Hey, everyone. Mike here, and I am super excited to be bringing you all another In Box video! This time around, I unbox and review the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera. Yay, polaroid photography! ^_^
I hope you enjoyed that. Stay tuned for more In Box coming soon!
Hey, everybody! Mike here, and today is my 5th Wedding Anniversary with Jess! For this momentous occasion, Jess gave me a Steven Universe Mystery Mini by Funko. Want to know what I think about it? Hit "Play" on my video review to find out!
I hope you enjoyed the vid. Stay tuned for more In Box, coming soon!
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 today I am super excited to bring to you all a video review of Skulzy from LEGO Mixels: Series 8. What's extra special about this video is that it is the first thing we recorded using our brand new GoPro Hero4 Silver! We have a lot to learn about this amazing little camera, so expect to see more videos in the near future. Enjoy! ^_~
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!
Hey, everyone! Mike here, and yes, you read the title right. I am a Looter once again! For how long, I do not know. What I do know is that I was overjoyed to receive a Crate this month. Here it is in all its glory:
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 themed box of 6 to 8 items. What's interesting is that Loot Crate has different subscription programs. Here's a breakdown with shipping to Canada included:
1 Month Plan - $29.95 USD / $41.00 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $84.00 USD / $114.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $162.00 USD / $219.00 CAD per 6 months
1 Year Plan - $312.00 / $423.00 CAD per year (includes Bonus T-Shirt)
As some of you who have read this blog in the past have probably noticed, the cost for this program has gone up significantly for Canadians, probably due to our weak dollar at the moment. Regardless of the reason, this hurts. One can only hope the items are still worth the price tag.
JULY, 2016 - FUTURISTIC
This is the first time since getting into subscription boxes that I didn't know the theme of a box beforehand, so I honestly didn't know what to expect. Upon opening my Crate, I was greeted with what seemed like Sci-Fi items. As it turned out, the theme was Futuristic, so I wasn't far off the mark. Here's what I got, along with approximate Canadian pricing:
- Loot Crate Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Crate Theme Pin ($2.50 CAD)
- Rick and Morty T-Shirt ($18.00 CAD)
- Star Trek Decal ($5.00 CAD)
- Mega Man Kidrobot Figure ($11.00 CAD)
- 4001 AD #1 Comic ($5.00 CAD)
- Futurama Ship Model ($20.00 CAD)
Loot Crate Custom Box
Custom box designs have become the norm for Loot Crate, and one of the things I've been wondering is when they will run out of good ideas. Based on this month's awesome ship hanger design, the answer is "not just yet".
Loot Crate Mini Magazine
The cover design for the mini magazine is lackluster, but the contents are phenomenal. For example, there is a fun article that ranks the Star Trek captains, a 2-page Rick and Morty spread for you to colour in, and a list of times Futurama made people cry.
Loot Crate Theme Pin
My favourite "new style" pin so far. I think it's absolutely fitting for this month's theme. Plus, this is the first Loot Crate pin I've received that I feel truly doesn't scream "Loot Crate". Only people "in the know" know where I got it and that's something I appreciate.
Rick and Morty T-Shirt
I'm a huge fan of Rick and Morty, so it should come as no surprise that I have already started wearing this awesome shirt that features Rick's portal gun. Sweet!
Star Trek Decal
I love Star Trek: The Next Generation, but this item is kind of lame. I guess I'm just not that big a fan of decals.
Mega Man Kid Robot Figure
Although I haven't opened this Mega Man blind box yet, the mini magazine has noted that what's inside is the red and white Mega Man. As I'm not a particularly huge fan of the video games, I'll either give this away or open it sometime in the future. Still, I'm pretty sure fans of Mega Man would love this item.
4001 AD #1 Comic
Prior to receiving this comic, I had never heard of 4001 AD before. I really appreciate receiving the first issue so I get to start at the beginning. Thanks, Loot Crate!
Futurama Ship Model
This!... THIS! Man, THIS is why I love Loot Crate. Such a fantastic item. Now, if only Jess and I can find some shelf space for it... LOL
OVERVIEW
I can honestly say that I am very happy to be back with Loot Crate again. This box was wonderful! Great items, phenomenal value, and definitely a lot of thought put into the theme. See, this is why Loot Crate is the best nerdy subscription box out there and also why I can recommend it without any hesitation.
Want more info? Check out their web site by clicking HERE and use code SAVE10 to save 10% on a new subscription.
And, that's all for this month. Stay tuned for more In Box in August!
Hey, peeps. Mike here, and welcome to the first ever In Box Special! Recently, it was our good friend Caryl's birthday. If you don't already know of her, she has an awesome web site called Brunchosaurus. My fave section is the Wine one, where she has a fantastic wine review series called "Wednesday Wine". As a surprise, I filmed a review of her birthday cake in the same style as her wine reviews, roping in our pal Dan Q as a special guest.
