Author: David Hogan

Doctor Who: Joy to the World Review

David HoganLeave a comment

While it’s nice to once again watch a new Doctor Who Christmas Special on actual Christmas, I will have to say that “Joy to the World” was a mixed bag leaning towards boring, at least in my opinion (which after all is what a review is, so I don’t know why I typed that…) It has some good ideas and some fun sequences but it was also capped off by the most Steven Moffat-y ending you could imagine, which at this point is somewhat nostalgic but still… Ah, enough waffling, let’s take a look!

Continue reading →

Mario Kart 8 (Wii U) / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) Review

David HoganLeave a comment

Back in March of 2022 I started a look at all the Mario Kart games tying in with each DLC release for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and stated that I’d end with a look at the game itself, so let’s do that, even though it’s been nearly a year since I looked at Mario Kart 7, but hey… it’s been a busy year. I’ll be looking at both versions but let’s be honest, 8 Deluxe is just 8 with more stuff so there isn’t really any reason to look back at the Wii U original too hard…

Continue reading →

Doctor Who: The Quintessence Review

David HoganLeave a comment

It’s time for another story from probably my most anticipated Doctor Who range of them all at the moment: the Third Doctor adventures. “The Quintessence” is the next in the line of older Jo Grant (or Jo Jones) adventures that got off to a bad start last year but I’m happy to say that this second set is among the very best this year. While it starts slowly (and oddly familiar) it turns into not just a great story but a great story with the Cybermen, the original Mondas ones no less. Let’s take a look!

Continue reading →

Gundam: Requiem For Vengeance Review

David Hogan6 Comments

I should have been thrilled when I heard a new Universal Century set Gundam series was being made but it soon became obvious it was a CG show, which rarely hits with me, and then as more and more trailers came out it seemed less and less like Gundam and more like generic “hoo-rar” American army stuff with UC era mobile suits in it, the often super realistic CG only serving to make things even less appealing as it crossed over to the uncanny valley. At six episodes it didn’t over-stay its welcome at least, but I’m glad the recently revealed new Gundam show “G-Quuuuux” or however you write that insane title shows this extremely Westernised take on Gundam isn’t a new direction… Let’s take a look!

Continue reading →

Doctor Who: The Great Beyond Review

David HoganLeave a comment

“The Great Beyond” is the latest Fifth Doctor release from Big Finish and has taken the approach of doing a six-parter, something that can sometimes lead to a great story full of slow-burn plots and great characterisation, but often ends up spinning its wheels and padding out the story poorly, and I’m sorry to say this is very much the latter. It’s a shame as there are some fun sci-fi ideas on display here and the TARDIS team is well realised, but the plot doesn’t survive the nearly three hours, and the new characters barely survive the one scene they’re introduced in! Let’s take a look, anyway…

Continue reading →

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS) Review

David HoganLeave a comment

Continuing with my playthrough of the DS Castlevania games thanks to the Dominus Collection we have “Portrait of Ruin”. Thankfully the game pulls all the way back on the touch screen stuff and it adds some fun new gameplay elements, but it also doubles-down on the lighter tone and anime aesthetics and makes some not-so-fun gameplay decisions! A mixed bag indeed… Let’s take a look!

Continue reading →

Star Wars: The High Republic – Children of the Storm / The Hunted Review

David HoganLeave a comment

The High Republic comics return in the shape of two connected story arcs: “Children of the Storm” and “The Hunted”. Weirdly the story then takes a break for a full cast audio drama before continuing next year, which is fine for me (a quick look on this blog will show I’m not averse to an audio drama!) but might be slightly alienating to a lot of the audience… Ah well, either way, let’s take a look at the first chunk of Phase III comics, shall we?

Continue reading →

Doctor Who: The Happiness Patrol Review

David HoganLeave a comment

Another Doctor Who blu-ray set dropped, so it’s time for another review! Season 25-wise the story that I haven’t watched in the longest time was The Happiness Patrol, a weird bit of political commentary that’s caught between the super-child-friendly Season 24 mood and the more-serious (for Doctor Who) storytelling of Season 26. It… doesn’t entirely work, but there are some really good scenes in it though, especially the ending, so let’s take a look!

Continue reading →

My Hero Academia – The Final Arc (Episodes 144 – 159) Review

David Hogan1 Comment

We’ve reached the final story arc in My Hero Academia, but due to its length we’re only getting the first half this year, which is fine. Beats the olds ways of filler, anyway! Due to this being a final battle though there isn’t going to be a lot of plot to talk about, instead a lot of action. There are two good dives into the heads of long-recurring villains though, so that’s always fun. Let’s take a look!

Continue reading →

Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend Review

David HoganLeave a comment

“The Stuff of Legend” is an odd one in that it was more conceived as a live show experience than a traditional release, though this version I listened to was a simple studio recorded version before they “took it on tour”. That means it doesn’t fit into a range or anything, it’s just a two-hour Eighth Doctor and Charley story featuring the Alex Macqueen Master… which is honestly good enough for me as I love all of those things! It also has the Daleks, which can be good or bad at this point, and some pretty generic supporting characters… So basically the story isn’t breaking any new ground at any point, but it’s fun enough. Let’s take a look!

Continue reading →