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ZeekSlider's Monthly Collectable Item Critiques
Honest opinions about the items you care about!
September 2005 Donation Item Critique
This month's donation items are the Panda Pack and Hard Shell Pack!

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Quote:
Must Have Rating: 1 out of 5
Recommend Item: Whichever you're into...


Just in time for "Back to School"
Okay, no, not really. But still, they both fit the various school uniforms available in Gaia at the moment. They also utilize the new back feature in towns to their fullest degree. But they are only for looks and not for storing things or carrying things.

Pretty Panda
Taking a cue from the Kiki plushie, this little Panda Pack looks like something straight out of Sanrio. Seriously. The three modes that it has to offer are as cute as you can get, but lack the humor of the Kiki plushie.

The default mode is something I like to call "Baby Carrier" mode. If you are recent mother or have seen mothers of newborns recently, you've no doubt have seen them carrying around their babies in the front similar to how this mode looks. While cute in the whole "my stuff toy is my baby" angle, you can't really wear much with it that won't kill the cuteness of this mode. You would have to settle for all the "light" clothing to make it work. Or you could go the post-labor angle and put on a set of dirty clothing.

The second mode is how backpacks are usually worn. On the back. You've seen this a dozen times in the mall, and some of the younger girl members in Gaia are probably guilty of actually owning something that looks similar to this. *yawn*

The last mode is called Handy Mode. Why Handy? Well, because you are not carrying the bag on your back. However, at the same time, you don't have a choice of many hand options like the Kiki plushie, which is a real disappointment. You can only hold the Panda Pack out as if you are handing over your lunch money to the school bully. And furthermore, the droopy little panda doesn't look all that cute! It just looks kind of sad.

Green Koopa Shell! It's a freaking Koopa Shell!
No, seriously, it is. However, as much as this item will please the Mario fans out there, it will also please the Dragonball fans in a rather unusual way.

The modes of this pack are divided up into two different areas. Spiked and normal. Those modes are then given two more modes for some added variety.

The first mode for the two versions is the pack mode. This is where the Dragonball fans will have the most fun. In either mode (Normal or Spike), the shell is put on your back to make you look like the earlier version of Master Roshie from the early timeline of the Dragonball saga. All anyone needs now is a pair of summer-style shorts and a tank top of your fancy. Then just find a pair of matching sunglasses, and there you go! Roshi Cosplayer in Gaia! Kind of sucks how there isn't a bald head hair style, but I'm sure there may be one in the future.

The second mode for the two versions is one that is rather humorous. Known as Defense mode, your avatar pretty much acts like a turtle and disappears into the shell of the Hard Shell Pack! This is for the Mario fans that like to kick turtle shells around like they were footballs. What I find odd about this mode is that there are two versions of it. One for standing and one for sitting. How can a turtle shell with no visible legs stand?

Your Supply List
Sadly, I'm not really impressed by these items. They are cute and show evidance of planing since Gaia Towns is currently in public beta. I like the fact that they are the first donation items with the back of the avatar in mind when they were created.

However, there are cheaper bags out there. Not as cute, mind you, but cheaper. Both of these items are also hard to get a decent look going without making your avatar goofy in one sense or the other. That is if you don't go straight to the safety outfits I've described in my critique.

And if you have long hair in the back? Forget it. The hair for the most part covers the bags from the backs. You can't really see much of the item short of what is shown from underneath your hair. These items are definately for those with short hair.

I would personally not really keep any of these unless you want to play around with them, which is what I intend to do. However, if you can come up with an outfit that works with either of these two back packs, go and grab whichever one works for you.

Zeek Slider
Community Member
  • [06/16/09 04:09am]
  • [05/16/09 03:36am]
  • [04/16/09 02:05am]
  • [03/16/09 02:19am]
  • [02/16/09 03:35am]
  • [01/15/09 09:42pm]
  • [12/16/08 01:27am]
  • [11/15/08 09:52pm]
  • [10/16/08 01:28am]
  • [09/09/08 01:39am]




  • User Comments: [13]
    Starcloud
    Community Member





    Mon Sep 26, 2005 @ 02:41am


    Anothiner fine review, Zeek. For some reason, the Panda reminds me of GIR's dog disguise in Invader Zim.


    Zeek Slider
    Community Member





    Mon Sep 26, 2005 @ 02:44am


    Starcloud
    For some reason, the Panda reminds me of GIR's dog disguise in Invader Zim.
    It had the same general design, but I think it's more in line of those Hello Kitty and Powerpuff Girl back packs. You know, made so you look cute more than it is to hold things in.


    Inazuman Frash
    Community Member





    Mon Sep 26, 2005 @ 02:46am


    I love the Panda Pack for the sake it's a backpack which is an item I've been wanting on Gaia for eons.

    I also like the turtle shell for obscure purposes like being a shell in towns and I want to assemble a Hammer Bros. Cosplay.


    Zeek Slider
    Community Member





    Mon Sep 26, 2005 @ 03:10am


    Frash, your current hair style, however, conflicts with the bags. You can't see but a little bit of the backpack from behind. Believe me, I've seen screen shots.


    Kathleen Starr
    Community Member





    Mon Sep 26, 2005 @ 04:19am


    I like them, except for the hair thing.

    LAME.


    Fox Demon Shippo
    Community Member





    Mon Sep 26, 2005 @ 05:29am


    Hii! I kinda want the turtle one so I can be in the shell, but...other than that, I agree with Seph.

    *waves* Hi Seph! Haven't seen you in a while! 3nodding


    Lady Pyre
    Community Member





    Mon Sep 26, 2005 @ 03:17pm


    You make it sound like having a real pandy pack is a bad thing. sad

    I have a real panda hat, too. xd


    Zeek Slider
    Community Member





    Mon Sep 26, 2005 @ 07:24pm


    Lady Pyre
    You make it sound like having a real pandy pack is a bad thing.
    I knew I was going to get in trouble with you for that. sweatdrop

    And I'm not saying having a panda is a bad thing. I like pandas. But personal preferances asside, I don't like how generic the item is. It screams Sanrio, which I have nothing against personally. I was giving it a bad review simply because the item isn't all that unique, unlike the Kiki plushie which could have been just as boring if it weren't for some of the more humorous poses.

    So, yeah, I like pandas too, and it makes me sad how limited this panda item is given what they could have done with it.


    RizuHaruko
    Community Member





    Tue Sep 27, 2005 @ 08:49pm


    where do you get the turtle shells?


    Zeek Slider
    Community Member





    Wed Sep 28, 2005 @ 01:46am


    This month's donation item, Rizu.

    Click here to get one.


    Lady Pyre
    Community Member





    Wed Sep 28, 2005 @ 04:45am


    But... but... he's so cute! In an ANGRY way. Like... he's this cute, fluffy animal and then... one day... he's just going to SNAP AND RIP YOUR HEAD OFF!!! exclaim exclaim exclaim exclaim


    Zeek Slider
    Community Member





    Wed Sep 28, 2005 @ 11:27am


    Just like all Sanrio product, LP. wink


    [Anzy]
    Community Member





    Mon Oct 17, 2005 @ 12:04am


    Honestly, the Pandy packs aren't even that cute. Some people go "OMG! It's so cute!!!!!" Eh... not really...


    User Comments: [13]
     
     
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