Every time I think about selling my big box retail figures in favor of more expensive specialty pieces, a company like NECA comes out with a figure like Nathan Drake. Drake is proof that a $20-$25 toy can be on par with the likes of Figuarts, Mezco, and Figma.
It’s likely that NECA has never been more popular than they are today, and that’s with good reason. They are hitting their stride with 1:4th scale masterpieces and 7-inch figures from classic movies (like Terminator and Alien), as well as a plethora of other timeless properties. Although NECA primarily focuses on cinema-based figures, they’ve been exploring the video game market for quite some time. Video game figures have been an exception for NECA. While they tend to skew toward classic properties, most of their video game figures are based on recent titles. (Exceptions can be found in their TMNT Arcade figures and the Contra set.)
The last NECA figures I purchased were Assassin’s Creed 2 Ezio and Gears of War Marcus Fenix, largely because the properties they have been producing since then are of no interest to me. Uncharted, however, is one of my absolute favorite video game series, and I knew I would be getting this figure the second it was revealed. Nate was supposed to arrive early in 2016, and he didn’t show up until about a week ago, but I can tell you he was worth the wait.
Starting with the packaging, Drake comes in a window box with a folding Velcro flap hiding the figure inside. The cover flap features the same box art as Uncharted 4. I wouldn’t mind displaying Drake mint on card for this reason, but let’s be honest: toys are for playing. (FREE HIM!)
The figure is painted beautifully, featuring life-like detail and multiple paint washes and dry brush coats of varying colors. His pants and boots have been hit with a dark gray wash, highlighting the folds in the sculpt and the dirt that must accumulate when adventuring in ancient ruins. Similarly, his shirt received a beige dry brush that accentuates the sculpt and helps to bring Drake to life. Elsewhere, Drake’s buttons, straps, belt buckle, watch, pouches, hair, and accessories have been painted crisply. His stubble is applied evenly and reasonably, as opposed to the shoe polish look that we usually see on figures of this scale. Drake’s skin is fully realized with subtle paint application. Finally, there is some blood splatter on his right temple, chest, abdomen, and thigh. I could’ve done without it honestly, but it doesn’t bother me too much.
The sculpt work is also excellent, with well-hidden articulation and a defined, well-proportioned build. Nate’s chest, triceps, and back muscles are all suitably fit for a man who spends his days climbing rock fixtures. Interestingly, the shirt on Drake’s torso (but not his sleeves) is a soft rubber overlay that fits the figure seamlessly. The shirt disguises a ball jointed torso and a waist swivel. The crotch of his pants is also made from the same soft rubber material, and this allows a greater range of motion than a hard plastic crotch would. I love the idea of the soft rubber overlays, but one of my biggest concerns with the figure going forward is the durability of that material. Soft rubber often deteriorates over time.
The figure is fully articulated with a pegged-in head, ball-jointed shoulders, bicep swivels, single-jointed elbros, swivel-and-hinge wrists, a ball-jointed torso, waist swivel, ball-jointed hips, thigh swivels (hidden between the crotch overlay and ball jointed hips), double-jointed knees, swivel-and-hinge ankles, and ankle rockers. My biggest complaint with the figure lies in the articulation. The figure’s downfall is its single-jointed elbros. The elbows can bend at about 75 degrees, but no further. This makes it nearly impossible for him to hold the AK-47 in a convincing manner. His climbing poses are also limited by the single-jointed elbow. His head and ankles both suffer from limited mobility as well, but those issues are more tolerable.
Nate is packed with two heads, four hands, the AK-47, the pistol (which I left out of the photo), a coiled rope, and an uncoiled climbing rope. His coiled rope accessory, holster, and pouches are made from the same soft rubber material as his shirt and crotch. Another gripe with the figure is the coiled rope accessory, which can be difficult to peg into his belt. Note that the AK-47 strap comes apart at the front of the gun, making it easier to strap on his back. I wish NECA would’ve given us Drake’s journal instead of the AK-47 — especially because he doesn’t hold it well — but this figure is packed to the gills with accessories for $25, so it’s hard to complain.
Ultimately, if you are a fan of the games, pick up this figure. If you’re not a fan of the games and want an adventurer who’s cooler than Indiana Jones for your collection (yeah, I said it), also pick up this figure. If Nate is successful enough, it may inspire NECA to make Elena, Sully, and the rest of the gang. I wouldn’t object to other Naughty Dog figures, either.
Get Drake soon at Big Bad Toy Store.
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