Here's another entry into the $12.99 Built To Rule price point, and like the others it's somewhat hit or miss. I actually find quite a few similarities between this vehicle and the Forest Fox even though the two vehicles are compeltely different.Built To Rule - Depth Ray
Whether or not to review these items was a pretty tough question for me to answer. Technically, these things are not really part of the GI Joe line, and in some ways do not fit at all. However, in other ways, these vehicles are not only pretty neat building blocks, but in design, some of them are actually BETTER than the regular stuff.
But how to tackle these things? Review them as Joe vehicles/figures? Or review them as something completely different? Well, all I know is GI Joe, so that's the focus I'm going to use. I couldn't even begin to try to compare these to actual building block sets, since I don't have a lot of experience with those, but how do these function as Joe vehicles, or as toys in general? That's an issue I'll attempt to cover.
Here's another entry into the $12.99 Built To Rule price point, and like the others it's somewhat hit or miss. I actually find quite a few similarities between this vehicle and the Forest Fox even though the two vehicles are compeltely different.
First of all, though, the figure. I still stand by my opinion that the Wave 1 Wet Suit was far and away the best Wave 1 figure (or at least a close tie with COBRA Commander). In spite of his lack of an O-Ring the figure design and sculpting detail are just incredible. That being said, this figure still looks pretty sad compared to what's available from Hasbro now. His sculpting is still very nice. The armored bodysuit and wetsuit underneath are all countoured beautifully and designed well. This color is actually even a little more interesting than the actual Wave 1 version, and it matches Wetdown pretty nicely as well. But, at its core, the figure is still just a non-O-ring Wave 1 repaint and disappoints. It could have been a lot worse (like the Frostbite that came with the aforementioned Forest Fox). but it could have been better as well. As it is, he's kind of there, and is a figure that will not likely make an appearence in my Dio-verse. In fact, I'm patiently waiting for Hasbro to make a more land-based Wet Suit figure that I can finally include on some of my missions. In an interesting twist, though, because of this Wet Suit's odd armor, the pegs on his arms and legs really don't seem that much out of place. In fact his "BTR pegs" probably work the best out of all that I've seen so far (although I still haven't seen that awesome looking Blowtorch yet...)
So, the first comparison with the Forest Fox is the figure. A repaint figure that's not really exciting and doesn't thrill or impress. Another thing this item has in common with it's jeep-based brother is that the original modes of these two vehicles both leave something to be desired.
Perhaps it's my senseless distaste for submarines. I don't know what I really have against them, but I can never really find a way to include them in my missions, yet this doesn't stop Hasbro from releasing submarine after confounded submarine. We've been blessedly sub-less for a few waves now, but here's the Depth Ray to hold us over for a little bit.
It's a shame really, because the vehicle looks pretty neat and could conceivably have some serious play value. The quartet of turbines are really interesting and the overall shape is kind of cool. It really works well as an underwater attack vehicle. But my personal bias against submarines prevents me from really getting excited about it. Regardless of the very cool, sleek shape and substantial weaponry, I just don't see a whole lot here that I'll use. But, if I ever do find a need for a Joe sub, I think this might be one of the first that I look for.
So, I guess, really it's not that bad of a vehicle, it's just my stupid anti-submarine prejudice that gets in the way. So, let's move on, since the second mode is where this vehicle is really at it's coolest.
The second mode of this little sub is an even littler "Dune Buggy". I don't know why, but I just love this little thing! I can imagine the Joes flying out of water, their Depth Ray's transforming into these little buggies and roaring over the beach in their small fast attack vehicles. The larger wheels in back and smaller ones in front give it a cool little lift and for whatever reason I just really dig that shade of blue. While not very military oriented, or realistic, this little speed-demon is a very neat little piece and worth the price of admission, even where the primary mode isn't, at least to me.
The turbines work well as wheels, looking a little more stylized than the others that are out, but still maintaining the proper look. Those twin missile launchers complimented by the miniguns make this little thing all the more threatening, yet don't take away from the smallness and the apparent speed of the vehicle. All in all, because of this mode, I really like this thing, and this second version of the vehicle has actually made the primary version grow on me a little bit more even if it is a submarine.
But should you buy it? Well, if you're a BTR fan, I'd say go for it. It's got that cool, whacky design, and the assembling process wasn't the least frustrating here. Not only that, but you have some cool stylish wheels (or hovercraft jets...) and that shade of blue could work for Joe or COBRA. The oddly shaped canopy is neat as well and could prove useful in some customizing endeavours. If you're not a BTR fan, I don't really see a whole lot of purpose to buying this thing. The sub is interchangable with the SHARC, Barricuda, or what have you and the mini-coup buggy is neat, but in no means essential. If you're trying to decide which $12.99 package to pick up, grab the Raven first and foremost, than this one, and pocket the money before being tempted to buy the Forest Fox. :)
