Play Arts Kai Meryl Silverburgh - Metal Gear Solid Review

"Good things come to those who wait" indeed, i have misgivings about the latest SQEX release: Play Arts Kai Meryl Silverburgh from the Metal Gear Solid series so i did not include her in the priority list, (with DMC3 at her heels and Solidus) but then an "unexpected SALE" came up and i decided to give her a shot. 

Meryl's one of the most memorable personalities during the Shadow Moses incident in Metal Gear Solid for the PS1. She's basically the sidekick of Solid in that game but she's far from the "Girl to be rescued" stereotype, though she did required some in-game rescuing a couple of times or so, in all fairness to her, she can still kick some @$$ on her own. Guns of the Patriots will attest to that and all Solid Snakes (players) who got killed with a slap when messing around with Meryl.

One thing that made this release less attractive than the other MGS Play Arts Kai:

She could really use a larger arsenal or perhaps an alternative Genome soldier masked head and a FAMAS rifle. I know that as far as game accuracy is concerned, these are all she really got in the game: Desert Eagle,  Combat Knife, closed fist hand, knife hand and trigger hand but it wouldn't hurt to use your imagination SQEX.

Accessory issues aside i think she's pretty good, except maybe for some paint issues most evident in between her...ummm...chest area...see pics below. There's an orange area in between those barely covered by her tank top...anyway, i can't help but notice also that Meryl's paint finish is pretty 'shiny.' Glossy tank-top, chest and hair. I've seen that in the upcoming DMC3 Dante and i'm wondering if after the 'icky black makeup' trend SQEX are now going with the 'oiled body' trend. A modified 1/6 Orange vest can easily cover that up.

Meryl: Snake aren't you coming down that vent? Snake: No i'm good, i kinda like the view from here...

Notice the shine made evident by the camera flash? Looks like someone rubbed oil on her chest. Not that i mind that much...ahem...right Snake?

Details on her body's simple enough but finely done, she's got two holsters on her belt: one for the knife and one for her Desert Eagle. She's got a different pair of elbow pads also, thinner and loosely connected compared to that of Solid and the Big Boss figures. Do be careful of those, there's a chance that they may get detached, i almost lost one last night. The connecting hooks are not closed tightly enough on mine.

The overall design is not really game accurate if you ask me, she's missing her tattoo on the left arm and her bust is greatly upgraded, there is also a missing 'detail' on her...ummm...bust which i will not discuss here but if you've played the PS1 MGS game you'll notice it too. Just look it up on Google if you want.

I love the face sculpt of Meryl though it's very noticeable that they veered a bit away from the MGS look and gave her a touch of anime with her large eyes. I also love the permanent mischievous smirk they gave her, it's really, very Meryl.

Her scale is, thank goodness, accurate beside Solid, Fox and the other MGS figures released so far. Though she's kinda tall compared to the other female Play Arts Kai releases.

Overall, Play Arts Kai Meryl is a good buy IF you are an MGS fan like me but for a casual collector you are better off with Snake and Fox. If you can spot a Meryl selling for less than 60$ then that's a fair buy already, though personally, i'm expecting her to be a shelfwarmer just a notch higher than Kaz Miller. She's still a famous MGS icon so i could be wrong.

Come on Snake, don't be shy, it's just a picture!