Artery Gear x Final Gear Collab announced!

 Final Gear's future maybe bleak with its ongoing maintenance mode, but all of sudden we got this kind of stunt out of nowhere! which seems very random for a Gacha game with the state of Final Gear. So long story short, Artery Gear appears to be getting collab with Final Gear in near future with nothing much revealed so far other than Corallium in her Human and Brain Jar form shown up together. 

From what I assume is that the collab event will have Final Gear units  making some appearances in Artery Gear with Corallium is probably being the one confirmed for now but characters like Evelynn, @16 and Dango would have good shots due to their character traits that would make collab characters for Artery Gear. Personally I won't be coming back to Artery Gear even with this collab and don't expect anything much with current state of Final Gear. But I do hope this collab would help Final Gear series if they ever plan to resurrect themselves in some way, ideally with a new game considering the current iteration of Final Gear will take so much work to make the game appealing for new players.

SRW OG CCS Toys 鉄魄 [MORTAL MIND] Cybuster Possesion Ver

 Probably one the best release for SRW OG this year, CCS Toys finally ready to open preorder for their Cybuster Possession lineup Diecast Toys as part of their "Iron Soul" lineup! Scheduled for November 2023 release, CCS Toys Cybuster will be sold for 1560 RMB or 33000 Yen which is actually a steal for this sort of Diecast Product! If Sentinel or any Japanese studio released this version of Cybuster, it will easily cost double the price for just the basic models not including the extra accessories. Nevertheless CCS toys will highly likely deliver. Given their track record which include several Diecast Toys for modernized versions of Super Robots notably Guren Lagann,

 For 33000 Yen you will get a Diecast Toy of Cybuster Possession form which probably stands around 25-30 cm based on the sample photo along with these accessories which allows you to have full effect High Familiars and Led Parts for Cybuster and Stand base. For Comparison Studio Half-Eye Shurouga which is Cybuster Cousin unit from SRW Z was sold for 57000 Yen back in 2009 and the LED Base  was sold around 25000 Yen separately. That's just to show how CCS Toys able to make their product as affordable as possible using the advantage of having manufacturing base in China. I Already owned Sentinel SRX and regrettably not getting Flame Toys Alteisen, but I will most likely get CCS Toys Cybuster because I am already getting Metal Build Sirbine so might as well get the prodigal son too.

 Possession version of Cybuster made its first appearance in Masoukishin 2 in which Masaki able to activate this version after directly in contact with Cyphis, which you can check my article for this game here . It has been more than 10 years since I played Masoukishin but Possession version Cybuster will certainly kicks ass. I hope this won't be the end of CCS Toys making products for SRW and who knows if they can make Dis Astranagant or Granveil someday. Lastly I will leave the Studio Half Eye Perfect Change Shurouga as reference below.

Uma Musume Pretty Derby Figma Nice Nature

 It has been more than a year since I quitted playing Uma Musume since it is one of the more grindy Gacha game and I simply just didn't have time to play this sort of game anymore. In any case while Bandai had kinda stopped releasing SHF for Uma Musume, GSC still continued despite somewhat slower pace. After almost 1 year gap with Goldship, the next Uma Musume that is coming out is Nice Nature! not the best race champion, but definitely some of the best waifu that came out of Uma Musume series. Figma Nice Nature is scheduled for May 2024 release with 11800 Yen Price tag.

 In the Uma Musume Gacha Game, Nice Nature is a starter 1* Uma Musume character who specialize in Debuff skill for her default form and when I still played the game, I managed to raise her until 5* and got her Cheerleader costume version too. In the game Nice Nature is depicted as easy going Uma Musume who had penchants for Dad jokes which would make her good banter partner with Symboli Rudolf. Despite her nonchalant demeanor, deep inside Nice Nature has strong drive to win just like any other Uma Musume and it is up to the Trainer to realize her dream. Popular among shopkeepers in the shopping district she frequented, Nice Nature is designed to be great housewife material.

