FGO Lostbelt 7: Nahui Mictlan Clear!

It has been almost a year and a half since Lostbelt 7: Nahui Mictlan was released, and I have finally cleared it. It took me about the same level of procrastination as I had with finishing LB6. Surprisingly, I was able to complete this singularity over a weekend, despite being at a low point in my frustration with FGO’s absurd gacha systems. Nevertheless, I am genuinely impressed by what LB7 had to offer. I initially assumed LB6 would remain the peak of the Lostbelt arc in terms of Nasu’s writing, despite its flaws and structural baggage. However, LB7 ultimately feels like the stronger of the two, delivering comparable writing quality in a leaner and more efficient narrative structure.

Fate/Grand Order Tunguska Sanctuary Clear

This is a record of my clear of the post–Lostbelt 6 interlude chapter Tunguska Sanctuary, which I completed earlier this year before moving on to Lostbelt 7. Since I plan to reflect on my experience with Lostbelt 7: Nahui Mictlan in greater depth later on, I think it is worthwhile to briefly revisit this transitional chapter.

Tunguska Sanctuary can be described as a “Lostbelt 6.5” type of chapter, bridging Avalon le Fae (Lostbelt 6) and Nahui Mictlan (Lostbelt 7), much like how Heian-kyo functioned as a 5.5 chapter. It focuses on Koyanskaya’s aftermath following her escape from Lostbelt 6 and lays groundwork for her role going forward in the larger future narrative.

Mecharashi — Final Rank Permit Milestone

 

After being stuck in a prolonged bottleneck for more than five months, I finally managed to clear Chapter IX of Mecharashi, which in turn unlocks the game’s final level cap restriction. This is a significant milestone, as there are very few gacha games that demand this level of sustained time and attention for progression. Each “urgent mission” required to unlock the next chapter in Mecharashi is a substantial drain on mental energy, and the final hurdle is no exception.

Medabots Survivor

 

Medabots is one of those Japanese mecha series that, while beloved in its home country, has faced some misfortune in terms of global reach. Despite a respectable run in Japan, the franchise struggled to break into the international market. The last Medabots game to receive a global release was in the early 2000s, with the GBA title, and since then, we've seen no major releases outside Japan, even as the series itself has continued to evolve across nine iterations, including some recent entries on the Nintendo Switch.

Girls Frontline Fire Control

I picked up this particular Girls’ Frontline spin-off last year but only started giving it proper attention over the past month. Although it isn’t developed directly by the team behind GFL2: Exilium, it still offers enough appeal to attract both long-time Girls’ Frontline fans and more casual players.

Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control is essentially a MOBA with mechanics adapted to fit the GFL universe. Since the Girls’ Frontline series is a popular gacha franchise centered on anthropomorphized firearm “waifus,” Fire Control integrates light FPS elements to stay true to the brand’s identity. However, at its core, it remains a MOBA experience.

One of the game’s strengths is allowing players to use well-known T-Dolls from the original title, with their weapon classes naturally translating into MOBA roles. My current mainstay is WA2000 known as Makiatto in GFL2, the classic tsundere red-haired sniper rifle who fills the ADC role in Fire Control. The role transition feels seamless and faithful to her original identity.

Personally, I think Fire Control works well as a casual MOBA alternative. For it to survive and thrive long term, however, consistent content updates will be crucial especially new stages and the addition of fan-favorite T-Dolls to keep the existing fanbase engaged. With major names like HK416, UMP45 and Type 95 still available to headline updates, the game has strong potential to maintain momentum. The recent QoL improvements seen in GFL2: Exilium may also indirectly strengthen confidence in the broader franchise.

To me, Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control demonstrates that a successful gacha franchise can transition into the MOBA format to reach a broader casual audience while retaining its core fans. If successful, perhaps other major gacha titles such as Fate/Grand Order might one day experiment with similar diversification strategies.

Mecharashi Current Progression report

Among all the gacha games I’ve played, Mecharashi stands out as the most notorious when it comes to progression roadblocks. At nearly every major level milestone, the game forces players to clear absurdly difficult missions just to unlock the next power-up tier, which is hard-locked behind each chapter. Until now, I’ve tolerated the nonsense Mecharashi throws at players every 5–10 levels. However, the latest progression hurdle is by far the worst I’ve encountered. For this notoriety, Mecharashi earned themselves dedicated article in Realm of Darkness that criticize this poorly designed part.

Nokia N-Gage High Seize

It’s been a while since I’ve covered an N-Gage title, and this time I want to highlight High Seize! If the GBA had the Advance Wars series, then during its brief lifespan the N-Gage had High Seize as its answer to turn-based strategy.

