Universe2.0/Generations Review Thread

[Dominic]

There would be no point in a light up fist, as TFU Hotshot cannot hold anything.

My initial plan to was to order Henkei Hotshot. Now, I am glad I did not. (I can just read the translated comic scans at Allspark anywayl.)

Dom
-time to settle in and wait for the movie.

[onslaught86]

I'm assuming fixed fistholes with any light-up retooling.

Waitaminute. Hasbro Hot Shot doesn't 'have' any handheld weapons. Why can't you just widen the fistholes if they're too small?

[BWprowl]

Waitaminute. Hasbro Hot Shot doesn't 'have' any handheld weapons. Why can't you just widen the fistholes if they're too small?

For the record, that's precisely what I was planning on doing.

[Dominic]

I could borrow tools from a friend to widen the holes. But, to be perfectly honest, why should I have to do all that to fix a problem that Hasbro should have avoided in the first place?


You know, I was lax about reviewing Inferno for lack of time. But, now, I am glad I avoided it, so I can end my TFU reviewing on a high-note. (Aside from, mayber, a few more Sunstreakers, SideSwipes, AcidStorms and StarScreams for customizing, I am pretty much done with the line.)



Inferno: (robot/fire-engine)

I waffled on this toy far longer than this review will imply.

In package, this toy does not seem very impressive. In fact it was only while customizing one into Artfire that I finally realized why. This toy is not only realistic, it captures the likeness of something that most people see on a regular basis. Inferno is a fire-truck. A red fire truck with a water-cannon, (spring-loaded in this case), on top. It evokes the familiar so well that it is easy to ignore.

The good buzz this toy had along with the obvious, (if unlikely to be officially realized), recolor potential were inspiration enough to buy two copies when I found them. (Considering how scarce voyagers from the TFU line have proven to be, finding 2 at once is a feat unto itself.)

The vehicle mode is impressive for being unintrusive. Like the Hound figure, it does not "demand" attention, but it rewards collectors who stop and consider it. Sound molding and well applied (especially given modern standards) paint mix nicely here. All of the wheels sit evenly on the ground, and roll smoothly. (It is tempting to just push this thing along the kitchen floor, but we are all too sophisticated for that.)

The robot mode is as boxy as the truck. In pictures, this makes the toy look boring. However, Inferno blends stability and articulation extremely well, doing both better than many toys that only attempt to do one. The arm-mounted "water-cannon" stays nicely consistent with Inferno's characterization as a rescue operative, albeit one that is very aggressive in his work.

Grade: A Some "Transformers" figures are good in one mode or the other, or are simply not fun to transform. Others are worth transforming, even if neither mode is worth displaying. Inferno wins on all these categories. Worth buying, even at scalper mark-up, if you can find one.

[andersonh1]

I'd already planned to buy Inferno, but if I hadn't I think your review would have sold me. Nice job.

[Dominic]

Well, it is pretty easy to write a good review of a fantastic toy.

Dom
-hoping "Universe" sticks around in some meaningful way.

[andersonh1]

Hopefully we'll at least see a few exclusives while the line's on hiatus (and hopefully it is just a hiatus and not a cancellation). There are some no-brainer repaints all ready to go, which would work with minimal remolding. Grapple from Inferno, Red Alert from the Sunstreaker/Sidewsipe mold, or even Breakdown from the same mold. Give Dinobot the head from Classics Grimlock and repaint him, and we've got Beast Wars Grimlock.

I've enjoyed Universe this past year more than any line since I started collecting. I'd love to see it continue.

[BWprowl]

Hopefully we'll at least see a few exclusives while the line's on hiatus (and hopefully it is just a hiatus and not a cancellation). There are some no-brainer repaints all ready to go, which would work with minimal remolding. Grapple from Inferno...

Aw, I've thought about this extensively, Since I love that mold, and I love Grapple (more than Inferno, in fact), but in my mind there's really no way to make this work. TFU Inferno is too obstinantly a fire truck to be effectively remolded into Gapple. Putting a crane on top would just give you... a fire truck with a crane on top. *sigh*

[Onslaught Six]

Isn't that all Grapple's ever been, though?

[BWprowl]

Eh, the original mold was more of a generic truck front with a pile of robot kibble behind it trying not-so-hard to look like the rest of a truck. Then they just slapped a relevant accessory on top (crane/ladder) and called it a day.