With the coming of Final Fantasy XV, I wanted to touch base on some of the Final Fantasy paraphernalia that I own in my collection. It is inevitable that I will be getting more Final Fantasy based figures or what not, but until I do, let me go back to a blast in the past to the Playarts that started it all: The FFX-2 Playarts, Rikku!
Apparently I can't shoot photos for crap. Random little note. But here is the box for Playarts Rikku and it is pretty apparent that this will be the skeleton for Playarts figures to come for more than a few recognizable waves. It didn't really change completely until the second overhaul of Playarts Kai when we start seeing a 'door' with our open window. Regardless, we have Rikku with a window, official artwork both CG and drawn, then it features Yuna and Paine and instructions on how to build her stand.... okay moving on(as if we needed to know that).
Now as I go through this throw back review, I will try and always mention that Playarts Rikku is about 13 years out of date. She was released in 2003 so when we get a picture with this kind of accessory for a Playarts (I did not include the stand because this particular out of box Rikku has loaned her stand to someone else; yes I have two of these Rikku; used to have three!), the judgement and pitchforks will not come out as fast. Lack of variations in arms and absolutely NO interchangeable face, Playarts was definitely not what it is now with its Kai version.
Now, right off the get go, the ensemble(or whatever clothes Rikku wears anyways) definitely imitates Rikku's default Thief dress sphere. Even in their early days, Playarts was definitely up there when it comes to awesome paint, great sculpting to get the aesthetics, and of course there is something to be said with the 'additional' pervy appreciation with her thong(I did not take a picture of that though). BUT the skin tone is a bit off. Rikku has a bit of a tan to her... which makes sense with how little clothing she wears. The face isn't as "Rikkuness" as we would want either and those spiral green eyes are missing!
Now what really hurts this figure is the articulation. The possibility is as basic as your classic Toybiz days with a few additional swivels(ankle and arms). Not only that, the way she is sculpted, it is rather awkward to have her pose for a shot! Even if I wanted to, I could not get Rikku into a familiar stance! No "YRP" posing for her in this case. Even with the addition of the dagger wielding hand, it lacks the proper ability to turn so suffice it to say, it comes short of making the dynamics of the figure to the next step. Though some might get a kick with the 'articulation' on her hair and her scarf.... one can twist the scarf since it is sculpted separately and her long 'pony tail' is also a separate piece. Both are made of this soft 'rubber' like material.
She can do that pose! That's one thing that is somewhat relatable to a Rikku-like signature stance.
All in all, this Rikku does not have what it takes to stand up to the present versions of the Playarts line up. I would truly like it if Square Enix revisits the X-2 line up and pay homage to the three figures that paved the way with a Kai version... BUT.... won't hold my breath. Regardless, with some great sculpting and a decent likeness to our spunky Al Bhed, one can truly get something out of this figure. Though for collectors who are fans of great dynamic poses and articulation, do not expect much of this figure. Funny little fact, she still fetches for a decent price on the market as she did sometime back. Probably because this is it when it comes to a X-2 version of Rikku that isn't a miniature figurine like. So with that said, I do not regret having her in my collection. I just keep in mind that most of her qualities as a figure are expired an did not survive the test of time.
