We're ba-ack! After a bit of a hiatus due to us having a baby, we're finally doing reviews again! And, yes, we had a baby - a daughter! :D
Today, we unveil something new. We're going to start doing super short video reviews from time to time. They'll be a minute or less in length, which will be great since we know how busy everyone is.
Our first minute-or-less review is for a Blizzard Collectible Pin. Check it out!
So, what do you think? Is this new, super short format something you'd like to see more often? Let us know in the comments.
As always, thanks for reading and watching, and see you all again soon!
Hey, everyone! We're back today with an unboxing and review video of the April, 2017 Loot Gaming crate. No, no, we're not jumping back into a subscription program. Instead, this is just a one-off since we got super excited when we saw a preview for one of the items in the box. Anyway, here's the video:
We hope you enjoyed that. More is coming very soon to In Box, so stay tuned!
Hey, everyone! Mike here, and we have a brand new feature here at In Box! In our last entry, we did a video review using a GoPro and got some really good feedback. So, today, we are happy to bring you our very first video unboxing, featuring the August box from Loot Gaming!
As mentioned in the video, we are going to continue with our usual written review, so here goes!
In case some of you haven't heard of Loot Crate, it’s a monthly subscription box that caters to "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a box of items that match the announced theme. Loot Gaming is the video game version of Loot Crate and caters to gamers. Like its parent program, Loot Gaming has different subscription options. Here's a breakdown with shipping to Canada included:
1 Month Plan - $34.95 USD / $47.00 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $101.85 USD / $138.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $197.70 USD / $268.00 CAD per 6 months
1 Year Plan - $383.40 / $519.00 CAD per year
If you've seen the pricing for Loot Crate, you will notice that Loot Gaming is more expensive. Plus, the conversion to Canadian Dollars is pretty painful, probably due to the weak dollar over here. One can only hope the items are still worth the price tag.
AUGUST, 2016 - MECHA
It's September, but I only just received my Crate. As mentioned in our previous Loot Gaming review, this program ships later than Loot Crate, so Canadians will generally not be receiving their boxes until after the intended month. I'm personally okay with that, but I can understand if some of you aren't.
Of course, at the end of the day, what matters is what items are included in the box and whether they are worth it. Let's start having a loot at that with a list of what I got:
- Loot Gaming Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Gaming Theme Pin ($2.50 CAD)
- Destiny T-Shirt ($18.00 CAD)
- LawBreakers Cap ($15.00 CAD)
- Bioshock Patch ($10.00 CAD)
- Deus Ex Figure ($18.00 CAD)
- Borderlands Bottle Opener ($15.00 CAD)
Loot Gaming Custom Box
A while back, Loot Crate started to provide a custom design inside the box every single month. Now, there are a lot of spin-off Crates, each with their own box designs as well. Eventually, a somewhat lazy design will pop up, and I feel this is one of them. This armory design does not fully fit the "Mecha" theme this month. I mean, it's still kind of cool and I can somewhat understand how this is considered "Mecha", but I feel like the designers could have come up with something better.
Loot Gaming Mini Magazine
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love the mini magazines that Loot Crate provides. This thing is packed with content, including a great interview and an article on Transhumanism. A great read.
Loot Gaming Theme Pin
I am loving these new metal pins. This month's design features a cyborg hand. Very fitting for the theme.
Destiny T-Shirt
There was a period of 3 months a while back where I played "Destiny" exclusively. I love that game and still don't know why I stopped playing. This shirt featuring character designs from the game is really nice. Not only do I love the design, but I am also impressed with the soft, stretchy fabric of the shirt itself. This is top quality material Loot Crate is using and I appreciate it.
LawBreakers Cap
I have honestly never heard of the game "LawBreakers", so I can't tell whether it is considered "Mecha" or not. But, I like the design of this cap and will definitely wear is from time to time. Alternatively, I may give it to my best friend, who I feel this design represents quite well. LOL
Bioshock Patch
I love Bioshock and was very excited to pull this Big Daddy patch out of my Crate. The details are amazing and the large size of the patch itself really impresses. This is definitely a keeper!
