Metal Overview: Savatage

First Metal Overview of 2026 everybody!

I had 2 bands I was going to start the year off with. A group with just a hint of records, and the one that you ultimately see before you. Often overlooked when you compare then to their holiday spinoff, Savatage was, and still is, one of the biggest icons with the realms of Prog Metal & Power Metal. Two worlds that seemingly work so well in their hands, it’s a testament to how great they are, when a lot of their work is overshadowed by the might that is Trans-Siberian-Orchestra (Even though TSO is fantastic as well) Still, it’s great to know that Savatage still has plenty of fans that love them, and as of 2019, I became a fan as well. So sit back, relax, and enjoy my look at the Prog-Power icons Savatage! Let’s begin.

Sirens (1983)

Our story begins in 1979. Brothers Criss Oliva & Jon Oliva formed their first band together, originally called Avatar. In 1980, the duo met their future drummer Steve "Doc" Wacholz, and the newly-formed trio would practice in a small shack behind the Oliva residence called “The Pit”. All 3 men would play in the Tampa & Clearwater, Floria area for some time, then in 1981 Ronald Leon Sisson would join the band as the new bassist, which relieved Jon of the role (But he still stayed in the band). A year later in 1982, The band took part in a few metal compilations, most notable of which was The YNF Pirate Tape, which was a promotion by Tampa rock radio station 95YNF for local Florida bands. Shortly after that came out, they were ultimately forced to change the band’s name due to copyright issues, and by mixing the words “Savage” & “Avatar”, they ultimately came up with the name Savatage. As Jon Oliva once said: 

“We wrote out Avatar on a big piece of poster paper... and Criss said, "Put a big S (like Kiss) in front of Avatar," and it was like, "Savatar." I was like, "That sounds like a really bad dinosaur," but we liked the way it looked. So then finally, out of nowhere, I don't remember who it was—it might have been Criss' wife or my wife—somebody said, "Take the R out and put a GE," and we did, and it was "Savatage." I was like, "That was cool," not "Sa-va-tage," but "Savatage," like "Sava" for Savage and "Tage" for mystical or whatever. From that moment on we were Savatage.”

Joining up with independent record label Par Records, Savatage entered the studio in January of 1983, and over the course of ONE day, recorded not only their very first album, but the EP The Dungeons Are Calling (Which would be released in 1984). Finally, on the 11th of April, 1983, their first ful record Sirens was put out in music stores.

Best Track? Out on the Streets charmed me upon listening to it for the first time. Only one of two songs just past the five minute mark (The other being I Believe), it’s a bit of a grower at first, but once the meat of the song hits your ears, you know it deserves to close out the album. It’s funny, because it’s kind of a ballad to a certain extent, and at other times is more intense. It switches between both extremes without disrupting the flow, and the end result is just fantastic.

Out on the Streets

Worst Track? Honestly, Sirens doesn’t have a bad track anywhere during it’s entire runtime. From the opener to the closer, you’re given quite an audio meal! It’s only real fault lies with it’s age, as it’s almost 43 years old. As awesome as it is, you can definitely tell it’s age from the first few notes, all the way to the closing seconds. The datedness is probably going to be a sore spot for people who don’t like their music on the date side of things.

Sirens. It’s got a some grey hairs for sure, but that factor only ruins it for some people. There’s a lot of fun on this record, and it’s obvious that the band showed off a lot of potential. Definitely a nice way to start off a career. Next album!

Power Of The Night (1985)

With the success of their debut album & accompanying EP, it seemed that the got noticed by some of the bigger record companies. Atlantic Records as a matter of fact, who signed a deal with Savatage in 1984, and a year later on the 15th of April, 1985, Power Of The Night was released. Though it had fallen short of sales expectations, it was very well received by critics. However, the band did get into some hot water, specifically with the more spicier tracks Hard For Love & Skull Sessions. In fact, Atlantic Records did provide the funds for a video for Hard For Love to be made, provided the name was changed to Hot For Love for broadcasting purposes. Savatage refused to change the name, and so the video was never released. Ironically, the company used that as a selling point, as it was “banned” by other music outlets, and original releases of the album didn’t have an advisory sticker on the cover.

Best Track? In The Dream is a great closing song for this album, and is just great in general. Granted, there is somewhat of a cheese factor when it comes to the lyrics, but that’s it only fault (Which, to be honest, is pretty minor). The guitar & bass have this melancholic feeling throughout a majority of the song, the drums feel like flashes of lightning in a storm, and the piano work adds a touch of sorrow that’ll get you if you’re caught off guard. Of course, there is Jon Oliva’s vocal work, which is so moving throughout the whole run time. Again, no other song could conclude this album but this one.

In The Dream

Worst Track? Unlike Sirens from 2 years prior, Power Of The Night doesn’t have that dated feel, and in the over 4 decades that this album has been out, it has aged wonderfully. My only complain would be with the lyrical content. Sirens almost came across like a proto Power Metal album with the fantasy vibes & even some of the lyrics, but almost none of that can be found on here. You might hear a snippet or two if you pay close attention, but otherwise it is nowhere to be found.

Power Of The Night. Taking the best things about Sirens, and gives it more polish, it stands tall alongside some of the greats of it’s day. Pick it up if you can find it, or go over to Spotify if you want to save some money. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. Next album!  

Fight For The Rock (1986)
And here comes what is considered by many to be the worst Savatage album. Released on the 30th of June, 1986, Fight For The Rock was regarded as the worst release not just by the fans, but by the band themselves. Call it the “Fight For The Nightmare”, Jon Oliva described the album as such: 

“I've never really been fond of that album. WE'VE never been fond of that album.”

Savatage said that Atlantic Records were the ones that pushed them to make the record; particularly Oliva began writing pop-rock songs for other artists on the label. However, said label eventually turned around and told Savatage to record the music that Oliva had written for those artists themselves. In the eyes of the music press, this is what destroyed the band’s credibility, and because of that the reviews were particularly savage. In fact, it was because of the negative reviews they were cited as the reason for Oliva's battle with drug and alcohol addiction, which eventually drove him from the front of the band. Atlantic Records also wanted the band’s photographs taken, since their previous 2 releases did have any. Savatage hired a friend to do the work, with one of the photos in question being the band recreating the famous Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima photograph. Everybody agreed it was a good idea at the time, but look back at it with the same feelings as they do the album.  

Perhaps one of the biggest ironies of Fight For The Rock was that it featured a Parental Advisory label on the front cover, despite having no "nasty words", as Jon Oliva says. This was done largely to please Atlantic Records, as they felt it would drive up sales. The album did manage to chart, but Savatage were reluctant to play any of the songs live, and haven’t done so since the beginning of the 1990s. Hell, even when they were on tour for the record, they only played Hyde, The Edge of Midnight, and a few others.

It was also on this album that the band’s new bassist Johnny Lee Middleton would make his appearance. As said in Wikipedia: 

“Middleton spent several years with Lefty, the nightly shows honing both his bass chops and his stage presence. And it was during this time that he first crossed paths with Savatage, a decidedly un-glam metal band based in the Tampa, Florida area, near his hometown of St. Petersburg.

By 1984, Savatage had released several albums, but guitarist Criss Oliva and drummer Steve Wacholz were losing patience with bass player Keith Collins. That year, Wacholz spotted Middleton onstage with Lefty at a local club. Although the Lefty image was a far cry from that of the hard-edged Savatage, Middleton's talent and stage presence caught Wacholz' attention. Wacholz passed Middleton's name to Savatage founder and singer Jon Oliva. Like Wacholz, Oliva had little interest in the Lefty look, but he too was impressed with Middleton's performance.