If Sid Meier’s Pirates! and Advance Wars had a child, it would be High Seize. A pirate-age themed strategy game doesn’t sound like it should work, but High Seize proves otherwise. Developed by RedLynx, the same studio behind Pathway to Glory - the game delivers a surprisingly polished strategy experience wrapped in swashbuckling charm.

High Seize even features a full storyline, something not commonly expected from N-Gage titles, and it’s a solid one considering the platform’s limitations. You play as the son of a disgraced noble, seeking revenge for your father’s murder by becoming a privateer, gathering allies, and even finding a bit of romance along the way.

As a strategy game, High Seize offers both land and sea battles, each with its own mechanics and layers of depth, not bad at all for the N-Gage. The game even includes its own version of CO powers, though not as varied as those in Advance Wars.

Ultimately, High Seize offers a glimpse of the quality the N-Gage library might have reached if the platform had been more successful. Despite the odds stacked against it, this title stands out as one of the N-Gage’s most worthwhile games. Definitely worth revisiting for anyone curious about what the system had to offer.

Mecharashi x Evangelion : Epoch of Ascension Collab Event

Using the usual reserved weekly review spot on Realm of Darkness for a special announcement! After running for almost six months, Mecharashi, the recent mecha gacha game inspired by Front Mission, has kicked off its first collaboration event with Evangelion on January 15th, 2026! To celebrate this exciting milestone, I’m dedicating a blog post to highlight this collab event. 

Bidding My Farewell to Warhammer 40k: Tacticus

After spending a month or two in limbo, I’ve finally decided to quit Warhammer 40k: Tacticus for good after playing it for 2.5 years. As much as I love the Warhammer 40k universe, I just can’t put up with the Saturnian design philosophy of Snowprint’s take on the franchise anymore. The game demands an excessive, constant time sink and that’s only one of the many reasons I’m stepping away. In this post, I want to reflect on the progress I made through consistent grinding during the time I stuck with it.

Fate Grand Order Lostbelt 6.5 Traum Clear!

Usually, I don’t bother sharing my FGO progress on the storyline unless there’s something truly noteworthy. This year, however, the Christmas event locked the welfare servant; Santa Captain Nemo behind late-game content, specifically Lostbelt 6.5: Traum. Since this meant clearing Traum just to access the event, and given the amount of effort I had to put in over the past few days, I figured it was worth sharing my progress and overall thoughts on this singularity.

There were moments when I seriously considered giving up on FGO altogether, but clearly, I’m still attached enough to marathon story content just for a welfare servant. In this post, I’ll also take the opportunity to briefly reflect on my 8th year with FGO, especially since the game has already deprived itself of the privilege usual yearly report post due to its own nonsense.

Departing from Uma Musume Pretty Derby Global server

It has been about six months since the Uma Musume Global server launched. I joined the bandwagon quickly, but it turns out my stay was never meant to last beyond that period. Much like my experience with the JP version which only lasted over 18 months, I eventually burned out here as well.

While the Global version has made an earnest effort to roll out QoL updates as humanely as possible, they still aren’t fast or substantial enough to retain gacha players like me, especially those who no longer have the time to devote hours each day to gaming. The game’s insistence on what feels like Saturnian demands, pushing players to spend nearly two hours daily, ultimately undid my attachment to Uma Musume and set me free from it.

There’s no denying that Uma Musume is a high–production value product in the gacha game market. However, its obsession with keeping players locked into long, repetitive grinding sessions really needs to be reassessed. I may have tolerated similar nonsense in Fate/Grand Order, but Uma Musume simply isn’t special enough to earn that level of patience from me.

Even so, I’ll still keep an eye on the franchise in less time-consuming ways and appreciate the experience for what it was while it lasted. Playing the Global version allowed me to reach a Top 50 S-Rank guild and obtain Uma Musume characters I failed to get back then. Overall, I’m genuinely glad I managed to get Priestess Grass Wonder, and I might have endured longer for her New Year version, if only Uma Musume hadn’t chosen to play the role of Saturn.

Legend of Heroes Gagharv Mobile Master Archive

 
 Took me more than a month to complete this project since Gagharv Mobile global server closure but I am putting my personal project into a wrap with this Master Archive post. I suppose the delay has to be blamed to my current hectic worklife which does not deliver the most optimal outcome for this game but at very least I am happy that another project from Realm of Darkness conclude properly.

This Master Archive contain links for all Gagharv Mobile hero roster archive for Global server separated by regions: El Phildin, Tirasweel and Weltluna region. This post will also contain my final roster list in Gagharv Mobile Global server. Gagharv Mobile might have rather awkward way for re-entry into Video game market, but the Korean Devs, Fowgames did try what they could do with their limitations since Falcom appear to give up upon Gagharv as well, at least at this moment.