  From what I see Uma Musume is still making nice profit in Japan but due to the heavy oversight by the Stakeholders, this game never really have any big presence on International Market. Thus Cygames never bothered to make this game to appeal for Global players at all and I wonder if they are able to sustain this series in long run considering even Nikke is already losing momentum despite having tons of Fanservice. Nevertheless Nice Nature Figma Sculpt really look superb and still hoping Grass Wonder could make it someday. Though Nice Nature could use some Hetare face expression instead of having to snatch it from Figma Gold Ship.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Afra - Clang Clang

 8th Final Gear Mechatalk here! this time I will be doing a simpler one considering Viorate's was quite a heavy duty one. This time I will be covering the Battlepass Unit of Final Gear and the only one I have maxed so far, Afra's Clang Clang. Just like its name, Afra's unit design is quite unique among Final Gear's mech perhaps even the top contender for this category. Compared to other Final Gear's mechatalk post before, I will make this one technically a bit shorter than usual while also covering the Battlepass units.

Ratatan

 Back in my College days I used to play this Rhythm game called Patapon on my PSP which was a very unique yet fun game which you get to command an army of Eyeball like creatures through beating rhythm of a Drum. The original Patapon series ran for up to 3 Titles on PSP which I only managed to finish the 1st game and played halfway on the 2nd one. Regardless the Original Patapon series left me a lingering fond memory with its unique package of experience and after a decade of inactivity, the former Dev team of the Patapon series made an appearance and recently revealed Patapon's Spiritual successor called Ratatan!

 Managed to be successfully funded in Kickstarter, Ratatan will be planned for Modern Consoles and PC release. No release schedule being promised so far but perhaps we will expect some news from Ratatan in 2024. From the first glance, Ratatan is more vibrant version of Patapon with more vivid 2D Sprites and Background and I would expect the core gameplay would be the same with Patapon, But what is notable is that the music direction of Ratatan would appear to diverge from Patapon's original tribal music nevertheless we could expect cameos from Patapon series would make appearance considering the Green Trex Dodonga had shown up from the current trailer. While I personally think Patapon's minimalistic approach on presentation that can still deliver a very pleasant gaming experience is one of the series main selling point, I am willing to wait and see whether Ratatan would be able to deliver just like its spiritual predecessor did and more than willing to get a physical copy for Switch. If anyone still interested to back Ratatan project, the Kickstarter Funding which can be accessed here is still open until 1st September 2023.

Stardust Galaxy Warriors: Stellar Climax

 Some mecha shmups game from my Switch Backlog that I recently finished my first Run and for its price, it is the bang for the buck. Aksys Games tend to be associated with 2D Fighting Games due to their portfolios but from time to times they do release some JRPGs as overseas publisher. However Mecha games is still an exception and Stardust Galaxy Warrior catches my attention by that factor alone.

 Developed by Finland Devs, Dreamloop Games. Stardust Galaxy Warriors is a Horizontal mecha shooter game that has customizable loadouts and parameters. Another selling point is that this game features couch coop mode up to 4-players which kinda emulate the PS3 Local co-op eras like Castle Crashers. In Stardust Galaxy Warriors, you have 5 playable mechs that can use same main weapons but each have different special abilities and the players are encouraged to find playstyle suitable for them whether it is classic range shooter or full frontal close combat. 

  For a Bullet Hell Game made by a western dev, from a Casual Shmups gamer perspective Stardust Galaxy Warriors is actually a well made one and can held its head high with its Japanese peer. Compared to Astebreed, Stardust Galaxy Warriors scratch my itch better since it strongly reminds me of Brave Blade Arcade shooter game and it would have been perfect if the game is not kinda rushed nearing the endgame part as the Final Boss do really get very cheap even in Normal Difficulties. Personally I feel Stardust Galaxy Warriors could have left a bigger lasting impact if the Dev could have designed more distinct Asymmetrical RPG aspects of each unit along with immersive elements. But for a Shmups games, Stardust Galaxy Warriors fulfill all of the mandatory requirements.

