Review – Star Wars Legacy Collection EVO Trooper

“Trained to survive the galaxy’s most treacherous weather conditions, EVO troopers are equipped with enhanced armor that can deal with hazards such as extreme heat, acid rivers, and lightning. Each EVO trooper’s FA-3 flechette launcher fires shards of metal capable of hitting multiple targets.”
— from the back of the card

Straight from last year’s The Force Unleashed video game, the Imperial EVO Trooper is easily one of the best new stormtrooper designs I’ve seen in years. With a removable backpack, two pistols, and a massive, heavy rifle — described as a flechette launcher on the back of the card and The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide — and a TIE Pilot-like helmet (complete with hoses connecting directly to a chest-mounted apparatus), the EVO Trooper looks like a futuristic NBC warrior.

I’m not sure who at Hasbro is in charge of making sure that Star Wars figures are well-sculpted and designed toys, but I’m confident that the guy who made the decisions on the EVO Trooper couldn’t have been the same guy responsible for green lighting the dreadful Jodo Kast figure I reviewed last month; the EVO Trooper doesn’t even feel like he’s from the same line, let alone the same year as the disappointing Jodo Kast.

Taking a close look at the EVO Trooper, he’s sculpted with numerous pouches, air canisters, and detailed shoulder and knee pads that, combined with one of the better paint jobs I’ve seen on a Star Wars figure, makes him one of the best of the dozens of stormtrooper/clone trooper action figures that I’ve seen on store shelves over the last few years. A lot of the figure’s design is no doubt the work of the original concept artists for the video game, but Hasbro’s design staff deserves a huge “thank you” from stormtrooper fans.

I know I’m gushing, but I really can’t help it. After seeing so many lame figures in the Star Wars line over the years — especially when it comes to stormtroopers, which are usually a single-color piece with minimal paint — the EVO Trooper is almost as good as Hasbro’s G.I. Joe line (which is often, these days, packed with excellent figures).

Complaints

As always, there are some problems with the figure. The first issue is with the action figure’s hip joints; the sculpted armor and pouches around the waist (especially the back) really limits the figure’s legs from moving back. Take a look at the image at left for a good look at the back side of the EVO Trooper; while it looks good, that entire waist section is nothing but trouble. If it had been sculpted in two parts — or if the armored section had been a vinyl accessory — then the EVO Trooper’s legs would work just fine. As it is, he’s not going to go into too many exciting poses.

The other problem — minor though it is — is that the EVO Trooper cannot hold both of his small pistols at once and he doesn’t have any holsters to hold the pistols. That means that his pistols are pretty much stuck going into the weapons glass (most of my Star Wars figures’ weapons wind up in a glass that sits in the game room). As I said, it’s minor.

Closing Thoughts

Do you love stormtroopers and clone troopers? Are you a fan of 3.75-inch Star Wars figures? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you’re gonna love the EVO Trooper. Hands down, this is my favorite new stormtrooper figure from all of the stormtroopers and clone troopers that Hasbro released in 2008.

Highly recommended!

For another look at the EVO Trooper, check out yo go re’s review at www.oafe.net where he closes by saying:

“The EVO Trooper is more of a design than an actual character, but it’s still a good toy.”

Philip Reed is tempted to grab a few more EVO Troopers, just to bulk up his stormtrooper army. This guy’s awesome!