Intro:
Welcome
back to New Planet Cybertron. Now before we get started, and because this is
our first entry for the year 2014, we would like to wish all of our readers -- all you Cybertronians and Trans-Fanatix out there -- a
happy and prosperous 2014!!!
Now
we’re back to our normal programming…
For
a large part of the Transformers franchise history, Fortress Maximus have held
the title for the biggest Transformers figures ever released, that is until
Metroplex came out.
Fortress
Maximus, which previously set a record of being 22-inches tall, has now been
eclipsed by Metroplex, who stands at 24-inches tall. Yes, granted that
Metroplex is the tallest Transformers figure ever, but as far as the biggest, I
don’t think. Well, it literally depends on how do you define “big”? Personally,
I would like to think that the term “big” encompass not only the height of the
figure, but as well as its mass and weight. Metroplex is tall, but he’s not
nearly as heavy or massive compared to Fort Max.
So
you take your pick, and as far as I am concerned, Fort Max is still the biggest
– period.
Having
said that, I have always been a fan of Base-formers, and I am definitely a fan
of Metroplex, as a character. I had a lot of fun with G1 Metroplex and while I do
think that he was probably one of the better base-formers back in the day
(before Fort Max was released), I have always wished that he was bigger. If he
were to be a bit bigger, or at least on par with Fort Max, he would’ve been
perfect.
Fast
forward to 2013, we finally gotten our wish, subsequently after the release of
the Fall for Cybertron game, Metroplex
was finally released into the revamped Generations line (sometimes referred to
Generations 2.0).
So
far, there have been 4 different variants of Metroplex: the first to be released
was the Hasbro version, which was the first variants to be available in these
parts of the planet and is just a basic figure by itself. Then we have the
SDCC-exclusive, which included 12 miniature non-transformable figures. The
ACG-Con-Exclusive, which is a variant of the SDCC-exclusive released during “The
15th Choice of Animation, Comics and Games Expo, Hong Kong. The difference
between the ACG-Con and SDCC version is very minimal – only the slight changes
to the box, which now features ACG-Con logo instead of SDCC’s, as well as the
colors of the miniature figures. Instead of red and blue, it is now completely
golden in color, which kind of invoked the G1 episode “Golden Lagoon”. Anyways,
the last of these variants is the Takara-Tomy version.
With
four variants of this figure to choose from, it’s really up to you on which
versions to whack, unless of course, you have a lot of cash to spare, then be
my guest and just go whack all of them.
Anyways,
for sake of this review, I will be reviewing the ACG-Con version.
Box:
Honestly,
I’ve thought of skipping this part, but then after thinking about it again, it
would be a severe injustice if I didn’t take about the box.
The
box itself is one of the major attraction of this variant, as it also acts as a
display frame. It looks cool, and I kind of dig it.
The
entire box itself is wider and taller than Fort Max’s, though slimmer and
overall, lighter.
The
box art itself looks pretty darn awesome, if you ask me. Phil Jiminez has
really done wonderfully in creating the box art, and Romulo Fajardo Jr. is
equally great with his wonderful coloring. Kudos to both of them.
It’s
not often when the box itself can receive so much praise from the
collectors-dome.
Scamper:
Just
like his predecessor – the G1 Metroplex, Generations Metroplex also comes with
the little black car called Scamper. The original Scamper has that
Sideswipe-ish feel to it, so I guess this version’s Scamper makes a good
update.
The
little is kind of neat, but if you are look for a realistic-looking car, then
you will be disappointed. Still, it still looks way better than the G1 version
and he definitely has the better transformation.
Unfortunately,
the set doesn’t come with a Six-Gun and Slammer, which is kind of a bummer. I guess
that will be a cue to some 3rd Party companies out there.
Metroplex
Robot
Mode:
 |
| Metroplex and Fortress Maximus |
Since
Metroplex comes packed in robot mode, so I guess it’s apt that we start things
off from here.
 |
| Clockwise from Left: Cybertron Metroplex, FOC Metroplex, G1 Metroplex, FOC Scamper, G1 Scamper |
First
of all, I just want to clarify this never-ending question frequently asked by
the fans – who is bigger? Fortress Maximus or Metroplex?
