Transformers Review - Universe Lugnutz (Basics)

Hello folks,

Welcome back to New Planet Cybertron Reviews. Today we are going to take a look at Transformers: Universe series Lugnutz, which is a re-release figure of the same name from the Transformers: Cybertron series.

A special shoutout to my friend, Farid Ab. Ghani for selling me this figure.

Enjoy the review.

Transformers Review - Cybertron Soundwave (Voyager Class)

Hey there folks,

Welcome back to New Planet Cybertron reviews. Today we are going to take a look at Transformers: Cybertron Soundwave.

I hope you fellas enjoy this review.

Transformers Review - Downshift a.k.a. Wheeljack (Cybertron)(Deluxe Class)

Hey there folks,

Welcome back to another Transformers review. Do enjoy the video review below.

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Transformers Review: Armada Demolisher (Cybertron Deluxe)

Intro:

            One thing about HasTak that most fans have already known by now is that they are prone to re-releasing the same mold over and over again, even in different toylines.

            Demolisher is one of these fine examples. Although he never appeared in the Transformers: Cybertron series, the figure was still released in the line, after previous releases in the Armada and Energon toy line, albeit different color applications.

            Rather strange for a Cybertron series action figure, Demolisher does not come with any Cyber Planet Keys, or even a Minicon partner.

            To be honest with, I am not much of a fan of the character, but since he did play a considerably huge role in the Armada and Energon series, I thought I might as well give him due recognition and give him a shot.

Alternate Mode:

            Demolisher transforms into a Cybertronian Tank, or you might even call him a Air Assault Tank, if you so want to, because that’s what he looks like.

            There is also a seat at the back of the tank, and you could probably place a small humanoid figurine on it.

           The turret can turn 360°. Demolisher has two missiles on each side, and this is where things go a bit awkward. While, the left missiles can be launched using a Minicon figure, the right “holders” only hold the missiles and cannot launch them. It doesn’t make sense, why couldn’t they do launchers for both sides? Surely there’s not much cost to save from that, isn’t it?

            Anyways, it’s an okay alternate mode – not spectacular, but just okay.

Robot Mode:

            The robot mode is fairly accurate to his TV portrayals, and he still maintains his foot-soldier look.

            The colors are different from what we’ve seen from the Armada and Energon series – the colors seems more vibrant here.

            The head sculpt is quite unconventional too – with his right eye being bigger than his right, and he has a huge grin.

            Articulation-wise: the head rotates, but the movements are heavily restricted; the shoulders rotate; the elbows are double-jointed, but somehow, they can’t bend like one; the waist rotates; the hips swing forward and back; and finally the knees bend.

            Overall, I like the robot mode – not spectacular, but definitely better than the alternate mode.

  

Overall:

            All in all, Demolisher may or may not be the figure for you. He was a prominent character in both the Armada and Energon series, and was fiercely loyal to Megatron – a rare trait amongst the Decepticon fold, but he didn’t appear at all in the Cybertron series, thus making him one of the surprise inclusions in the toy line.

            If you don’t like what you’re seeing now from the photos, then probably having him won’t even change your mind.

            Final verdict: 6.5/10 

Transformers Review: Galaxy Convoy (Galaxy Force Mocom)

Intro:

            I gotta admit, I love Galaxy Force, not so much on Cybertron, but I do love Galaxy Force. As far as I am concerned, Galaxy Force was originally made with a Japanese storyline, but the American version kinda ruined it. Hell, Nitro Convoy is a guy!!! And he ended up as a girl in the American dub!!! Well, you got my point.

            Anyways, babbling aside, I really like all these Cybertron/ Galaxy Force figures. Most of them have excellent details, prevalent as such on the Primus figure. Among others that enticed me was the Galaxy Convoy figure. Now Galaxy Convoy weren’t that easy to come by, so no matter how hard I looked for it, I just couldn’t get my hands on them, and eventually, I gave up. Until early 2010 when I began to see a lot of those Korean remakes of Transformers figures. Earlier in 2010, I bought a Sonokong remake of the Big Convoy figure, which in my opinion is one heck of a figure. Then came another Korean company called MOCOM, which was given the rights to remake some of the classic Galaxy Force figures. One of them, as you may have guessed, is Galaxy Convoy.

            I couldn’t believe it! I’ve waited for years, and then finally I got it!!! Galaxy Convoy was touted to be one of the best designs for an Optimus Prime’s reincarnation, along with Car Robots/ RiD Fire Convoy.