When invited to join Savatage, however, Middleton turned the offer down. The members of Savatage all worked other jobs, and Middleton's Lefty gig paid well enough to live on without the need for outside work. "Steve [Wacholz] approached me and offered me the bass gig. I said, 'I'm not going to [work] a day job – I'm making $250 a week.' For me, being 19-20 years old, that was good money. I said, 'When you can offer me a salary, come back and see me.'"

But eventually, playing cover songs with Lefty lost its appeal. "We did well, but it got old," Middleton says. Late in 1985, Savatage approached Middleton again. Preparing to record their next album, they were still looking to replace Collins. This time, Middleton agreed: "Somehow I was fed up with this bar-band-shit, even though it was a good living, getting through the week with $250, even if it meant we had to work each night for it. At the time I was only 20, 21 years old. The guys from my band would have loved to have lynched me, when I stepped out. Four weeks later I couldn't have cared less. I was in London with Savatage – and had a fuckin' great time!"

Middleton's first appearance on a Savatage recording was 1986's Fight for the Rock, an album the band now refers to as "Fight for the Nightmare." "We recorded a great record," he says, but the record label "took our record, mangled the hell out of it, and tried to make us into something we weren't, when they thought the market was going more poppy. It was a learning experience." The experience improved with 1987's breakthrough Hall of the Mountain King, which marked the band's first collaboration with producer Paul O'Neill. The title track received significant airplay on hard-rock radio and MTV's Headbanger's Ball. Gutter Ballet (1990) and Streets (1991) continued and solidified the partnership with O'Neill. During this time, Savatage embarked on several American and European tours, opening for bands such as Motörhead, Dio, and Megadeth.

1993 saw the first significant change in the Savatage lineup since Middleton's arrival in 1985. Singer Jon Oliva departed, and the remaining members of Savatage recorded and released Edge of Thorns with new vocalist Zak Stevens. Middleton describes Edge of Thorns as "about my favorite record, due to the fact that I like the bass mix in it, and it was the last one me and Criss got to do together. Jon had stepped down to pursue his Broadway thing, and it was me and Criss against the world, really. Everything was against us, and we fought back and won."

Middleton did not play on 1994's Handful of Rain. He entered the studio, saw Criss Oliva's signature white guitar, and – still devastated by Oliva's death only months before – turned around and walked out. But he joined the reunited and rebuilt Savatage for the Handful of Rain tour, and in early 1995 he rejoined the band in the studio to record their ninth album Dead Winter Dead, and has remained in Savatage since then.”

Best Track? This was.....difficult to decide. If I’m perfectly honest, I don’t have any visceral hate like so many people do (Even to this very day). If anything, I kinda like Fight For The Rock. It’s my least favorite of the band’s discography for sure, but there’s.....something about this record I can help but mildly enjoy. It’s understandable that critics call it a betrayal on account of recording songs that were originally written for other artists, but since I don’t know who those artists in question were, I can’t judge the band on that fact.

Worst Track? In an odd twist of fate, the band decided to bring back Out On The Streets for this album. When I first listened to this album just a few weeks ago, I briefly thought that I had been listening to the end of Sirens again, but no, it’s still Fight For The Rock! This is an honestly lazy move on Savatage’s part: though the sound quality is improved a little, the noise is still very much the same when compared to 3 years prior. Even the vocal work doesn’t sound that much different when compared to the Sirens edition, but like the instrumentation, the singing does sound a little better.

Out On The Streets (Fight For The Rock Edition)

Fight For The Rock. Considered to be the worst by so many people, there are some genuine diamonds in the rough if you know where to look. That being said, I can understand if many of you are pushed away due to this record’s reputation. Next album!

Hall Of The Mountain King (1987)

With Fight For The Rock bombing as bad as it did, the band had almost disbanded. Jon Oliva went and auditioned for Black Sabbath, while his brother Criss had considered joining up with Megadeth of all bands. However, Jon decided that he & his brother didn’t want to split Savatage up, and with encouragement from their producer Paul O'Neill (More on him a little later), kept the group together. After going into the studio with Paul in tow (He was assigned to them after the tour for their last album), the band would go on to record their very first commercial success of an album. Released on the 28th of September, 1987, Hall Of The Mountain King marks the first time that they seemingly went full-blown proto Power Metal, as Sirens merely skirted the edge of it. Out of everything that the band released in the 80s, Hall Of The Mountain King happens to be my favorite. As a fan of Power Metal, each & every single note was an absolute treat, but there was also a little bit of Prog in the mix, and as such makes things a little more unique when compared to other records in the style from that time.  

Best Track? The title track absolutely HAS to be the best song of the album. Goofy music video not withstanding, this tune has all the makings of a Power Metal classic! Over the top atmosphere, guitar & bass that call down lightning, drumming that conjures dragon flights or thunder (Take your pick), and Jon Oliva’s vocal work sounds like he’s telling a tale of yore. Much like metal legends Helloween with Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part 1 from earlier in 87, Savatage helped the newly forming genre come into it’s own, and the end results speak for themselves. 

Hall Of The Mountain King

Worst Track? I dare anyone to name a single bad song off this album! Until Fight For The Rock where many could be considered bad, there’s not a single tune that even mildly bad. Even Prelude to Madness, which is a bit over-indulgent but a loving tribute to classical music at the same time, still has a high standard of quality behind it. Again, not a single bad track to be found!

Hall Of The Mountain King. A phenomenal recovery from their last release and a great album in it’s own right, the early Power Metal stylings really helped the burgeoning genre flourish until it truly shined in the 1990s. If you were in any way disappointed by Fight For The Rock (and I know most people at the time were), then Hall Of The Mountain King was a giant blast of fresh air, and I can’t recommend it enough. Next album!

Gutter Ballet (1990)

Release on the 23rd of January, 1990, Gutter Ballet was considered to be the band’s true turning point in their career. It was on this album that we saw Savatage adopt a more Progressive style to their music, as this album features longer songs, more complex melodies, and differentiating vocal work. The more straightforward Power Metal stylings off of prior records was being moved to the side on this release (Though not completely in my view), but what sealed this album’s Progressive & Operatic fact was of all things a musical. During the final recording sessions with Criss Oliva as he was working with tracking guitar solos, producer Paul O'Neil gave Jon Oliva tickets to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. He was so inspired by what he witnessed, that Jon went back into the studio to record the title track of the album. 

However, Gutter Ballet was not this original record’s name. It was originally titled Temptation Revelation, but it was changed to Hounds of Zaroff, which was a suggestion from Steve Wacholz. As late as May of 1989, the title track of the album hadn’t been written, and Savatage were having doubts about what it would be. In steps Paul O'Neil, and he found the album’s title from a play he had written 10 years prior, and ironically enough most of it’s material would be used for the band’s next release a year later. Gutter Ballet the song was written by just Paul O'Neill, Jon Oliva, and Criss Oliva in the studio, and on top of that Jon managed to provide both the drumming & bass guitar for it. 

Best Track? Summer Rain immediately reminds me of all of the cheesy Hair Metal ballads in terms of vibes, but with none of the goofiness that some music fans didn’t like (Me not being one of them). If anything, it’s a lot more intense than most Hair Metal ballads from the decade prior, what with the mournful-like instrumentation, crooning vocal work, and just the gritty & tragic atmosphere that’s pervasive during the run time. It really tugs on your heartstrings in a major way, but what would you expect from it being on an album called Gutter Ballet?

Summer Rain

Worst Track? Much like Hall Of The Mountain King, there’s not a single bad song to be found! You could make the argument that some of the Power Metal elements were taken away in favor for more of a Prog focus, but even then it’s not as bad as you would expect. There’s definitely more of a balancing act than you’d expect. That being said, for the more Power Metal purists out there, this might be the lone fault for you.

