Imperial EVO Trooper - TAC - Basic (08 09)

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 fléchette launcher fires shards of metal capable of hitting multiple targets.

The Force Unleashed wave of figures was a big deal for collectors and we all waited anxiously for them to reach our paws. After a long delay, they finally were released and the entire set made most collectors very happy. The line was full of cool Jedi, Sith and Imperial troopers. One of those troopers, the Imperial EVO Trooper, was one of the highlights of the entire wave and has been a hot commodity ever since. Collectors in general tend to love all of the various military members in Star Wars. And when the Expanded Universe creates a new Imperial that borrows familiar designs from characters of the Original Trilogy, they become immediately desired and popular by fans and collectors. Without even thinking twice about purchasing the Imperial EVO Trooper, most collectors army built him very quickly. Since many of us have the proclivity to love anything Imperial, the Imperial EVO Trooper fit in well with the rest of our ranks. After all, Imperial soldiers are some of the most iconic of all Star Wars characters. The Imperial EVO Trooper in particular looks like hybrid of a Sandtrooper and a Stormtrooper while still maintaining a very original appearance. Hasbro did a very fine job of translating this video game character into an action figure and while he may look a little too thick or chunky, he is nonetheless an awesome character and we are sure you feel the exact same way.

Complete with 14 points of articulation, the Imperial EVO Trooper is not only loaded with many points of movement, but he is also packed with accessories. And the great news is that you can pose him will all of the accessories at once. Though he doesn't have storage on his person for the two smaller blaster pistols, he can hold them well in his two hands while the heavy assault rifle is thrown over his shoulder for back-up artillery. All the pieces are complemetray and befit the action figure very well. His backpack is very cool, but we don't think it looks too much like the one that was seen in the video game. This may not matter, because it attaches well on the action figure's back and looks great aesthetically. The figure is relatively clean except for a concentration of yellowed dirt that covers the lower legs below the knee joint in their entirety. When a figure is so clean everywhere else, it makes deco like this looks particularly bizarre. Even so, it interestingly matches the yellow strap on the Sandtrooper gun he comes with, so it sort of makes it look all OK - in a weird artsy way, not a realistic way, if that makes any sense. Certainly a character we can expect to see again in another EU source, the Imperial EVO Trooper really has it all where it counts. The fine details on this figure are particularly fascinating. For example, he has rows of indented dots on his shoulder armor which are not just simply painted on, but sculpted. You can actually feel the indentations (or lands and grooves) with your fingers and we are impressed by this attention to detail. These patterns are also found on the knee armor plates.

Because he is super-articulated, you can pose him in a variety of ways and if you use this posability in tandum with his awesome figure stand, you can nearly achieve any stance you wish. His breathing tubes coming out from the chest box can be separated from the helmet and while this is a cool feature, we have to question why his chest box is just a white rectangle. There are no painted buttons, no detailed texture and we of course have no clue as to why this has been left 'blank' it if nothing is there. This probably has more to do with us being fastidious collectors than a criticism directed at Hasbro as if they made a mistake or something. A small issue like this is certainly no cause for worry, but we don't understand why this was left undecorated when it could have been a great way to give this action figure a little bit more character. The Imperial EVO Trooper also has additional arsenal on the sides of his calves. Were it not for the glue, it appears that these might have been initially designed to be removable, but alas they are not. It would have added another dimension of play value and we wish Hasbro would have made this an option for this figure. Despite any suggestions we may have, we are thrilled with the Imperial EVO Trooper. He was a wonderful addition to the 30 (77-07) collection.