Animated Review Thread

[Onslaught Six]

Oh, wow. That's even sweeter. Though now that I know, the fact that it doesn't seem to be "stock" pics from Remy's or Seibertron or anything gives it away.

EDIT: I'm still Bundyrugby!

[onslaught86]

Mmm, gotta tell the club 'bout dis. There's a lot of GoBot love over there, surprisingly.

[JediTricks]

Ahem.

Nice find, spanks the Hasbro color scheme straight to hell.

Anyway, I haven't had time to review the figures in this line I have (and am not currently feeling well enough to do it now), but here's a quick breakdown...

Prowl - very nifty, stupid accessory. Dig the transformation and both modes, though there's a glitch in the alt mode design that doesn't let it 100% fully form (the front wheel can't lock into the faring without the rear wheel moving back a little, which makes an ugly and stupid gap).

Lockdown - also very nifty, great alt mode, clever transformation, lanky but interesting bot mode. Hate hate hate what the hands do though, that is totally unacceptable. Range of motion could be better in the arms as well.

Oil Slick - nifty chopper mode, moderately simple transformation that needed 1 more step to be rewarding, interesting but a touch limited bot mode. Colors are fair, not great, and the head's light-piped eyes suffer greatly for this. Barrel weapons are weird but have some charm, especially the chain one. At least his arms hinge at the elbow to fold in at the forearm. Good, not great.

Soundwave - I kinda dig the alt modes here, even the Tron-esque trim coloring and G1 homages. Transformation is an ugly affair with a nifty touch here and there. Bot mode is a huge disappointment, head and body just don't deliver that well, articulation is a mixed bag, and he's super short. Laserbeak is nifty, but when you have Soundwave playing the guitar, all is forgiven, he's a rad shredder! So, shitty bot mode but fun gimmick.

Jazz - very tiny alt mode but lots of character in it, however door panels don't align quite right with the body all the time. Transformation isn't entirely simple, but feels kinda boring. Bot mode is keen, has good articulation and the nunchuck pipe weapons are cool. Head feels a little simplistic even for this line, but generally this is a decent fig.

[Dominic]

Transformers Animated Snarl (Slag):
The other day, I picked up a few TFA toys for a buddy of mine. That
morning, on my way to work, I hid a few toys for him. A quick call to
him form work revealed he needed all 3, (Snarl, Oilslick, and Jazz).
When I went back after work, Oilslick had been found and bought. Not
getting home until early the next morning, I had to wait until morning
to contact him.

When I called him, he was on an errand, and decided to look for
Oilslick. I told him that if he found an extra Snarl, to grab it, and I
would take the one I got for him. For whatever reason, this toy
appeals. (The "Animated" aesthetic is growing on me, albeit like a
fungus. I am thinking the show's quality has a bit to do with this.)

In any case, Snarl is a triceratops. (The name Slag could not be used
as it has lewd connotations in some countries.) Both the beast and
robot modes look as one would expect for the line. But, but the robot
lacks the large chin of other toys in this line. (I can see this
getting recolored for a non-"Animated" line later.) The transform is
one of the more interesting I have seen. It makes sense while handling
the toy, but is not so simple as to be tedious. (It took me a few
rounds to realize how impressive the re-shaping of the toy actually is.)

This toy does have some serious drawbacks. The robot's hips do not peg
together well. While the legs stay where they need to be if left alone,
just moving the toy upsets this apple-cart more than it should. My
copy, and that of my friend, has some paint trouble. (This is common
for TFs in general now, and it is impossible to account for all of the
trouble before opening the toy.) Snarl also falls into the sad
renaissance of [arts not integrating into both modes. Considering how unimpressive the club weapon is, and that it is not even painted, I have to wonder why Hasbro even bothered to include it.

Grade: C/D The fact the club does not integrate is a huge strike against this toy.



Dom
-partially warming to "Animated"

[onslaught86]

I'm certain both Grimlock's sword and Slag's club were designed to be functional in both modes, as flame-effect accessories to simulate their firey breath. It boggles the mind that they didn't take this all the way with a simple clip.

[Onslaught Six]

Dom, what's with the odd spacing that's cropped up again? Did you write it Elsewhere and then copypaste?

I agree with the flameclubs. It's insane. I spent 'half an hour' trying to get it into Grimlock's mouth.

[CrossRook]

I agree with the flameclubs. It's insane. I spent 'half an hour' trying to get it into Grimlock's mouth.

But it does fit! Only sideways.

[Misanthrope Prime]

Evil AND patriotic!

[onslaught86]

Heh, one guy I showed it to thought it was meant to be Prime..

The bubblehelmet should be orange or yellow rather than red. As it and the lightpiping are the only translucent parts, that'd work well.

[BWprowl]

(The "Animated" aesthetic is growing on me, albeit like a
fungus. I am thinking the show's quality has a bit to do with this.)

Dom
-partially warming to "Animated"

ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

BTW Dom, they included the club because he has it in the show. Had he not come with it, I guarantee that you would've complained that the lack of a club was a "Huge strike against the toy" since it didn't match the fictional context.