Gutter Ballet. Taking the Power Metal fantasy from their prior release and putting in a more grounded & realistic shell, it never forgets the fantastical elements in any way. If you like a nice mix of Progressive & Power Metal with orchestral elements & hints of opera to complement everything, then you’re in luck with this record. So, as the year moves on to 1991, all of the opera-like aspects would come to the forefront, and the end result would be surprising. Next album!

Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)

Released on the 15th of October in 1991, Streets: A Rock Opera is the culmination of all of the opera-like elements from Gutter Ballet turned up to 11! Taking almost a year to record (Pre-Production began a year prior), the story aspect was interesting as well: the concept was based off of a book written by producer Paul O'Neill in 1979 as a Broadway play oddly enough, it was stored in a drawer at his home, until guitarist Criss Oliva found it (Accidentally or not, I don’t know) and suggested it be the band’s next album. Telling the tale of fallen rock star DT Jesus who has hit hard times, as the story begins we see him as a drug dealer & just another lowlife on the streets of New York City, recounting him and his rise to fame again & his second fall. It wasn’t  meant to be an autobiography, and it is purely coincidental that the life of lead vocalist Jon Oliva mirrored that of DT Jesus at the time.

Best Track? It’s a bit difficult to pick just a single song as the best thing off of Streets, as it’s all one seemless work. That being said, there’s something about Somewhere In Time that just charms me, and I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s the instrumentation, which balances between thunderous & blusey. Maybe it’s the vocal work, which I could only describe as something like a metallic crooner. Maybe it’s even the atmosphere, which feels like the culmination of everything that JT Jesus has gone through. I’m not exactly sure what, but I can say that everything mixed together is just wonderful to feel on the eardrums.

Somewhere In Time

Worst Track? While there’s nothing wrong with the music per se, I can’t help but feel a little bit of artistic pretentiousness surrounding the album. Not enough to destroy what is a great time, because that’s what Streets is! However, you can’t help but feel at certain times that there’s just a little bit of overindulging when it comes to the atmosphere. Again, it’s not overwhelming, but it is obvious when you come across it.

Streets: A Rock Opera. One of the most story driven albums in Savatage’s career, and one of their most artistic. There’s a little bit of pretentiousness for sure, but it’s not so bad as to drive away any potential listeners. Even if you aren’t a fan of the artistic side of Streets, then the Prog Metal side of things will easily carry you along. Next album!

Edge Of Thorns (1993)

After the tour for Streets ended in the spring of 1992, Jon Oliva decided to leave the band to concentrate on his side projects Doctor Butcher and his Broadway-bound musical Romanov, but he did continue to co-write Savatage material with his brother Criss and Paul O'Neill. On the 13th of June that year, they played a farewell show for him at the Rock-It Club in Tampa, Florida. 28 songs were played to cover all the main highlights of the band during his tenure, and this show was not intended, recorded or filmed for any sort of live album (Officially anyways). His replacement would come in the form of former Wicked Witch singer Zachary Stevens, who was discovered and introduced to Savatage by Criss' best friend and guitar technician Dan Campbell. From there, Drummer Steve Wacholz decided to record the album with the band but wasn’t interested in touring, even though he stated that he intended to return to Savatage in the future, and hand-picked his replacement as well in drummer Andy James. After that, everybody went into the studio to record, and on the 6th of April in 1993, Edge Of Thorns was released.

Best Track? To say anything other than the title track being the best thing on here is an absolute crime, and one in which has stiff penalties if committed! From the opening piano salvo (That plays through the whole tune, btw), you’re treated to a genuinely beautiful song. The guitar & bass are just fantastic, as the rhythms they both make sync up perfectly. The drumming is strong but not overwhelming, and the vocal work is equally so. Not only that, but some of those previously mentioned Power Metal vibes are all well and accounted for here. Absolutely deserves to open up the record!

Edge Of Thorns

Worst Track? Much like Hall Of The Mountain King from 87, there’s not a single bad song on Edge Of Thorns! Like that album, everything from the opening note to the closing moments is genuinely perfect. Hell, things might be more perfect here than on the record I mentioned a second ago, as the younger age of EOT makes the experience a little more fresher than it’s 80s compatriot.

Edge Of Thorns. If Hall Of The Mountain King was my favorite album from the 80s, then this one is my favorite from the 90s. Everything about that album was refined here, made more potent thanks to increased talent & mildly improved recording technology. Even if you could find a bad tune at all, it would in no way impact how good everything else is. Sadly, the good times would not last in 1993, as on the 17th of October of that year, Criss Oliva tragically passed away due to an accident with a drunk driver. His brother Jon continued to keep the band together, but later on admitted that he & the rest of the band believed that things we all over after Criss' death, and only kept going because of his memory & to "keep his music alive". Just how “Over” was Savatage? Well, let’s take a look.

Handful Of Rain (1994)

Released on the 16th of August, 1994, Handful Of Rain is something of a special album for me, as it marked the very first time I had actually listened to & purchased a Savatage record. It was during the end of the summer in 2019, and my folks & I were attending a Farmer’s Market in Troy NY, and nearby was a music shop selling all kinds of stuff. Records, Cassette Tapes, CDs, you name it. As I was looking through the collections, I managed to snag not just this album, but a random Power Metal album who’s name escapes me, and 2 albums from another band I’ll be talking about very shortly.....but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Shorty after Criss Oliva’s death, the band held a tribute show for the late guitarist, with the same lineup as the Streets tour but without Criss (For obvious reasons). His temporary replace would come in the form of Testament lead guitarist Alex Skolnick of all people, but the troubles didn’t end there. Before Savatage recorded Edge Of Thorns, Jon Oliva temporarily left and stepped down as lead vocalist and was replaced by Zak Stevens. Not only that, but drummer & founding member Steve Wacholz left the band and was replaced by Andy James, who quit immediately after Criss Oliva's death. He was contacted by Zak Stevens and Jon Oliva about tracking drums for Handful of Rain, but declined to do so. Ultimately, the album was fundamentally a Jon Olivia solo album (With Skolnick & Zak doing their part), and was recorded at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida, with Paul O'Neill still at the production helm & helped with the writing.

Best Track? Taunting Cobras, as a statement of intent, absolutely wins the title of best song of f of this album. Possibly one of the most metallic songs that Savatage has ever done (That title can be given to a bunch of song on here actually), it hits you right upside the face immediately with a furious barrage of guitars, bass, and drums, & it hits you hard. Jon Oliva’s vocal work is particularly potent here, as the angry vibes actually sends a small chill up the spine, but the sadness of the loss of his brother can also be felt at the same time. That weight alone is what gives this song the right to open Handful Of Rain.

Taunting Cobras

Worst Track? Really the only bad thing you could say about Handful Of Rain is just how sad & tragic the whole thing is. Losing your brother is not an easy thing to go through, and that pain is felt in every song. That said, it isn’t quite as tragic as something like Dark Side Of The Spoon or World Coming Down (Especially WCD), as there are times where relaxing beauty does shine through. It’s those moments where listeners have a moment to breathe, and then it’s right back into the sadness.

Handful Of Rain. A sorrowful album that none the less has moments of peace, and perfectly displays familial loss. If you’re in the mood for a heartbreaker of a record, but on that’s not too overwhelming, then this is for you. However, as tragic as the music here was, a wintry savior was just on the horizon, and it would change the band for the rest of their lives. Next album!