            So was it worth a wait? Let’s find out…

Fire Truck Mode:

Galaxy Convoy comes packed in fire truck mode, although the only thing that ever resembled a fire truck are the ladder ramp (that looks like a humongous cannon) and spray nozzle (which too look like a humongous gun). Really, he has only a minor semblance to a fire truck.  Anyways, in this mode, Galaxy Convoy rolls pretty well on all of his 8-wheels, but what I do not like is the middle portion of the fire truck. It’s full of kibble and I just couldn’t help it but wonder if they could’ve done a better finishing there. The wing portion that is a necessity for Galaxy Convoy’s other alternate mode do not have a peg to lock on, so it’s kind of irritating to see that piece just dangle there unsupported. 

Apart from that, I guess his just okay, albeit the absolutely unrealistic futuristic fire truck mode.

Flying Fire Truck Mode:

            Honestly, I really don’t know where HasTak is going with this. I mean, when they mean futuristic, they really do mean futuristic. They took the term futuristic too seriously. For crying out loud, he’s a FLYING FIRE TRUCK, and FIRE TRUCKS DON’T FLY!!!

            Anyways, now that we got that out of the way, this mode is really strange for me. I mean, I couldn’t say that this mode was designed halfheartedly since this mode was heavily portrayed in the animation series, but that’s what I really felt looking at this mode.

Battle Deck Mode:

True to tradition, Optimus Prime normally comes with a trailer that can transform into a battle deck. Galaxy Convoy isn’t much of a difference either.  In order to transform Galaxy Convoy into his robot mode, you need to detach the back portion of the figure which has the wings attached on it.

A couple of twists and turns later, you get a superbly unconvincing battle deck mode which was indeed used several times in the animated series.

Robot Mode:

Now this is where the figure starts to get exciting. Galaxy Convoy’s basic robot mode stands at approximately 8-inches tall, which isn’t that big really – only about the size of a regular Ultra-class figure.

While he does look good in this mode, Galaxy Convoy’s articulations aren’t quite impressive. The head is not on a ball joint, so it doesn’t look up or down. The bulky shoulder pads somewhat prevents the arms from going up and down, although the shoulder do let the arm turns 360°.Galaxy Convoy does not have any waist articulation but his ratcheting hip joints are quite good. The legs can also turn just below the hips and finally, his ratcheting knee joints provides him the means to further stabilize the figure, especially in his subsequent mode.

As from the photo, Galaxy Convoy inherits a lot of Optimus Prime’s traditional elements such as being prominently colored in red, grey and blue. He also has that classic chest-looks-like-window shield look that is definitely welcoming. The head is slightly unconventional, especially for the fact that Galaxy Convoy actually has a mouth instead of just a faceplate.

Super Robot Mode:

Now admit it people, this is the reason why we spend RM200 over for – to see him transform into his SUPER MODE!!! Or at least I am.

Anyways, Galaxy Convoy stands at about 9 ½-inch tall, and because of the huge wingspan (at about 15-inches wide), he actually seems massive. In this mode, Galaxy Convoy finally has a faceplate, and his articulations generally remain the same. Aside from the added bulk, he really got nothing else to show except for his gimmicks.

Gimmicks:

Now, the number one gimmick that this guy has is the Force Chip. The two mounted cannons on both sides need the Force Chip in order to be activated and they actually look nice.

However, the main reason to buy this figure was due to Galaxy Convoy’s ability to combine with others, namely with either Ligerjack (Leo Breaker) or Sonic Bomber (Wing Saber). You can refer to my review of Ligerjack and Wingblade (a recolored version of Sonic Bomber).

Just as Big Convoy and the Masterpiece Optimus Prime, Galaxy Convoy too has his very own removable Autobot Matrix of Leadership. His doesn’t look as good as the previous two’s, but it’s still better than nothing.

Overall:

For past reviews that I’ve read, many have actually said that Galaxy Convoy has the best design among all reincarnations of Optimus Prime, and was either on par or better than the Car Robots/ RiD Fire Convoy. While at that time, that may be true, but after my encounter with Masterpiece Optimus Prime, I no longer share that opinion. Compared to Masterpiece Optimus Prime, this guy pales in comparison in all possible ways.

But let’s be fair, Masterpiece figures are a standard of their own. So without comparing with the Masterpiece or the 2007 Movie, or even the ROTF version, I guess Galaxy Convoy is excellent. Its articulations aren’t that exciting, but its ability to combine with Liger Jack and Sonic Bomber really won him a lot of playability value.

He looks elegant and very regal in appearance, thanks to the super mode’s head sculpt, his widespread wings, sheer massiveness and his heavy artilleries. If you already have either Sonic Bomber or Liger Jack, you definitely need to buy him. And if you’re like me, who had already Galaxy Convoy in your possession, you really need to get those two if you can find them

All in all, I think it’s quite a good figure and that you really need to check him out for yourself.

