Review 1000Toy’s SDCC Exclusive Synthetic Human Test Body

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Knives

INTRO:
The last two years I attended San Diego Comic Con, I carried on my iphone a virtual shopping list full of con exclusives and random merch I planned to hunt down and pay ridiculous amounts of money to obtain. I’d spend the lion’s share of my time at the con working my way back and forth across the show floor attempting to cross everything off it. I’d end up flying back home with two or three bags and a suitcase full of goodies, toys, comics, shirts and the general swag you collect over the grueling, yet enjoyable 4-5 day geek-fest.

This year however, I simplified. I had a single, solitary toy on my list. Just one. 1000Toys Synthetic Human Test Body which was being sold exclusively at the Bluefin booth. 1000Toys, for those not in the know, haven’t been cranking out figures very long. In fact, this is their first con exclusive and only their second figure to officially release. The first being the original Synthetic Human. I was excited and anxious to be a part of that relatively small group of people who could get their mitts on an awesome looking toy from a fairly young, promising company.

Continue reading →

REVIEW ThreeZero – Titanfall Atlus

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Knives

INTRO:

Titanfall, arguably one of the best games available for the Xbox One, also has some of the most interesting and fresh character and bot designs (from the amazingly talented Joel Emslie) I’ve seen in a game in a long while. The incredible art direction, along with the high pedigree of the game’s developers forced me, a non-XboxOne-owning-PS4-guy, to scoop up the game for my PC the second it was available. I played it almost religiously for months, squeezing in a round or three whenever I could, to step up my game, marvel at the graphical spit-shine and beautiful giant robots adorning my screen. While I’m certainly not the best player in the game, because of it’s exciting character/bot designs and new twist on the ol’ FPS formula, it has a special place in my video game addled heart. I often find myself thinking, “I should try to play Titanfall today when I get home from the office”. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, life gets in the way and my time to spend playing video games isn’t frequent. But when I read Threezero’s announcement that they were working on toys for Respawn’s massive hit, my ears perked up and my pulse quickened. Unexpectedly, my mouse/trigger finger started twitching. I hit save on the Zbrush sculpt I’d been working on and found myself swept back into to the world of Titanfall. Stomped, punched and shot by these lovely Titan’s all over again. And I loved it.

I seriously haven’t been so excited to see a toy manifest since ThreeZero started trickling out production shots of Atlas and his pilot, months ago. But I had to question, given the insanely complex robot designs and details layered upon details.. how any toy company could pull it off properly?

Well, sometimes it pays to have faith and when it’s coming from ThreeZero, I have a LOT of faith. Continue reading →

SDCC 2014 Toys, Cosplay and Words!

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Knives

I can’t believe just a week ago I was taking my first strides into the belly of preview night at San Diego Comic Con 2014. As usual, there was an almost insurmountable amount of stuff to gawk at and photograph, incredible cosplay and more things I wanted to buy than what my wallet (and wife) would allow.

Here’s a handful of words about how the show treated me.

Toy wise, I actually left this year with relatively little packed away in my suitcase. I happily picked up the coveted 1000toys Prototype.. which was my #1 choice for toy exclusive this year. (Review to come) Honestly, the only other exclusive I really wanted I completely missed out on simply by virtue of failing to pick it up as soon as I walked in the door, Play Art Kai’s Metal Gear Solid Punished Snake. After seeing the full color version at Play Art’s booth, I wasn’t so bummed out as he looks a lot better painted up than the faux bronze job on the exclusive. I know I’ll be picking him up once he’s available at retail.

Continue reading →

3A Square 8Pack

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Knives

This little write up isn’t going to be so much a review as it’s a quick overview of a recent release that just arrived at my doorstep.

Ashley Wood’s WWR Square design is one of, if not the most iconic toy designs from the artist. As a supposed last hurrah to celebrate the love many have for the little fellah, 3A released a limited 60 min sale of this great 8 pack in what is meant to be the last time we see 3A/Ash post a classic WWR Square for sale.

Ash has changed his mind in the past, but if these really are the last of their kind.. they’re leaving on a pretty good note! The new designs are not tied to previously existing World War Robot factions as in the past.. ie: Iron Panda, Emergency, Medic, JEA.. but instead seem to be pulled from creative thin air, loosely tying into things most of us have no previous knowledge of. All in all, I love the set. It’s bright and colorful and it’s hard not to love that toothy grin.

Here’s a few more pics to enjoy! You can view the full gallery over on our facebook and flickr pages!