Funko Mystery Minis: Fallout – Vault Dweller

We’re just a few weeks away from Fallout 4 dropping, and I am exciiiiiiiiiiteeeeeed!  So naturally I’m picking up some of the attendant merchandise. Funko has already released a range of Funko POPs, which were a bit of a mixed bag. Much cooler is their new range of Mystery Minis, whose only real downside is BLIND-BOXING!!!

Today we take a look at the Vault Dweller, who is essentially serving in the role of the player character for the purposes of this set. He’s a pretty generic white dude, with brown hair. For some reason he’s got a sulky expression on his face; I’m not sure if that’s because he’s now out of the comfort of the Vault, or whether he’s just generally a sooky la-la.  

However, all the correct details are present; he’s got a Pip-Boy on his left arm, and in his right hand he clutches a gun which looks to be a 10mm pistol, which you can generally acquire quite early in the game. This guy must be straight out of the Vault (101)! He’d better get some better armour and weapons, or he’ll soon be dead.     

Paint is serviceable – my only real complaint is the obvious brown smear on his forehead – but the Wasteland is pretty dirty, so you can kind of palm it off as being “battle damage”, if you feel the need to explain it away.

Gamestop exclusive version

Regular version

Now, to my main point of contention – the blind-boxing. Though these figures are packed at a 1:12 ratio – and thereby ensuring that buying one case should ensure a complete set – there’s actually a little bit more to it than that. Y’see, there’s a Gamestop exclusive set too. It’s got most of the same figures, but it’s replaced a few with some Gamestop exclusive ones – including a female Vault Dweller. Certain EB Games stores seem to be stocking the Gamestop exclusive figures, but not all – check the box carefully before you buy, to make sure you’re getting one from the set you want. As with most blind-boxed things, I’m kind of irritated that there’s no way (that I’m aware of) to distinguish which character you’re getting. EB Games is selling them cheaper than most other places ($12) but that’s still too expensive for something blind boxed in my book. Cool as they are, release these as normal figures (maybe in a blister pack or something) and we’d be on to a much better thing.  

This guy isn't the best figure in the series, but he's necessary if you're looking to stage some kind of battle scene with any of the "enemy" figures. And if these sell well, we may get a Series 2 with some more varied Vault Dwellers -- that would be fun!

  

Funko POP! Games – Vault Boy (Fallout)

Fallout 3 was one of my favourite games throughout late 2008 and early 2009. I was going through a bit of a rough patch personally and it was an absolute lifeline at the time. Ever since, I’ve really enjoyed the series – New Vegas was hilarious fun (though I never did finish it) and I am eagerly anticipating the imminent arrival of Fallout 4.

I was quite pleased when I found out Funko had picked up the Fallout license. One of my favourite games meeting one of my favourite collectables? Should be great!

In practice the Fallout POPs are kind of a mixed bag; the male and female adventurers look great, as does the Brotherhood of Steel figure, but the Deathclaw isn’t as great. I like the Super Mutant, but feel like he should be a 6” POP (as should the Deathclaw too, really). The Feral Ghoul is fun, but it would be better if he glowed red in the dark.

Last but not least we come to Vault Boy, the subject of today’s review, isn’t actually a character in the game; rather, he’s something of a mascot for the series, both in-game and out. In the game's backstory, he’s the mascot of Vault-Tec, the company that produced the vaults which play such a central role in the game. In practice, this means he turns up in your skills menu (wearing a variety of zany outfits) and may show up on the odd bit of background scenery, like an in-game poster or something.

Though I like that Funko have done this figure, I’m not sure it’s entirely necessary. Vault Boy, after all, appears in-game as a variety of different bobbleheads -- and  a number of companies have already released real-life bobbleheads rendered in a game-accurate style. Funko has also just confirmed it will be releasing Fallout blind-boxed figures, which hew closer to the game’s art style (I must confess, I plan to order a box of them). Perhaps most curious is that they decided to sculpt him with his hands on his hips, rather than in his signature "thumbs up" pose. 

But there is also a fun variant – the Green Screen Vault Boy. What’s so special about him? Well, if you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you’ll know that I am a huge sucker for things that glow in the dark. Which this guy happens to, and so I had to have both versions of the character. It's a nice touch, actually; the glow is more relevant here than on most occasions, given how much of the Fallout series revolves around radioactivity.   

In America, this variant is a Hot Topic exclusive; in Australia he’s available from a variety of sources, including EB Games and Popcultcha. In all likelihood he’ll show up in a few other places too, though they’ve only hit stores in the last couple of days.

To summarise, Vault Boy isn’t my favourite POP -- but he does conjures up a lot of fond memories and will tide me over nicely until the game arrives.