Deus Ex Figure
I've only ever played one of the "Deus Ex" games for a short amount of time, but it was fun and I definitely want to give it another shot. This figure from "Mankind Divided" has a detailed chibi design that looks fantastic on display. My only complaint is that my figure seems to be leaning back just a bit. Thankfully, it still stands. I just have to be careful not to bump whatever shelf I'm putting it on too hard.
Borderlands Bottle Opener
This is by far one of the best items I've ever received from Loot Crate and Loot Gaming. I love this metal Claptrap bottle opener! It's sturdy and looks amazing. Plus, it has magnets on the back so I can stick it on my fridge. NICE!
OVERVIEW
All in all, I think this was a good Crate. It had fantastic items that were well worth the subscription cost. I do have to question the thought put into the theme, though. I'm not fully convinced that "Borderlands" and "Bioshock" can be considered "Mecha", though Claptrap is certainly a robot. Does a robotic element in a generally not-very-mecha series count? I'm not 100% sure. And, then, there's the box design. An armory is not exactly very "Mecha". Still, taken as a whole, there's more "Mecha" than not, so I feel Loot Gaming has still succeeded. And, did I mention the items are great?
If you're interested in learning more about Loot Crate and Loot Gaming, be sure to check out their web site HERE. And, if you enjoyed our new video unboxing feature, please let us know. We would also appreciate any advice on how to improve our videos since we're very new to this kind of thing. Thanks!
And, that's it for this entry. Stay tuned for more In Box, coming soon!
Hey, everyone! Mike here, and as you can probably tell by the title of this entry, I have subscribed to one of the "spin-off" Loot Crates. Here, have a look:
In case some of you haven't heard of Loot Crate, it’s a monthly subscription box that caters to "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a box of items that match the announced theme. Loot Gaming is the video game version of Loot Crate and caters to gamers. Like its parent program, Loot Gaming has different subscription options. Here's a breakdown with shipping to Canada included:
1 Month Plan - $34.95 USD / $47.00 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $101.85 USD / $138.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $197.70 USD / $268.00 CAD per 6 months
1 Year Plan - $383.40 / $519.00 CAD per year
If you've seen the pricing for Loot Crate, you will notice that Loot Gaming is more expensive. Plus, the conversion to Canadian Dollars is pretty painful, probably due to the weak dollar over here. One can only hope the items are still worth the price tag.
JULY, 2016 - STRANDED
Yes, it's mid-August and I just received my July Loot Gaming box. This is probably because Loot Gaming ships later than Loot Crate. I can understand that with so many spin-offs and one-offs, Loot Crate needs to stagger their shipping, but it would have been nice to receive the July box in July. Oh, well. Such is life!
So, what items did I receive in my box? Here's a list with approximate Canadian pricing:
- Loot Gaming Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Gaming Theme Pin ($2.50 CAD)
- Far Cry Primal T-Shirt ($18.00 CAD)
- Dead Island Towel ($15.00 CAD)
- Assassin's Creed Flask ($13.50 CAD)
- Tomb Raider Figure ($12.00 CAD)
Loot Gaming Custom Box
Like with Loot Crate, subscribers to Loot Gaming receive their items in a box that has a themed design inside. As seen in the photo above, the July box can be folded into a cool temple shrine. My only criticism is that the steps printed on the lid look awkward when the box is placed on a flat surface. The main body of the box would have to be raised up, allowing the lid to come downwards, for the design to truly look right.
Loot Gaming Mini Magazine
I'm a big fan of Loot Crate's mini magazines and the quality in the Stranded issue for Loot Gaming is equivalent. I especially liked reading the interview with actor Phil LaMarr.
Loot Gaming Theme Pin
The pin I received in my Loot Gaming box follows the new circular design of the Loot Crate pins, which is fantastic. I'm not sure that a hunting knife is the best representation of being stranded, but I actually really like the design as a whole.
Far Cry Primal T-Shirt
I recently bought "Far Cry: Primal", but haven't played it yet. I'll definitely be wearing this shirt when I do 'cause it looks really cool.