Gundam Seed G-Frame FA Freedom & Justice Gundam Real Type Color

 

 Bandai is really starting Gundam Seed merchandise to start getting rolling and they are now making some P-Bandai stuff for this series just after the Movie Remake announcement. Starting with G-Frame Candy Toys lineup which have survived for couple of years now, Freedom and Justice Gundam is rereleased as a set complete with Option parts set in new color scheme of "Real Type Color". Scheduled for December 2023 release, G-Frame FA Freedom and Justice Gundam Real Type color will be sold for 7975 Yen. Overall this P-Bandai Set is roughly 1500-2000 Yen more expensive compared to the regular counterpart considering previous Option parts costed 3800 Yen already.

 The Real type color treatment apparently part of Bandai's attempt to paint the Gundam Seed posterboy which do look cool but makes them look more like OMNI's Mobile Suits instead of Zaft's especially Freedom Gundam. I used to play Rengou vs Zaft back then and I don't even think these guys have these color schemes as Palette swaps. Speaking of the option parts, what Bandai included in this pack is mainly Backpack parts to allow Freedom and Justice Gundam full gimmick along with special action base. In any case I might get this copy if the preorder price from my local distributor isn't too high.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Viorate - Mesioola

 7th Final Gear Mechatalk and I am still confident to keep this going every week. This time I will be covering Mechatalk article for one of Final Gear's starter Pilot which happened to be my first pick when i started playing 2 years ago, Viorate with her Mesioola. UR Grinding is a pain in this game but I still managed to make it in time to raise my first SSR Pilot to UR! If only Flashwing bother to fix their UR Upgrade for their older characters.

Mobility Joint Gundam Vol.6

 This lineup of Gundam's Candy Toys strike hard yet again! After some 00 series goodness from Vol.5 and CCA P-Bandai goodies, Bandai decided to pamper the Gundam fans with some solid Alternate Universe roster with UC MSV as icing. Featuring Gundam Seed Strike Gundams and Gundam Caliburn from the recent Witch from Mercury series with G03 joining from sidelines, Mobility Joint Gundam Vol.6 will be coming in January 2024 for 6500 Yen Price tag.

 To this day I haven't got any Candy Toys rendition for Strike Gundam and kinda regretted that I missed the Ensemble version. I have been considering the NXEdge version before which had Perfect Strike Gundam but never really settle for the choice. Out of the roster of Vol. 6, Gundam Caliburn probably serves as the main attraction considering the HG Gunpla version are still running low on stock and perhaps we could see Aerial Gundam on Vol.7 or 8. With incoming Gundam SEED Movie, I think we will be getting more Seed series merchandise which is always a good thing for me.

Vostok Inc

 Yet another game backlog cleared and more relief for me as my Switch pile of shame cleared up abit. Growing up in 90s, I am always a sucker for pixel art games and this is a reason why I picked Vostok Inc. Vostok Inc an Arcade Space Shooter game where you play as a Spacefaring entrepreneur,  exploring planets to planets to expand your business in Capitalistic fashion, taking any advantage that you can get to reach the top Sapce Corporate Chain.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Coreleah - Centaurus

 6th Final Gear Mechatalk and we finally reached to Arita faction at last. For the first of Arita Faction pilot to be discussed, it will be Coreleah, a SR unit who is a High Ranking frontline Arita General once served Kegha Empire as one of their best knights. I picked Coreleah for the first of Arita candidate because she happens to be the first Pilot that I upgraded into UR Upgraded and served me for quite a long time a long time too with whatever she can bring onto the battlefield.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Grey Knights Nemesis Dreadknight

 Joytoy is still going strong with 40k as always and this time we got literally one of their biggest product release yet! Dedicated for the Anti-Daemon Space Marines Chapter; Grey Knights, Joytoy is releasing the infamous Nemesis Dreadknight which stands 42 cm tall in 1/18 scale! I think this is one of their tallest product release so far and this thing will be released in October 2023 and sold for around $350 for the Dreadknight unit only or 400$ with the Grey Knight Space Marine included to wield this gigantic war machine. The higher than usual price tag for Joytoy 40k will probably explain the size of this thing.

