Death Stranding is a sprawling and unique game that is unafraid to ask the big questions, like whether humanity can possibly pull itself back together after a cataclysmic event, or whether a meaningful bond can be forged with other players when all you see of them is the things they've left behind. Perhaps most importantly, the game asks players to consider whether they can ever have enough Mads Mikkelsen in their life.
The latter question might not have a concrete answer (yet), but players willing to shell out for it can now do some of the necessary research themselves. Prime 1 Studio is taking preorders for its new collectible statue of Mikkelsen's Death Stranding character, Cliff Unger, but the remarkable piece of sculpture will set folks back a significant chunk of cash.
While the regular version of the statue will cost an already-extravagant $2,599, the limited-run Black Label edition sits at a whopping $3,599 - and all that before factoring in the shipping costs for a 57-pound sculpture. The company is only making 250 units of the Black Label statue, which includes an extra head for Cliff made of silicone and synthetic hair for that "jaw-dropping lifelike stare" of which Mikkelsen fans are so fond. Whichever version buyers get, Prime 1 Studio promises the imposing 40-inch (or 0.5 Mads Mikkelsens) statue will have "poseable, LED illuminated tendrils which glow with supernatural life," as well as hand-stitched camos and vest which have been "tailored to scaled perfection."
It's certainly a pricey option, but the craftsmanship of this figure may appeal to fans of Mikkelsen's steely gaze. Anyone who found his role in Death Stranding's story compelling enough, or perhaps developed a marginally unhealthy fascination after watching too many episodes of Hannibal, might be more than willing to drop a few thousand bucks on this undeniably lifelike statue. Besides, with only 250 units being made of the Black Label version, any collectors hungering for a rare find might find their curiosity piqued to boot.
Still, it's hard to deny that the price is rather steep. Even when compared to Prime 1 Studio's other offerings, such as an impressively-detailed statue of The Witcher 3's Geralt revealed last December, the Cliff Unger statue is over $1,000 more expensive, and that's just the "regular" version. The extra $1,000 on top of that for the Black Label edition's extra head, however detailed it might be, could be a bridge too far for most. Perhaps there were extra costs incurred to secure the rights to recreate Mikkelsen's likeness, or perhaps the company just knows that there are some very dedicated Cliff Unger fans out there with two and a half grand burning a hole in their pocket.
Either way, the statue is available for preorder over at Prime 1 Studio's website, with an estimated delivery window of July-October 2022. For anyone who loved Death Stranding, perhaps after picking it up on PC since its debut there last July, it's sure to be an impressive purchase - if they can afford it.
Death Stranding is available now on PC and PS4.
Source: Prime 1 Studio (Black Label edition)