We’re back at it again with a look at another Monster Hunter figure review, this time for Arch-Tempered Nergigante. This is another part of the Capcom Figure Builder Creator Series, featuring an Arch-Tempered Nergigante.

Our thanks to Gamer Break Game Store for letting us take a look at the figure.

Nergigante is the flagship monster of Monster Hunter World. The monster first appeared in the fifth-generation game, even gracing the cover of the game’s box art. Arch-Tempered is less of a species and more of a state of the monster, symbolizing its endgame mode which is a much harder fight, dealing even more damage than before.

In-universe, Nergigante is classified as an Elder Dragon, with the unique distinction of it being reported to prey on other Elder Dragons. Its defining trait is its regenerating spikes, which grow darker over time, leading to its big divebomb attack that strains hunter friendships.

Packaging

The packaging for the Nergigante is plenty imposing on its own, sporting the iconic Monster Hunter logo that’s stood the test of time since the game’s debut in 2001.

Unlike the monsters from Monster Hunter Generations, Nergigante follows the rules a lot of flagship Pokemon use, where its Japanese names are identical to their English ones. This is reflected in the Katakana script for Nergigante’s name under it.

Out of the Box

Nergigante is perched on top of a crystal pillar, similar to the locale of the Nergigante story fight in the Elder’s Recess. It’s standing on the pillar, menacingly staring at you. The figure has some good weight to it too, and the distinct silhouette of the Elder Dragon on the thin pillar will definitely stand out on your shelf.

The other thing that will help it stand out on your shelf is just how large the figure is. It’s sure to tower over your shelves with its imposing 32cm height.

Details

Every detail of the hunter of Elder Dragons is lovingly sculpted, including the tiny scale impressions on its wings. While the Arch-tempered version has more of a sheen to it compared to the previously-released regular version, this is in line with the Arch-Tempered monsters in the game. Arch-tempered monsters have more of a sheen to their coat, which while looking less “realistic” does set them apart from their normal variants.

Head Sculpt

Nergigante’s head is masterfully sculpted and painted, complete with his big toothy grin from the game. One really nice detail they’ve maintained is the dragon’s eyes, which have narrow slit-shaped pupils on them. They’re incredibly small compared to the rest of Nergigante’s features, yet Capcom has made sure the statue didn’t have cartoonishly larger pupils on the model even though you’d only be able to tell from far away.

The spikes on the back of Nergigante’s back are also excellently sculpted, in the all-black that warns veteran hunters to clear the way from Nergigante.

Body Details

The rest of the body is equally well-sculpted, too. Nergigante’s body has a very realistic distribution of different scale types, and they’re all very well represented here.

I especially dig the scales on the front legs, which have the same kind of scales you’d see on a bird. It’s not very noticeable at first glance, so it’s great that the sculptors decided to include this detail.

You also have Nergigante’s wings, which are just as eye-popping as they are in the game. You also get a better look at the black spikes, which make up the dragon’s weak spots when hunting it. I love how the wing’s “fingers” end in the sharp white spikes as well, it’s painted in such a way that it feels very real.

Even the tail, furtively tucked away at the back of the statue gets some love here. The central spike that it ends on is very well painted, standing out amid the other black spikes.

Closing Thoughts

Nergigante was definitely a monster designed to show off how detailed game models could be when Monster Hunter made the jump from handhelds to home consoles. This Arch-Tempered Nergigante figure definitely captures that spirit, with so much of the iconic Elder Dragon lovingly recreated in its sculpt.

Whether its in a set with your other Creator Series figures or alone, this towering beast is sure to cut a slick visual on your shelf. You can get one for yourself at Gamer Break Game Store, and our thanks to the store for letting us check this one out.

Item size: 32cm (height)

Series: Capcom Figure Builder Creator Series 

Material: Plastic