Dead Island Towel
I'm a huge fan of zombie games, but I have yet to play "Dead Island". Now that I have this awesome towel, I guess I'll have to sooner than later! Also, I need to mention that this is a very creative item for a subscription box. It was totally unexpected.
Assassin's Creed Flask
I've always wanted a flask and now, I have one from "Assassin's Creed: Black Flag". Nice!
Tomb Raider Figure
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Tomb Raider", Loot Gaming included this exclusive vinyl figure. It's cute and badass at the same time, but there are some problems. I'll start with this photo:
The box the figure came in was a little beat up because the packers had to stuff it into a shipping box that was just a bit too small for all the items in it. Considering how small the actual figure is, I think a smaller box for it would have been a good idea to avoid it getting squished and to also be less wasteful.
As for the figure itself, I had to lean it against the box in the first photo because it is very top-front-heavy and the bottoms of its boots are uneven. Here, have a look:
As you can see, most of the mass of the head is in the front. Combine that with the arms pointing forward and we already have a problem keeping this figure standing on its own. The uneven boot bottoms just make matters worse.
I'm quite disappointed in this figure. As great as it looks, it seems whoever designed it rushed things and now I can't display it properly. It's a shame.
OVERVIEW
My first experience with Loot Gaming was mostly positive. Despite the higher price tag for the subscription compared to Loot Crate and the low amount of items, the overall value was definitely good. The items themselves were also great for the most part. I especially liked the flask and the towel. The only item that wasn't up to par was the "Tomb Raider" figure.
Would I recommend Loot Gaming? It's a little early to say. I'm definitely going to stay on for at least one more month, though, so stay tuned for another Loot Gaming review next month. If you're interested in learning more directly from the source, you can visit the Loot Crate web site HERE.
As always, thanks for reading and see you again soon!
Hi! Mike here, and for the past few months, I've been seeing cute little Minecraft figures for sale at Walmart that come in blister packs and blind boxes, the latter of which are definitely of interest to me since I'm a fan of the game and I certainly love blind boxes. But, the $3.49 + tax price tag made me hesitant... until today!
I bought 2 of these suckers and brought them to the office with me to take photos during my break. Here are a couple more pics of the box, showing what figures are in Series 3... Wait! There were 2 other series before this? Wow, I definitely didn't pay close enough attention to these toys.
Based on the non-random 3-packs they also sell at Walmart, I already knew the size of the figures in these blind boxes. Considering their size, I honestly wondered how many figures there would be in them. I mean... they're kind of big. They wouldn't use such big boxes for single figures, right?
Yes. Yes, they would. Here's another shot of the Iron Armor Zombie I got in front of the large-ish box.
Despite the wasteful size of the packaging, I have to admit that the box design is very nice. I also like how, according to some web sites I found, you can tell what figure is inside the box if you look at the code underneath...
Yeah, that's apparently the code for an Iron Armor Zombie underneath the bar code numbers. Just Google "Netherrack Series 3 Codes". It's ridiculous how these are false blind boxes.
Moving on, the Mini-Figure itself is pretty nice. I like that it's designed as a "chibi" version of Minecraft. The plastic feels sturdy. The paint job is mostly good with some smudging on the helmet. I'm impressed.
In my second box, I got a Skeleton Horse.
I love the details on this figure, especially the vertebrae.
I also like putting the Iron Armor Zombie on its back.
Adorable! I'm having a cuteness overload right now!
The thing, though, is that in the end, I honestly don't feel that the toys, cool as they are, are worth the price tag. LEGO Minifigures are just $0.50 more and you get multiple pieces, articulation, and... It's LEGO. I know Minecraft is super popular right now, but I feel like they're charging $1.75 for the figure and $1.75 for the box. These Mini-Figures should cost $2.00 plus tax each at the most.
All in all, the Minecraft Mini-Figure Netherrack Series 3 blind boxes are pretty awesome toys, but a big waste of packaging and not worth the price. Get them on sale or if you don't mind spending that kind of money.
Thanks for reading and I'll be back soon with more reviews!