Dead Winter Dead (1995)

Dead Winter Dead. If there was an album that truly transformed a band’s career, it would be this one. Released on October the 24th, 1995, Dead Winter Dead was a much more ambitious Rock Opera than what they did with Streets just 4 years prior, as now Savatage had the power of a full orchestra behind them. It also marked the first time that guitarist Chris Caffery would be featured, who’d been an occasional and touring member since as far back as 1987. Alex Skolnick decided not to stay with the band, and instead decided to concentrate on his solo band instead. Jon Oliva would bring on drummer Jeff Plate from the Handful of Rain tour, and Caffery like I mentioned above. However, their parent company Atlantic Records felt they needed a second, more well-known guitarist to complete the line-up, and so former member of Alice Cooper’s touring band Al Pitrelli was brought in to smooth things out.

I should make mention of the album’s story, and it definitely stirs the emotions. It’s 1990: the Berlin Wall has just fallen, communism has collapsed in the Soviet Union, and for the first time since the day of the Roman Empire, Yugoslavia finds itself to be free. We find ourselves in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, where a young man named Serdjan, full of optimism & hope, joins a Serbian Militia Unit, and eventually finds himself in the hills outside the city lobbing mortar round. At the same time in Sarajevo itself, a young Muslim woman named Katrina Brasic is buying weapons from a group of arms merchants, and joins her own group firing in the hills around the city. Fast forward to late November of 1994, and the fighting has continued. An old man that hasn’t been within the city of his birth for decades, has decided to come back, only to find it in shambles. Looking up to the sky, he explains that when the Yugoslavians prayed for change, this is not what they intended. As his finishes this prayer, the sun sets and the first shells of the evening are starting to arc overhead. Instead of heading with the civilians into the shelters, he climbs atop the rubble of what used to be a glorious fountain in the middle of the city, takes out a cello, and starts to play Mozart as the shells came down. Every night he did this, and every night both Serdjan & Katrina found themselves thinking of Mozart and Beethoven.....and that is where I will stop saying anything.

Best Track? It should come as no surprise to any of you, but Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) is the best track of Dead Winter Dead. If Trans-Siberian Orchestra was birthed from this album, then this song was the womb. An instrumental mix of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and Carol of the Bells, it’s an incredibly power piece of must. You’ve still got the guitar, bass, and drums for sure, but you also have a symphony behind them, and some beautiful piano playing as well. It really is something to hear for first-time listeners, and it’s still incredible for repeat listeners too. Never skip this!

Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)

Worst Track? Is there one? Dead Winter Dead is not just a damn good album in it’s own right, but gave birth to one of the most iconic side projects in the history of metal music! You can hear & feel from beginning to end the wintry vibes that Trans-Siberian Orchestra would magnify just a year later. If I had one issue, it would be that Dead Winter Dead had the unintentional side effect of eclipsing the band’s next two releases, and in the process distract them somewhat from those. They’re not bad, but as you’ll soon see, then do lag behind a little. 

Dead Winter Dead. One of the most important records in Savatage’s career, and the birth of a badass seasonal favorite. If any Trans-Siberian Orchestra fans want to know where their wintry saviors first came from, then it is essential that they listen to this. Next album!

The Wake Of Magellan (1997/1998)

After taking a break to deal with the success of the newly formed Trans-Siberian Orchestra a year prior, the band entered back into Soundtrack Studios and Studio 900 in New York City, and on the 15th of September in 1997 in Europe & Japan, and the 7th of April in 1998 here in the United States, The Wake Of Magellan was released. The first Savatage album since Hall of the Mountain King in 1987 to have the same lineup, it was also the last album to feature the vocal works of lead singer Zachary Stevens. Not long after it was released, the band decided to part ways with long-time record label Atlantic Records, and eventually would sign with Nuclear Blast Records, but anything released under Trans-Siberian Orchestra would have the Atlantic/Lava imprint. Jon Olivia said the move to Nuclear Blast Records was a good move, as the label "loved the band and they know their songs and everything!"

As for the album’s story, we got ourselves a bit of an odd one here. A concept album based off of 2 real life incidents (The Maersk Dubai incident & Irish reporter Veronica Guerin), we’re introduced to Fernão de Magalhães, or Ferdinand Magellan in English. He’s decided to end his life by sailing into the Atlantic Ocean until he sinks, and in his mind romanticized this decision as a glorious & Viking-like way to die. As the winds push him into a storm & believes that he is about to receive the death he desires, he notices a man drowning. Seemingly putting every desire for death aside, he manages to save the drowning man, and take him back to shore.

Best Track? Kinda of a sucker for the second to last track, The Storm. An atmospheric & instrumental little number, it does not lack for energy at any moment during it’s run time. We’ve got some brief buildup at the beginning with some lovely piano playing, along with the sounds of rain & thunder accompanying it, but all of that goes away once the absolutely titanic guitar & drums come barging in. It’s incredibly epic in so many ways, and manages to capture the feeling of being within some beastly weather patterns, & is only heightened with the symphonic backing. At this point in the album’s story, it makes perfect sense.

The Storm

Worst Track? While top to bottom a solid record, there’s plenty of times where it comes across like they’re trying to follow past glories. In particular, the music comes across like that of Handful Of Rain in places with it’s darker tone, and the grandeur & majesty of Dead Winter Dead in other places. Both fine releases (DWD especially), but it’s silly to try & recapture both of their moods when the two of them are still fairly recent in people’s memory.

The Wake Of Magellan. Not awful by any means, but it’s definitely chasing the dragon in places. Certainly recommended, but not as strongly as practically anything that came before it. Next album!

Poets And Madmen (2001)

Continuing on with Trans-Siberian Orchestra for a little bit, resulting in the release of The Christmas Attic in 1998, the urge to get another Savatage album out to the public was definitely rising within the band, and on the 5th of March, 2001, Poets And Madmen was released. Loosely inspired by the career of journalist Kevin Carter, it actually has less narrative in the lyrics than in Dead Winter Dead & The Wake Of Magellan, and everything sung about in the album is fictional, save for what was said about Carter. It’s also the first time since 1991 that original singer Jon Oliva came back into the band after Zak Stevens left, and the first time we hear guitarist Chris Caffery as well after Al Pitrelli left to join Megadeth.

Best Track? Morphine Child comes across as Savatage’s equivalent of These Three Things from Type-O Negative’s final album, Dead Again. The longest song in the band’s career (10 Minutes & 12 seconds), the usage of operatic vocals & piano in certain places, along with orchestral aspects to heighten the atmosphere. They don’t hide in any way the guitar, bass, and drums, nor do they mask Jon Oliva’s vocal work, which show off just how good he can still sing a decade after Streets. It may be long, but the experience is worth it. 

Morphine Child

Worst Track? Poets And Madmen definitely is a better album, that is for sure. Unlike their last release, they don’t appear to be retreading older ground. That said, there’s still a fairly big Trans-Siberian Orchestra vibe throughout the whole album. Maybe not quite as strongly felt when compared to The Wake Of Magellan, but it is very obvious when you hear & feel it.

Poets And Madmen. Still has a little bit of that Trans-Siberian Orchestra thread sewn into it’s coat, but follows it’s own path instead of retreading past glories. If you didn’t like The Wake Of Magellan, than you’ll definitely like this one!

And that everybody was my look at Savatage. Overlooked by many when compared to their seasonal counterpart, their travels into the realms of Prog Metal & Power Metal are none the less treasured by their fans, and with a new album potentially coming out in 2026, a new generation of fans may be born. So with that, I might get something else up in a few days, and then it’s Katsucon. See you soon!



***
If you’re curious about listening to these albums, click on the links below: 

Sirens

Power Of The Night

Fight For The Rock

Hall Of The Mountain

Gutter Ballet

Streets: A Rock Opera

Edge Of Thorns

Handful Of Rain

Dead Winter Dead

The Wake Of Magellan

Poets And Madmen

Happy New Year!