 Grey Knights are Space Marine Chapters dedicated to fight Chaos Daemon threats and gifted with special powers to face against one of the biggest threat towards Humanity. However no matter gifted they are, Regular Grey Knights Space Marines will even face difficulty against threats like Chaos Greater Daemons, which is why Nemesis Dreadknight brought into the fray when Grey Knights need to fight against Monstrous creatures like Bloodthirsters. Wielded by some of the best from the Chapter and armed with Gatling Psilencer along with enormous Nemesis Greatsword, Nemesis Greyknights sure will able to smite the foes of Emperor to impunity.

 To be honest from its inception, Nemesis Dreadknight draws negative attention from 40k fans due to its Controversial design which literally looks like a glorified babycarrier. While it can be argued that the flawed design is derived from the Aliens series Power Loader, the adaptation is just way too flawed for the 40k Lore. Considering the vulnerable design will just put the wielders into unnecessary danger against some of the 40k's deadliest threats. If there are any 3rd party interested to make some 1/18 Dreadknight Conversion kit which will make it look like the picture below, there will be demands from the collector.

Synduality: Noir Chogokin Daisy Ogre

 Coming out from the new mecha anime of this season;  Synduality:Noir，Tamashii Nation is releasing a luxury Diecast product for the protagonist mecha of this Multiproject IP. Slated for January 2024 release, Chogokin Daisy Ogre will be sold for 20000 Yen Price tag.

 I haven't watched Synduality series myself, but from what I grasp is the series is some post apocalyptic mecha series which a group of youths try to fend themselves in the hostile world with the help of AI beings called Magus. To be honest it is kinda rare for Bandai to pull off some risky move by releasing expensive products for untested series like Synduality. Considering anything can go wrong before the series conclude and they would risk a net-loss despite big player corporation like Bandai can afford to tank it.  Even previous mecha anime like Kyoukai Senki did not get this kind of preferential treatment back in its inception. To be honest I am not too certain if Synduality ever gain any tractions that Bandai intended but time will tell if the series shall leave its mark in Mecha industry or left forgotten just like many mecha anime of the season.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Evelynn - White Crow

 5th Final Gear Mechatalk is here and it is finally the turn for the Main Heroine her self, Evelynn! For the postergirl of the game, Evelyn had rather peculiar treatment by Flashwing. On one side she had plenty of Cosmetic Skins for her and White Crow topped with being the frequent Event Bonus multiplier unit. But on the other hand Evelynn's White Crow remains one of the subpar unit out there despite having UR Options. So without further ado, let's dive more into this Main Heroine of the Final Gear mecha gacha game.

Hexagear 1/24 Bulkarms Jackal

 
 Last year we got V-Thors that made quite some impact for Kotobukiya Hexagear series and this time Kotobukiya is ready to release another cool looking mecha to join the lineup. Dubbed Bulkarms Jackal, this leaner version of the previously released Hexagear Bulkarms will be sold for 7800 Yen with January 2024 release Schedule.

 Out of the Package, Bulkarms Jackal will include SMG, Plasma Rod and Shield as part of its armaments which makes a good impression for Light armored Elite units. Bulkarms Jackal catches my attention because It combines some of the better aesthetics from real robot series, particularly Front mission for Torso and Armored Core for the legs reminding me of Zenith and Evangel's Oracle hybrid slapped with generic Real Robot weapons and repainted Gundam Age-1 Shield. In any case I am very interested to obtain Jackal to join V-thors as part of my Hexagear collection because Kotobukiya really did a genuine attempt to make this lineup appealing. I hope Koto would do better job at making specialised weapon pack for Hexagear's Humanoid Mech series because it is still quite inconvenient to pick bits and pieces from several MSG accessories.

I will leave Zenith and Oracle pics below for references and see if you come to the same conclusion too.

Early August 2023 Loot

 Another very big loot arriving this time yet again and probably one of the top contender for the biggest loot for this year. Finally my early 2023 GSC Loot have arrived as year and Figma Lartoria DX is as magnificent as expected from one of more expensive Figma out there. This month's Joytoy haul is no slouch either as the Tempestus Scion set came in bulk as well as Tiekui Duos which is very big for 1/25 Mecha lineup. At some point I probably gotta crack open my 52 Toys collection as well since I have accumulated a Sizable Qty already.

With Lartoria and MHXA arrival, my Seibas Figma collection is getting more merrier yet again.