Hey, peeps! Mike here, and I'm extremely excited to be writing about the rather late-arriving February Loot Crate. Why? Because this box was advertised as being partially about board gaming! I love playing board games and card games, so I felt like this would be "the" Crate for me. Now, I could write on and on about that, but instead, I'm going to spare you the agony and jump right into my review. :)
For those of you who haven't heard of Loot Crate, it is a monthly subscription box that caters towards "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a themed box of 6 to 8 items. What's interesting is that Loot Crate has different subscription programs. Here's a breakdown:
1 Month Plan - $19.37 USD / $29.95 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $55.11 USD / $84.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $105.99 USD / $162.00 CAD per 6 months
FEBRUARY - PLAY
There are so many ways to "Play". Were the Loot Crate gurus able to represent a good variety of play or did they just stick with the one thing they advertised? Let's find out! Here's what I found in my box this month:
- Loot Crate Board Game and Dice ($3.00 CAD)
- Loot Crate Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Crate Theme Pin ($0.75 CAD)
- Superfight Card Deck ($8.00 CAD)
- Pac-Man Mini Poster ($5.00 CAD)
- Firefly Online Rifle Coupon ($1.50 CAD)
- Hexbug ($15.00 CAD)
- Exclusive Mini Munny ($10.00 CAD)
- Ready Player One ($12.50 CAD)
Loot Crate Board Game and Dice
I can't even properly describe how incredible the custom box this month is. It folds out into a simple-but-fun board game called "Crate Packing Simulator 2015" where you try to get 5 items into your Crate before your friends do. Dice were included to add to the fun, and even the Loot Crate magazine has pieces for this game!
Loot Crate Mini Magazine
As I mentioned above, the mini magazine this month includes game pieces for the board game. Of course, there's so much more, like photos, item descriptions, and a great article about co-op gaming!
Loot Crate Theme Pin
This is my favourite Loot Crate pin so far purely because of the board gaming theme. The design is also really well done and matches the standard orange border, which is a rarity when it comes to Loot Crate pins.
Superfight Card Deck
I've never played Superfight before and have never seen it in stores, but I still appreciate getting a deck with exclusive cards in it. You can learn more about Superfight over at BoardGameGeek. If you can find a copy in Toronto or the GTA, please let me know where, 'cause I can't seem to do so.
Pac-Man Mini Poster
I love retro video games and I love Pac-Man. However, I am surprisingly disappointed with this item. The design is okay, but definitely not one I'd hang on my wall. The worst part, though, is that the poster arrived in pretty rough shape, despite the protective cardboard cover. If you zoom in on the photo, you can see that one edge of the poster did not survive the trip from the US to Canada. :(
Firefly Online Rifle Coupon
I'm a fan of Firefly, and 3 or 4 years ago, I would have been drooling over a MMO based on that short-lived much-loved television series by Joss Whedon. However, now that I don't have the time to play MMO's anymore, I'm sad to say that this awesome coupon that gives me an exclusive in-game rifle is useless to me. Still, I think it's a pretty sweet item for anyone who plays or is looking to play Firefly Online.
Hexbug
Whoa, check out this cool-looking Hexbug for me to play with! I may be at work while I'm writing this review, but I may just take this toy out of its box and scare the receptionist with it. :p
Exclusive Mini Munny
Wait, Munnys are still a thing? Seriously? I think I bought a blank pink Munny for Jess, like, 8 years ago. This exclusive blank white Munny is a little late, but still super awesome.
Ready Player One
My buddy Dan has recommended this gaming-themed novel on many occasions and I was going to buy it after I finished my latest Urban Fantasy book. (Yes, I read Urban Fantasy books.) Now, I just saved a little money and have it ready so I don't have to go to the bookstore! Sweet! (Sorry, Chapters.)
OVERVIEW
If we're going to talk about theming, this month's Loot Crate has it in spades. It covers a very good amount of "play", like board gaming, video gaming, and toys. It even has a gaming-themed novel! I honestly didn't see that one coming. The only problem I have with this Crate is that some of the items aren't up to par. Superfight sounds awesome, but none of the stores in Toronto I've called have the base game. A Hexbug is cool, but probably going to be handed down to my niece after work. The poster had a so-so design and arrived damaged. The custom box board game is mind-blowing, but the reality is that it's going to be played once or twice and then recycled, leaving me with some fancy dice that I can't use with anything else. So, at the end of the day, my feelings are quite mixed. I love this Crate, but am also a little disappointed.
