In 2021, Hasbro took over the licensing for the Epic Games behemoth that is Fortnite. The 6-inch line, called the Victory Royale Series, launched in the Autumn and included a number of single figures as well as deluxe releases including this one of Meowscles and his Gym Equipment.
This figure was provided to us free of charge by Hasbro for review purposes.
The Fortnite line from Hasbro gives us a glimpse into what future action figure packaging may look like as the team have reduced the plastic use considerably to a small window on the box through which we can view the top half of Meowscles. With no figure to show as a whole, the box ramps up on the artwork with bright colour flashes and illustrations of the character - while round the back there is a look at the figure and accessories. The box shape is unusual with a corner cut out to the right-hand side.
Once opened the interior has also lost all plastic, with the figure and parts secured in a yellow multi-compartment shaped cardboard tray. Smaller pieces for the set are then wrapped in waxy paper and tucked just under the figure's torso. The figure itself remains strapped in with some ties and held in check by the cut outs of the horizontal cardboard struts.
Meowscles comes as seen in his allegiance to the Shadow organisation from the Season 2 Chapter 2 Battle pass. The figure's torso is cast from a deep grey plastic and shows off the character's 6-pack as well as a number of tattoos in black ink and scars. The head, which is accurate to the proportions in the game is done in the same in-game aesthetics and includes the red eyes and black painted ears.
Meowscles iw wearing a pair of skinny jeans which include some paint apps to give them a denim look, complete with turnups. His boots are black with yellow laces.
Straight out of the box, Meowscles is equipped with his twin pistols which come ready holstered in the two holsters on his belt. Once you unwrap the rest of the accessories you will also find an assault rifle, twin knives, the 'Feline Fun' back bling, and a dumbell.
The pistols and rifle are well detailed and are likely to be regularly re-used through the line. The rifle features painted brown stock and handle. The back bling is also well decorated with the two golden mice grenades painted against the black of the ball of wool. This slots into a hole on his back and holds in place securely enough for both display and play. The knives and dumbell are left in their base golden plastic colour.
Meowscles features a pair of gripping hands which are engineered along with the accessories so all of them can be held, and in either hand - or in the rifle's case, with a two-handed grip. He does also come with a pair of clenched fists for when he needs to go hand-to-hand with an opponent.
Meowscles has a total of 23 points of articulation, this is about standard for the line and includes double joint knees, elbows, butterfly shoulders, swivels across the bootcut, thigh and bicep, and a torso joint. Due to his physique and stature, Meowscles is only jointed at the top of the neck with a ball joint while other figures have got a dual jointed neck (24 points in total).
All this articulation makes Meowscles supremely poseable with his weaponry, in hand-to-hand combat posing, or using the gym equipment also included. The figure is however very top-heavy and on quite skinny legs that also have a less than substantial ankle rocker with no obvious ratchets. This does make Meowscles prone to falling forward.
It is the gym equipment that takes this release into the Deluxe category and aims to replicate the equipment in Meowscles gym in the Shadow headquarters. It comes in parts and needs assembly once unpacked. There are no instructions as such, but it is simple enough to work out.
Ach part is cast in the base colour with gold for the weights and support, a beige for the padding with a pink towel laid over the top, and a darker gold for the weight bar with pink hand grips. This bar does arrive warped - although that is not the end of the world considering most bars would bend with that level of weight on either side.
The articulation allows Meowscles to lie on the bench and hold and press the weights. The arms can just about support the weights on their own although there is an upper and lower rest on the support to have the bar at two different heights.
For the £32.99 price point, Deluxe Meowscles (Shadow) offers a good degree of value for money vs other Hasbro lines, with a plethora of accessories and a larger environment piece. The Fortnite line may be just starting out, but it is a strong start with a real identity about the figures and a specific look on the sculpts and paintwork that is reflective of the in-game play. There is also a sense of fun with the figures, and accessories, so I am excited to see where Hasbro goes next.
You can purchase Hasbro's Fortnite Victory Royale Series Meowscles Shadow directly from Hasbro Pulse, via Amazon, and via Zavvi.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...