Monthly Archives: February 2013

Toy Review: McFarlane Halo 4 Promethean Knight

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Having paid for this several months ago, I forgot when it was coming out. So to my happy surprise this showed up at my door yesterday (as well as the 3-pack Blue team set to be reviewed tomorrow).

I have to say that this is a fantastic figure before I go any further.

Okay so on to the pics and the review. As always, click on the pics for a larger version or open in a new window to view while reading the review. (And of course you can download the images. I just ask that if you repost this article and/or the pics to give me credit as “Pictures by Sal Salerno of HaloFanForLife.com“.

McF Pro-Knight Box_sm

 

The figure is packaged in a box with a large “window” to showcase the figure. What I like is that the box isn’t overly big. It fits the size of the figure well. The window makes it very easy to see the figure. That’s a good thing for those who like to keep their toys in the package. I’m not one of those folks (normally). The graphics on the box are pretty good.

As seen from the side of the box, the figure has 40 points of articulation and the Watcher figure can fit in the back. Though it’s really just the body of the Watcher, and not the ring portion as well. Still, that’s fine by me.

McF Pro-Knight inside packaging_sm

 

When you first take the figure out of the box, it comes twist tied to this inner plastic. Note the curved foot anchors at the bottom. Be sure not to throw these away accidentally. While I didn’t need to attach these for the review, they are important to keep for display purposes.

McF Pro-Knight Poses_sm

 

The figure has some amazing articulation. Here is the list of articulation for the Knight starting from the top of the figure:

• Each “back wing” is ball jointed (x5)
• Ball Jointed Head
• Ball Jointed Shoulders (x2)
• Ball jointed Elbows (x2)
• Ball Jointed Shoulders small arms (x2)
• Swivel Jointed Elbows small arms(x2)
• Swivel Jointed Wrists small arms (x2)
• Swivel Waist
• Ball Jointed Hips (x2)
• Ball Jointed Knees (x2)
• Ball Jointed Feet (x2)

Now if you add the joints up it’s only 23. However, if you count each ball joint as TWO that being “double swivel” instead of true ball joint, then there are more than 40 points of articulation. So it’s all in how you interpret the articulation of a figure.

Regardless, the articulation on this figure is SUPERB!

McF Pro-Knight Details_sm

The detail of this figure is amazing. The shape of the parts and the grooved in lines are all crisp. Paint detailing is fantastic. I didn’t find any blemished on my Knight at all. The only slight issue was the Scattershot (weapon in the Knight’s right arm) was slightly curved. I think that has to do with how it was twist tied into the inner packaging.

I was so surprised that the small black arms had articulation. McFarlane could have skimped here and I wouldn’t have cared. Yet they didn’t and it makes the figure just that much better.

The cost of the figure is around $26-30 depending on where you buy it from. Is it worth that? A resounding YES! The size of the figure is great. It fits in well with the other figures from the Halo 4 line (I’ll get a comparison pic up shortly). The sculpt, paint application and articulation are just amazing.

My only complaint is why don’t we have the Lancer, Battlewagon, and Commander versions of this yet! LOL.

This is a MUST by if you collect Halo McFarlane figures. And I’ve got to say even if you’re a carded collector, this is one you need to open up and display. (So yeah, buy TWO of them. One to keep in package and the other to open.) Seriously, the figure is THAT good.

-Sal

McFarlane Halo Avatars Series 2 Mini-Figures!

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Here are the avatar figures for series 2:

• Blue EVA Helmet and Legendary Tee
• Emile
• Anniversary Helmet and Tee
• Blue JFO Helmet and Black Noble Team Tee
• Brute Costume
• Metallic Gold ODST
• Banshee
• Red Spartan Mark VI

I want them ALL! Of course the Gold ODST and Banshee are going to be the hard ones to get (likely). I say this because that was the case with the gold fig and vehicle from series 1.

As soon as I can get a pic of these, I’ll post it.
-Sal

343 Industries working on a new “AAA” game set in the Halo Universe.

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http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2013/02/06/343-industries-working-on-new-aaa-game-set-in-halo-universe/

Hmm, is this is to be believed, could it be Halo Wars 2? An MMO? An off shoot? Spartan Thorne maybe? The latter would be a good way to set him up as the new hero once the torch is passed from Master Chief (which will be a VERY sad day…).

Hmm, let’s explore the possibilities:

