So I was finally able to work this into the budget and get it. So time for a review and to share it with y'all!
As a second version of the mantis released I can say that it is quite an upgrade. A quick bullet point list of all the things I like as were followed.
> seems larger than the original which makes it look more intimidating next to figures.
>The ball joints are amazing they snap together super easy and are very sturdy (whoever design these deserves a raise) and allow a lot of movement.
>All the details on the blocks are very nicely printed, neat looking and no misprints.
>The figures are amazing, covenant are fairly standard but no complaints there but that Wetwork Spartan is awesome! The extra detail you guys are packing into the new sets figures are amazing please keep it up they are some of the best.
> The Mantis itself is very poseable, sturdy, the build was fun and had very clear instructions.
A couple of the let downs before I move onto the quality of life changes.
>Mostly just the cockpit being barren like the first version, I'm not sure if this is how it is in the game the model is based off of, but I would have loved a sticker that just looked like a screen to be placed over the keypad thing.
>This is mainly just about joints, the ball joints were awesome the standard ones for the arms were not. The joint itself is incredibly hard to move and if I'm not using two hands I fear I'm going to break it the connectors attached to it.
>The covenant figures shared a similar issue where it didn't seem like their pieces under the armour were given the final finishing coat, they were duller in colour instead of the dark shiny black that they usually are. The elite head was my main issue as it felt way too stiff and that I was bending the plastic instead of just moving the head like normal. Not sure if this is intentional or just a defect. They did change the elite skin colour back to black like the bungie era elites so thank you for that.
Quality of life changes!!!
>THEY DID IT! We finally have numbered bags for instruction areas with the correct pieces need for that section, this is a welcome change and an appreciated one.
>The boxes have been redesigned and we no longer have to fight with your titanium glue!
Things that made me laugh or smile.
>That old mega bloks logo stamped onto the block, good bit of nostalgia and made my day. Thank you, it's good to still see the old logo.
>This thing that goes on a pencil (I checked the manual that's what it's for) seemed a little odd but I got a good laugh out of it when I tried writing with the wombat drone attached to it.
And that's it, solid 8.5 all things considered. Definitely out shining their competitor as always, hope you all enjoyed the little show case/review.
Peace out!
As a second version of the mantis released I can say that it is quite an upgrade. A quick bullet point list of all the things I like as were followed.
> seems larger than the original which makes it look more intimidating next to figures.
>The ball joints are amazing they snap together super easy and are very sturdy (whoever design these deserves a raise) and allow a lot of movement.
>All the details on the blocks are very nicely printed, neat looking and no misprints.
>The figures are amazing, covenant are fairly standard but no complaints there but that Wetwork Spartan is awesome! The extra detail you guys are packing into the new sets figures are amazing please keep it up they are some of the best.
> The Mantis itself is very poseable, sturdy, the build was fun and had very clear instructions.
A couple of the let downs before I move onto the quality of life changes.
>Mostly just the cockpit being barren like the first version, I'm not sure if this is how it is in the game the model is based off of, but I would have loved a sticker that just looked like a screen to be placed over the keypad thing.
>This is mainly just about joints, the ball joints were awesome the standard ones for the arms were not. The joint itself is incredibly hard to move and if I'm not using two hands I fear I'm going to break it the connectors attached to it.
>The covenant figures shared a similar issue where it didn't seem like their pieces under the armour were given the final finishing coat, they were duller in colour instead of the dark shiny black that they usually are. The elite head was my main issue as it felt way too stiff and that I was bending the plastic instead of just moving the head like normal. Not sure if this is intentional or just a defect. They did change the elite skin colour back to black like the bungie era elites so thank you for that.
Quality of life changes!!!
>THEY DID IT! We finally have numbered bags for instruction areas with the correct pieces need for that section, this is a welcome change and an appreciated one.
>The boxes have been redesigned and we no longer have to fight with your titanium glue!
Things that made me laugh or smile.
>That old mega bloks logo stamped onto the block, good bit of nostalgia and made my day. Thank you, it's good to still see the old logo.
>This thing that goes on a pencil (I checked the manual that's what it's for) seemed a little odd but I got a good laugh out of it when I tried writing with the wombat drone attached to it.
And that's it, solid 8.5 all things considered. Definitely out shining their competitor as always, hope you all enjoyed the little show case/review.
Peace out!