I.A (Arcade)

Everyone need freedom in their live. Those M.I.A who's imprisoned, must be rescued! It's up to this green beret to save them with only his impressive stabbing skill and wit. Also weapon that he loot from enemy's cold dead fingers. Warning! This game forces you to commit (digital) dog murder. Be advised, especially if you're dog lover!       

5. Cuphead (PC) / HellSign (PC) -Part 1

For this year my blog's birthday, i review the famous Cuphead. Due to its reputation, no wonder lots of people read this review. It seems Cuphead is more lovable than any Ghosts 'n Goblin / Makaimura game because it has purchasable upgrades/weapon plus the music is superb. Although i can't deny the quality of Makaimura track, it's even very memorable to me (and i can whistle it). There's also secret feature that is unlocked with intense skill such as this black & white filter.

 

I know this game from advertisement on Youtube and it piqued my interest. I thought i was ready for ghost or demon hunting as advertised but no. I still get big trouble from generic giant insects here. I should learn one thing at a time and eventually i get there. I hope.

4. Jim Henson's Bear in The Big Blue House (PSX) / Dragon View (SNES)

People who read this article probably thought "What could be this sucker writes in early 2020, i wonder?" and they were sold by game review about adaptation of Sesame Street's creator other show. I was just "Wow!". Since this is game for kids, you will expect rather shallow difficulty on gameplay. But i have trouble in some game such here where i have to choose the correct color on highlighted part inside the painting. I can barely feel the difference between option from second left and third left. Maybe i have low sensitivity toward color.

This action RPG with Side-Scrolling Brawler display is very magnificent to me and lots of people apparently. Usually, i feel that one-man RPG is arduous to play but not this one. Perhaps because this RPG has "action" element on it. If i had mage or archer as my companion, i would have better way to deal with this butterflies. That's just my minor complaint, though.  

3. Beauty and The Beast - Roar of the Beast (Genesis)

I think the people who read this article have the same bad childhood experience as my cousin. Lucky for them, there's this git who finish the game so they know the entire game looks and plays. I'm "action genre" type gamer but even so i can't recommend this game over the less-action Belle's part. This game is simply too cruel and Beast is too fragile.    

2. The "Crikey" Hunter Collab (Video) / HellSign (PC) - Part 2

It seems lots of people love to see Team Fortress 2's Sniper that keep failing on his hunting games. You can tell that he's not bright because he nonchalantly touches tiger's head. No wonder he tend to have miserable time along the video.

 

It's the other part of review about the paranormal investigation in Australia. The game isn't entirely about shooting. Searching for evidences also important part in this game as you can sell them for cash. The searching part closely resemble point 'n click adventure's pixel searching part but with hint such as blood trail or creepy noise. There's also poltergeist intervene like flying furniture or lamp breaks on its own.       

1. Street Fighter (Arcade)

Ah, yes! It's the Street Fighter game that people don't want to talk about it yet people like to read about it the most. It's reasonable that the first game of the series tend to be unpolished but this Street Fighter is too janky in my opinion. It has many issue such as: small hop instead of smooth walk like in sequel or inconsistent command input detection. Also i get punched in the nuts by Adon in mid-air and it's very unpleasant.

That's it for now. Usually, i don't have plan for next year but i get the gist of it. I will like to review more GBA or PSP games because i don't review much of them. Also NDS games as i don't review them yet. This sounds too ambitious but i will make "Top 100...Games". I will definitely review more Side-Scrolling brawler or Beat 'em up games because that's me being me.

Next, i would like to have final words for this year. As we all know Covid-19 hit us really hard and i wish you well or at least get well. Desperate or overly pessimism only lead to worse situation. So, please. Keep your hope up! What i can do to make this year brighter a bit is keep writing this entertaining non-senses and i hope you enjoy them. Have nice end-year, everyone! Also have nice new year, reader!