HG IBO 1/144 Gundam Astaroth Rinascimento Review
This guy might look badass, but he's got a lot of complaints as well.
Holiday has made me lazy. So, here we have the Gundam Astaroth Rinascimento, basically 82 percent near completion into Origin. Back to the asymmetrical silhouette, this guy is actually not that bad, compared to the Vual.
Front&Rear View
This is indeed an unique design for a V-fin. Wish if this kit came with two of these, so one could make a stag beetle out of its head.
Comparison with the Original
Gimmicks&Weapons
I forgot to take photos of them, but apparently you also get leftover parts for the good ol' Astaroth and Astaroth Origin, althought not all of them.
First of all, we have the Shield Arm, which as the name implies, is a shield that latches onto the shoulder and can turn into a sub-arm. Bandai has made a really clever move where you can also set this armament for the left shoulder, if you do plan to buff up the Vual or give the Full City more arms. It can hold any weapons with no problem.
The only problem is, this is Gundam Vual all over again. The shoulder polycaps were too weak to support the excessive weight of its equipments, which is a shame.
Then we have the sub knuckle, now made from scratch. But you will also get the old sub knukle built from the Hyakuren's side skirt. It is a real pain in the ass to equip, and it frustrated me. Not to mention it's already heavy, and combined with the demolition knife+bastard chopper in the latter, the left hand won't be able to support the combined weight at all.
This is the rifle from the ol' Astaroth. Now comes with a waist holster which actually isn't practical because the handle's just hanging at the holster.
And now it comes with two damn knives, whereas the first Astaroth had only one, and it had nowhere to go. And mine's already lost. But hey, I'm getting two more, and I can't be any more happier. And this time they actually had somewhere to go!
The shield arm as a sub-arm, holding the rifle.
Next, we have the bastard chopper, which as the name implies... is a bastard. Features a functional Dainsleif warhead you can use to make a diorama, where the Rinascimento shoots the projectile. Apaprently, this version is called the Explosive Dainsleif and relies on explosive firepower instead of the electrical current Gundam Flauros used. Thus, it can only be used as a pile bunker... This is technically an effing pile bunker, not a Dainsleif.... no. It's both.
It's one of the light melee options the kit can hold on to without having loose joints.
The good 'ol demolition knife. Features a folding gimmick for storage in the backpack. Two-handed wielding for this weapon applies only for lefties, unfortunately.
And this thing is FREAKING tall!
Now, the main event of Rinascimento is, the bastard chopper can combine with the demolition knife to form a large sword. This is even more impractical to use due to the way this weapon is held by both hands and its sheer weight plus the sub knuckle.
Some action
Pros:
-Good asymettry
-Unique design, especially for the V-fin
-A lot of weapons to play with
-New gimmicks
Cons:
-This Gundam's total loadout weight exceeds a full armored Gundam, meaning it cannot hold its main event weapons, such as the demolition knife
-Let alone the large weapons, the joints are too weak to lift the shoulders due to the shields' weights
Verdict
In the end, I can't say much but complaints for this kit. Sure, Rinascimento has a lot of new things to offer, from entirely new right arm and knee armors, but it still has its old flaws. If you could, I'd suggest you to replace the polycaps with sturdier ones from any other models.
If you're thinking you can use Lupus Rex's torso for the job... the answer is no, unfortunately. And now onto the final question, do you want to buy this? NO. But if you have a junk Gundam Frame of 1/144 scale and it has a tough polycap connection for the torso, replace it.
That's pretty much it for this review, and as always, see you next time.
-Fin
Holiday has made me lazy. So, here we have the Gundam Astaroth Rinascimento, basically 82 percent near completion into Origin. Back to the asymmetrical silhouette, this guy is actually not that bad, compared to the Vual.
Front&Rear View
As you can see, Rinascimento's asymmetry has managed itself to look bulky overall, whereas Vual is half bulky half skimpy. I've fixed that using some junk parts from the first release of good ol' Astaroth. I'll be showing that later. The parts you get were a mix from the ol' Astaroth and Astaroth Origin, cobbled up with some new parts, such as the shield arm, right arm, the new sub knuckle, the knee armors, the right calf thrusters, the backpack, the unique asymmetrical V-fin antenna, bastard chopper, and the holsters for its rifle and knives.
By the way, the right fin thrusters' gunmetal colors were stickers. It's already peeling off, dang.
Rear View w/out holstered weapons
This is indeed an unique design for a V-fin. Wish if this kit came with two of these, so one could make a stag beetle out of its head.
Comparison with the Original
Gimmicks&Weapons
I forgot to take photos of them, but apparently you also get leftover parts for the good ol' Astaroth and Astaroth Origin, althought not all of them.
First of all, we have the Shield Arm, which as the name implies, is a shield that latches onto the shoulder and can turn into a sub-arm. Bandai has made a really clever move where you can also set this armament for the left shoulder, if you do plan to buff up the Vual or give the Full City more arms. It can hold any weapons with no problem.
The only problem is, this is Gundam Vual all over again. The shoulder polycaps were too weak to support the excessive weight of its equipments, which is a shame.
Then we have the sub knuckle, now made from scratch. But you will also get the old sub knukle built from the Hyakuren's side skirt. It is a real pain in the ass to equip, and it frustrated me. Not to mention it's already heavy, and combined with the demolition knife+bastard chopper in the latter, the left hand won't be able to support the combined weight at all.
This is the rifle from the ol' Astaroth. Now comes with a waist holster which actually isn't practical because the handle's just hanging at the holster.
And now it comes with two damn knives, whereas the first Astaroth had only one, and it had nowhere to go. And mine's already lost. But hey, I'm getting two more, and I can't be any more happier. And this time they actually had somewhere to go!
The shield arm as a sub-arm, holding the rifle.
Next, we have the bastard chopper, which as the name implies... is a bastard. Features a functional Dainsleif warhead you can use to make a diorama, where the Rinascimento shoots the projectile. Apaprently, this version is called the Explosive Dainsleif and relies on explosive firepower instead of the electrical current Gundam Flauros used. Thus, it can only be used as a pile bunker... This is technically an effing pile bunker, not a Dainsleif.... no. It's both.
It's one of the light melee options the kit can hold on to without having loose joints.
The good 'ol demolition knife. Features a folding gimmick for storage in the backpack. Two-handed wielding for this weapon applies only for lefties, unfortunately.
And this thing is FREAKING tall!
Now, the main event of Rinascimento is, the bastard chopper can combine with the demolition knife to form a large sword. This is even more impractical to use due to the way this weapon is held by both hands and its sheer weight plus the sub knuckle.
Some action
Pros:
-Good asymettry
-Unique design, especially for the V-fin
-A lot of weapons to play with
-New gimmicks
Cons:
-This Gundam's total loadout weight exceeds a full armored Gundam, meaning it cannot hold its main event weapons, such as the demolition knife
-Let alone the large weapons, the joints are too weak to lift the shoulders due to the shields' weights
Verdict
In the end, I can't say much but complaints for this kit. Sure, Rinascimento has a lot of new things to offer, from entirely new right arm and knee armors, but it still has its old flaws. If you could, I'd suggest you to replace the polycaps with sturdier ones from any other models.
If you're thinking you can use Lupus Rex's torso for the job... the answer is no, unfortunately. And now onto the final question, do you want to buy this? NO. But if you have a junk Gundam Frame of 1/144 scale and it has a tough polycap connection for the torso, replace it.
That's pretty much it for this review, and as always, see you next time.
-Fin
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