Hey, we somehow survived the hellscape of 2025!

Somehow, we made it through possibly one of the worst years in American history. To recap everything that happened last year would give me an aneurysm! Suffice it to say, we all came out of that tunnel with a lot of bruises, a couple scars, and maybe a memory or two we don't want to ever recall, but we made it out alive. I only hope that 2026 is better for everyone, whether I know you or not!

So what does that mean for the blog. Well, for starters, I might not be posting as much in 2026. I have been posting for over a decade, and I know for a fact that I have a horde of posts with broken links, some missing content, and even one or two that might be incomplete! On top of that, there's a few posts that I just threw out there for whatever reason, so 2026 will be my cleanup year. I won't completely forget to post things however, as I might explore my personal media landscape of 2021 in between cleaning things up, as there's some stuff from then that's interesting. Hopefully, later on this year things will look cleaner here than they used to.

So, cheers to you all! May 2026 bring in new energy, new hope, and something good!

The Top 5 Games of 2025

Last post of 2025 fellow Otaku & Metalheads.

This year has left a lot of us in a wreck. Left a lot of the world in a wreck to be honest. In a lot of ways, it’s kind of silly to recall what has happened throughout all of 2025, since it’s so easy to remember at least most of what went on. Even among the media landscape, it is all to easy to look back at what was released & consumed. Whether it was good or bad, we all remember it. Gaming this year was quite the treat, as it was one of the best gateways into escapism that we all needed. Whether virtual or trading cards, we all gamed pretty good this year. With that said, here are the top 5 games of 2025. Let’s begin

5) Marvel Rivals (Trailer)

Technically this came out late last year (The 6th of December, to be exact.), and because of that it seemed only right to grandfather it in for 2025. Marvel Rivals is what Overwatch 2 should still be: fun, fast-paced, energetic, and not at all concerned with “Meta” of any kind. The levels aren’t complex yet still very detailed, the graphics are gorgeous, the gameplay feels like Overwatch past, the variety of characters is fun, and the story is nice & goofy & comic-booky. There are issues to be sure: some characters were released underpowered or overpowered, the pricing for some of the microtransactions is a little too much (Which doesn’t surprise me), and at times it seems like there were too many in-game events. Even so, Marvel Rivals is a wonderful game that’ll definitely scratch that itch for players who became disillusioned after the desecration of the last good thing Blizzard ever did. The fact that it’s free also helps!

4) Wizordum (Trailer) & Viscerafest (Trailer)

Whimsy. That’s the best way to describe this tribute on the Wolfenstein 3d//Catacomb 3d formula. Pure, unadulterated whimsy. Everything that’s shown within Wizordum is filled with bright colors & atmosphere, and when it decides to go for a darker vista, it still has some vibrancy to it. Storywise it’s nothing amazing (If anything it’s oddly stereotypical), but it doesn’t need to be when the levels tell their own story, and actually contain lore if you know where to look. Gameplay is simplistic, yet oddly in-depth when it comes to combat, and the enemy & boss variety dictate how a fight will go. Even on top of that, this is an FPS game that kids can play, despite the blood & such (I think it can be turned off). My biggest turnoff are the secrets, as while finding some of them isn’t too hard, many other are exceptionally difficult. Even so, if you like to smile during your fantasy roleplay, then I suggest giving Wizordum a go.

And then we have Viscerafest. In many ways, it’s pretty similar to Wizordum: colorful, nice visuals, and simplistic gameplay (Maybe not as simple when it comes to the combat). However, where it differs is the theme. At first, it comes across like your standard Sci-Fi shooter that goes over the top, and if that’s all it was I still would have been satisfied. However, it takes a strong Cosmic Horror turn part way through, and I’m not going to lie when I say that once the beyond started creeping in, I felt genuinely uncomfortable with what was going on to the point where my stomach was off. Without going into more spoilers than I already have, the character you play is over the course of the game is losing her mind, and by the time you reach the final boss she may as well be put into a mental hospital with how disturbed she sounds. Even with that dark edge, Viscerafest is an absolute challenge of an FPS game. It’ll definitely make you want to pull your hair out at times, but it’s certainly one hell of a mountain to climb.

3) Aetherdrift (Trailer/Game Knights/Gallery)

Maybe more so in 2025 than last year, MTG’s output was exceptionally gimmicky, and Aetherdrift is definitely gimmicky. Released on Valentine’s Day if you can believe it, this racing themed set was inspired by the likes of Wacky Races, Fast & The Furious, and Death Race 2000. The theme of racing is evident in the abundance of Vehicles, Speed as a mechanic, and even using Exhaust as a way to boost your chances in a game. Aetherdrift also marked the second time that a story took place across multiple world. Avishkar (formerly Kaladesh), Amonkhet, and for the first time ever, Muraganda. Aetherdrift does not take itself too seriously: though the theme is hyper specific, and at time some of the artwork might be too chaotic, it’s very clearly trying to provide a fun time.....which is all I ask.

2) Cultic: Chapter 2 (Trailer) & Gloomwood (Trailer) ***

Back in 2022 (And 2021 to a lesser extent), I spoke pretty highly of Cultic. Developed by just one guy, it was a great throwback FPS that channeled the spirit of Blood, and I admit at the time I thought it was early access. Turns out, it was just the first episode, and we waited quite a bit for episode two to come out. In the meantime, we got a level between both episodes that fleshed out the story, as well as some gameplay tweaks that improved aspects that might have been lacking. Then, on the 18th of September, Chapter 2 was released, and by god was this a step up. The levels are far larger than before & filled with so much more detail that what was in Chapter One (Even though those levels are still fantastic), enemy variety has increased & the encounters with them are more fierce than before, and for the first time ever.....Cultic scared me. In many places I was genuinely scared by what was going on, and while it might wear out if I replay it a lot, it’ll still manage to hit pretty damn hard. If it wasn’t for getting lost sometimes, and if it wasn’t for some of the bosses being a little too much work, I might have actually put this at number one, and even though it’s not.....this is one chapter you don’t want to skip.

And then there’s the joy of all joys that is Gloomwood! It’s been an absolute treat playing this game for a little over 3 years now, and having been announced earlier this year that it’s halfway completed, I can’t wait for it to be finally finished! The first of the updates this year was the implementation of the Serum System: basically, you harvest some of the various creatures in the game (Huntsman, Goatmen, Crowmen, and Bat Barbers), bring their body parts back to the lab at the lighthouse, research, and then you get a complete formula that you can use as long as you have some spare parts & the right reagents. Not only that, but even if you don’t use the serums, you get a special bonus for each completed subject researched that’s permanent. Ironically, this was my least favorite update so far: the work into getting the formula took a bit, and you only got 1 serum made. Not only that, but finding all of the reagents & body parts at this point in the development of the game is limited, but thankfully they updated it a few months after some you get more serum per manufacturing depending on what you were working on. Again, this was my least favorite update so far.....but it’s still damn good.

On top of the serums, we got some visual transformations that kick in once it reaches a certain point in the story. After getting out of The Hive, a rainstorm comes up to the coast, pelting the Fishery & Slaughtered Goat Tavern with water. Not only that, but both locations change up as well, with the tavern being reclaimed & altered by the huntsman, and the power in the Fishery has gone out. Not only that, but one of the fearsome Goatmen now wanders it’s darkened paths. Both are fun changes that aren’t the most necessarily to revisit, but they come from a studio that’s done nothing but hard work, so there’s no complaints from me. Even some of the enemies from The Hive begin showing up in the Market District, as the path to that place is now wide open!