Therefore as a reciprocation method, this small project is one thing that I could give to repay for the opportunity given to Gagharv Trilogy by Fowgames. 

• Gagharv Mobile Hero Archive - El Phildin
• Gagharv Mobile Hero Archive - Tirasweel
• Gagharv Mobile Hero Archive - Weltluna

LOH Gagharv Mobile Hero Archive - Tirasweel

  Finally fulfilling my end of bargain for Gagharv Mobile after the global server inevitable closure. Tirasweel was supposed to be the last part of Gagharv Trilogy to be finished for Gagharv mobile but alas, economic reality of gaming industry does not allow the dream to be completed.

Tirasweel Chapter is the representation of Prophecy of Moonlight Witch which was chronologically the first of Gagharv Trilogy released by Falcom but took place in the later part of the trilogy timeline, much akin to Star Wars IV to Starwars I-III. Personally POTMW is the title from the trilogy that I am least attached to due to the most barebone series considering it was the first of the trilogy. Nevertheless I still respect the series that I finished the complete game back when I had PSP despite the glaring flaw.

Compared to other region, Tirasweel's roster is the most barebone because it was still in rather incomplete state before Gaghar Mobile's global server met its demise last month. Some of the key characters like Badat and Durzell haven't even made it before the unfortunate circumstances fall on the game which I did look forward to even if POTMW is not my favorite. At very least Tirasweel got one UR, Queen Isabelle and I am happy that I purchased her skin which gives her quite high waifu aura as opposed to her original rendition. Overall Tirasweel fared quite solid at Tank and DPS department though support might be rather lacking compared to other region.

With El Phildin, Weltluna and Tirasweel roster completed, all left is to create master archive for Gagharv Mobile and I would consider my obligation with this gacha game completed.

LOH Gagharv Mobile Hero Archive - Weltluna

 
 It has been around 3 weeks since Gagharv Mobile global server has totally closed down. I had planned to finish this personal project of mine for this Korean Gacha Game of Classic JRPG series to be finished before the server closure but ultimately unable to do so due to hectic work life. Even so, I will still commit to compete this personal project of mine which should be completed within October including master archive and here I present Gagharv Mobile - Song of the Ocean hero archive.

Song of the Ocean might not be my personal favorite title of Gagharv Trilogy, but I will respect the merit of the series in its great contribution for playing important role in worldbuilding of the trilogy. Due to the focus on music as its theme, Weltluna rosters lack heavy hitter unit and notably defender class. In turn, Weltluna roster have plenty of Magical, Support and Ranged units which are some of the best in its category.

Interestingly during the end days of Gagharv Mobile on Global server, Weltluna end up to be the recipient of the last roster units with UR Leone and SSR Aida Alter. With Weltluna roster finished, all left is Tirasweel and a master archive to conclude this short homage project of unsung reboot for Falcom hidden JRPG gem.

LOH Gagharv Mobile Hero Archive - El Phildin

 
 The fate of Gagharv Mobile has been set and in 2 weeks, the Global server will shut down. As such I feel this is the right time to start the project of archiving the Gacha game version of Falcom Classic JRPG. I will archive the heroes featured in this series sorted by the original Gagharv Trilogy series following the release order of the storyline in Gagharv Mobile, starting with El Phildin! the region belong to Tears of Vermilion. 

To this day, Tears of Vermilion is still my personal favorite despite Song of the Ocean plays more important role in the overarching storyline. TOV storyline might be old school by JRPG standard but there is always a charm in seeing the sheer will of humanity to defy against the fate ordained by ancient gods and an unbreakable bond of friendship that transcends the depths of hell.

In this hero archive post, I will sort the Hero rarity starting from the highest, starting from main character then move onto UR and until R rarity hero. Considering El Phildin is the first part that Fowgames worked on Gagharv Mobile, bulk of the Hero characters belong to this region. Despite the inevitable tragic fate, I salute Fowgames Dev team tremendous effort for Gagharv mobile even if it is not reciprocated properly in financial term. 

But at very least Fowgames efforts until the end of Global server resonated with me and as such I present this homage! Apologies in advance if I am rather subjective with the list since I will make the entry of the character based on their debut in chronological timeline.

Mecharashi Global Server

 It is already about a month since Mecharashi made it to Global server. I never expected what started from a game project abandoned by Square Enix able to survive for two years in China long enough to transition into global stage. As somebody who constantly look for a mecha game to fill in the void of Final Gear and Super Mecha Champion, I find Mecharashi global server announcement to be compelling and pre-registered in no time.

