Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) - GOA - Basic

Seeking to continue the legacy of Darth Vader, Ben Solo turns to the dark side of the Force and becomes Kylo Ren.

Originally released as part of the first wave of Rogue One basic figures, Hasbro raises the previously-released Kylo Ren figure from the dead for inclusion in the third wave of Galaxy Of Adventure figures. Not at all a bad figure for five points of articulation, Kylo Ren, renamed Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior), reenters the basic figure line with fewer accessories and about the same level of deco as its previous release. The Galaxy Of Adventures line focuses on a main character featured in the included miniature comic. And that comic focuses on a major event in an episodic Star Wars film. Many wished to see Hasbro tool all-new animated-styled figures, but others are equally as happy to see some of their best 5POA figures get another return at retail. And then there are indifferent fans that believe this whole thing is a big waste of time. The animated shorts on YouTube are done well, and although the storylines take some liberties, overall, the Galaxy Of Adventures property should be an out-of-the-park hit. But sadly, we don’t see the fruits of that in the basic figure line. With tubular packaging and color accents for each character represented in the line, Galaxy Of Adventures appears to be appealing to an audience that doesn’t exist, meaning, collectors like elements of this line, but overall it’s just more of the same that many didn’t want the first time. That aside, Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) is based on his appearance from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, and Hasbro chose wisely representing this action figure to portray that character.

Although essentially a straight repack of the Rogue One figure, Kylo Ren got his start when the figure was compiled from multiple parts. Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) is a kit-bashed figure that utilizes the body from 2015's TFA Kylo Ren Build A Weapon (Forest) figure with the head sculpt from 2015's TFA Kylo Ren Armor Up (Snow) figure. And to top things off, Hasbro gave the figure an all-new hood accessory to complete his look. The removable “hood up” accessory provides collectors with another iteration to display Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) in their collections, and how he appeared in the film. Admittedly, Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) looks pretty cool. If you’re not crazy about the character, you’ll still find it difficult to deny how great this figure looks. Although the parts of this the entire figure, aside from the removable hood, have been carried forward from The Force Awakens line, it’s the addition of the hood that gives this figure its personality. The removable hood accessory sits flush on the figure's head. You can turn his head a little bit while he wears it, but the range of movement isn’t great because of how long it hangs on the back of the figure. The cloth texture is beautifully executed, and the way the robes fold and break at his feet is impressive. If we had to pick one simply-articulated Kylo Ren action figure for the collection, it would unequivocally be this one. Hasbro did well here, and in retrospect, it makes sense that they decided to refresh the figure when they did. Now you have another opportunity to purchase him.

You can also move his ball-socket head underneath of the hood, but something looks out of place if you don’t situate the head sculpt as “looking straight through” the front of it. In other words, having him look left or right with the hood on isn’t too aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) comes well-outfitted too. You know about the new removable hood. He also comes with his signature lightsaber. It can be held with his right hand, but as his left hand is pointing, it renders itself useless for anything utilitarian. And that’s about it. There’s not much more to say about this re-released Kylo Ren action figure. Aside from the new hood, some of you may already be able to cobble this figure together (if you have basic customizing skills of course). But we have to admit that the hood accessory is the defining factor here of why we feel this figure is a must-have, providing you’re a fan of The Force Awakens. It should be no surprise that Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) is a featured character in the Galaxy Of Adventures line. He’s the new Darth Vader in Disney Star Wars, and he’ll continue to get as much focus as possible. But if you have the revitalized figure from the Rogue One line, there may be no need to repurchase it in the Galaxy Of Adventures line too, unless you’re a packaged collector. Hopefully, one day, new lines like this will also get the much-deserved new tooling instead of constant repackaging of old figures. But who knows if that will ever change. Right now this seems like the status quo of the 3.75” Star Wars action figure line.