Universe2.0/Generations Review Thread

[andersonh1]

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.

I'd be happy with a similar approach for Universe Inferno.

[BWprowl]

Like I said, I wouldn't, because TFU Inferno's truck mode is...not generic enough.

[andersonh1]

Universe Autobot Ratchet

I reviewed Ironhide earlier in this thread, and much of what I said still applies since Ratchet is a repaint/slight remold. The SUV still looks bad with all the gaps and panel lines, and it's possible that the lines become even more apparent on Ratchet's white vehicle than they were on Ironhide's red color scheme. However the light blue paint on the middle set of windows works a bit better with the lighter color scheme, and the emergency lights definately add something to the deco. The license plate appears to reference the comic story where Megatron and Ratchet were fused together. The bio definately draws from Ratchet's comic persona.

Transformation is exactly the same as Ironhide's. It's still a great transformation scheme that produces a great robot, but ruins the vehicle mode.

The robot mode looks very good with Ratchet's color scheme applied to it, and the new head sculpt evokes the character well. The crest is a bit larger than I would have expected, but it helps to differentiate Ratchet's look from, say, Prowl's thin and sharp head crest. The weapon is labeled as a medical tool this time around. Surgical blade, anyone?

Despite the flaws with the vehicle, this is a good mold that has given us probably the best rendition of G1 Ironhide and Ratchet that we've ever gotten. It's well worth owning.

[Onslaught Six]

These two reviews are gonna be less about me telling you about the toy's individual characteristics and more about my impressions. You guys know what they look like and stuff, by now.

Universe Ratchet

Well, here he is. And...wow.

I mean, I knew what I was getting into, here. I own Ironhide. I like Ironhide. He works. Chaingun hand! Stocky stubbly proportions. Crap vehicle mode, but what the hell, right? The first real Ironhide toy we've ever truly gotten.

But Ratchet just exacerbates the problems with the mould. Cracked panel lines everywhere, visible gears, and so forth. While Ironhide's red could at least swallow some of these details, Ratchet's white does no such thing.

There's a big spot in the front of his hood that looks like it was designed for an Autobot logo.

The big red bit that becomes his headplate and spine, though? Inexplicable. Why is this like that? Whatever. I didn't buy this guy because he turns into an ambulance. I bought him because He's Ratchet.

Toransuform!

For some reason I had major problems figuring out his legs this time. Odd.

Anyway. In Robot Mode, he...looks like Ratchet. I went ahead and put his wheels behind him to make him stand out more from Ironhide. The windowplate with all the greeblies being black is a really nice move, I like that.

His head really ought to be red, or have a grey crest. One or the other, guys! Also, for some reason, the Sunken Head Syndrome that Ironhide had feels more serious here. I could deal with it on Ironhide more, somehow.

Unlike Ironhide, both Ratchet's wrists and hands are red, so his forearms are brought together with more consistancy. S'good.

Ironhide's oddball arm articulation never quite sat right with me, it always felt odd. But with Ratchet, it somehow...clicks. Maybe because I expect Ironhide to be able to do all kinds of gung-ho battle action poses, while Ratchet's more a kind of stand-around-and-do-medicky-things kinda guy. With the exception of the Marvel comics.

So, the moment of truth: Should you buy him? Well, I dunno. I guess it all depends on how much you liked Ironhide, and how little you care about his vehicle mode. I sound really underwhelmed, but I'm glad I own him. I like Ratchet, a lot, and I'm glad we finally have a real, official new Ratchet Toy. By this point, you've probably already made up your mind anyway.

Universe Hot Shot

Well, here he is. Dom said he sucked. Do I think the same thing?

Well, his vehicle mode is better than Ironhide's, at least. Minicon interaction has pretty much been nutted, though--you can mount Jolt on the back so his propeller acts as a kind of Batmobile boost thing, but he can't fold down like the Armada toy could, so it looks stupid. You can detach his arms and wedge them into his spoiler and mount him on top, but it doesn't lock together or feel very secure and it feels really...unintentional.

The main complaints about Hot Shot is that his old gimmicks got nutted in favour of a more complex transformation and such. I dunno. His feet can still fold out to make kind of a little capture claw, though, which is still a cool nod.