So before we get to my no. 1, we’ve got this year’s honorable mentions. The games I picked to be put here are rather..... surprising. One is a Magic set I simultaneously have no attachment to, yet I still found it to be very good. The other one I picked was a remaster I didn’t see coming at all, and it left me mildly frustrated. So with that out of the way, here are 2025's gaming honorable mentions. 

HM1) Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy (Trailer/Game Knights/Gallery)

2 things prevent the 1st Universes Beyond release of this year from getting onto the main list. For starters, the pricing was absolutely god awful! Paying just above 400 dollars for all 4 of the pre-built decks was exceedingly stupid, and a box for Collector’s packs is even worse (Normal box of boosters wasn’t too bad, and the bundle box & pre-release kit weren’t terrible also). Secondly, I have never touched a Final Fantasy game in my life. I know tiny slivers of lore & the characters, and that’s about it. That being said.....this set was great! It’s pretty obvious that great care was given to the Final Fantasy franchise, and you see various characters, creatures, spells, and items from across all 16 of the main games. The pre-builts, despite their expense, each catered to a specific title (6, 7, 10, and 14), and there was a lot of love & care put into them as well. Coupled with some fantastic art from a variety of artists (Even including original art variants), it’s obvious that Final Fantasy was a success. A flawed one, but a success regardless.

HM2) Heretic + Hexen (Trailer)

So this came out of nowhere!

Coming out in early August, this remaster came from the powerhouses Nightdive Studios and it truly was out of nowhere. If you bought the base Heretic or Hexen on Steam, then this remaster was free, but you had to pay for it if you didn’t. So much was done for this!: updated to operate on modern PCs & console, improved visuals, various gameplay tweaks (Made playing Hexen so much easier), inserting cut enemies from the original game, old drawings & concept art from the cutting room floor, two brand new episodes made by staff from both I.D. and Nightdive, and updated soundtracks for both games by the musical god Andrew Hulshult. Sadly, what gets Heretic + Hexen put in the honorable mentions is the odd level modifications you find in Heretic. Maybe it was because they wanted certain levels to come across like the larger ones you’d find in Doom, but many levels were tinkered around in & altered in some way. It’s barely noticeable in episode one, but becomes incredibly obvious in episodes 2 & 3, and maybe even more so in certain ways in episodes 4 & 5. It’s odd that they would do this, and it’s even more odd that the modified levels are the default. Thankfully, there’s an option to play through the original versions instead of the modified ones, which brings back such a nostalgia rush for me. Hell, even with the altered levels, I can’t bring myself to truly bash this remaster. Nightdive Studios as usual brought their A-Game, and I’m quite thankful. 

1) Edge Of Eternities (Trailer/Game Knights/Gallery) & Avatar: The Last Airbender (Trailer/Game Knights/Gallery)

It’s not very often I come across a Magic The Gathering set that had absolutely no right being as phenomenal as it was. It’s not often I’ve played a set that genuinely had no right working as incredibly as it does, and it’s not very often that an MTG release left me humbled: when I first heard that a Sci-Fi set was being put out, it was THE very first time I questioned whether I should stay in the hobby I’ve been in for a little over 20 years in 2024. A set that seemingly abandons it’s tradition fantasy roots for something more contemporary? Ick! However, come this past summer when the setting was first described (Read Here), and like I said above, I was humbled. The setting was familiar yet unique, the mechanics were simple yet incredibly powerful, the artwork is incredible and the most stunning out of everything that’s come out of this decade (With maybe the exception of Neon Dynasty), & even the story is one of the better ones that’s been written since going to the single release format. As one person I see at the card shop I frequent said: “It is the sleeper hit of 2025”.

On top of that, we have what I believe to be the best of the Universes Beyond releases in 2025. Final Fantasy was genuinely good but I don’t have a personal connection to the franchise, and while Spiderman was a gigantic failure outside of some of the cards, this tribute to one of the best cartoons of this century was truly perfect. Unlike the apocalypse of awful that was Spiderman, this set not only is great in Standard & Draft, this was just great PERIOD. Whereas the set before it was blatantly expanded so it wouldn’t be another Assassin’s Creed, Avatar: The Last Airbender was a full set built from the ground up. It was built with love of the show, care for the show, and most importantly, respect for the show. The artwork is gorgeous, the mechanics are flavorful, and everything just feels fun! Sure, the bonus sheet cards could have been better visually, but that is just a truly TINY bump on what is otherwise a blast of a set! Like Lost Caverns Of Ixalan from 2023 this came out rather late in the year, so time will tell if it’s able to weather the years, but the money I put towards this set was well worth it.

And those were my top 5 games of 2025. A lot of FPS titles to be sure, but that genre is easily my comfort zone for when I want to feel good. Magic the Gathering, despite some hiccups, managed to keep my mind at peace when it needed to. And with that, the tome of 2025 closes. May it’s pages never be opened again. See you all in 2026!


***
If you’re curious as to what I thought of last year’s games, click on the link below: 

The Top 5 Games Of 2024

Also, the reason this list was so delayed is because I was waiting for the Hightowne update for Gloomwood. As of yesterday, they said it’s a few more days before it comes out.

Top 5 Best Christmas Themed Games For The Holidays (No. 3)

Second to last post of 2025 fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

I’ve been doing these seasonal lists since 2023, so not too long ago. That year was fairly easy to make, but last year’s was more of a challenge, yet 2025 takes the cake for being the hardest I’ve done so far! There’s not a lot of Christmas games out there, or to be honest not a lot of good ones. On top of that, I haven’t played a bunch of them, and this year in particular I didn’t touch most of them. Still, I wanted to end 2025 on a jolly note, so put on some warm clothes, get that cup of cocoa with the little marshmallows on top, and take a look at the top 5 best Christmas themed games for the holidays.....number 3!

5) Jazz Jackrabbit 2: Christmas Chronicles (Video)

Now, I swear to God I played this at some point. If it wasn’t the full game, then it was the demo. Jazz Jackrabbit 2 was fundamentally the same as that of the original: you run around blasting the enemies of Devin Shell, find new ammo types, look for secrets, get a high score, etc. They do neuter your speed, and the levels are larger in scale, but the gameplay is mostly untouched, and like the original JJ, number 2 got some Christmas levels as well! I recall playing what I thought was the demo level, and I think I liked it enough. It was wintry, it was seasonal, and it was fun! I’m not giving this the best recommendation, on account of not playing this for ages, but the few scraps of memory I do recall of it were nice enough to put it on here.

4) Universes Beyond: Warhammer 40K (Video)

So, a bit of an odd one, since the grimdark future of the 41st millennium has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas.....but it does for me.

Back in 2022, Wizards Of The Coast released the very first entry into their Universes Beyond line of products, and of course it was 40k themed. The Imperium Of Man, the forces of Chaos, the Necron Dynasties, and the Tyranids were all brought into the realm of Magic The Gathering, and to say they were successful is understating things. They were something I was really looking forward to getting for Christmas that year, so I simply asked my Mom for them, and sure enough she said yes. Problem was that the pricing for all 4 of them was higher than I originally saw them at, but she still bought them. However, an interesting thing happened when she did.

She gave me a big job to do that November. Our small barn next to the house needed a giant cleaning job to do, and if I cleaned it over a certain amount of time, I’d get them early. Sure enough, I managed to clean that barn as good as I could (Ma helped at times), and the deal was made. Though I got them a few weeks prior, none-the-less it was all done in the name of the Christmas spirit, so I couldn’t help but grandfather them onto here.

