(Formerly) Pictureless Skrall Review

[The Dor]

Here's my review of the Skrall:

Canister: Any of the real fans should have the front memorized by now, so I don't think I need to describe it. Although the Scorpion in the back is very menacing.

The back features a picture of Skrall and Atakus, Skrall's BIO bode (SKR411 lol), a pic of the life counter, a demonstration of the Thornax, and a pic showing how to shove him into the canister.

Pieces: Skrall has buckets of new pieces. The new shield, the new armor, the new swords, the Thornax, the launcher pieces, and of course the head, helmet, neck and hands.

The shield uses a new concept. Paint. This isn't a wholly new concept, but it is on Bionicle sets. The red pattern is painted onto a raised version of the pattern on the shield. The armor is a lot sharper and smaller than I expected. It is very pointy. I absolutely love it, and I hope it stays around for a long time. Really. Please. The swords are cool. The red pattern at the top is very vivid. There are a LOT of patterns all over it. Dunno if it has a significance.

The Thornax is really fun. Even though it is rubber with the black band being solid, the exact opposite of what we hoped for, it is actually really fun. The spikes act a lot like the leeches' did. They make it bounce. Seriously. And the swirled gold pattern makes it more fruit like. And on it's side, it looks like a mine, which is very fitting. The launcher itself is kinda lame. I love the direction Lego is taking the launchers. Even though I still remove them, dunno why they bug me in general, I really like them. I wish all the launchers were like this. Mostly because a character can wield the launcher and a weapon in the same hand.

Speaking of which, the hands are really nice. Even though the thumb juts out of the wrist and fuses with the middle finger, preventing any flipping off, it adds a lot to the figure. It makes them seem more lively. The head piece is interesting. It is really small. They are definitely the smallest so far. The Av-Matoran heads seem like giants in comparison to these. Also, the whole flipping concept, pffff. The top of the head looks NOTHING like a face. Oh wait. I have it upside down I think. No, nevermind. Still doesn't look like a face. >:C But that doesn't matter, flipping his helmet would be a ridiculous concept. His helmet is so long it goes past his hips. But that isn't a real problem. His helmet is really the coolest helmet we've had. :P But seriously, it is very awesome. His face is like a cross between a rodent and an insect. It really gives the image of group mindedness. The neck is cool, but it really is just what it looks like. A stick w/ a ball on it. :P

Build:

Okay, this guy is very inventive. The bent backwards torso really doesn't shorten him all that much. It just pulls back the shoulders, which works really well for a sinister scene. His neck is, in fact, stabilized by the new armor, which is held in place by the Inika torso because the Phankuta connector disrupts it from using both its peg holes. It is a surprising design, and I absolutely love it. Although I still think this is one of the better Bionicle sets out there, he still has his flaws.

The main problem is how the swords and his helmet interact. He cannot turn his head very well without running it into a sword. But it doesn't really limit the poses as much as it sounds. The real problem is the joint. The sides of the socket run into the base of the neck. It still isn't that much of a problem, which is really nice considering it's the worst flaw, IMO.

The sword is a little funny, although that is just personal taste and not really a flaw. I like that they gave him a good way to hold the Thornax and the sword, but it makes it seem to weighted and clunky. I simply took off the Thornax and extension, and it fixed the problem. He also holds the shield a little awkwardly, but again, that's just personal taste.

Playability: This set is fantastic. He looks good in almost ANY pose. The Thornax shoots very well, and bounces nicely, like I said earlier. The life counter clicks and locks into place w/ each life point. I didn't expect that. It is very satisfying, if you're going to bother playing the game. I won't, but hey. It's still neat. I don't really have a whole lot else to say here, because in this aspect he is basically like all the other Bionicle sets w/ 13 points of articulation.

Overall: This set is definitely my favorite set in a long time. I would recommend this set to any fan of Bionicle, those who like new pieces for MoC, those who like to collect, those who like articulation, and those who like a good looking set. This is without a doubt a keeper.

