Cloud Strife

Final Fantasy VII: Cloud Strife & Hardy Daytona Action Figure Deluxe Set
$79.99
Keep in mind that I bought this figure set for display purposes and do not intend to play with it as a child would. This review is more from a collector's perspective with note given to the big-spender parents and grand parents at the end. With that in mind, I hope this review can answer some questions you may have about the product that the product description might not be able to answer. I'll break it up into two parts, the figure and then the bike and then wrap it all up at then end with an overview.

The Cloud Figure
The figure itself is of great quality plastic and a near perfect "real-life" representation of the old Tetsuya Nomura artwork that he did for Cloud (you can even pose him to the likeness of that picture!). The figure is also very poseable with points of articulation at his wrists, elbows, shoulders, head, hips, knees and even the bottoms of his boots to allow for that extra poseablity! His sword is just as it looks in the Nomura-san artwork with weathering and cracks throughout - a great highlight of the figure for myself. Cloud also comes with a couple sets of hands as well (clenched fists and open hands for both arms). The paint job on this figure is fantastic as well just like the other figures in the Play Arts collections. The figure also comes with a waist-holder body prop-up just like you'd find in the other Play Arts figures. It stays hidden pretty well for it's size, though I would have liked a different color for the waist clench than the bright silver exposed metal. From what I can tell, this figure is exactly like the no.001 Cloud figure that you can purchase separately.

Now, to the real reason collectors will be buying this figure set:

The Hardy-Daytona Bike

What can I say that the picture cannot? Well, for starters it's actually even better looking in person. The gear shafts, wheels and even the kick-stand are all a sight to see. The wheels really do move and it would seem they have very good bearings to make them move as smoothly as they do. The paint job is fantastic for this kind of mass-produced figure set as well. My only real gripes with the bike are that:
1. While you can 'move' the handle bars left and right to steer the bike, they do not move very much. In fact, their range of movement is so small it's hardy noticeable until you actual try to 'drive' the bike around your desk.
2. The bike can be a bit of a bother to balance correctly, especially with Cloud mounted on top of it. A bigger kickstand or even a stationary holder made especially for the bike would have been a welcomed addition.

The only real negative I still have with the set is that I would liked to have seen this figure come with the "Hardege" sword that he wielded when you played the mini-game version of his motorcycle chase in the Golden Saucer in addition to his Buster Sword. It's a very minor quip but it would have made the set that much more perfect (you can, however, purchase the Play Arts Final Fantasy VII Arms Weapons Set for around $24.99 which has the Hardedge sword in it!). It's also worth noting that the packaging that the set comes in is perfect for display as is. The box is well made and the plastic window where the figure is seen through is clear enough for you to see the contents of the box.

For the parents out there looking to buy this for their young children I would warn you that Cloud's hands are small and can be lost or swallowed very easily. I wouldn't recommend this figure to any child under the age of 5 for that reason alone. Also, this is a very expensive toy to be throwing around like a G.I. Joe, wouldn't you say? :D

In summary, this is a great collector's item for the price. Most display statues are much more expensive to have and this is a fine and economical way to obtain a cherished video game memory made touchable. If you're a die-hard Final Fantasy fan who happens to be a collector of action figures or other curios then you deserve to purchase and own this great figure set of a hero and his "stolen-and-used-one-time" motorcycle.

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