(EA Figures) Mass Effect Series I: Tali' Zorah

Let me break away from bombarding the blog with my POP collection. This time around, let me do a review on a figure that I've had for a long time now but just haven't taken it out of the package. In celebration to the upcoming release of Mass Effect Andromeda, I finally decided to do something with those figures that was in my Mass Effect shrine wall. So the first to come out of her shell is none other than Tali'Zorah! Let's see how this older figure held out after such a long time in stasis.

This case is always hard to open up compared to the standard Marvel Legends packaging; they remind me of Toybiz days, which provides protection and some aesthetics to it, which was part of the reason that made me ambivalent about opening her. Regardless, I went through with it.

Right away, it's easy to point out that the mold is pretty accurate to the character. Though this version of Tali does seem to fit more in line with her ME1 rather than her ME2 version(the line is based off the second game). Now it's not exactly a expensive figure at the time so I didn't expect it to have the details that would capture every essence of Tali, but it does fall flat and dark in the pallette department.

As for the mold and the sculpt in general, it's pretty accurate. She has the quarian feet and hands going on so it's just as accurate as you can get since most of Tali's anatomy is still pretty humanoid.

Althought we didn't really get an "official" glimpse of what Tali actually looked like until ME3, we always get those mysterious eyes and a silohoutte of that face within her 'bowl head'. This figure did not deliver on that fact though; not like the other figures I have.

Tali comes with her shotgun and her Omni-Tool; the Omni-tool is supposed to come off but I'm afraid of breaking it so it stays permanently on her hand. Not much in the accessory departmens, that's for sure.

As far as articlulation, this figure is very outdated. Then again, when she came out, she was basically a statue with some minor articulation. She comes with a stand which helps get her in some dynamic poses; or at the very least, it helps her from falling over.

I take it back; her Playarts Kai version did not have those enigmatic eyes; her Bishoujo did though. And once can see just how 'dark' she is next two these other ones. It's hard to compare her with these gals since she is after all the lower quality one.

I did not expect to have an amazing Tali figure when I opened her. I don't expect that for the rest of the series either but I do appreciate this one and with Mass Effect being one of my favorite games of all time, if the figures just pay homage to MOST of the characters that they are supposed to be, then I have very little gripe with a figure that is nearly a decade old. 

Bishoujo: Tali'Zorah

She is finally here! The second statue addition for my 2016 line up and it's only March! My oh my! What a year it is going to be for collecting! Well, before any of that, I do want to talk about this beauty. Other than the obvious fact that I love Tali and all the things she is from Mass Effect, this statue proves to be a gem! So with that opinion in tow, let's go ahead and jump on the figure and scrutinize what makes her great in my opinion!

Somehow I was under the impression only special version have black boxes. Guess I was wrong, but Tali is special. Well, on to the figure!

We'll do a complete look at the figure but just looking at this angle, I have to say she is gorgeous. We'll start off by talking about her paint job... immaculate! Everything about the different variations of purple really does make you think Tali. The patterns on her 'clothing' is also rather recognizable and the small hints of gold all about are also accurate. The layers and all the different textures that are put into this are just amazing.

 

 

Then of course the black contrasts along with the silver! I can't go enough in details to say just how much I am impressed with Kotobukiya's work on the paint job. Time after time I am just astounded by how well this company can make a popular female character and make them 'their own version'. Though Tali, paint job and all, still symbolizes her Bioware counter part in every way.

Now when we talk about the sculpt, yes this is Tali. Down to the core. The way her veil hangs around her head, the little straps here and there, her signature Quarian hands and feet, then the wonderful 'mysterious' face that is just teased through her helmet:

We did get a 'canon' version of her face in Mass Effect 3, so perhaps it would have been nice to get a variant. But I know not a lot of fans appreciated that and some even want to keep this mysterious look of Tali; so for that sake, this one looks good. It's transparent to see the shape of her face and the 'eyes', but not enough to reveal anything about her enigma that she held from Mass Effect 1 until near the end of Mass Effect 3.

The details on her Quarian Reegar Carbine is amazing as well. Just the rivets, the certain color palette to signify metal... man.

Then look at those different textures put into her suit. The straps. I love those different honeycomb sections then to the... uh.... err.... This is Tali accurate!

And just like Jane Shepard and Juri Han, Tali has alternate stand designs. As you can tell, I chose the Tali art more than the 'Mass Effect 3' lettering for a permanent stand. Though, I do know this suit more from Mass Effect 2; and that game was my favorite out of the three.

And here is Bishoujo Tali next to some of my Mass Effect Playarts Kai figures(Garrus and Tali). Obviously Tali Bishoujo has the details while the Playarts Kai has the articulation and the accessories. I don't have too many Mass Effect collectibles, but I do love what I have. I swear I will have a 'redo' review for some of these figures.

And as I mentioned before, FemShep shares her alternate stand and I still have Ms. Shepard designed with her Renegade symbol and her gun rather than her Ombi-blade. They stand well side by side, I say.

And here she is in my Mass Effect shelf that is slowly growing. I don't think there are anymore in my crosshairs when it comes to Mass Effect merchandise so I should be good. Though those POPs.... hmmm.

