Review – Killzone: Helghast Assault Infantry

Manufacturer: DC Direct * Year: 2011

Alex gave me this Killzone: Helghast Assault Infantry* action figure last month for my birthday and it was a cruel and terrible gift because I’ve now ordered the Killzone: Helghast Sniper*. Not because the Helghast Assault Infantry was a great action figure, though. In fact, it’s an awful toy.

Disposable Packaging

Like other DC Direct toys, the Helghast Assault Infantry action figure was packed in a cheap clamshell that, once cut apart, is nothing more than trash. This is a simple and effective type of packaging, but it’s kinda dull and the actual design of the insert is no more exciting than the clamshell itself. Everything is clearly labeled, but unless the toy inside captures you attention you’re unlikely to notice this in a store. Fortunately for me, I had already noticed this series so the instant Alex handed me the figure I was excited. After all, I’m always a sucker for a gas mask equipped soldier.

A Terrible Action Figure

Let’s go ahead and get the bad out of the way. This Helghast Assault Infantry* is an awful toy, with basically no articulation to speak of . . . like other DC Direct action figures I’ve seen. Running through the figure’s points of articulation doesn’t take long — swivel neck and waist, hinged elbows, t-hips, swivel/hinge shoulders and ankles, and swivels at the bicep are it. That bend in the legs? That’s all sculpt.

And it’s not that there’s not enough articulation that makes it such an awful toy. No, what’s wrong here is that the pre-posed legs locks this toy into almost a single stance. Consider this to be more of a slightly-poseable statue than an action figure and you’ve nailed exactly what’s going on with the toy. I’m not an articulation Nazi, but I do prefer it if I get at least a little choice in how I display the toys. This toy just gives me too little choice for my tastes.

An Incredible Sculpt

But once I look beyond the poor articulation all I see is a fantastic and gorgeous mini-statue that’s got some poseability. This 7-inch scale action figure — about 6.5-inches tall because of the crouched pose — is everything good about DC Direct’s work with toys. The details are remarkable — from the shotgun shells in the thigh pouch to the tiny snaps all over the body — and everything about the look of this Killzone: Helghast Assault Infantry* is what led me to placing an order for the Sniper. These two are going to make an awesome pair on the shelves.

Improved by Great Paint Apps

And it’s not just the toy’s sculpt that impressed me and made me happy with the gift. Every little button is sharply painted, the goggles look great, and the slight weathering on the suit gives the toy a lived-in look that’s always appropriate when looking at military action figures. Even though I may not like the limited articulation I have to say that DC Direct really put some effort into both the sculpt and the paint and I appreciate all of that work; I was at first worried I would hate this but the more I reposed the weapon and looked at the details the happier I got with the toy.

Closing Thoughts

This Killzone: Helghast Assault Infantry* is highly recommended to anyone who loves military-themed, near-future action figures and toys. The sculpted details and paint make this look so good that the limited articulation is soon forgotten. And even though I’m not at all familiar with the game that the figure is from I ordered the Sniper after spending just a few hours staring at the details on this toy.

I still dislike the DC Direct makes semi-poseable statues rather than action figures, but when the results are this impressive I find that I am plenty happy. This is an awful action figure, but it makes a great collectible and would probably look suitably impressive sitting in any office.

Mine’s going with the Halo figures on the shelves.

Philip Reed will have to review the Sniper as soon as it arrives so that he has an excuse to take a few more photos of this Helghast Assault Infantry action figure. Cool stuff!