Universe2.0/Generations Review Thread

[Onslaught Six]

Wait, 'that's' what he was talking about?

I assumed they were reflective plastic bits. Vac metal and such. But even if they are stickers, yeah, they're in little plastic chambers. There's no chance of them peeling--stickers peel because they're exposed to the environment and get touched by the oils on our hands.

[annhell]

Onslaught's robot mode is perfect for Onslaught's character, see. Go compare him to the G1 toy. You'll see that he's got all kinds of similar details--they really played up the rivets look, which was a big part of G1Slaught for me. The way his legs transform and end up is even similar to the G1 toy's foldy bit. Yeah, his arms are sorta-kinda plain...but they're supposed to be.

Maybe that's my problem... I've never seen G1 Onslaught or any of his repainted versions beyond the print on a catalogue.
Thanks for the info though. It's definitley enough to make me reconsider my distaste for him.

[Onslaught Six]

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... 550/1/137/

Even the way ClaSlaught's angled chestplate is designed kinda evokes the snap-on chestplate of G1Slaught. The gold stomach piece of ClaSlaught is also kinda evocative of G1Slaught's stomach pattern, which is repeated on his knees and legs. ClaSlaught's also got some similar venty details on his shins, but it's probably coincidental.

'And,' if that weren't enough, ClaSlaught's chest even transforms similar to how Onslaught's chest transformed in the cartoon.

[andersonh1]

Universe Powerglide

Powerglide is one of my favorite mini-bots from G1. I still have my original, purchased umpteen years ago at Wilson's 5 and 10c store. So I was delighted to see not only a new version, but an Ultra-sized figure as well. And it's a good figure, but not without problems. In short, I think they made it a bit more complicated than was really necessary, but maybe a few more transformations will familiarize me enough with the figure so that's not an issue.

Vehicle: Just like the original, it's a modified A-10. I'd have preferred that it was solid red like the original, but it's a very light warm grey with red trim. There are all sorts of numbers and letters 'stencilled' on it, most of which don't mean anything to me. There are plenty of panel and rivet details all over the plane. As on the original figure, the arms are on squared off pods under the wings. The three different electronic sounds are fun enough, and I appreciate the way that the machine gun sound keeps going if the button is held down.

One of my major gripes with Transformer aircraft is undercarriage junk. Cars can get away with it since they sit on the ground, but nothing ruins the illusion of a plane more than turning it over to see a pair of legs strapped underneath, or possibly even a pair of arms. Powerglide has junk underneath, but it's not nearly as obvious or detrimental as the robots bits are on movie Starscream, to pick one example. While the top of the plane looks fairly sleek, the bottom isn't. But it is, as I said, far better than most attempts.

Transformation: there are a few bits that resemble the original, mainly the arms unfolding from under the wings, and the wings folding up on either side of the torso. But the transformation is where this design starts to get more complicated than it perhaps needed to be, and less elegant. Perhaps the electronics restrict it a bit as well. There is a lot of twisting and rotating at the center of the plane for the robot waist and to get the wings where they need to be. Portions of the plane just fold back and form a backpack. The legs are similar to the Energon limbs of Superion Maximus, though with some alterations due to the size.

Oh, and the G1 transformation sound plays at a certain point, where something folds together. Nice.

I think I did a better job the second time. I may have to revise my opinion that the transformation is too complicated. It seems to help if certain steps are done first. Maybe if I read the instructions once in a while, it might help.

Robot: Needs more red, but otherwise, not bad. I assume the whole thing had to fold up around the electronics, and with that limitation, they did a nice job with some of the "Powerglide" details. Wings folded on either side with arms on them, along with a head sculpt that is based on the original, if not as close to it as I'd have liked. Pressing down on the 'collar' behind PG's head now only gives the machine gun sound, which is admittedly all that's needed for bot mode. Proportions are a bit off, but the original had skinny legs and a large upper body, so giving the new version a similar look is appropriate. The wings don't stay pegged to the engines on mine as well as they should, but the ratchets that hold the wings are stiff enough that it's not a problem.

Articulation and motion are decent. The figure is slightly top heavy, but a few dynamic poses can be achieved. The heart under the chest panel is a fanboy type detail that I'd only expect from Takara rather than Hasbro, and perhaps that's indeed where it came from. Who can say?

Overall, I had a poor first impression out of the box, but the figure is growing on me. The sound effects are put to good and appropriate use, and the homages to the original figure are nice.

Edit: okay, the figure has really grown on me. It's currently standing on my desk beside my computer, and the more I fiddle with it and transform it, the more I like it. I think my overall critique of Powerglide still stands, but it's a really good Transformer. And Powerglide's a second-tier G1 character that hasn't been rehashed a dozen times over the years, meaning this feels like something a bit different. If you don't mind paying $25 for a figure, I'd say Powerglide is worth the purchase, whether you're a fan of the original or not.