9.8/10

PICS:

Generic Pose

Showing his build

Showing his armor

Showing his head

Showing his face

Showing his armor in more detail

Showing the length of his head

Showing the rubberiness of the Thornax

Another generic pose

Showing off his Thornax launcher

There you go. :D

Edited December 16, 2008 by The Dor

[Bfahome]

0mh t3h 1337 b10 c0d3s :O (<3 you Bink)

*sad about no pics*

The way you described it makes it seem slightly better than I thought, though I'm still probably not going to get him. Just a personal taste thing. :/

Good review though. :)

[Wrinkledlion X]

Oh, so it seems he may live up to my expectations! Huttah!

Are the colored parts of the swords removable? When can you get pictures?

[Brickthing]

I can't believe that LEGO used l33t for the BIO-Codes. That's awesome, and totally promoting kids losing the ability to spell properly.

[The Dor]

0mh t3h 1337 b10 c0d3s :O (<3 you Bink)

*sad about no pics*

The way you described it makes it seem slightly better than I thought, though I'm still probably not going to get him. Just a personal taste thing. :/

Good review though. :)

Thanks. Dunno when I'll be able to get pics. If you guys don't mind really bad pics, I could use the camera on my iMac, but it's really hard to get a good pic of Skrall with that.

Oh, so it seems he may live up to my expectations! Huttah!

Are the colored parts of the swords removable? When can you get pictures?

He certainly exceeded my expectations.

The colored parts are not removable unfortunately. Although the swords look so good with them I dunno why you'd want to take it away. ;)

I can't believe that LEGO used l33t for the BIO-Codes. That's awesome, and totally promoting kids losing the ability to spell properly.

I think the l33t is annoying, especially because of all the fuss about it.

[Ikki o' Moopyville]

Thanks for the info -- I think you just convinced me to add Skrall to the list of 2009 sets I'm gettin'!

Question though: is it possible to stick a plud-rod all the way through the hand, or is it blocked midway like the old joints?

-Ikk

[VBBN]

Thanks for the review!

Woah, from seeing how long Atakus's head is, I am anxious to see skrall's!

And I am excied about printed Bionicle parts!

But not so much about the stickers on Tuma.

And I don't mind blurry pics-they are better than nothing!

[Nightmare]

A little question. How does the shield attach to his hand? do you put the hand down and connect it through the gold piece directly tothe hand, or is there another piece?

Thanks for the review, hope we can get some pics soon!

Oh and VBBN, if I'm not wrong, Atakus head is waaay longer than Skrall's.

[The Dor]

Thanks for the info -- I think you just convinced me to add Skrall to the list of 2009 sets I'm gettin'!

Question though: is it possible to stick a plud-rod all the way through the hand, or is it blocked midway like the old joints?

-Ikk

No, the hand is blocked midway through. even if it wasn't, the amount of friction from pushing it through wouldn't be worth it, IMO.

Thanks for the review!

Woah, from seeing how long Atakus's head is, I am anxious to see skrall's!

And I am excied about printed Bionicle parts!

But not so much about the stickers on Tuma.

And I don't mind blurry pics-they are better than nothing!

Yeah, they won't be blurry exactly, but the colors would be hideous and the lighting poor.

Dunno how long Atakus's head is, so dunno if it's longer or shorter.

A little question. How does the shield attach to his hand? do you put the hand down and connect it through the gold piece directly tothe hand, or is there another piece?

Thanks for the review, hope we can get some pics soon!

Oh and VBBN, if I'm not wrong, Atakus head is waaay longer than Skrall's.

It is just directly on top of it. It wouldn't be very comfortable to hold, especially of to the side.

And again, Skrall's head looks like it could easily be longer or shorter than Atakus's.

Expect pictures soon-ish. If I get Photo Booth working. Pics up now. :D

Edited December 14, 2008 by The Dor

[VBBN]

Actually, those pics are perfect!

And I am loving this guy.

[Bfahome]

I'm liking that armor…

[Ikki o' Moopyville]

Those pics are brilliant, thanks!

But by gad, that is a weird head. o__o

-Ikk

[Shakar]

Excellent, thanks. This confirms Skrall as my favourite Glatorian!

Shakar

[The Crazy One]

The lack of pictures was made up for by the discriptions. A very good review and you have pesuaded me to buy it!!!

The Christmas One.

[Shell-head]

Thank you for the pictures now the wait is worse:) o well

[matanui911]

It would be nicer if I could see the pictures on the post. Btw apply for the reviewers academy. It will help with your reviewing making skills.