If you’re on the Internet geeking out at a toy site, it’s more than likely that you’ve heard of Loot Crate. Each month, they ship out a box full of t-shirts (one in every box), toys, gadgets…pretty much a smorgasbord of pop culture collectibles all focused on a single theme. You can select a monthly subscription (3, 6, or 12 months) or just pick and choose your favorite themes. They say there’s over a $45.00 value in each Crate. And each one runs between $19.95 per month with shipping for the single month plan to $17.95 per month with shipping for the 12-month plan.
For this review, we’re checking out the April 2016 Loot Crate. The theme of the month was “Quest”. This was my first Loot Crate, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in. Personally, “Quest” probably wasn’t the best theme to start out on, as I was never a big fantasy genre person. I was into plenty of nerdy things growing up, but I just never could get into things like D+D. And I’ve never watched or read anything Harry Potter related.
The item that pops out upon opening is the t-shirt. And it’s probably because that’s David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King staring back at me. The black t-shirt features purple/white graphics based on the film Labyrinth. Damn…did this movie freak me out as a little kid.
There’s a little poster roll in there. I thought, to continue terrorizing the childhood me, maybe they could include something from The Dark Crystal. Luckily, it’s a mini poster from Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. I dare you to find a video game series as entertaining as the Uncharted series (it has nothing to do with the fact that I was just playing the game 30 minutes ago). It’s like playing your way through a really good movie.
The pair of Loot Crate specific items are the Quest book, which gives you some additional details about all of the items included in your box, and the Loot Pin. I’m guessing that you receive a monthly theme-specific Loot Pin with each Loot Crate. As you can see, this one resembles a shield and features a 20 sided die (ooooo. foreshadowing).
Next up, there’s a pair of black Harry Potter branded socks. I’m not sure what makes them Harry Potter since they just have random words and corresponding pictures. When I think of Locket, Ring, and Diary…the first thing that pops into my mind is Harry Potter. Yep. (Okay...it does say Harry and have a lightning bolt on them) This will be part of my Harry Potter obsessed sister’s birthday present.
There was also a Loot Crate Exclusive 20 Sided Die Ice Mold. Just fill it up with water and pop it in the freezer. This is so you can make one giant ice cube and play Dungeons and Dragon out in the snow. Or commit a terrible faux pas by placing it in your scotch. Or, more likely, use it to help ease the pain of the beating you just took on the school bus. I wasn't able to get mine crystal clear. I'm sure there's probably a spell I could cast...
The piece that I get the feeling is the main item is the 1/2 scale Floki Drink Mug from the show Vikings on the History Network. It looks like a big, hollow horn that you attach to a leather strap. Then, I guess, you can fill it up with your best spirits – most likely mead – and maybe even drop in a gigantic 20 Sided Die Ice Cube to cool things down. I haven’t tried it out yet, for fear that my children might think it’s a queue for them to act ever more barbaric than they currently do.
So, while there were no toys included in this Loot Crate, I must say that it’s gotten me much closer to my ultimate goal of being able to lounge on my couch while sipping home-brews from a horn that's wrapped around my neck.