In
terms of action figure, Fortress Maximus stands about 22-inches tall. The old
G1 Metroplex was less than half the size, and the Generations Metroplex tends
to eclipse Fort Max by a mere 2-inches. Yes, Metroplex is taller, but in terms
of overall size and weight, I would still give it to Fort Max as he is beefier
and heavier.
In
terms of their fictional depiction, I would have to give it to Metroplex. Fortress
Maximus has always been marketed as having a base-mode or fortress mode,
whereas Metroplex is actually a city or part of the city. In newer fiction, Metroplex
is actually one of the last remaining Titans, which are depicted as being
insanely huge. In several official/ unofficial stats released, Fort Max has consistently
stated as standing at about 200 feet (60m) tall.
 |
| Dial for the Visors |
Metroplex,
on the other hand, has been consistently stated to be about 800-feet tall
(243m) tall, which would make him at least 4-times the height of Fort Max.
 |
| Tiny Scamper |
Alright,
enough with the theories and let’s go straight to the figure itself. So far,
there have been only 3 basic molds for Metroplex. The first was obviously the
G1 Metroplex that most of us knew and loved, which this Generations/ FOC Metroplex
paid numerous homage to. Then from the Galaxy Force/ Cybertron line, we have
Galaxy Convoy/ Metroplex, than although has numerous throwbacks to the classic
G1, does not have any official city mode.
This
variant tend to have more chrome paints visible, namely to the face and hips –
shiny does it.
The ACG Con figure
itself is quite proportionate, although it does think that the waist is a bit
way too small. I guess most girls would have loved to have such a “to-die-for”
body figure. Otherwise, everything else is sized just nicely.
The
head sculpt is good, and the face itself is chromed in color. The head has a
gimmick ala Masterpiece Rodimus Convoy. There is a visor underneath, and
collector may choose either to pose Metroplex to resemble his G1 animated
depiction, or without the visor to resemble his G1 action figure.
When
posed next to Fortress Maximus, they both really do look like brothers. For the
first time ever, Fortress Maximus actually has someone else that can look at
him straight in the eyes, face to face.
In
robot mode, Metroplex is heavily armed, though to some extent, not as heavily
loaded as Fort Max. Still, the shoulder cannon/ blaster looks so wonderfully menacing
and huge, it just so cool.
On
his left shoulder, there is a compartment that you can open up to reveal a seat
and a set of blasters. You can either have Scamper sit in there wielding those
blasters in this mode or in another mode, which I will get into it later.
Articulation-wise,
Metroplex is quite amazing for a guy his size. Theoretically, the head can turn
360°, but unfortunately due to the designs of the “helmet”, the movement has
become restricted. The soft-ratcheted, universal-jointed elbows have all range
of movements, which is always a welcome. The ratchets used on the elbows for
both the rotations and bending are quite heavy and tight. The wrists rotate. The
fingers, though individually pose-able, are not as pose-able as either Cybertron
Primus or Universe/ Energon/ Armada Unicron, which is kind of a bummer.
The
waist rotates. The hips are on universal joints as well. However, the ratchets
used on the rotational and outward motions of the legs can be relatively less
tight. Coupled that the equally soft ratcheted knee joints and the top heavy
nature of the figure itself, especially during transformation and posing, the
posture tends to collapse and topple over easily.
Despite
that, it is still possible to put him in numerous wonderful poses, but all you
need is some patience to find the sweet spots.
There
is also light and sound gimmick here. Once 2 AA batteries are inserted into the
compartment at the back, each press of the button on the chest will activate
sound effects that alternate between Metroplex talking, and some transformation
sequence sound effect. These will be accompanied by both the eyes and the chest
light lighting up red.
The
robot mode looks absolutely majestic, though not as tough-looking as Fort Max,
he does make a perfect partner for the big. Metroplex, being the more agile of
the duo, while Fort Max just brings in the MAXIMUM fire power.
