Mobile Frame Zero: Z-G

And now for something completely different.

There used to be an old Collectible Action Figure/Card Game called Z-G designed by Mark Rein-Hagen.  This is what the action figures looked like.

Source.

Now, I hadn't thought about it until the other day -- because someone brought it up on a forum I frequent -- but these figures might work for a larger scale game of MFZ.  I actually own one each of the Green one and the Blue one and I'm kinda intrigued by the thought of using them at some point.

Noble Knight still has the Green one in stock, and I've heard of other sources for the figures.

Review: 71302 Akida Creature of Water

Let's finish up the "Creatures of..." sets from the current Bionicle line.

Box.  MSRP is $9.99 for a $0.08 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  There's a new piece in this set, a Black Technic Pin w/Friction Ridges Lengthwise & Pin Hole.  Along with a ton of useful parts.

Parts 2.  I like the Orange flame pieces, and those Blue Exo-Force Arms are going to be useful.

Build.  Not that great, but I was in a hurry.


The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5) (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  A good way to finish out the line.

Review: 71300 Uxar Creature of Jungle

Let's continue looking at the "Creatures of..." sets from the current Bionicle line.

Box.  MSRP is $9.99 for a $0.11 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  It's interesting to see the Axle & Pin Connector in Bright Green.  The Bionicle Chain Links are interesting too, as are the Pin 3L w/Friction Ridges Lengthwise & Center Pin Hole (middle left).






Parts 2.  The hinged jaw pieces are still interesting as are the Wide Curved Blade Hero Factory Weapons in the lower left.


Parts 3.  These were loose in the box.

Build.  I managed two out of this set.

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10) (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  Another decent score for this line of sets.

Review: 71304 Terak Creature of Earth

Let's take a look at some of the "Creatures of..." sets from the current Bionicle line.

Box.  MSRP is $9.99 for a $0.14 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Here we have the majority of the small parts.  The Unicorn Horns are pretty interesting and should make for excellent greebles.

Parts 2.  These are the larger pieces.  Those hinged jaw pieces in the upper left look interesting as are the Trans-Purple Clip Claws.



Build.  I managed to pull three out of this set.  The two on the outside are 2Rh/1B/1G/1Y/2W.  The one in the middle doesn't have any stats yet.


The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10) (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  A decent start for this line of sets.

Review: Gundam Converge ORX-005 Gaplant TR-5 (Hrairoo) (131)

One last Gundam Converge set for the week.  The tweak in the review questions is thanks to Shades Corvid.

Box.  I paid $9.95 for this at Barnes & Noble.

Parts.

Disassembled.

Assembled.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  At.  (0)
Is it a good size to use in a game?  Yes.  It's roughly the size of a Classic.  (+5)
How many parts does it have to represent systems?  Three.  (0)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +10 (A-).  One more removable piece and a slightly cheaper price and this would have been an excellent set.

Review: Gundam Converge ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos (126)

This model, and the next one, are marked #02.  So this may be a new series.

Box.  I paid $9.95 for this at Barnes & Noble.

Parts.

Disassembled.  Unfortunately you're unable to use the hands from this on the Build Burning Gundam.

Assembled.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  At.  (0)
Is it a good size to use in a game?  Yes.  It's roughly the size of a Classic.  (+5)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent at least four systems?  No.  (-5)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  Not having both hands be switchable hurts this set.

Review: Gundam Converge BG-011-B Build Burning Gundam (114)

I've bought a few more of these kits since the last set of reviews.

Box.  I paid $5.95 for this at Barnes & Noble.

Parts.

Disassembled.  The hands also come off.  I discovered this after I was done taking pictures.

Assembled.

I may have come up with a modified version of my usual set of questions to rate these kits.  I'm going to try it out on this one.



The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  Below.  (+5)
Is it a good size to use in a game?  Yes.  It's roughly the size of a Classic.  (+5)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent at least four systems?  No.  (-5)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +10 (A-).  I'm still working on the grading systems but this sounds about right.