The Last of Us Tess Tubbz Review - The Smuggler Who Stole Our Hearts in Duck Form
Survivor's Greetings, Fellow Collectors!
When I first played The Last of Us back in 2013, I knew I was experiencing something special. The opening sequence hit me like a gut punch, and then along came Tess - Joel's partner-in-crime, the tough-as-nails smuggler who proved herself to be one of gaming's most memorable characters in a relatively short screen time. Now she's immortalized in rubber duck form, and honestly, this is the Tubbz I've been keeping my eye out for since the Last of Us wave was announced.
This Tess Tubbz captures everything that made the character iconic. From the moment you see her duck-ified form, you recognize that hardened survivor's stance, that "I've-seen-too-much-but-I'm-still-standing" energy that Annie Waring brought to the character. It's absolutely quack-tastic how much personality they've packed into this small collectible.
The Sculpt Details: Smuggler Style
The sculpting work on this Tess duck is phenomenal. She's sporting her signature brown leather jacket - that worn, lived-in look that tells you she's been through the apocalypse and back. The jacket detail is impressive, with visible texture that suggests real weathering. Underneath, you can see hints of her layered clothing, staying true to the practical survivor aesthetic from the game.
Her pose captures Tess's confident, no-nonsense attitude perfectly. There's a slight forward lean that suggests she's ready for action, always alert, always assessing the situation. The duck bill works surprisingly well here, giving her an expression that reads as both determined and slightly world-weary - exactly how Tess should look.
What really stands out is the attention to her hair. They've sculpted it to match her swept-back style from the game, and even in duck form, you can tell this is a woman who keeps things practical. No fuss, all business. The hair sculpt has great depth and dimension, falling naturally around her duck head.
Paint Application and Color Work
The paint job on this Tubbz is outstanding. The brown leather jacket has multiple tones - not just a flat brown, but variations that suggest wear, dirt, and the patina of survival. It's the kind of detail that elevates this from a simple collectible to a genuine display piece.
Her clothing layers show excellent color separation. You can clearly distinguish between the jacket, her inner shirt, and any other gear she's carrying. The weathering effects are subtle but effective - nothing looks too clean or new, which would be completely wrong for a Last of Us character.
The skin tones are natural and well-applied, with clean lines where the paint meets the sculpted details. Her eyes have that sharp, observant look that Tess always had - like she's sizing up the room and calculating three escape routes simultaneously. As she would say, "We're shitty people, Joel. It's been that way for a long time." And somehow, this duck captures that brutal honesty.
Size, Feel, and Presence
This is a standard Boxed Tubbz, which means you're getting that perfect desk-companion size - substantial enough to have real presence but compact enough to fit anywhere in your collection. The weight feels right, with a good balance that keeps her stable on any flat surface.
In hand, the rubber material has that signature Tubbz quality - soft enough to be satisfying to hold, but firm enough to maintain all those sculpted details. This isn't going to lose its shape or sag over time. The craftsmanship is solid.
On display, Tess commands attention. Whether you're setting her up with other Last of Us characters (fingers crossed for Joel, Ellie, and maybe even a Clicker duck!) or mixing her into a broader gaming collection, she holds her own. That brown jacket pops nicely against most backgrounds, and her pose gives her real character presence.
Packaging and Presentation
The Boxed Tubbz presentation for this one is excellent. The packaging features artwork from The Last of Us, with that distinctive post-apocalyptic aesthetic we all recognize. The box is display-worthy if you're a mint-in-box collector, but I'll be honest - Tess deserves to be out where you can appreciate those sculpt details.
Inside, she's well-protected with the standard Tubbz packaging setup. No rattle, no risk of paint damage. When you open it up, that first look at her in your hands is genuinely satisfying. The detail is even more impressive up close.
The Last of Us Connection
I still remember that moment in the Boston Capitol Building when Tess reveals she's been bitten. "There's enough here that you have to feel some sort of obligation to me," she tells Joel, giving him the push he needs to protect Ellie. That scene gutted me the first time I played it, and it still hits hard on replays. Tess was the pragmatist, the realist who made the hard calls so others didn't have to.
What made Tess special wasn't just her toughness - it was that glimpse of the person she used to be, buried under years of survival. She was complicated, morally gray, and utterly human in a world that had lost its humanity. This Tubbz honors that complexity in its own small way.
Display Ideas and Collection Building
This Tess duck is crying out for a post-apocalyptic display setup. If you've got other gaming Tubbz, she fits perfectly with characters from similar franchises - think Resident Evil, The Walking Dead, or any other survival horror series. The color palette and weathered aesthetic complement those franchises beautifully.
For desk displays, Tess works great near gaming setups, especially if you're replaying The Last of Us or The Last of Us Part II. She's also perfect for that corner of your workspace where you keep your "tough character" collectibles - the ones that remind you to keep pushing forward when things get hard.
If you're building a Last of Us collection specifically, Tess is essential. She's a cornerstone character who deserves representation alongside Joel and Ellie. I'm personally hoping Tubbz continues with this franchise - imagine a Clicker duck with that horrible fungus detailing, or a Bill duck with his flannel and survival gear!
Collector's Notes
The Last of Us Gaming Tubbz wave includes multiple characters, though specific set information varies by release. Tess is definitely one of the must-haves from any Last of Us collection. The game franchise has massive popularity, especially after the HBO series introduced the story to a whole new audience, so these Tubbz are likely to maintain strong collector interest.
This is a Boxed TUBBZ release, which typically means better availability than some of the limited or exclusive editions. That said, The Last of Us has serious staying power in pop culture, so I wouldn't sleep on adding Tess to your collection if you're a fan of the franchise.
I've got her marked on my need list in the Collectiblz app because I want her front and center on my gaming shelf. Something about having that reminder of Tess's sacrifice and strength just feels right for the collection. If you're tracking your own Last of Us or gaming collectibles, the app makes it super easy to keep tabs on which pieces you still need and which ones you've already snagged.
Final Thoughts
The Last of Us Tess Tubbz is a must-have for fans of the franchise and a strong addition for anyone who appreciates well-executed gaming collectibles. The sculpt work captures Tess's character perfectly - that survivor's edge, that world-weary determination, that underlying heart she tried so hard to hide. The paint application is top-notch with excellent weathering effects that honor the post-apocalyptic setting.
For collectors, this is one of those pieces that immediately elevates your display. Whether you're building a comprehensive Last of Us collection, a broader gaming shrine, or just want a reminder of one of gaming's most compelling supporting characters, Tess delivers. She represents everything great about the Tubbz line - character accuracy, quality craftsmanship, and that perfect blend of whimsy and fandom respect.
Tess Servopoulos taught us that even in the darkest times, there's room for sacrifice, loyalty, and doing the right thing when it counts most. This duck captures that spirit beautifully. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to make some room on my shelf - Tess deserves a spot of honor, and I think right between my other post-apocalyptic survivors is calling her name. "Guess what, we're shitty people, Joel. It's been that way for a long time." But at least we're shitty people with excellent taste in collectibles. 🦆✨
