Metal Gear Solid 4: Raiden by Medicom

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about Metal Gear Solid but that hasn't stopped me from buying stuff related to video games. I already have two Metal Gear Solid 3 figures released by Medicom (I didn't get the latest Old Snake from MGS4 because he was very badly produced and just not worth it) and two Biohazard 4/Resident Evil 4 figures - Jack Krauser and Leon S Kennedy by Hot Toys. I wasn't giving much thought to MGS4 Raiden because of the way MGS4 Old Snake turned out - his one-piece rubberised suit was oversized and cumbersome, making him look fat, uncool and "plasticky"/cheap. I thought I'll lay off this line until Dennis Korol pointed Raiden out to me and insisted that I take a second and even third look at him which I did. I guess Medicom also realised their mistake with old Snake coz they took a very long time to release Raiden, perhaps to ensure that everything was done right this time around.

Well, I'm happy to report that Raiden is now standing proudly beside Deunan and Briareos, as well as Leon and Krauser :) 


Raiden in his tray. As with all Medicom stuff, no twisties and extremely collector-friendly - very much like a Mac: out of box, plug and play

His extra hands and accessories - one sword, one SOCOM pistol and two knives

Raiden with visor down

Raiden with visor (face armor) up and eye guard /Solid Eye System (SES) off

One of the coolest thing about Raiden is his headsculpt - simply amazing!!

Visor / Face Armor up

Eye Guards up

Eye guards in place - Solid Eye System (SES) on

Eye guards / Solid Eye System (SES) on and visor / Face Armor in position

The lighting seems to make the visor and shoulder pad colours more obvious and less translucent as this picture shows

The text on the eye guard / SES says, "Do not touch lens surface"

Side view of eye guards / SES in place

Shoulder pads with barcode 

Chest protectors

Raiden with SOCOM pistol

Raiden with his two knives

Check out his back plates

And butt plates - LOL!!

Raiden with his sword

Another look at his sword sheath

His drop-down thigh holster 

The only thing that irked me at first - what's with the heels? Actually they act as extra hands because the heel is a "thumb" and the toes become fingers so that he can actually fight and grasp his weapons with all four limbs. Amazing articulation achieved by Medicom as it actually works!

Feet grasping weapon

Truly a fine figure - not the prettiest but simply AWESOME!!!

Size comparison - SURPRISE! SURPRISE!! Raiden is taller than Leon and Krauser and almost as tall as Briareos. Medicom can actually scale things up - no more puny sizes