DC Collectibles: Arkham Knight Harley Quinn(Variant)

Let's take a break from Marvel Legends for a moment and talk about DC Collectibles. Harley Quin's last few years has been more than fruitful to say the least! She has come a long way from her Animated Series self, and for some fans of Harley Quinn, that's a bad thing because she has become so sexualized and pure fan service in some case. For me, I lean on both side of the spectrums. Sexualization of a character doesn't really bother me because, hey, I'm me. So, with that said, let's get to the review!

This action figure is based on a video game version of Harley Quinn; this is, in fact, a variant of her Arkham Knight outfit. All in all, the box exudes that same metallic, video game theme. Nothing too special, but still a good change from all the Marvel Legends I have been reviewing.

Right off the get go, I will say that she is gorgeous. As a fan of Harley Quinn, this is a good-looking take on her Animated Series look. Then again, this skin in Arkham Knight looks amazing in-game. Vibrant red, sleek shiny black, and the face is pretty. The details on her harlequin signature details (collar, cuffs, ear dangles) are just accurate and really stands out in a figure that is dominantly black and red.

And her mold is just gorgeous too. Sexy, petite, and does not fall in the egregious ways that some Harley Quinn figures are done with the huge chests that does not fit Harley Quinn at all. And I will just say it now that her mold, color, and her entire aesthetics, in general, is her highlight. Basically, the paint in this figure is just adorable and sexy all at the same time, and the body is a pretty solid Harley Quinn TAS throwback with a little bit more sass that she is known for today.

Now her accessories aren't bad at all since she comes with three pair of hands that are mirror of each other. You get an open palm, a fist, and a bat holding hand; but unfortunately for me, her left hand that holds her other accessory, her bat, broke(the black one). Did I mention this figure is petite and slim? So that makes her hand tiny and apparently fragile. I do wish that she did come with alternate faces since she just has a stern look on her face. She needs a grinning and angry face to make her Harley Quinn ambiance stick out.

Right off the get go, as far as her articulation made to be beautiful, not articulated.
goes, she isn't very adaptable. It's really hard to get her in some signature Harley Quin poses because she basically have no torso movement. Her upper body is basically stuck in this provocative pose and you can get some dynamic poses with, but not a whole lot. You can get plenty of sexual standing, kneeling, and sitting, but not a ton on her jumping around, nor can you even pose her holding her bat the way Harley would. This for sure is the downfall of this figure for anyone looking for a definitive Harley Quinn figure.

And here she is next to some of my Harley Quinns. Her Injustice costume, New 52, Arkham City, and her Amecomi; with the exception of the Amecomi, these are just my articulated figures I am showcasing. Obviously I have some Bishoujos and POPs of her. Just with this set alone, it's amazing just how far Harley has changed over the years. And this isn't even all her costumes either!

All in all, this Harley is a very beautiful figure... or more like a small, somewhat articulated statue. Paint is awesome, mold is great, and even she is spot on as classic as we can get with Harley. But for anyone looking for a poseable and dynamic Harley, this might not be it. Also, she isn't exactly TAS 100%; she is a variant of the Akrham Knight Harley Quinn costume so for anyone looking for a definitive classic Harley, one might have to look elsewhere.
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Final Fantasy XV: Reclaim Your Throne (trailer)

THIS. THIS (and Elder Scrolls 6) is what I will buy a PS4 for!

Final Fantasy is not an MMO (neither is Elder Scroll) for me. I cannot fathom playing a Final Fantasy (looking at you FFXI and FFXIV) and have a bunch of nobodies try to take my quest with me. I don't care how much 'fan service' or 'story' an MMO has but leave Final Fantasy out of it for me! From what I know, WoW is the king of MMO anyways so Square, abandon FFXIV already and start working on your other Final Fantasies as a single player entity!

Now when I saw the FFXIII trailer some time ago, I had a feeling it was going to be good; but that feeling leaned on the graphics, battle system, and just the overall looks. I was right with the graphics and the beauty of it, but I didn't put my bet on the story and the chemistry. FFXIII, while it held some good things, was a total debacle to the lot of Final Fantasy fans. Well, I feel something good about the story of this game. I feel some kind of chemistry and the battle sequences might very well be what Final Fantasy needs to truly put it back on its mark (wonder how FFVII remake will do?).

