Hello everyone, today we're sharing an incredible custom project: a fully 3D-modeled and printed Armored Infantry from the classic strategy game, "Power Dolls."
For those who might not remember, "Power Dolls" (1995) was a classic mecha title that looked like a game about cool female pilots and awesome robots, but was actually a hardcore, turn-based strategy simulation at its core. Players could freely customize their mecha's performance, firepower, and accessories to carry out a wide range of missions, from infiltration and rescue to assault and interception. However, facing enemies with several times your firepower, a single strategic error would lead to a swift and brutal squad wipe.
This left a huge impression on me as a kid, and I became completely fascinated with the game's mechanical designs.
Many years later, a manufacturer finally announced an official Power Dolls model kit. It looked good, but... perhaps to appeal to modern design trends, the final product's proportions just didn't quite match the image I held in my memory.
So, I decided to follow the memory in my heart and build my own Armored Infantry.
First, I gathered reference materials from the internet, including game screenshots and official art books, and then modeled the mecha as accurately to scale as possible.
Building on the experience from my previous projects (check them out here: Tachikoma / Strike Gundam Build), the part separation and joint design process went much faster this time. I also improved several design elements that had previously resulted in loose or "soft" limbs.
Wherever possible, the joints use serrated pegs to strengthen the load-bearing capacity of the limbs.
One of the most distinctive features of the Armored Infantry is its massive thighs. After checking the concept art, I discovered that the huge vents on the outer thighs are for cooling. I speculate that the internal combustion engines driving the legs are housed in the thighs, along with spare ammo magazines, which created this unique and powerful silhouette.
Therefore, I included an internal combustion engine in the 3D model while doing my best to replicate the multi-layered armor design.
The shoulders were designed with space to mount shoulder-fired weaponry.
A major feature of the game is its wide variety of equipment and weapon systems, so I chose to create a few of the more distinctive armaments.
From left to right, they are:
Submachine Gun / Assault Rifle / 30mm Gatling Gun / 105mm Cannon / 120mm Cannon / Rocket Launcher / Long-Range Anti-Tank Missile
That's it for the breakdown! Here are some shots of the finished build.
Finally, here's a "One-Minute PLD Armored Infantry Cooking Class" video documenting the creation process.
Hope you all enjoyed it, and thanks for looking!