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Packaging: ***1/2
This is identical to the packaging for Leon reviewed
here. Except you obviously get images
of the two Krauser figures on the back and the ‘Post Transformation’ sticker
on the relevant box. So it’s a magnetically sealed wrap round front flap
with a blister card inside the flap for accessories, opposite is the figure,
fully dressed and constructed (in the case of regular Krauser), in their vac
formed trays. I say ‘in the case of regular Krauser, as the transformed
Krauser needs a little construction for his mutated blade arm.
So, two nice solid boxes, I like the magnetic seal, but have to say, as I
did last time, I slightly prefer the Asian Biohazard 4 black packaging as
opposed to the white Resident Evil 4 colourway.
Sculpt: Regular ***, Post Trans ***1/2
Regular Krauser has a pretty generic HT muscle body, but most of it is
covered up by his outfit, his face looks very close to the character, as you
can see from the link above. He has a slightly haunted look, and there’s
some nice tight work on his scaring. His hair is worn slicked back (at first
I thought it was a close crop, but the sculpting looks more like its oiled
back). His hands are in fingerless leather gloves and are the same as those
you get with Leon, but again this all looks game accurate.
Now ‘Post-Transformation’ Krauser, this is a whole different ball game,
as even though he comes with a muscle body, it’s still a totally new sculpt
because of the nature of the characters physique.
So from the waist up, his right arm is a basic ‘muscle’ arm, but his left
is barely recognisable as an arm at all, it brings to mind Tetsuo’s
hideously deformed arm in Akira, it has mutated into a large angry looking
amalgamation of muscle, sinew, blood and metal blades, it is simply covered
in alien looking features like articulated chitinous claws and large insect
like pustules. As I said above many of these features have to be stuck on or
slotted into place, but it’s all very simple as far as construction goes,
for simple display everything stays in place fine, but if you like to
re-pose on a regular basis a few drops of glue here and there might help
out.
The deformed sinewy arm then blends into the torso, this is not a
seamless transformation as the arm is made of solid sculpted plastic, where
as the torso is the soft rubber of a ‘muscle’ body. But this is not just a
re-used muscle body, it has been re sculpted especially on the left side,
again to showcase Krausers exposed flesh and scaring. The head is the same
sculpt as the regular Krauser, but because of his more extreme paint apps,
it looks pretty different and whereas the regular version looked haunted,
this guy looks plain evil.
Both also come with sculpted accessories but I’ll get to them later.
Paint: Regular ***, Post Trans ***1/2
Regular Krauser has very well carried out, but also reasonably minimal paint
apps, his face has nice tight work on the eyes and fine delicate work on the
scars covering his face, all this work is expertly done, but when viewed
next to his transformed self, you see that that is even more impressive.
So we get the same head, but because of his facial markings, he looks
even more sinister, this carries on down to the exposed mutated muscles on
his chest and rear shoulder blade. The different textures and colours on the
mutated arm are carried out well and do a great job of mimicking the way it
looks in the game. The gloved hands are also painted as are many
accessories, all are carried tightly with no mistakes or slop (on mine at
least).
Articulation - Regular ***, Post Trans **3/4
Anyone who owns a HT muscle body will tell you that what you gain from
the aesthetic of covered joints you lose in the range of articulation, it’s
better to think of them as very articulated statues
Don’t misunderstand me though, you can still get some great poses, but if
you’re used to the True-Type, RAH 301 or even the soon to be retired Art S
Buck (PROMETHEUS is here. Rejoice) you’ll find that your pose options are
slightly more restricted. From the waist down both are wearing long combat
trousers so have normal legs with full articulation, but once you hit the
waist you’ll notice that there is no movement in his stomach/trunk, limited
articulation at the shoulders, reasonably good articulation on the muscle
arms elbow, none on the mutated arms elbow as it’s a solid sculpt and a
reasonable amount on the head and neck. But even with these limitations
you’ll get some great natural looking poses out of them, just nothing too
extreme.
Accessories: ***1/2
Regular has-
Weapons:
-Combat Knife + sheath
-Archery Bow (with working Cam wheels)
-Archery quiver (with belt attachment)
-Archery arrows x3
-Machine pistol (with removable clip)
-Flash Grenade
-Grenade x 3 units
Accessories
-Belt pouches
-Seeker Robot (Crawling)
-Display stand with Resident Evil 4 logo and Krausers name
Post Trans has
Weapons:
-Combat Knife +sheath
-Machine pistol (with removable clip)
-Flash Grenade
-Grenade x 3 units
-Blade arm (with attachable extra blades and claws)
Accessories
-Belt pouches
-Seeker Robot (Crawling)
-Display stand with Resident Evil 4 logo and Krausers name
So Krauser ain’t quite as packed out as Leon in the firepower department,
but what you get is tailored specifically for this character.
The machine pistol is expertly crafted but it’s the working power bow and
‘crawler seeker bot’ that standout for me. The seeker has a poseable
head/camera and the legs can twist at the ‘hip’ but sadly the ‘knees’ don’t
bend. So though not as laden as Leon you still get a lot of nice pieces and
he comes cheaper than Leon as well.
Outfit: Regular ***1/2, Post Trans ***
Like the Leons, the Krausers share some common elements, They have the
same sculpted boots, knee pads, webbing belt and combat trousers with
working pockets. That’s it for ‘Trans’ Krauser, but for the regular we also
get a skin tight black T, a webbing harness (for pouches and ammo) and a
military style beret.
All these garment fit perfectly. To attach the sheath, pouches and in the
case of reg Krauser the quiver you’ll need to half take the belt off. I
completely removed the buckle on one side and slid the rest of the belt back
through the trouser loops, I then slotted on the various accessories and
threaded it all back, a fiddly job but satisfying.
Fun Factor: ***1/4
These still pose well even with the limitations of the muscle bod, but nowhere
near as well as the True-Type so for me the Leons ‘just’ pip this guy at the
post. But if you’re a’ Resi’ fan looking for an impressive shelf/cabinet
display you can’t go wrong with these.
Value: Regular ***, Post Trans ***1/4
Both Krausers are available on pre-order from SST @ $134.99 each, not cheap,
but for that price I’m especially impressed with the custom modified muscle
body you get on Post Transformation Krauser.
But to be fair regular almost pulls it back with his webbing harness and
power bow so they almost level peg on scores for me, but the extra nine
yards HT went on ‘Post Trans’ body just has to be recognised.
Overall: ***1/4
Two very well constructed and solid figures, that could stand up to a lot of
play if your kids are rich enough to spend over $120 on figures to play
with…thought not.
Like I said above, these are really only going to end up in the hands of
hard core gamers or 1/6th fanatics like myself, and I think both groups will
be very happy with the level of detail and quality.
Score Recap:
Packaging - ***1/2
Sculpt - Regular ***, Post Trans ***1/2
Paint - Regular ***, Post Trans ***1/2
Articulation - Regular ***, Post Trans **3/4
Accessories - ***1/2
Outfit - Regular ***1/2, Post Trans ***
Fun Factor - ***1/4
Value - Regular ***, Post Trans ***1/4
Overall - ***1/4
Where to buy-
Side Show Toys is still the official US importer on these and they have them
on pre-order for -
Regular- $134.99
Transformed- $134.99
Some of Michael’s other sponsors also have them –
Amazing Toyz
Regular- $121.50
Post trans- $121.50
Dark Shadow
Regular- $121.50
Post trans- $121.50
Corner Store
Regular- $121.50
Post trans- $121.50
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