Regardless, I am afraid that having only four main characters might take away from the game. Final Fantasy and its 'generic' and always fun 'personality reoccurrence' characters were the bread and butter of characters (A Rikku, Yuffie, Vanille, etc and the other personalities).

But, I will be getting a PS4 on September-ish. Here we go! Preparing to reclaim my damn throne!

"...No I won't be afraid.... just as long.... as you stand... Stand by me..."

Currently Playing:

DA3: I'll probably never do a review on this game. Then again, I can't remember I actually had the time and the incentive to do video game reviews. But... this game is definitely a great game to dive into right now!

The characters are still sublime(still miss Hawke, Merril, and Leliana in the party though) and it still has that great voice acting and interaction that Bioware is known for(Mass Effect is a testament of that I should say). The gameplay is still a bit of DA2 and the environment is vast! Great game! During my times of not delving into my writing or blogging about my collection, this game for sure has my attention!

FFX: Yeah I've had this game for over a year now and nothing... I'm not sure if I'll ever get to finish it but... yeah. It's somewhere in the mix! I want to get to FFX-2 HD someday too!

Skyrim: I mostly play this out of reference, but I do enjoy this game quite a bit still! That and there are trophies I am still fervent about and I want to fight that legendary dragon that has yet to cross my screen! 

FINAL FANTASY XV TGS 2014 TRAILER

Been waiting for this. I can't wait until this comes out! 

Official Batman: Arkham Knight Announce Trailer - "Father to Son"

Ps4 anyone?! I might have that reason to save up for one now. 

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster New Features Trailer

Can't freaking wait!

And is that Eternal Calm CG NOT Tara Strong?! If it isn't, that's freaking blasphemy!

"I suppose some bonds just can't be broken."

-Paine

Currently Playing:

Ah yes. Finally a Video Game that will really entice me for a bit. Perhaps gaming became a very sparse hobby as of late, but there are still games in my radar that I am more than happy to indulge on. This game being one of them, of course! So how to start off with "D2" in the first few hours of gameplay?

Well....

The whimsical and somewhat downright juvenile humor remains!

The Disgeae charm to say the least! And that's just me saying it in the first chapter. I'm sure it is a perpetual flavor considering that all Disgeae sequels(despite them not being direct sequels for Laharl and crew) all have that same zest to them.

Gameplay remains the same. Special moves are just vibrant and just downright aesthetically funny as they were before in previous games. There are some 'new' flavors added, but it's still the same old song; something that should never be fully messed with since it's a system that works.

Customization remains starkly the same. There was some 'major difference' described in an article I read about this segment. I have yet to run across this 'major change'. Regardless, I invite the old system(duh) and whatever 'new' and innovative element they can add to this.

Artwork still there. A big improvement can be deciphered if one puts the original Disgeae and the direct sequel's artwork side to side. The witty lines are still prominent as well as it ties in with the humor part.

All in all, I'm enjoying this game. While it was only the 3rd one that I didn't much care for, to have Laharl, Etna, and Flonne back as the main three is more than an added perk! It's zenith and nostalgia in one!!!! 

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.

Currently Playing:

Yup. Deadpool! What to say about this game... I have to say it's a Deadpool fan service. Anyone remotely interested in this jovially insane character would find something to enjoy. Have to say, it's got a few things it needs improvement. Still early in the game and I'm hoping that the gameplay gets a bit more .... what's the word? Innovative. BUT!

Fan service for sure. 

E3: Teasers #3

Lords of Shadow 2

The 'EPIC' conclusion? I hope it goes out with a bang and surpasses the first one by a few miles! Elated that they actually show gameplay!

