Hi guys! I'm here with an in-depth look at the recent Funko Evolve Legacy Collection. First off for people who might be asking, "what is Evolve? It is an asymmetrical first-person shooter video game developed by Turtle Rock Studios, published by 2K Games.
I have not been privy to have a chance to play this game first hand myself, but looking at the Evolve Legacy Collection makes me wish I could. Each character comes with reasonable articulation, sculpt and paint. Goliath is my immediate favorite out of all the Legacy releases to date. As he's a creature of extreme coolness. The articulation on this one figure will leave you in awe. He is widely flexible with various joints and swivels, and stands every bit as tall as his name describes. His mouth opens and closes slightly, just enough to make him a bit more menacing. His paint job is very true to the character in the game.
Just on a side note, The Pop Vinyl release is also a must have if you dig this Evolve game. There's four Goliath pops available in 6 inch versions, Three of these are glow in the dark variant's exclusive to Gamestop, Hot Topic, and Electronics Boutique of Canada. They have different paint applications and I do believe each glow in the dark figure has something in common, and they all glow in red!
Markov looks like a mix between a terminator and iron man (cyber-like) is part of the Assault class. Markov sports an assault rifle as his standard weapon to attack from a distance. He also has a lightening gun to shock enemies in mid-to-short range combat true to the video game.
Hank belongs to the support class and carries a primary weapon which is a laser cutter, which deals high damage at close range. His secondary weapon, is the shield projector, and it can be used from a distance to protect allies. Hank has a gray Duck Dynasty-like beard and a cigar hanging from his mouth. Markov and Hank are similar in body types, Very stiff but pretty stealth looking with limited pose-ability. their feet should have just a bit more motion, but the overall quality make for awe-inspiring figures. Each character looks ready to kick some monster butt. Markov and Hank Funko Pops are much more on the lighter, cutesie side. Both carrying a weapon and just looking very huggable.
Now this brings us to the last two characters available in the Funko Legacy Evolve line, Maggie and Val. Maggie belongs to the Trapper class - their primary function is stopping monsters from escaping. Maggie sports a machine pistol as a primary weapon. As a secondary weapon, Maggie can lay harpoon traps. Her unique ability is a pet called Daisy, a trapjaw that can sniff out and track the monster. I wish they had included trapjaw with this Legacy character. Though subtle, her dotted facepaint and up-do hairstyle make her very contemporary and tribal.
Being that both these characters are female they seem to have more of a feminine form (slender and a bit lightweight) compared to their male counterparts. The only reason I can come up with these character differences is that Funko is staying true to their figures in the entire Legacy line. (Firefly, Game of Thrones). Maggie's paint and sculpt are on par with the care given to Markov and Hank. Her paint on face alone shows much time and care. One of the details on all of these figures which stands out is the attention to the boot sculpts, all done with precision - especially the worn, scraped effects on Hank and Markov.
Val part of the medic class (this class' main function is keeping allies alive). Val carries an armor-piercing sniper rifle. It does damage and also places a marker on whatever beast she hits with it. Her secondary weapon is a medgun and can heal allies. Val's Legacy figure is very plain. Out of all in this line she is the weakest release. I feel both their Pop releases are a bit mediocre. There's nothing to make these women stand out in a world full of amazing Funko pops. I think something exclusive would have made for a better showing with Maggie and Val. Each Legacy character has their own charm, so I'm sure people will connect with each one in a different way.
All above Evolve Legacy characters come with the primary and secondary weapons mentioned above. Both primary and secondary weapons have a ultra believable look to them, detailed and well-proportioned to the figure itself.
The Legacy line of characters falls somewhere between the NECA brand's articulation and sculpt, and Mezco's paint application and to their sculpt to some extent. I do have to say the look of the women in the Legacy line remind more of the older 80s Hasbro G.I Joe styled mobility (a bit lunky and stiff).
In closing, what I'd like to see from this line is more in terms of monster releases. It is the monsters in this game that seem to be the physical stars so why not build on that. I mean I think we'd all love to have more monster figures in our cabinets, I know I would. Funko could also release more 6 inch variant monster Pop!s. How about a Glow-In-The-Dark Kraken, Wraith or Behemoth. Or perhaps consider some Exclusive Legacy variants too? Give people who don't know much about this game a reason to want these figures - and play the game. Perhaps the people behind the game can find a clever way to promote the game to include a variant of the figure/s? This was done earlier with a Batman Pop packaged with a video game, as well as a Spider-Man figure packaged with a DVD.
It's time for me to get a move on it, So until next time it's Canadian Chris signing off, Eh.