Toy Preview: Final Fantasy XIII

Final Fantasy XIII

Product shots from Square Enix Products

I don’t normally post news. Mostly, it’s because I know there are a hundred other toy sites out there that can do it better than me. But often it’s because I don’t really find any toy news that I really feel like commenting on beyond to say “Wow! that’s awesome!”

Let’s face it. That’s what forum boards are for.

When I saw the new figures from Play Arts, I couldn’t believe how incredible these seemed. Now, I have barely any idea what the story to Final Fantasy XIII is. Hell, I barely know what the story behind any of the other ones are. I don’t play many video games, so my knowledge is based mostly on the Advent Children movie and a quick run through Crisis Core.

However, I’ve been a fan of the Play Arts line since first getting Cloud with Fenrir a few years ago. It was one of my first purchases as a toy collector and I’ve never regretted getting the set. I’ve tried to get as many of the rest as I can, but considering that these are imports from Japan and run about p1,500.00, plus the fact that they have relatively low runs, means that completists are shit out of luck.

Hopefully, I can save enough money to score these three in one go, but seeing as they’re pretty hard to get, I may have to put down some money to pre-order them. I missed out on the Star Ocean pair, and I do not wan to let go of these.

Oerba Dia Vanille:

This is really where I started geeking out about these figures. Just look at that second picture. She’s got DOUBLE JOINTED KNEES! That is something I’ve never seen outside Hasbro figures. If you’ve never played with a figure with double knee joints, you don’t know what you’re missing. The playability of a figure is increased exponentially.

Plus her little whip/staff/whatever thing folds and hangs at her back. That’s just sweet that is.

Lightning:

Another great female figure. If there was one thing that sold me on Play Arts figures, it was the way they made their female figures. They are flat out the BEST sculpts vs. articulation I can find, out scoring Figma, Revoltech, or any of the superhero lines. Lightning is another great example of it. Sure some of the joints are visible, but they are functional which is by far the winner in my book.

She also has some great details around her, including the same foldable weaponry and POCKETS! All adventuring heroes need pockets.

Snow Villiers:

I’ll admit that this isn’t the one that’s on the top of my list, but I can’t help but want it. It’s not that great a design, it’s not a character I love, and he doesn’t seem to have any of those wicked accessories… but he’s got an articulated coat. Where’ve you EVER seen that? Yeah that’s how easy I am.

If you’re just getting into toy collecting and you want a really good line that isn’t so extensive so as to drain your wallet, of great quality, and a pretty decent license, try for Play Arts. They may be more expensive, but considering you only need 3 per wave, and there’s only maybe 1 wave every year or year and a half, that’s pretty manageable.