Spinmaster: Playstation The Shapes Collection - Aloy (Horizon:Forbidden West)

 

One of the first reasons I started collecting action figures was to have a trophy and a fun representative of a game I really enjoyed. When I got my first PlayStation (4, still running!) I fell into a deep immersion in the world of Horizon: Zero Dawn. It's an amazing game with a killer environmental aesthetic, an intriguing world narrative, and a strong female character who doesn't need a romantic relationship to be a valuable main character in the story. Aloy is a strong warrior who is embarking on a quest with a complicated destiny. She has grown up in a world where technology has reverted for humankind into bows and arrows, and yet the planet is roamed by ancient robots that are more animal-like than anything. They begin to act more erratically, though, attacking humans and becoming dangerous in every environment they inhabit. 

Aloy uncovers the mysteries of the world and how it came to be, while also learning more about her own personal history. The combat, stealth and weapon abilities are amazing in the game, as well as how you can command and ride creatures. My favourite in this second game is riding the large robot pterodactyls (Sunwings). Graphics are incredible, though I will say, for some reason, the facial animation for Aloy I wasn't as fond of. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but I preferred it in Horizon: Zero Dawn. 

This figure is a very solid release. The paint isn't as refined as a NECA product, but it's got quite a lot of articulation in spades, a decent range of motion and articulation, and quite a few well-done accessories. Honestly, looking at others in this line makes me want to get most of them, except for maybe Kratos and Atreus, because I already have a very well-done NECA boxed set of them. 

Hasbro Transformers x Naruto - Kurama and Gamakichi

 I grew up watching Transformers, and always enjoyed the shows, especially when they came out with Beast Wars on YTV in Canada back in the 90s. Such a good series of shows! I haven't seen many iterations of Transformers since the early 2000s, like the newer animated series, CGI shows or many of the Michael Bay movies, but you KNOW I'm coming for a crossover involving my favourite anime: Naruto! I haven't had a transformer in a very long time. I think the first couple I had were a mix of official ones like Blaster and then other transforming knock-off type things, like dinosaurs and such. This one is exciting, though! 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime crossover between Hasbro's Transformers and Naruto, and I'm here for it. It's a little crazy to me that this is the first Kurama figure I technically own, though honestly, I would love to buy the one pointed out by a dedicated reader by the Blokees' company. This set of two features a box done in the style of a summoning scroll from Naruto, holding both a regular-sized Kurama and a smaller Gamakichi. 

These transformers are.... well,l the transforming part isn't too bad, not incredibly complicated or anything. Their transformer looks aren't particularly aesthetically pleasing, however, and there is minimal paint and details here. Gamakichi, in particular, looks overly clunky and awkward in his robot form. The animal forms honestly look the best here. As with a lot of smaller transformers, these all have mostly flexible ball joints that allow decent movements.  The accessories are fine, there's enough to work with, though they are also unpainted and not particularly sleek to look at. Rest of this interview....ROLL OUT!