Well, lets be a little analytical, shall we?
Hi, I'm new by the way, nice to meet everyone.
I'm using up my Junior Member excessively long post allowance right now if that's cool?
The pictures we have so far tend to point in that direction that the figure won't be shouldering any rifles. Nor looking down any PSG-1 scopes convincingly. That seems to be pretty unanimous between supporters of the new look and of the less enamoured.
First question is: do they look any more realistic?
Subjective right? But clearly from certain angles they do. Then, from other angles, particularly the sides where there seems to be no evidence of an elbow (which note, isn't much different from the silhouette on the standard hot angel double elbow) they are pretty lacking in the realism department.
Still on the whole they look somewhat more akin to a real life video game character arm, than the standard hot angel double elbow joint, hereafter rather lame-ishly referred to as the SHADE joint. (By me at least.)
Second: Do they make the figure look more realistic?
Well, the points I'd like to raise are that:
The silhouette, the "I'm squinting at it" look would suggest yes.
On the other hand, the visible split at the shoulders and neck, the obviousness of the wrist joints, the sculpted hair, and all the old stuff, like the scale of the stitching etc., would suggest that it's still a ways away in terms of being ultra realistic. Plus it is a video game character.
Clearly the divide tends to arise on two common issues:
Durability and Poseability.
To expand on these, I guess I have to approach it with a bias. Lets take pro-SHADE joints.
Durability: The groan of a Hot Toys owner falling foul to a broken/split muscle arm is not to be mocked or taken lightly
Due to excessive posing, or just quality control is irrelevant. All the amazing sculpting, clothing and accessories nonwithstanding, if I put down HK$950 for a toy, I expect it to be solid as a rock. I think durability here should be a fundament, not a luxury, nor sidelined because of the aforementioned awesome. In fact for that kablammy I expect it to make my breakfast for me. Others may disagree. But the fact remains - all metal has a fatigue limit. Once that's crossed you have a broken Sheva. Or Dutch. Or...
Poseability - I would argue that to varying degrees creating the realism and likeness of a figure is affected by the ability to do what the character does, putting it in iconic poses and so forth. Sheva doesn't shoot from the hip. This also dovetails with durability as leaving the arms flexed for extended periods isn't recommended for the rubbers longevity. That somewhat kills the iconic poses. And that should be an issue for everyone.
She won't be elbowing any majina either really.
Anyway, if you don't want to pose it much and are unconcerned by the potential deterioration, then these points don't add up to much.
One other point. There hasn't been as much complaint for the torso sheaths used. Why is that? I would suggest that for one, there articulation is perhaps less critical, and also perhaps because the rubber doesn't need to be stressed excessively to get the full range of motion.
So, first - I'd be impressed if any one has read all that. and second:
Please save Sheva's arms!! No funky tube break-easy muscle arm!!! Jiminy Christmas at least have an interchangeable set!!
duh
Hi, I'm new by the way, nice to meet everyone.
I'm using up my Junior Member excessively long post allowance right now if that's cool?
The pictures we have so far tend to point in that direction that the figure won't be shouldering any rifles. Nor looking down any PSG-1 scopes convincingly. That seems to be pretty unanimous between supporters of the new look and of the less enamoured.
First question is: do they look any more realistic?
Subjective right? But clearly from certain angles they do. Then, from other angles, particularly the sides where there seems to be no evidence of an elbow (which note, isn't much different from the silhouette on the standard hot angel double elbow) they are pretty lacking in the realism department.
Still on the whole they look somewhat more akin to a real life video game character arm, than the standard hot angel double elbow joint, hereafter rather lame-ishly referred to as the SHADE joint. (By me at least.)
Second: Do they make the figure look more realistic?
Well, the points I'd like to raise are that:
The silhouette, the "I'm squinting at it" look would suggest yes.
On the other hand, the visible split at the shoulders and neck, the obviousness of the wrist joints, the sculpted hair, and all the old stuff, like the scale of the stitching etc., would suggest that it's still a ways away in terms of being ultra realistic. Plus it is a video game character.
Clearly the divide tends to arise on two common issues:
Durability and Poseability.
To expand on these, I guess I have to approach it with a bias. Lets take pro-SHADE joints.
Durability: The groan of a Hot Toys owner falling foul to a broken/split muscle arm is not to be mocked or taken lightly
Due to excessive posing, or just quality control is irrelevant. All the amazing sculpting, clothing and accessories nonwithstanding, if I put down HK$950 for a toy, I expect it to be solid as a rock. I think durability here should be a fundament, not a luxury, nor sidelined because of the aforementioned awesome. In fact for that kablammy I expect it to make my breakfast for me. Others may disagree. But the fact remains - all metal has a fatigue limit. Once that's crossed you have a broken Sheva. Or Dutch. Or...
Poseability - I would argue that to varying degrees creating the realism and likeness of a figure is affected by the ability to do what the character does, putting it in iconic poses and so forth. Sheva doesn't shoot from the hip. This also dovetails with durability as leaving the arms flexed for extended periods isn't recommended for the rubbers longevity. That somewhat kills the iconic poses. And that should be an issue for everyone.
She won't be elbowing any majina either really.
Anyway, if you don't want to pose it much and are unconcerned by the potential deterioration, then these points don't add up to much.
One other point. There hasn't been as much complaint for the torso sheaths used. Why is that? I would suggest that for one, there articulation is perhaps less critical, and also perhaps because the rubber doesn't need to be stressed excessively to get the full range of motion.
So, first - I'd be impressed if any one has read all that. and second:
Please save Sheva's arms!! No funky tube break-easy muscle arm!!! Jiminy Christmas at least have an interchangeable set!!
duh
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