• Halo 2 Anniversary – As a follow up to Halo CE Anniversary. But really, would this be considered AAA if it’s just a remastered version of the game?
• Halo Wars 2 – Certainly a game that many Halo fans want. This would be a nice way to branch out from the FPS series and give us another RTS game.
• Halo: Thorne – Just thinking outside of the box here. I just have the feeling that Spartan Gabriel Thorne is who 343 wants to take over after Master Chief passes the torch. By creating a spin-off this early, they can test the waters to see if people are receptive to him being the new main hero down the line. It’s certainly a game I’d buy. Seeing as we have just been introduced to Thorne and he’s a rookie Spartan, what better way to “grow up” with him? Though this might seem a bit early, the point is, by bringing him in this early, 343 has plenty of room to develop the character, add more BA stuff to his armor/abilities and evolve him as a character and Spartan. If the early spin-off doesn’t work or is met with bad press/sales, then they won’t have to risk a trilogy on him after Halo 4/5/6.
• Halo: MMORPG – Okay, I play plenty of Halo. But man, THIS would just completely kill any time I have. I’d be so absorbed into this game, my Halo blog would likely suffer. Hmm, 343 might do well on something like this…
• Mega Bloks Halo – As competition to all of those LEGO games, Mega Bloks might get a Halo title finally. They’ve had successful contests with their Halo products for stop motion animation. Their products are fantastic and FUN. Personally, I’d LOVE to see this happen. LEGO needs more competition and this would give it to them.
• Halo: ONI – Hmm, a Splinter Cell like game using ONI operatives instead of Spartans or ODSTs. This would be interesting.
• Halo: Insurrection – This is one I’ve mentioned on the net before. A prequel. It’s set during Master Chief’s time before the Covenant War. We would play as either Chief or other Spartan IIs of the time against human Insurrectionists. More Halsey!

Whatever it is, I’m excited to hear ANYTHING about it.

Any other ideas?

-Sal

Whoah, Prima Games is promoting my blog!

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Prima Games, known for super detailed and expansive guides is promoting my blog on their site. Look under the “Featured Fansites” section.

Here’s a quick screen cap:

Screen shot 2013-02-07 at 3.19.18 PM

How cool is that? I want to thank Prima Games for linking to my blog. Anyone coming over here from there, PLEASE shoot me an e-mail at sal@halofanforlife.com.

A friend of mine “Erickyboo” told me about this. Hmm, I wonder if he’s the one who submitted my site to be showcased? (It wasn’t me, but I’m grateful)

-Sal

Forerunner/Spartan concept armor?

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Forerunner Concept

 

D’oh if I can recall where I found this. It’s what I get for severely messing with my sleep schedule. Finally getting back to a normal routine. Anyway, it’s another image that I thought was super cool. Obviously by the number on the chest plate this is meant for a Spartan. So  it seems to be armor of Forerunner design utilized for Spartans. Hmm, this helps to give credence to a theory by a reader yesterday that some of the new armor in Halo 4 is of Forerunner make.

Coolness!

Now if we could get a confirmation of that from 343, that would be awesome!
-Sal

Waiting for the Ranking System in Halo 4…

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I saw this on Twitter yesterday. I asked the poster for the original link to credit the right person, but they didn’t know where it came from. So apologies to the artist. (If anyone knows who did this, shoot me a verifiable link, please).

Anyway, I thought it was too cool to pass up showing here.

BCSmqpZCcAA9SUz.jpg-large

 

Okay by the looks of Chief’s armor this might be an old rendering, but still it’s damn good!
-Sal

Spartan Ops episode 9 preview gallery: Video screencaps

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Woot, I can’t wait for this episode. It’s the next to the last and the action is really ramping up here. Palmer finally puts her helmet on and goes out into battle. Or at least a man (or is that woman?) hunt. She’s out to get Halsey as ordered by Admiral Serin Ozman of ONI.

This episode is called “Key” and I bet it’s going to be very KEY to the Halo universe going forward. Halsey gets what looks like two index keys from the Librarian. Somehow one ends up with Jul M’dama and the other with Spartan Thorne (man I just knew he was going to play a more important part going forward). Hmm, I wonder if the Librarian makes Jul and the UNSC make a peace treaty?

Also note the keys are Red and Blue. Coincidence? I don’t think so. And I’d venture to guess one is the Didact’s while the other is the Librarian’s.

Hmm, this episode is getting better and better and it’s not even out yet!

-Sal

Spartan Ops episode 9 preview gallery chapter missions.

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The first gallery is of mission screencaps. Looks like we’re getting a new map! WOOT!! As well “Apex” makes it’s return.

-Sal

HaloWaypoint Bulletin: 2/6/13

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The Halo Bulletin 2/6/13

This week’s bulletin is a good one. Of course there is the usual nonsensical first portion by BS Angel (I mean that with love Jess), then she gets to the “meat” or is that bacon? of the bulletin.

Spartan Ops gets a nod with a origin of “Undid Iridium.”

Playlists updates are the next order of business with Snipers and Shotty Snipes detailed. Also we’re getting a combined Team Objective playlist. This will no include Team Regicide, Oddball and finally the return of King of the Hill! (Yea!!!)

Team Throwdown (the competitive playlist) is planned for release on Feb 18. The Competitive Skill Rank (CSR) won’t be available at launch however. 343 wants to allow for some time to tweak the playlists in Throwback before opening up levels 1-50. So get your practice in now before it counts!

Finally it what I think is one of the most cool articles in recent bulletins is the revelation that there are still several uncovered Easter Eggs in the campaign.

Oh MY! I was just playing campaign yesterday in hopes of finding something others hadn’t yet. Looks like I’m going to be hitting the campaign really hard today. BS Angel eludes to there being a prize if you find them first. WOOT!

-Sal