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The Shadowed One Review
 Tuesday, September 20th, 2005 at 5:24pm [Source: Janus] This is a review of the �8761 and 8755 Combiner, The Shadowed One," which is currently available everywhere you can get the Titans (instructions are both online and in the Roodaka instruction booklet). Though I will be using big D�s review style, I will only use those parts applicable for this model, so let�s get going. 
BUILDING EXPERIENCE What can you expect while putting this model together? Well, it seems that this is going to be the week of LEGO surprises, as I was once again pleasantly surprised with the construction of �The Shadowed One.� The arms are fairly elementary, but the hands are quite interesting, and they even include opposable thumbs (I�m pretty sure that�s a first). The legs and tail are likewise rather simple, but they do their job, and have the occasional neat little innovation. 
However, the best part of this entire set is undoubtedly in the body and head, both of which are just plain -cool-. The body itself looks incredibly armored and even juts forward slightly, giving it quite the interesting appearance. The head on the other hand is quite elegant in design, and reminds me of some sort of ancient headdress. One personal note here is that the set itself looks far better if you retract the neck and allow the double hip joint to �hover� horizontally directly over the gap in his body (lower it down until his chin basically touches the jutting Metru foot). I�m almost sure this is how the designers originally intended it, as there would be no reason to make the Toa Metru foot jut forward so much without it.
Overall, I adore the appearance of this guy; he looks armored, imposing, and ancient, a fitting look for the leader of the Dark Hunters. One thing that�s definitely cool is the orange and black somehow manage to avoid looking gaudy, certainly a plus.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE So you've got the model together, but is it more like playing with a block of wood or an interactive toy? 
In the area of gimmicks, The Shadowed One is undoubtedly a let-down, as he really only has his Rhotuka staff (although it is quite funky). However, in posability, there�s a slight redemption for the fearsome leader. With neck, shoulder, arm, thumb, hip, knee, and somewhat ankle articulation, he�s not half bad for a combiner. The only drawback is that his arm and hip articulation is somewhat limited.
Doesn�t stop him from getting some pretty cool poses, though.
OVERALL Here's where it all boils down to whether the model is worth your money and time or not. Overall, I�d have to say that I prefer Keetongu and Roodaka separately. Though The Shadowed One is without a doubt quite cool (and the pictures really don�t do him any justice), he is still a combiner, and the original sets far surpass him. 
Make him if you�re bored of Keetongu and Roodaka, or if you just want to see what he�d look like completed, but don�t expect too terribly much.
Still, for a combiner he�s pretty awesome.
Opposable thumbs up for The Shadowed One!
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