I didn't mention the 'negative' things about this Bishoujo--that's because there is hardly any for me. I mean, a variant weapon or head is always nice, but this one is as simple as it is awesome. I think this is a lovely addition to anyone Mass Effect/ Tali fans. Bishoujo did a great job and it isn't so anime enough to take away for anyone who loves Mass Effect but aren't big into the anime versions of some of the work Bishoujo does. I love her and I'm glad to have her in my collection!

Also for those who are interested, there is a variant colored version. I am pretty sure I won't be getting her because the change isn't that drastic to warrant buying it; basically it almost feels like I'd be buying the figure twice.

Bishoujo: Tali Z'orah vas Normandy

(Coming in the future)

What a beauty! I'm sure she will be available everywhere, but as of right now, she is preordered in BigBadToyStore!

Look at the detail on her! Wonder if there will be some kind of special variant for her face?

She does come with a grey variant, which I don't think I'll be getting. In the mean time... can't wait till I get her! 

N7 Day

Never truly forgotten. N7 Day everyone!

Mass Effect: "Firefly"

This Video was a year in the making. Glad I finally made it though. I personally love this, I thought the story concurs with the music quite so well.

No 'Gemini' Sig at the end. Figured it would be so freaking redundant.

Bishoujo: Commander Shepard

BigBadToystore

She has indeed arrived! Commander Shepard in her Bishoujo adaptation! Been gawking at this bad girl for the longest time now and because of a certain special occasion, I finally have her in my possession! Armed and ready to add some more Mass Effect Badass'ness!!!!

Again the boxes of Bishoujos are always something to marvel at! The transparent cover and the art style is again tempting to leave such statue in their respected box, but again, I'm no longer THAT type of collector in regards to certain ones.

Interchangeable arms allows for certain 'action' postures. The famous and ME3 exclusive omniblade returns and for the variant arm is the M55 Argus Rifle(barely used it in ME3, honestly). As impressive as that 'minor' addition is in this statue, one thing that really got my collector senses on haywire(the good way) is the fact that they added a little bit more attention to 'detail' with these:

Yes, you discerned correctly! One can change the base's 'design' and make it either paragon or renegade! One just merely has to open the bottom part of the base and place whichever insignia one would find adequate for how one played. Honestly, I was mostly paragon, but the renegade fits the color scheme so I know which one I went with.

Details on the face isn't something I would say adheres to the Jane Shepard that we know in the game(the default one, of course). She is adorned by the common 'face' of anime which is 'perfect', immaculate facial texture, and did I mention if looks could kill? I suppose they managed to get the hairstyle, but other than that, it isn't the prominent FemShep.

The omni posture looks intimidating enough. Truth to be told, the details on her armor is immaculate to the game with all the ridges and the panels. While Shepard's armor has always been on the 'skin tight' side(which makes it more appealing for the female version), it always has that 'armor plating' look to it which makes it convincing that she can take a few rounds or so. That or her invisible shields can do the trick before her armor!

Side profile and back side does her justice as well. My only small gripe is that I wish that they spent some coloring on the area where there is lighting(closer to her shoulder blades). Red coloring would do well with it, but again, no real worries on that part.

Not that there would be a substantial difference, but it's nice to add in the variant of this Bishoujo. With the renegade stand and the M55 Argus, let's see how she looks, shall we?

Not much of a difference I know. But again, it does shifts perspective a bit with having a gun instead of an omniblade. With that said...

I should go.... and place her amongst her fellow N7 collection!

The shelf itself is starting to get vibrant more than ever! Loving the addition of both Mordin and Jane Shepard for this month! If I add another N7 related toy, I will have to do some reorganizing. 

Mordin Solus: "Someone Else Might've Gotten It Wrong"

BigBadToyStore

As I have listed off in my recent post(Minor Addition), I was planning on getting this one in my collection in some way or the other. Well, in good grace here he is, Mordin Solus! Or a bust form of him anyways(Hey Square Enix! How about a playarts Kai of the rest of the crew, huh?! You guys made 15 Sephiroths why not at least ONE of each of the Normandy crew?!). Honestly, if they made a bit more Mordin product, I'd probably get most of them(taking in the notion that they are to my liking) since Mordin is one character that I am enamored by! For a myriad of reasons, so this bust is a GREAT addition!

 

As expected from a bust, there isn't much to go of in regards to 'posing' or 'articulation'. The only real thing one can get out of that is the removable 'head piece' that Mordin wears and from my memory, he NEVER took off in the game. I think his other alternate outfits had this apparatus in it.

 

The details are pretty close to immaculate. He retains the scars in his bust form that he 'proudly' carries in the game. A true show that this Salarian isn't just some pijack scientist! He is from an elite force of this particular alien race. Though I do wish he has his arms doing some famous 'pondering' posture. Of course that would mean that this wouldn't be the 'frugal' price it would've been if more material was added. Still happy with it though.

But this little saying makes it Mordin authentic(it was already, but I'm just saying)! His famous and rather cathartic quote makes this piece just Right; any other less words in the bust would get it wrong.

Added to my Mass Effect shelf, it sure adds more 'color' to it. I'm thoroughly elated and not to mention it adds a less than awkward stance to my oddball (and rather dwarf like) Normandy! Anyways, that's that for now! Check that off the list and let's see where else we are going with this month in regards to addition to my Red Game Room!