Next month, the theme is going to be "Covert". I love spy stuff, so bring it on! Hopefully, the items will be better than the ones from this month's Crate. If you're interested in learning more about or subscribing to Loot Crate, please check out their Web Site. To get $3 off a new subscription, use this code: SAVE3
And, that's February! As always, thanks for checking out my blog. See you again soon!
Heya, peeps! Mike here, and Happy New Year! It's 2015 and I'm super excited to finally receive the first Loot Crate of the year! So, instead of my usual verbose (big word, I know) introduction, I'm just going to jump right into my review!
For those of you who haven't heard of Loot Crate, it is a monthly subscription box that caters towards "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a themed box of 6 to 8 items. What's interesting is that Loot Crate has different subscription programs. Here's a breakdown:
1 Month Plan - $19.37 USD / $29.95 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $55.11 USD / $84.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $105.99 USD / $162.00 CAD per 6 months
JANUARY - REWIND
Sometimes, you have to look back in order to move forward. That's the idea behind this month's Loot Crate. Or, maybe that's just my take on it. Whatever the reason for "Rewind", I think anyone who saw the theme announcement on the Loot Crate Facebook Page was expecting some Retro Awesomeness. Did the Crate Gurus deliver? Let's see what was inside my box this month:
- Loot Crate Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Crate Theme Pin ($0.75 CAD)
- Voltron T-Shirt ($15.00 CAD)
- 8-Bit Sunglasses ($10.00 CAD)
- Star Wars #1 Comic ($5.50 CAD)
- So Analog 10-Doh! Figure ($15.00 CAD)
- Comic Note Book ($5.00 CAD)
- Black Tie Geek Tie ($15.00 CAD)
Custom Loot Crate Box
I know I keep mentioning this, but I continue to be surprised every time I open a Loot Crate and find a custom box. This month, we got a NES design. I love it!
Loot Crate Mini Magazine
As if the custom box wasn't enough, the back cover of the mini magazine has an accompanying cardboard punch-out NES controller! Fantastic!
Loot Crate Theme Pin
A cassette tape design for a retro-themed Loot Crate pin? WIN!
Voltron T-Shirt
Voltron was one of my favourite things growing up. I still have the deluxe set my dad brought back for me from Hong Kong. I love the design of this shirt, even if the shirt is black.
8-Bit Sunglasses
Today was one of those rare days on which I wore contract lenses and I was just thinking how I should probably get a pair of sunglasses to protect my eyes. Boy, did Loot Crate deliver there! :p
Star Wars #1 Comic
There's a new Star Wars comic book series from Marvel and I not only get the first issue, but an exclusive cover for that issue? You rock, Crate Gurus!
So Analog 10-Doh! Figure
I wasn't sure what this was until I opened the box and pulled out the figure. Man, I love it! There's just so much awesome to it! NES cartridge shape? Firefly reference? ZAPPER? I can't even... O_O
Comic Note Book
This little notebook has pages with blank comic book panels and a sticker sheet with word bubbles for when you feel all creative and want to draw a comic. The dollar value of this item may not be high, but it certainly has a lot of value!
Black Tie Geek Tie
We now come to my favourite item in this month's Loot Crate. Yes, that is a tie with a Space Invaders pattern on it! As a man who has to wear a suit quite often for work, I really appreciate getting this! I am so going to wear it tomorrow! :D
OVERVIEW
Loot Crate hit a home run with their first box of 2015. There's no better way to put it. Fantastic items. Incredible value. Crazy cool tie. Lots of thought put into making the package awesome as a whole. Okay, there are many ways to put it! As a subscriber, I can't ask for more this month. I'm thoroughly satisfied and can't wait to see what's coming next.
Speaking of February, the theme still hasn't been announced, but if you're interested in joining the fun, there is a code you can use on the Loot Crate Web Site to get $5 off a new subscription: SAVE5
And, that's all for January! Thanks for reading and see you again soon!