A Contrasting Visage

Just a little rant for this game I will be purchasing sometime in the future(actually, already paid for just waiting for the 'set in stone' release date). While there are many who will more than send off their tirades that FFX-2 is where the destruction of Final Fantasy began with Square Enix taking over, I say who gives a care? I mean, I am still more than adamant that FFXIII-2 is the most abhorrent out of ALL the Final Fantasy spin offs, but here I am still more than willing to say that AT LEAST there was some sort of solace in that game if one tries hard enough!!! So going with FFX-2, there is something charming about this game; unless one isn't into pretty girls jovially flaunting their assets the way they do in this game! So enough of that rebuttal of what is and what isn't between the ever so on going war of Final Fantasy Fans. Let's talk improvement!

(I used a couple of sources for these images. The most 'helpful' one with the implemented fonts belongs to: Examiner.com: FFX2 HD graphics)

Final Fantasy X/X-2 In game:

The Original graphics of FFX in game

Enhanced graphics for the HD remix

Now one has to forgive me if I am a bit more enthusiastic with FFX-2's images. For the record, I know for a fact that FFX's story and maturity was far more elating than FFX-2, but again, to me there was something charming about the game. I think people who hate Rikku who are male just haven't had the full throttle sensuality of a woman(I know, that was a rather ingenious point out, but I can have some immature whims at any point in my blog; I'm sure the assumption is not entirely correct though!)

Again thanks to examiner.com for the images!

Let's not indulge too much on one of the hottest gals of Final Fantasy and take a look at the rest of the freaking Gullwings!

So the in game cut scenes are more vibrant, smoother, and details are a bit more prominent. I believe in game itself when the player is controlling the character have some pictures out in the space of the web but I'll leave that be for now. I'm elated to see the in game combat though! Now as for the cut scenes themselves ... 

Nostalgic original opening.

Enhanced High Definition.

Way back when the cut scenes were amazing as all hell as it was. 

Cut scenes wise there is a few things to be able to scrutinize, but again, it already looked damn good before. Unless we are sitting here trying to compare it to FFXIII's exuberant graphics! That would be asinine indeed to say so since well, FFXIII is the pinnacle of Square Enix at this given moment. Anyways, before I tangent off, that is it for now. I'm sure there will be more teasers before the game gets released. Still waiting on a release date by the way. 

Injustice: Bad Girls!

Injustice: Gods Among Us Review

So here is my first update on the game Injustice! And it's about the new skins available call the "Bad Girls". Basically, it's an update for Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Wonder Woman! Harley's original skin probably enamors more than enough fans since it is her apparel that she entered the Animated series in that made her canon in the Batman universe. Catwoman's I believe could be discerned as her New 52 costume without the mask while Wonder Woman's "#600" attire is the one that gets the most aspersions from fanboys who adore Diana showing off more skin and shy away from modesty.

There is a lot of fun seeing some of the fan favorite femme fatales in their new threads. Familiar aberrations make a great alluring sight especially when we are talking about the Catwoman and Harley Quinn insinuated rivalry(February Damsel of The Month). Wouldn't it be fun though if we get a bit of that episode in this game? Now I know, that is being overzealous with the wishes.

Speaking aesthetics with all three, I personally like Harley Quinn the best and despite me not being a big fan of Wonder Woman's revamped attire way back when, I do think it does some good in this game. Sure does a whole hell of a lot better than "Selina Kyle" alternate since that one seems a bit too insipid.

 

 

I am hoping for animated Catwoman or Arkham Catwoman sometime in the future! That would be a real awesome fan service! Speaking of Fan Service!

It's a rhetoric question if you ask. Trust me.

So to answer the subliminal, YES. I HAD TO.

So back to the topic at hand. The new threads does make an enticing show of beat downs and exuberant super moves or what not against each other and other DC characters in the roster(Lobo was added in, by the way; probably won't get him. Could care less about him).

 

But despite all of this I am do have my prowess to a certain winged warrior who happens to have the voice of a prominent voice actor as well! 

Now Hawkgirl would be the person I am eager to see what her alternate outfit would be. Black Lantern perhaps? Or her not so enamoring animated series version? Oddly enough, I know very little about this character aside from the fact that she is a female version of Hawkman(duh). Perhaps I will do my research sometime soon but she does make a very good playable character for my taste. Until the time she does get her own alternate outfit...

Face...

...To...

...MACE!!!

Satisfaction Level: 7/10!