3) Christmas NiGHTS Into Dreams (Video)

Essentialy a demo with more bells & whistles attached to it, this quirky little side-release of a cult classic is just filled with Christmas magic. You have the same two characters from the base game, but the world is just so colorful with all of the various little nick-nacks, baubles, trees, and other little things that fill our child-like wonder with glee. On top of that, there’s a few unlockables to get, and actually has some funky quirks that crop up depending on not only what time of the year it is, but when during the day you play the game as well. I’ll eventually get my hands on this, and if I happen to do another one of these lists next year, you might see this again.....with a better description than what I put here!

2) Christmas Stories: Nutcracker (Video)

Much like the last title, I never played this game, but I have seen a playthrough of it, and the Christmas nature is front & center. A mix of a puzzle game & hidden object game (Think of the old I Spy books), Christmas Stories: Nutcracker is also highly deceptive as well: from the start the holiday season is incredibly apparent, but there’s this sinister undercurrent that’s almost felt right from the beginning. As you get further & further in, this vibe just increases, and they decides to take the mask off & show how batshit the story actually is! There’s definitely a happy ending most definitely, but you gotta get through 10 kinds of weird before you see it. If you would like some Christmas cheer that’s painted in numerous coats of crazy, then Christmas Stories: Nutcracker is for you! 

1) Cultic: Chapter 2 (Video)

If Alone In The Dark 2 just about destroys the concept of what a Christmas game is, then chapter 2 of Cultic fully shatters it.....reforges it.....then shatters it again. 

Yes, the second chapter to one of the biggest tribute to the classic game Blood, it’s a little weird to see this at the number 1 spot, but I don’t care! For everything that Chapter 1 & Interlude did well, Chapter 2 turns the knob up to 11, and breaks every window in a five mile radius. The gameplay is smoother yet hits harder. The atmosphere is thicker. The graphics are more detailed, and the levels are more expansive with more things to do. Even the effort was improved, as all of the previously mentioned aspects show that Jason Smith really knows what he’s doing. Though he did have to bring an extra developer to help (On account of how much bigger the game is), the work put in is incredibly evident. As for the seasonal connections? Just look at the first 2 levels and the 7th one. Trust me on this.

And those were once again, 5 more seasonal video games to play. Like last year, it was a challenge to assemble this year’s list, and I have a feeling that next year will be even harder (If I decide to do one). Still, you might find something fun here, even if some of these are a bit.....weird. See you all sometime this month for the last end of year post, and the last post of 2025. Take care!


***
If you’re curious about last year’s list, click on the link below:

Top 5 Best Christmas Themed Games For The Holidays (No. 2)

Also, I made this list before the Home For Cultmas bonus level was released yesterday. If a 4th list is made next year, you can bet that it’ll be there!

Game Review: MegaMan's Battle Network 3

I finally came back to the Net fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

It’s been just under or just over a year since I looked at the Battle Network series, and I confess I was dragging my ass with the franchise. Not because I hate it or anything, but just because I’ve been so slow with playing through the various releases! Well, for over the past month or two, I came back to number 3 in the series. Do I like it as much as the first two? Does it hold up when compared to what came before it? Well, sit back, relax, and enjoy my review for Battle Network 3. Let’s begin! 

Story
Taken from the Megaman Wiki: 

“Months after the Netmafia Gospel tried to take over the world in Mega Man Battle Network 2, Lan Hikari and friends return to their ordinary lives, until the crime organization WWW started surfacing again. At the same time, a NetBattle tournament called the N1 Grand Prix was being held, in an attempt to find the strongest NetBattler in the Electopia, attracting people from neighboring countries into entering. Lan and MegaMan manage to pass the preliminary rounds, only after numerous attacks by the WWW in an effort to get the TetraCodes. Once Lan and MegaMan get into the N1 Grand Prix, it was discovered that the tournament was a set-up created by WWW to announce their return to world.”

Battle Network 3 is something of a payoff story in my view. The world of the series was introduced in 1, and it was further expanded in 2 while adding some seeds of things to come. With the 3rd game, the past comes back in force, and those previously mentioned seeds bloom into some tasty nuggets of lore. Even if there weren’t any sneak peeks in the last release, Battle Network 3 always has a lot of surprises up it’s sleeve. Some twists, a few turns, and even a couple shocking revelations that show that there was a lot more going on than players suspected. Easily the biggest positive about the game!

Setting
Maybe it’s just me, but there aren’t as many areas in Battle Network 3. There’s still AC/DC Town & it’s school along with Sci-Lab, but you have the Zoo & Hot Springs hotel of Yoka (My personal favorite places), along with the Beachside and the city to explore. The internet comes back of course, as does the Undernet, which is the trippiest it’s ever been up to this point. There are some other areas that complement the others, but no spoilers. Regardless of that, every place is highly explorable, filled with a lot of details, and highly interactive as well (Depending on what quest you’re on). Certainly a highlight of Battle Network 3! 

Characters
As usual, the characters of the Battle Network series are always a colorful cast. All of the returning cast continue to be their normal charming selves, save for the serious & edgy ones, and even then they still have my attention. In addition to that charm, everybody also grows up & improves their character and personality. Chaud, one of the previously mentioned edgy characters, actually is a little more likable this time around, and is kinda warming up to everybody in the group as opposed to his standoff nature from the prior 2 games. Definitely a plus in my book!

It’s not just the older characters that are great, but plenty of the side characters are fun too! Among both the good guys & the bad guys (Human or Navi), everybody you bump into is colorful in their own way. From the souvenir seller outside of the hot springs resort, to the zoo warden that ultimately turns out to be one of the bad guys, everybody has their own personality. Sure, some of them stand out more that others, but all of them leave an impression that sticks around for at least a little bit of time. 

Perhaps one of the biggest upgrades in this game would be the return of WWW. In the first game they were a mix of serious & silly, and because of that you couldn’t take them completely seriously. This time around, they’re far more threatening & willing to do more evil things to accomplish their goals, but there’s still a hint of silly within the group to stay slightly true to their origins. This is evident in the return of Mr. Match & FlameMan.exe: more ruthless & manipulative, but there’s still that goofy streak that shows where he once came from. Even the island where you locate them is a bit more intimidating, and doesn’t have quite as many bright colors as before. Much like the story, the characters are another big positive to BN3!

Gameplay
For the most part Battle Network 3's gameplay isn’t that much different from BN2's. Wander around, do quests & sidequests, fights viruses & NAVIs, search for various chips & upgrades, etc. However, there have been some changes that definitely changes the way things work. 

For starters, there’s not just one version of Battle Network 3. We have two versions to go through (Kinda like certain editions of the old-school Pokemon titles). White & Blue to be more specific. The fundamental core of both versions is the same, but it’s the little things that are different from one another. Quest rewards, placement of lootable items, certain placements of enemies in some encounters, and even some of the background imagery are all different from one another. On the one hand, this does allow for semi-different playthroughs for each game, as it makes things feel ever-so-slightly different. On the other hand, both games do take some time to go through, which in turn might make things mostly repetitive. Also, if you played through one, you might get confused if things weren’t the way you were used to before when it comes to placement. Thankfully, the story is the same on both versions, but there is 1 example of a point towards the end of the game where two completely different characters have the same spot that can impact achievement hunting. 

Secondly, and perhaps the biggest thing added to this game, was the Navi Customizer. This was the thing that made my blood boil & a few hairs fall out! The customizer is essentially how you upgrade Megaman over the course of the game, as opposed to buying & finding the upgrades like you did in the last 2. You still buy & find them for sure, but now the upgrade system plays more like Tetris to a certain extent. All of the upgrades are shaped like Tetris pieces, and they also come in different colors, and some are also marked. There are also things you can pick up along the way like shrinking various “Pieces” & being able to adjust how they’re positioned, but this whole customizer is so fickle! You can’t place the same colored pieces next to each other, and the marked “Pieces” cannot be placed at a certain position in the customizer. If this happens, your basic attacks get borked at best, or you can have a full-blown error at worst. I wouldn’t have a problem with this if the space for all of this was larger, but it’s not! You’re really forced to pick and choose the upgrades you want, and all of this is annoying when you compare it to how simplistic BN 1 & 2's upgrade systems were. 

