6 posts tagged “figures”

On its 10th anniversary Final Fantasy VII continues to remind us why it's one of the all time greatest rpg's ever made. While many advances have come in the gaming world including much improved graphics, gameplay, and the ability to interact with others online, Final Fantasy VII has transcended the times and remains as relevant today as it was when it was released 10 years ago. I can still remember when I first purchased a Playstation system as the sole reason at the time for getting one was the announcement that the Final Fantasy series would be making the move to Sony's gaming console. This installment has inspired the release of countless figures, cosplay items, tapestries, and even the magnificent release of last year's CG masterpiece "Final Fantasy VII Advent Children" which picked up the storyline 2 years later. The combination of in depth storyline and playability has made this landmark release a blueprint of sorts for all RPG's that since followed. While I have acquired the complete set of action figures from this series and a few tapestries, I've only managed to acquire a few of the articulately made PVC statue figures including Tifa, Aerith, and Sephiroth. The amazing looking figure of Cloud with his Hardy Daytona has since eluded me as it's long out of print. It does appear from time to time on auctions but the average asking price is usually around $300 and that's not including shipping!
Recently however Playarts has announced the release of a new Cloud figure featuring his Hardy Daytona and I didn't hesitate for a second and pre ordered it. While its release date is quite awhile away as it's slated for release on January 31, 2008 this really is a second chance at owning a very similar figure to the one that I missed out on. This figure is priced at 9800 yen and can be pre ordered here. The Japanese have long been the leaders in making well detailed figures and this one is no exception from the images that they've provided. It's really amazing that after all this time this particular installment remains as the flagship of this series. Even the soundtrack from this installment is much endeared and has spawned numerous releases. I will always find "Aerith's Theme" the most memorable and haunting in this series.

I don't know about anyone else out there but I spent literally over 220 hours of game time playing Final Fantasy VII. This is also the only rpg that I've played multiple times as I used a guide the second time to find everything that I had missed the first time around which included the memorable moment of seeing Aerith's ghost in the church as well as countless other "hidden" features in this game. I started to play it a third time and renamed all of the characters with names from the drama "Long Vacation" but never completed it. :P The final "movie" clip that you unlock when finishing an installment of Final Fantasy is always a well deserved one after logging so many hours of game play and this series has never failed to award the player with magnificent CGs and continued storyline. I'm just happy to have been given another chance at owning an amazing looking piece of Final Fantasy folklore.

I found Sephiroth in a local game store but had to go on eBay to find the other 2. They had the Cloud figure on his bike at the store as well but his sword had been broken and glued back on so they wouldn't sell it to me. I saw it on eBay as well but it was selling for about $300! I don't think the shipping was included in that price either. I still want to get the Cloud figure on his bike as it looks absolutely amazing.

After taking them out of their boxes and throwing away the boxes here's where most of my figures are displayed on top of these shelves. FFVII, FFVIII, FFIX, FFX, Tenchi Muyo!, Sanrio, Powerpuff Girls, Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. Together they create one wacky scene! :P I need to do some dusting up there. :)