            Final verdict: 8/10.

Transformers Review – Ligerjack (Galaxy Force Voyager)

Intro:

            One thing that I like about the Unicron Trilogy (in Japan: Micron Legend, Superlink and Galaxy Force) is how the character Optimus Prime possess special powers, i.e. various combinational abilities.

            Thus, since I managed to get the Galaxy Convoy figure 2 years ago, I’ve been trying to hunt down the two other figures in the line that is capable of merging with him, i.e. Sonic Bomber and Ligerjack.

            Although I technically did not manage to get a Sonic Bomber figure, I did, however managed to grab a redeco of the same figure released in the Revenge of the Fallen series, i.e. Wingblade. Although the colors are a bit mismatched, I can live with that.

            So that means I only had Ligerjack to hunt down. 

            Then one day as I was skimming through the internet, I noticed a fellow collector had put a Ligerjack up for sale, at a surprisingly bargained price, albeit it wasn’t an actual HasTak release – rather a Mocom release. Anyways, I don’t quite mind since my Galaxy Convoy’s a Mocom release, so it made even more sense to pair both of them up. I didn’t waste any time to make my enquiries and the rest, as we say it, is history.

            I’m kinda excited about this figure considering that Liger Convoy (Galaxy Convoy – Ligerjack combo) had quite a prominent role in the series. Much of Liger Convoy power increase focus on his physical strength, compared to Sonic Convoy’s (Galaxy Convoy – Sonic Bomber combo) power increase in terms of speed.

            The character Ligerjack itself is kinda unique in the series considering that the character used to be known as Jackshot, who was from Cybertron. Due to his desire for power, he found himself being close to his wild side and felt one with the spirit of Animatros, thus evolved into Ligerjack.

            On another note, I never heard of the term liger until I watched the show and when I subsequently dig up some info on the term, I actually found out that a liger is a crossbreeding between a lion and a tigress.

So who said Transformers couldn’t be educational?

            So yeah, I’m hyped up, and without further ado, let’s get on with the review…

Alternate Mode:

            Ligerjack transforms into a liger, which to me looks more like a lion than a liger. He has quite a bulky upper body and screen-accurate paintjob – very neat. 

            Articulation-wise, as with most Cybertron/ Galaxy Force figures, it can feel a little bit limited. The mouth opens and closes – limitedly; the shoulders are on ratcheting joints; elbows bend and move outwards; the front and back claws move up and down; the hips are on ratcheting joints and they also move outwards; bendable knees; and finally the tail rotates, mainly due to transformation joint.

            The articulation is nothing spectacular, and to me, it’s just okay.  

            By inserting the Animatros Force Chip into the slots on the side of both front claws, it will trigger the release of a set of extended claws, which in the animated series continuity, is said to be very sharp and deadly. 

            So yeah, it’s a neat alternate mode.

Robot Mode:

            As with most Beast-formers, the transformation is embarrassingly easy – I’ll be surprised if you actually need the instruction manual! 

            While the entire figure looks very screen-accurate, especially the head sculpt, I kinda see the figure being just a little disproportionate. I feel that the shoulders should be just a little bit broader. But then again, maybe it’s just me. 

            The detached tail can now be wielded as a weapon – a whip. 

            In order to activate its Force Chip mode, the same method mentioned earlier should be used. Articulation too is very similar to the previous mode.

Liger Convoy:

            Now this is the real reason why you should buy this figure, at least for me it is. The combination makes Optimus Prime/ Galaxy Convoy looks like he has a huge oversized left or right arm. Yes, the combination can be on either arm. In fact, if you have two Ligerjacks, you can even attach both of them on.

            You can still activate the Force Chip ignition in this mode, and Galaxy Convoy can wield the claws too. 

Accessories:

 

            Apart from the Animatros Force Chip, I really like the holographic profile card that comes with the set. 

 

Overall:

            To be honest with you, Ligerjack on his own isn’t really that impressive. In fact to me, it’s passable. I’ve actually come across this figure several times in the past and had all the opportunity in the world to buy him, but didn’t because I didn’t have Galaxy Convoy. So when I finally managed to get the latter, only then I began hunting for Ligerjack.

            Just to see my Galaxy Convoy being able to combine with ol’ Ligerjack makes it all worthwhile, especially when it’s on bargained price.

            Recommended.

