Cortana (Halo) by Joyride Studios

When I was a lad growing up in the suburbs, I had a huge fear of ghosts. I’m not exactly sure where it stemmed from, but just the mention of apparitions was enough to send cold chills shooting up and down my spine. Not helping was the glow-in-the-dark Virgin Mary that hung above my bedroom door. I’ve never asked

my parents why a glow-in-the-dark Virgin Mary was necessary but I assume it had something to do with giving us a sense of ease knowing that She was watching over my brother and me as we slept in our bunk beds. Little did they know I went to sleep with the covers over my head to escape the eerie glow. It may not have been a ghost, but it was close enough. It was with this

in mind that I opened Cortana.

Cortana is a display piece that isn’t truly realized until the lights are off. Cortana’s sculpt is great, but it’s her base that showcases her. There are four blue LED lights (powered by two AA’s) installed in the base. Pressing and holding a small button on the side can activate the lights but if you want the best results you’ll flip the switch under her base. It’s amazing how much light the base supplies. It’s also amazing how long the batteries last. Need a light for those late night trips to the bathroom? Kids afraid of the dark? Although there aren’t a lot of entertainment options, Cortana has quite a few practical applications. LED’s – the wave of the future!
 

Her sculpt is direct from Halo, but she is way more translucent than her digital counterpart. In fact, she almost looks like colored glass. On top of that, she looks naked – not that nudity matters to a super AI construct, but your wife/girlfriend might have a few things to say. From a distance any of the detail is completely washed out, but up close there is a fair amount of detail.

Kids won’t be drawn to Cortana at all. Master Chief and the Warthog are instant hits among the younger crowd – mostly because they’re very playable. However, among collectors and Halo fans, Cortana will score big points even though you can’t really play with her (never mind your weird fantasies about being Master Chief). Display is great and you’ll get your money’s worth if that’s all you want – and don't forget practical applications!

- Omni
(September 14, 2003)