Vehicle
Mode:
 |
| Official Mode |
Well,
sometimes I’d just like to call it the tank mode, and what a huge tank it is. It’s
kinda of normal for Base-formers to have some intermediate mode between the
robot and their respective base modes. Examples can clearly be seen with Fort
Max, Scorponok, Trypticon, Super Ginrai, Primus etc. Not many can actually pull
off a good third mode. Super Ginrai and Scorponok are some of the few that actually
pulled it off with flying colors.
Metroplex
unfortunately doesn’t fall into the excellent category, but it isn’t exactly
that bad either. Just like his G1 namesake, the tank looks good, and this time
around, he looks almost like a carrier warship on wheels, and he does pack with
a lot of firing power.
The
tank is supported by 8 pairs of tyres, which unfortunately is made from PVC
plastics rather than rubbers, but they do roll just fine.
Officially
in the instructions, while the set comes supplied with two humongous blasters,
only one is actually used in this mode, which honestly kind of bugged me. In
his original G1 released, the two blasters or cannons, if you will, can be
attached to the front of the tank, adding more firepower to his already deadly
weaponries.
 |
| Hidden Peg for Metroplex |
Fortunately,
you can still do that. There is still a peg that you can still used to attach
the cannons, as depicted in the photos.
One
major problem in this mode is actually the leeway between the robot’s knee caps,
which now form the underneath portion of the front part of the tank. At times,
you could actually hear them scraping against the floor beneath.
Some
kibbles quite noticeable in this mode, particularly the head and the hands.
Overall,
this mode is moderate at best, bordering on good, but not great.
City
Mode:
 |
| Official Mode |
In
most cases, people buy Metroplex for both the robot and the city modes. Metroplex
is so synonymous with his base mode that in all cases, be it the G1 animated
series or the Fall of Cybertron games, fans know him at the city first, robot
second.
 |
| With the 2nd Gun Attached |
The
G1 city mode was great, and most of us did wish that he was made bigger, or on
par with Fortress Maximus. Now, our dreams are finally realized.
However,
while the size is deliciously wonderful, the newer base doesn’t exactly look as
awesome city as G1 Metroplex ever did. In fact, I would actually rank Fort Max’s
base mode as being the better base, visually.
Based
on the official instructions, it is as if something else is missing from this
mode. The fact that the other cannon is left unattended to kind of irked me to
no end.
 |
| Hidden Peg Holes Behind the Base |
However,
a careful inspection at the back of the base mode revealed a hidden peg hold,
and voila, the cannon’s peg fits! So now, at least the base mode is visually
more pleasing. At least it doesn’t seem empty.
It
has basically all the essence and basics of the G1 Metroplex in base mode, but
in larger scale.
Last
thought of the city mode, I still think they could have done better with the
legs portions, as they look kind of hollow.
Accessories:
 |
| Miniature Figures -- Still in Packaging |
In
terms of accessories, apart from the miniature figures and Scampers mentioned
earlier, there are also the two large cannons and the smaller cannons that are
mounted to his shoulders.
He
also comes with a set of stickers, which so far, I have no interest on pasting
them.
 |
| Stickers |
Overall:
I
have always loved Metroplex and I absolutely love base-formers. I mean, who
doesn’t like play sets, right? Metroplex is a good update from the original G1
Metroplex, and I really love the size of the monster. Hasbro is aggressively promoting
Metroplex as being the largest ever, but honestly for me, I would still regard
Fortress Maximus as the largest.
Yes,
Metroplex should be the tallest, but when it comes to the largest, it has to be
the combination of size, height and weight, and Fort Max is definitely beefier
and heavier, no questions about it. However, having said that, just like
Fortress Maximus, this figure would still be hassle for a child to play with
alone. Adult supervision is required if parents actually buys this guy for
their children.
Similar
to Fort Max, I always think that play sets such as this can provide a good
parents-children bonding time.
For
most of the fans that already has a Fort Max figure, you will probably want to
get this guy, because finally, you can actually have him face off with someone
his own size.
There
are four variants to choose from, so choose wisely Trans-Fanatix!!!
Highly
recommended.
Final
verdict: 9.5/10
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