[138 Scourge]

Okay, I got a couple of Universe toys the other day, I've had a minute to think 'em over, now comes the reveiwin'.

Universe Acid Storm: It amazes me that this guy even has a toy. This character got all of thirty seconds worth of screen time in the cartoon, and has had no comic or toy appearances until now. A couple years back, during a discussion on potential repaints for the "Cybertron" line, I suggested the "Anonymous Green Seeker" for Cybertron Voyager Starscream, because it seemed like a great idea. Something different than the inevitable Black or Blue repaints for Starscream, anyway. And, I always liked the guy's colors. Eye-searing green, not only does it look interesting, but it gets across a real "toxic chemical warrior" kinda feel. So yeah, even though I've been rooting for this guy to get a name and figure for awhile, I still can't believe it.

Jet Mode: C'mon, surely everyone's got some version of this by now, yeah? Anyhow, very nice, solid F-15 (I think). Undercarriage junk isn't too bad, everything clips together well, there is a little resistance as the wings and tailfins almost meet up and get in each other's way, but it isn't too bad. Bonus points, this colorscheme actually seems plausible as a combat jet.

Robot Mode: All things considered, this is an amazingly accurate interpretation of the G1 Seekers. I still like the "conehead" variety of this toy more than the "regular", as it doesn't have the same issue with the arms butting into the wings at the figure's back when you try to extend them. Still, minor gripe, great-looking mold.

Differences from the previous eight (!) uses of the mold: That's counting Henkei Skywarp and Thundercracker as different uses. Anyway, the differences are largely in the color. Acid Storm's colors are interesting. Sadly, you can look at him all day and not get retinal scarring, so the green's been toned down some. It's now more of a forest/camo green, with blue at the chest and thighs, yellow and brown highlights, and black forearms and feet. All told, it's a kind of strange combination, but since I was hoping for psychedelically bright green, I suppose I can't criticize. While most of the joints have held up under the incredible trials this mold's been through, the legs do feel a little loose, and the peg that holds the cannon to his left arm won't fit into the hole as much as it just balances in it. I get around this by putting the cannon's in the underside of his fists, having them beneath the arms somehow kinda works for a chemical-weapon wielding sort. From what I've heard, this isn't something all of them have, but there is a chance of running into this issue.

Bio: This is, in fact, the same character from "Divide and Conquer". His group of generic Seekers is referenced by name, making "The Rainmakers" an official name now. The bio lists him as a fairly dangerous guy, if a reclusive one.

Overall: The three Seekers I would want toys of the most would be Ramjet, Skywarp, and this guy. Somehow, those are the ones that came out at retail. And yet, Thundercracker is really hard to get ahold of. No, I don't understand it, exactly, but it works for me. A good enough usage of the Seeker mold, but your milage may vary depending on how much you like the character, or how much you enjoy odd kinda colorschemes. I give him a B-, because of the few loose parts and the interference between the arms and wings. Other than those issues, he's a nifty lil' toy, and a nice way for Hasbro to get some more use out of the Seeker mold.

[andersonh1]

Sounds like a good repaint. I'd already planned to pick it up when it shows up around here, but if I hadn't I think your review would have convinced me. Hey, they can repaint this mold a half dozen times and I'd buy them all, providing the colors are good.

Although, getting a conehead repaint would be good too.

[Decepticon Spike]

I love the Classsics Seeker mold. I hope we see Jesus bot..I mean Sunstorm soon.

[BWprowl]

I love the Classsics Seeker mold. I hope we see Jesus bot..I mean Sunstorm soon.

Thta's probably the only situation where I'll buy the original (non-conehead) version of that mold. Otherwise, Skywarp was enough, thanks.

The arms on that toy bug me *that* much. The undercarriage isn't too hot, either.

[Onslaught Six]

I still like the "conehead" variety of this toy more than the "regular", as it doesn't have the same issue with the arms butting into the wings at the figure's back when you try to extend them. Still, minor gripe, great-looking mold.

This is not a problem with the arms or the wings. It's a problem with his arm-mounted missile launchers. The pegs on them should be much further back so that the back end of the launcher is lined up with the top of the shoulder. Find a Standard Peg gun without anything in the back of it (Ultimate Battle ClaPrime's tommy gun, for example) and shove it in and you'll see.

[138 Scourge]

I'll check that out. I have noticed that the under-fisthole (oh, god, remind me to never google that term) position for his cannons works a hell of a lot better with the wings than the regular "mount 'em on the arms" thing.

And Shane, I tell ya, I'd get repaints of this mold even if the colors weren't good. Ah, who am I kidding, it's me. Especially if they aren't good. Please, Hasbro, crazy lavender rainmaker Seeker next, whaddayasay?