He's not very...stable, though. I mean, he holds together fine for rolling and such, but he can come apart pretty easily. I dunno if it's just the QC on mine, or if this is universal, though.

I dunno. He's a big yellow car. That's what Hot shot's all about, right?

Toransuform!

Surprisingly, it was pretty simple and intuitive. The only thing was the car bits on his back. And after some fiddling, I found an arrangement that both looked good and got them out of the way.

And I gotta say. I like him.

The lack of guns 'hurts,' really does, and Minicon interactivity is pretty much nil, but overall...I dunno what it is, but something about him says Play With Me, For I Am Cool.

If there's one complaint, it's that his arms don't go down enough to just lay at his sides. I guess his shoulders still kinda hurt.

The peg size thing hurts, too. But I grabbed one of ClaScream's launchers, and the size is at least 'universal.' He was definitely supposed to be larger at one point and downsized uniformly. Hrm.

But all in all, this guy's a Good Toy. Dom didn't like him but for some reason I totally do. I currently have him in this hilariously macho flexing pose. It's great.

...So do you buy him? I dunno. These are the worst reviews ever.

[andersonh1]

Hey, I enjoyed the reviews. It's always good to read multiple reviews of the same figure.

[Onslaught Six]

Ehh, I've done better, and they feel like such non-responses. "I bought these toys! I guess I like them. Dunno if you will."

[onslaught86]

Like I said, I wouldn't, because TFU Inferno's truck mode is...not generic enough.

I suggest Hot Spot redeco!

[Mirage]

I've had Universe Dinobot for a couple of weeks now, but delayed opening him. I was going to get the Henkei version, so I figured I'd save the Universe one as a packaged extra. But I decided the figure was controversial enough that I'd better check out my $8 version before investing $25-$30 on a better-colored one. You know what? I dig him a lot! The figure's getting a bad rap for reasons I can't fathom. I've wanted a show-accurate Dinobot for what, twelve years now? This, folks, is about as close as we're going to get. The dino-mode's a win in my book, despite the visible claw-hands on his chest-- hell, it beats the giant knee-high boots the original one had stuck there. And the lenghened tail really sells it. The bot-mode-- what else do you want? It's Dinobot! The head sculpt is awesome, the bot mode proportions are dead on, and the little details like the wrap-around pointy-bone things on his legs and chest are pure love. And swappable hands, so you can have character-accurate claws or more functional, traditional fists? Hells yeah! My only complaints: Yes, the chest is a little unstable, yes the weapons are underwhelming. I'm actually thinking about customizing the sword, making it longer, and painting it metallic bronze or something. Then giving it to Henkei Dinobot when I get him. WHEN I get him.

[Dominic]

How would you make the sword longer?

In any case, be sure to post images if you can.

Dom

[onslaught86]

I've had Universe Dinobot for a couple of weeks now, but delayed opening him. I was going to get the Henkei version, so I figured I'd save the Universe one as a packaged extra. But I decided the figure was controversial enough that I'd better check out my $8 version before investing $25-$30 on a better-colored one. You know what? I dig him a lot! The figure's getting a bad rap for reasons I can't fathom. I've wanted a show-accurate Dinobot for what, twelve years now? This, folks, is about as close as we're going to get. The dino-mode's a win in my book, despite the visible claw-hands on his chest-- hell, it beats the giant knee-high boots the original one had stuck there. And the lenghened tail really sells it. The bot-mode-- what else do you want? It's Dinobot! The head sculpt is awesome, the bot mode proportions are dead on, and the little details like the wrap-around pointy-bone things on his legs and chest are pure love. And swappable hands, so you can have character-accurate claws or more functional, traditional fists? Hells yeah! My only complaints: Yes, the chest is a little unstable, yes the weapons are underwhelming. I'm actually thinking about customizing the sword, making it longer, and painting it metallic bronze or something. Then giving it to Henkei Dinobot when I get him. WHEN I get him.

I agree - Dinobot is surprisingly nifty. I've both versions now, and the Henkei release really is almost everything the Universe release isn't. The toy's got a lot of issues with stability, articulation, and dinosaur proportions, but aside from the iffy weapons the robot mode is solid. Flippy symbol and swappable hands are non-intrusive and excellent gimmicks.

I've been writing up a proper review of the Universe release, shall post that shortly-like. Know that the Henkei version is totally worth it.