iAmBrickToy Xeno Striker: A cyber-punky, steampunk-leaning figure build that surprised me more than expected

I’m not usually a fan of figure builds, but the Xeno Striker surprised me — bold colours, a strong steampunk-leaning cyberpunk vibe, and far more playability than I expected.

I’ll start with a bit of honesty, because that’s always been important in my reviews: I’m not normally a fan of figure-type builds. They don’t usually do much for me. I tend to gravitate toward architectural builds, modulars, and sets that feel more environment-driven than character-focused.

So going into the Xeno Striker, expectations were fairly measured.

What I didn’t expect was just how much I’d enjoy both the process and the finished result.

First Impressions & Theme

Opening the box, the first thing that immediately stood out was the colour palette. It’s bold, confident, and clearly intentional. There’s a strong cyber-punk influence, but it’s blended with mechanical, steampunk-style detailing that gives it weight and character.

It doesn’t feel like pure sci-fi, and it doesn’t feel like traditional Victorian steampunk either. Instead, it sits comfortably somewhere in between — futuristic, industrial, and slightly aggressive without being over the top. That blend really works here and gives the build a strong identity right from the start.

Even before building, it already felt like this was going to have presence.

The Build Experience

At 1,271 pieces, this is a solid, substantial build, but it never feels overwhelming. Progress is steady, and for the most part the instructions are clear and easy to follow. You get a good sense of momentum as sections come together, which helps keep the experience engaging.

There were moments where I had to slow down and really pay attention — not because the design was bad, but because of how similar some colours appear in the manual.

I worked it out eventually and it was fine, but the colour differences in the instructions are worth noting and could put off a less experienced builder.

Once I realised what was happening and adjusted my approach, it became much smoother. Taking a bit of extra care with colour matching made all the difference, and nothing felt frustrating once that clicked.

Overall, this is a satisfying build that rewards patience rather than speed.

Design, Structure & Stability

Once completed, the Xeno Striker feels solid and confident. This isn’t a fragile figure that you’re scared to touch. The internal structure holds together well, joints feel secure, and the model has real physical presence.

The stand deserves particular praise. It’s sturdy, well balanced, and supports the figure without wobble. It displays the model cleanly and allows you to appreciate the pose and silhouette from multiple angles.

It’s very clearly built for display, but what impressed me is that it doesn’t only work as a display piece. The way it’s constructed gives you confidence to actually handle it.

Poseability & Playability

One of the biggest surprises for me was how playable this build actually is.

The poseability is excellent — arms, legs, and stance can all be adjusted without the model feeling loose or unstable. It’s strong enough to be repositioned, handled, and even used in light tabletop or imaginative play without constantly worrying something is going to come apart.

So while this is absolutely a display-first build, there’s lots of possibility for real play too, which isn’t something I always expect from figure-style sets. It sits nicely between those two worlds.

Weapons & Backpack

The weapon is genuinely amazing and easily one of the standout features of the entire build. It feels aggressive, purposeful, and perfectly matched to the cyber-punk, steampunk-leaning aesthetic. It doesn’t come across as an accessory added at the end — it feels like a core part of the character and really elevates the overall presence of the model.

Equally impressive, though, is the backpack.

I’ve built a lot of figure-style sets over the years, and backpacks can often feel flimsy, overly decorative, or prone to coming apart. That isn’t the case here at all. The backpack was really enjoyable to build, looks fantastic once finished, and is genuinely aesthetically pleasing. The wrapping and layering of elements are well thought out, giving it depth without overcomplicating things.

More importantly, it’s solid and unbreakable. Once attached, it stays attached. No flexing, no weak connection points, and no sense that you need to handle it carefully. I genuinely enjoyed building this section, and it adds a lot to the character without feeling bulky or awkward.

Together, the weapon and backpack give the Xeno Striker a strong, cohesive silhouette and make it feel complete.

Colour Palette & Overall Aesthetic

This is where the Xeno Striker really shines.

The colour palette is bold but controlled. Highlights are used effectively, darker tones ground the design, and nothing feels random. The contrast helps define different sections of the model and gives it depth from every angle.

Even as someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward figure builds, I find myself stopping to look at it — and that says a lot.

What Worked Well

Cyber-punky, steampunk-influenced aesthetic

* Bold but cohesive colour palette

* Solid structure and excellent stand

* Strong poseability with real play potential

* Outstanding weapon design

* Surprisingly well-designed, rock-solid backpack

* Clear instructions overall, with good pacing

What Didn’t Work So Well

Colour similarities in the instructions require extra attention and may be discouraging for less experienced builders

Once you’re aware of it, it’s manageable — but it’s worth mentioning.

Final Thoughts

The iAmBrickToy Xeno Striker genuinely surprised me. Despite not being my usual type of build, it delivered a strong experience, a striking finished model, and more flexibility than I expected.

It’s clearly designed to be displayed, but it also holds up well to handling and play, which gives it a broader appeal. Add to that the cyber-punky, steampunk vibe, strong colour choices, and excellent accessories, and you end up with a figure build that feels well thought out and confidently executed.

⭐ Overall Rating: 8 out of 10

This came out really nice — and that’s not something I say lightly about figure-type builds.

I have a few more builds from Iambrick and im excited to review these for you too.

Buy yours