6721
Shadows of the Dark Side / Re: 2011 TRU Force Unleashed Box Set
« on: July 28, 2011, 09:21 PM »Hasbro's lineup for this box set (and to a lesser extent the RC set) makes it much more transparent that they're trying to keep costs down by repainting existing sculpts. To that I give a loud and clear "BOOOOOOO!" Especially since they're re-offering the EVO and Jump troopers AGAIN. Why not reissue the Shadow Guard if you're going in that direction? That figure was easily one of the more scarce offerings of the past 5 years.
They are, however, clearly trying to appeal to the video game generation of Star Wars fans. I think that's an important direction for Hasbro to turn to in an effort to stay relavent. But the fact that Hasbro has effectively done NOTHING for TFU II shows that they haven't been able to work effectively with LucasArts to market a line of video game based figures. Is it Hasbro's reaction to getting burned by LucasArts because of the inordinate delays on the original Force Unleashed game, and the resulting delays for the figures they developed for that game? Possibly. Video games have been notorious for release delays. But you would think that with a multi-million dollar licensing deal such as Hasbro has with Lucasfilm that SOMEHOW they would be able to work out the kinks on a release schedule for video game figures.
Okay, I take most of this back!
I am pleasantly surprised with this pack. Thankfully the EVO Trooper is the only reissue here. The Imperial Naval Commando and Naval Commando Officer are pleasant and welcome surprises.
Looking at a shot like this of Galen Marek & Darth Phobos, I get the feeling that the plastic cloak pieces are going to limit their mobility. But pieces like that which are molded instead of softgoods are cheaper to do. Also, I'd like to see Galen Marek without the cloak just so I can see the likeness. Hasbro really hasn't been able to capture his likeness well thus far. I'd like to see if they improved it this time out.