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Series: MechWarrior – Dark Age
Craftsmanship: 9.0 / 10
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Keepin’ it metal!
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Faithful to the MechWarrior source but needs some “battle damage”
- Not
as poseable as it could be
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Stable
Playability: 7.0 / 10
- Mech
battle dioramas look great
- Heavy
figure
- Small
pilot will be lost
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Limited articulation points might mean broken limbs
Related
Links:
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AFR: Jupiter (MechWarrior)
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Review: MechCommander 2 (PC)
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Review: MechWarrior 4 (PC)
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Mad Cat II
(MechWarrior)
by Joyride
Studios
As a MechWarrior figure, Mad Cat II is probably the
most recognizable. Legionnaire, Forestry ‘Mech, and Jupiter could be mistaken
for big robots from other series, but Mad Cat II has the distinctive three-point
feet, dual shoulder-mounted long-range launchers and domed beak-like cockpit
that will forever be
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tops of the legs are just high enough to prevent
free movement. The remaining points do a great job allowing for some cool poses.
It’s balanced extremely well and it can actually be put into action poses with a
bit of experimentation. Those that have always hankered for some cool
MechWarrior dioramas – the wait is over!
The second issue is that Mad Cat II is a little too squeaky clean, which is a
general fault with the entire series, but is more glaring thanks to its white
paint job. These huge machines see a lot of flak during battles and they don’t
exhibit any scorch marks? Dents? Dings? Exposed wiring? There is some blackening
around the gun barrels, which is to be expected, but c’mon! Either the pilots
are really good or the MechWarrior units are fresh off the assembly line. With
the right kind of paint, a steady hand and some imagination, battle damage can
be added. Of course, this route isn’t recommended if you don’t have some
experience customizing your figures – otherwise it will just cause you
frustration. If Joyride has plans for another series of MechWarrior figures (or
a repaint of this series), I hope they take the initiative to add the extra
detailing.
Everything else about Mad Cat II is top shelf. It remains faithful to the
MechWarrior source material and even if you’re not specifically interested in
MechWarrior, you’ll appreciate the attention to detail. As a display figure, it
fits in with the other MechWarrior figures and is to scale with them – it simply
towers over the Forestry ‘Mech.
Playability is mixed. Like Jupiter, Mad Cat II is a big heavy figure and can
actually present some danger. (Mostly if it’s thrown across a room.) In
conjunction with the other MechWarrior figures there is quite a bit of play to
be had, but on its own… well, kids won’t have a problem letting their
imaginations run riot, especially if you happen to have Joyride’s C & C:
Renegade vehicles. However, this will put it in danger of losing a limb. The
joints don’t have much “give” increasing the chances you’ll hear the line, “Dad,
can you fix this?” A nice touch with all the MechWarrior figures is the small
pilot figure packed with them, but their size makes them entirely loseable. Once
installed in the cockpit (by flipping open Mad Cat II’s “forehead”) the pilot
will stay put, but if you’re one to fret over lost accessories and “incomplete”
sets, it’s for the best to just put the pilot in a safe place.
Without a doubt, this is a must-have for MechWarrior fans. Mad Cat II has much
going for it as a display piece (Yay, metal!) – and a little less as a play toy
– even though it could be made better.
- Omni
(April 12, 2003)
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