After playing for several weeks in Global server, my initial impression with Mecharashi is overall quite a positive one. In terms of baseline  design,  Mecharashi  is rather similar to Girls Frontline 2 whether gameplay or gacha but with mecha flavor. Overall Mecharashi is a solid mecha game albeit still thoroughly have Chinese gacha game design at its core.

Legend of Heroes Gagharv Mobile Global Server EOS announcement

 Well, the inevitable fate for Gagharv Mobile has finally arrived. Yesterday Gagharv Mobile dev announced the End-of-Service notice for this game's global server after running for one year. Gagharv Mobile will officially close the Global server on September 24th 2025. After the closure, Gagharv Mobile will only focus on Korea and East Asia server and apparently Global server players have the option to migrate to Korea server with their existing account.

Honkai Star Rail x Fate Collab

 This has to be one of most highlighted event in Gacha game industry since Mihoyo's announcement last year and Fate collab event for Honkai Star Rail is here! In the celebration of the event landing, I am writing this post to pay a homage to the milestones achieved by Fate series. Personally, I am not particularly fond of Mihoyo due to their treatment on Genshin Impact but it is certainly a noteworthy achievement to score a collab with Japanese IP on the level of Fate/Stay Night considering the latter are very well known to be elusive in scoring a collab. Through the Fate x HSR collab event, we got ourselves Saber Artoria and Archer Emiya as playable characters in Honkai Star Rail. Saber Artoria is available as SSR character whereas Mihoyo is generous enough to make Emiya as welfare character.

 

Because my mistrust toward Mihoyo, I will never bother to install Honkai Star Rail for Fate collab. However as Type Moon series fans, this Fate collab event gives out the glimpse what Fate/Grand Order would look like if it got long due makeover treatment which didn't happen due to Sony and Aniplex greed to constantly milk FGO without allocating proper resources to get QoL Updates. Mihoyo probably spent a sum for this collab stunt around the anniversary period of FGO and try to show that Chinese developer does have what it takes to properly make use Popular Japanese IP like Fate instead of relying on Japanese constantly aging talent pool. I do hope Lasengle will learn something from this particular move by Mihoyo to strive on giving better experience with FGO. 

Uma Musume Pretty Derby Global Server - Starter Quick Guide

Even after pledging myself not to touch Uma Musume anymore, turns out curiosity got the best of me! As Uma Musume feed kept flooding into my personal Social Media, I decided to wear my Torena badge once again and give Uma Musume Global version a try. Turns out I still have what it takes to be an Uma Musume Trainer!

Long story short, I picked Oguri Cap as my starter Uma Musume and managed to clear URA Finals within 2 Runs with subpar Support Deck. Back then It took me about 10+ runs just to clear URA, probably due to language limitation but the muscle memory really does carry over which let me to breeze through the game and even clear Urara route in 1 try.

Given the gameplay nature of Uma Musume which will present immense roadblock unless the player understands the rules to properly to raise Uma Musume, I am making a quick short guide to help new players acclimated to Uma Musume in the best and efficient manner. Therefore In this Article, I will try to provide an advice for some Fundamentals of Uma Musume core gameplay along with SSR Char and Support card to look after as Uma Musume JP server player for one year.

Nokia N-Gage Ashen

 
 Nokia N-Gage introduced me to many game genres and FPS is one of them. I got a taste of FPS through Call of Duty Mobile and Ashen, the latter was abit special. Among the limited N-Gage Library, Ashen is quite a special one being a Survival Horror. N-Gage do have some dark fantasy game in its library like Requiem of Hell, but Ashen is the one that truly embrace the horror vibe, In essence it is a Mobile Doom Shooter game.

In Ashen you play as a character who tried to save his Sister in a City that suddenly infested with mysterious energy emitting Black horror creatures after a particular otherwordly experiments go wrong. Split over several stages, the player explore the city turned into Hellscape in Ashen with assorted weapon selections similar to Doom. When I was at High School, I do feel the horror vibe from Ashen as you have to fight against hellish creatures with limited ammo that are carried out through the stages and you will have hard time on certain parts if you run low on ammo for the best weapons. I also remembered quite well that I used a particular Yellow Orb gun as my main weapon since it has regenerating ammo. Lastly the environment designs in Ashen is heavily similar with House of the Dead 2 with its Rustic Europe Canal City which probably help in making a lasting impression not to mention a sprinkle of Lovecraftian horror incorporated in this game in particular Mountain of Madness. 

By present standard, Ashen doesn't seem to be anything special. But for mobile game in mid 2000s, the Quality graphic was ahead of its time and the FPS experience is rather decent. If you like Horror shooters like Doom and wished to give N-Gage a try, Ashen would be a decent choice for your game library.