            Final verdict: 7/10

Transformers Review: Soundwave (Cybertron Voyager)

Intro:

            After the end of the Headmaster series, the name Soundwave was lost to the annals of history. However, for a brief period during the Beast Wars series, the name Soundwave did appear, although he was totally unrelated to his G1 predecessor. Transforming from a bat to an alligator, and vice versa, he was not a major character in the series, only appearing in IDW Publishing comics.

            It was only until the advent of the Cybertron/ Galaxy Force series that the name Soundwave finally made his return.

            Here, Soundwave is depicted to be Sideways/ Noisemaze’s partner in crime, who also happens to be his fellow comrade from the long lost Planet X. When Soundwave was first released, fans were extremely excited, and why not? Soundwave is such an iconic character that along with Optimus Prime and Megatron, he was one of the most easily recognizable characters ever.

            Back in 2005, when I was still a fledgling collector, I didn’t have a Soundwave in my collection, so I knew that I just had to get him.

            Fast forward 7 years after, here we are with this long delayed review…

Alternate Mode:

Soundwave transforms into this futuristic-looking space craft. As a whole, he looks like one of those secret US military experimental stealth bomber aircrafts. 

The figure is reek with minor details, reminiscence of that of Vector Prime’s, but not as much. While it may not hold true to the Robot in Disguise mantra due to its design and concept, it still does quite well in hiding its robot parts. 

On his own, Soundwave doesn’t do much. He rolls on his three wheels underneath it, and that’s about it. It’s his gimmick that gives him the extra oomph. 

Being a stealth bomber, he has to come with a bomb, right? So, to release the “bomb”, all you need to do is take the Planet X’s Cyber Planet Key, insert it to the slot at the back of the aircraft, and the compartment below will open up and release the “bomb” within.

Laserbeak:

Laserbeak's Bomb Mode

            The “bomb” released kinda looks like some sort of a barrel, but this is not any simple barrel we’re talking about, nosiree… This is barrel or bomb actually transforms into one of Soundwave’s most well known minions – Laserbeak, and I have to say, prior to the release of DOTM Laserbeak, this is probably the best Laserbeak ever.

            What I like about this Laserbeak is that he’s very, very articulated for such a small figure. The Cybertron series actually classed him as a Minicon, although we all know he was never one.

Articulation-wise: the neck moves up and down; the wings themselves have several joints – shoulders and all of the wing tips; tail piece moves up and down as well; swinging hips and pivoting ankles. 

I really love Laserbeak, and he’s a really good bonus for this set.

Robot Mode:

            One word describes Voyager Soundwave – lanky. He’s tall, he’s slim – he’s everything I wanna be… Anyways, jokes aside, his colors scream G1 Soundwave of old. Personally, at the time, for those late starters who didn’t have the opportunity to grab a G1 Soundwave before, this was the next best thing, and that’s why I got him in the first place. 

            The head is unmistakably Soundwave, although I must say, he has way longer horns than his predecessor ever had. He also has wings at the back, which kinda makes him look more menacing. 

 

 

            Just like his predecessor, Cybertron Soundwave is also armed with a shoulder canon, as well as a blaster. What’s unique about these weapons is that they too transform, into barrel-like bombs, reminiscence of Laserbeak’s alternate mode.

The Cyber Planet Key and the Bombs

Bombs transform into Weapons

            Articulation-wise: the light-piped head seems to be ball-jointed; the shoulders rotate in a north-to-south direction, and another joint allows outward movements; slightly below the shoulders, the arms rotate; the elbows bend, but there are no wrists movements; the hips are on tight ratcheted universal joints, which is always tasty; the knees rotate and bend (the bending movements are on ratcheting joints, which are very, very, very tight); and finally, the toe and heel pieces move down and back up.

Laserbeak can even perch on either of his wings...

            The knees also have an awkward outward movement, although I don’t really consider it an articulation joint; it’s rather a transformation joint.  

            While the robot mode generally looks good, it is not without its flaws. Due to its skinny nature and the huge backpack, Soundwave can be a bit back-heavy and kinda limits its pose-ability.

            Still, it’s only a minor drawback from a wonderful figure.

Overall:

            As you may know, I love Soundwave. Some fans may have some qualms with how the figure looks in general, but I personally kinda dig the figure, despite having a Cybertronian alternate mode. I think the designers really wanted this figure to be a perfect homage to the original character, especially when this was Soundwave’s real first outing since the days of G1.

            Thus, it’s no wonder that this version of Soundwave has been one of the most highly sought after figure in this region, ever since it was first released, and I was lucky enough to be able to get hold of him.

            He is definitely a must for fans of Soundwave, of the Cybertron/ Galaxy Force series, and even more so if you already have Sideways/ Noisemaze from the same series.

            Highly recommended.

            Final verdict: 9/10.