I will make a full review when I am finished with the kit if anyone is interested. So far I have built the legs, the lower torso, and the weapons. I am very impressed with the new engineering.
While the weapon selection is more limited then we are used to with Zaku II kits (no crackers or leg missile pods) what they do include is VERY well done. The bazooka and machine gun look incredible. The bazooka even has a flip open cover for the targeting reticule. The only surprise for me was that the detailing on the gun's stock makes it look like the stock could shift from side to side which would help poseability. But alas that is only a decoration which might not be a bad thing because it is a sturdy gun. There are NO seam lines anywhere. The only potential problems I have noted so far are the leg cables. Unlike the other cables that have a plastic inner core, the leg cables are literally on a spring with two plastic connectors at the end. They could very easily get stretched out by accident and be ruined. I can see why Bandai used them from the perspective of how the flexibility of the legs requires a flexible cable. But beware. The slightly disappointing result is that it would not be advisable to remove the lower leg armor to display the interior because it would require removing the cable and would most likely result in damage to the cable. Did I mention the awesome leg internals? They took a newer direction by having a solidly designed frame with detailed "plug in" pieces. Very cool! It is a shame that they can't be easily displayed after adding the cables though. This is the third attempt to justify why the S model is faster than the rest in modern kit form. Instead of the two "internal" vernier thrusters per leg on the version 1 MG, or the two "external" "boost" thrusters per leg of the PG, this kit uses three smaller verniers. I don't know if that justifies the speed increase as much as the thrusters from the PG but that is a different debate. Another thing I have noticed is a notable decrease in the number of polycaps needed for this kit. The ankle connection between the foot and the leg is ABS plastic with a "rod" and "clamp" type connection. If that makes any sense... Either way it should stay stronger longer. The waist armors connect to the lower torso via ABS ball and socket pieces. This is nice because the pieces don't pop off to easily like they would with a standard polycap connection. This is required because the side armor pieces slide back to allow for the more intensive kneeling positions. The amount of engineering breakthroughs in the Version 2 Kits has really been exciting for me. This kit is a marvel and definitely worth picking up for the sheer fun of constructing it. I was glad to pick it up because I skipped out on the MG Zaku IIS version 1. This is the first time I have gone with a non-Grunt Zaku with the exception of the HGUC and FG lines but it was worth it. I will probably pick up the Grunt One because this kit is so fun to put together.