Finally, we have the Friendly Viruses, and this in theory is cool....but it does stumble a little. Essentially, this is where more of the Pokemon vibes come in: basically, there are viruses you find, briefly fight, then catch them & use them later as chips in combat. On top of that, if you visit the Virus Breeder in the SciLabs, you can go jack into it, and essentially upgrade them so they’re better in combat (You use Bugfrags you find from enemies). I used a couple of them, and they’re certainly useful, but it feels like taking different Pokemon with you, and you have to upgrade them in the Breeder. It feels tedious at times, but it’s nowhere near as annoying as the Customizer.

Graphics & Sound
Graphically, the 3rd Battle Network doesn’t really differentiate itself from how the first two look in terms of feel (Outside of the new areas). Sound quality is still the same as well, again outside of the new sounds & music. It’s not bad, and the visuals & audio are still very charming in that early 2000s kind of way, but like the gameplay, it is on the repetitive side.

Overall Impression & Rating
Battle Network No. 3 isn’t as good as the 1st 2 games in my opinion. Make no mistake: there are nice things about it, and in plenty of places it’s still entertaining as BN1 & BN2. However, the changes that have been implemented are annoying at best, and hair-pullingly frustrating at worse. The 2 versions of the game and the Navi customizer are really the biggest culprits in this regard, and while you can work with them (The customizer especially), there are times where they can go against you. Playing both of these games is tedious, but playing either one of them is as nice as what you experienced in the previously mentioned titles. Certainly not as important gameplay wise, but for those who are story hounds, it’s definitely up there.  

Battle Network No. 3 gets a 7.5 to 8 out of 10.

And that was my look at the 3rd Battle Network game. Not as likable to me as 1 or 2, but there’s still enjoyment in places if you know what to look for. I’ll get to Battle Network 4 in time, but for now I need a break. I’ll post up a seasonal list sooner than expected (Top 5 Games is gonna conclude this year), so see you all in a few days for that!

The Top 5 Movies Of 2025

Time for some cinema fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Got an interesting selection of movies this year. I got a mish-mash of stuff from all over the spectrum, with the no. 1 film not being a surprise by just about all of you. Heck, I even grandfathered in something from last year, just because it was that damn good. So, I won’t waste anymore of your time, so here are my top 5 movies of 2025. Let’s begin!  

5) Space King 2 (Video)

So this was a surprise!

Technically, this actually came out on the 14th of December last year, but it came out so late that I’m grand-fathering it onto this list. If you remember my 2024 list, you will recall that I gave the first Space King a high amount of praise, and the second one is no different. The animation quality is gorgeous, the story & characters are over the top and goofy, and the humor is even more potent than last time. If I had one complaint, I’d say that at times the humor is trying hard to possibly be a little too shocking & edgy, but even with that said, I still recommend Flashgitz’s take on a legally distinct 40K. It wears it’s inspiration on it’s sleeve, but still manages to be wholly unique at the same time!

4) A Minecraft Movie (Video)

As a buddy of mine said when this movie was done:

“This was a vibe”

And that’s exactly what A Minecraft Movie was: a vibe. You had to go into the theater back in April with the right mindset, and when you sit down in front of your TV or Computer to watch this, you gotta have the right frame of mind. If you go into it frustrated and cranky, you will HATE this movie. On the other hand, if you go into this whirlwind of insanity with your brain turned off & you’re in a good mood, you’re gonna have a hell of a time. All of the connections to the game are surprising, the tribute to Technoblade was quick but sincere, and the over-the-top acting from Jack Black (Especially him), Jason Mamoa, and Jennifer Coolidge are just mind oozingly good. The lifelike nature of some of the animation is off-putting for sure, and the acting from everybody else (Including 2 of the main cast) is okay at best, but there’s something that’s just.....charming about this film that you gotta watch it at least once. Even if you’ve never played Minecraft (Like me, because it didn’t come to Steam), you gotta witness this whirlwind of madness one time in your life!

3) Sinners (Trailer)

This came out in back in April, but it wasn’t until this past Halloween that I finally watched not only one of the best vampire movies ever made, but also one of the more powerful & insightful looks at race in the early 1930s south. Even though African Americans had been out of slavery for decades by the start of the Great Depression, life was still not great, and in some cases it was worse. However, it wasn’t just African Americans the film looked at, as we even had an examination of the plight of the Irish. Sure, it was nowhere near as deep as the look into black people, but to see & hear even a little bit of one of my heritages was surprising. Coupled with some incredible music & phenomenal cinematography, and you have one of 2025's best damn movies. Hell, it might even be one of the best movies of this century.....or ever.

2) The Entire Vic Mignogna Story - The Face of Anime's Dumbest Culture War (Video)

There has been plenty of times throughout 2025 that I wanted to put this near half-day long documentary at the no. 1 spot. There were plenty of moments where sheer pettiness & schadenfreude were tempting me to make this expose the best thing of this year. It was through pure willpower that it got put at no. 2 instead, but to be honest I can swap it out with what’s at number 1 depending on the day for me. Even with that said, this whole thing provided an incredibly illuminating experience on one of the most disgraced voice actors in Anime history. I knew of some of the things that happened to be sure, but there was so much more that I didn’t know, and it was those parts that made my jaw hit the floor. Marzgurl, having been on the front lines since the beginning, and the target of Right-Wing chuds on the internet during and even after it was all over with, The Entire Vic Mignogna Story is proof that sometimes people we think are heroes.....are some of the worst monsters imaginable.

1) KPOP Demon Hunters (Trailer) & Sisu 2: Road To Revenge (Trailer)

I.....should not have liked this movie as much as I did. I should not have enjoyed this movie as much as I did. As much as I’m not the biggest fan of JPOP, for whatever reason I seem to not like KPOP ever more. Yet, for whatever reason, the charm of this film sinked it’s hooks into me harder than Hellraiser! For starters, the animation was phenomenal, and that shouldn’t be surprising considering it was done by the people who made Into The Spider-Verse. The story & characters, despite a hiccup or two, are well-done and incredibly likable. The music? Coming from someone who is a diehard Metalhead, I can genuinely say I liked! Sure, there’s a couple songs I like more than the others, but all of the tunes in general are great! I easily understand why there are some people that don’t like this film, but for fans of KPOP & fantastic animation, this is for you!

But we also had a sequel to Sisu from 2023 as well! If anything, I almost forgot that the first movie got a sequel until this past November when a buddy of mine asked if I was interested in going. Of course I said yes, and I didn’t not regret that choice at all. A film that’s possibly even more simplistic that the original, Road To Revenge also is more violent, visceral, and dynamic than the one before it. If anything, at times it’s actually kinda hard to watch, especially with how banged up the main character gets. Luckily, just like in the first movie, he goes right through hell & takes out everyone in his way in spectacular fashion. Definitely give this a watch if you saw the first one!
                                    
And those were me top 5 movies of 2025. Like I said at the start, I had a variety of genres on this list for this year, and I think the choices speak for themselves. If you haven’t given any of these a watch yet, then I suggest you do, as they’re all fantastic in their own way. I’ll get to the 5 best games of 2025 in just a little bit, but before I do, I believe a trip to the Battle Network series.....is long overdue. See you soon!


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If you’re curious as to what I thought of last year’s movies, click on the link below: 

Top 5 Movies Of 2024