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 – Tankor/ Octane (Universe Deluxe)

Intro:

            Back in the good ol’ G1 era, the Triple Changers were one of the major attractions of the line. Fans were already captivated by the fact that they are getting essentially 2-toys-in-one, but with the advent of the Triple Changers, we were fed with the ideas that there could be more than 2-in-one, which eventually brought us to Six-changers, a.k.a. Sixshot.

            Anyways, while both the Autobots and the Decepticons factions have their own Triple Changers within their ranks, the Decepticons’ tend to be more memorable and more significant in their TV portrayals, such as Blitzwing and Astrotrain.

On the Autobots’ side, although both Sandstorm and Broadside had their screen time, none actually reached the heights of Springer – arguably the most well known of the Autobots’ Triple Changers.

            As far as the storyline goes, at the conclusion of the events of the “Five Faces of Darkness”, Blitzwing decided to join the Autobots, at the chagrin of Galvatron. In one of the subsequent episodes, we were introduced to the character Octane, whom just like Blitzwing, had deserted the Decepticon causes and joined the Autobots’ ranks, and ironically, Blitzwing never again featured in the show. That led to the notion that the character Octane was supposed to be Blitzwing in the first place, and the character Octane was chosen so that HasTak could market the action figure.

            Fast forward to the Noughties, Hasbro finally announced that they were releasing both the Astrotrain and Octane figures in the Universe line. While I had to resort to the Henkei Astrotrain, due to unavailability, I did manage to get my hands on Octane, officially known as Tankor due to whatever God-knows-what reasons. Anyways, I am still going to refer to him as Octane due to nostalgic reasons, and because I like…

            HAHAH!!!

            Anyways, here goes with the review.

Alternate Mode 1:

Now, gone were the days of Boeing 767, this time around Octane transforms into an unspecified airplane model, but I reckoned it could be some type of WW2 carrier aircraft – well, at least it looked the part.

While a whole, the plain looks nice, it is when you go to the details where Octane starts to lose some valuable points. 

The body of the robot is noticeable, specifically right below the wings. The designs there are just a bit too strange for me. It is quite creative for HasTak to have a separate piece to cover the undercarriage of the aircraft, as well as putting some landing wheels on it.

For most part, the truck parts are not really noticeable, save probably the cab right below the tailfin. 

While the airplane mode isn’t really that spectacular, it is still a pretty good attempt on HasTak’s part.

Alternate Mode 2:

Back in G1, Octane transforms into an oil tanker as well, but now, while Octane still transforms into a truck, he only vaguely resembles a tanker, if that’s indeed his second alternate mode. 

            To me, he looks like some type of military truck. Again, the side of the truck doesn’t have a clean finishing, and the back of portion of the truck (with the exposed airplane cockpit) looks odd at best.

            While Octane has in all 8 wheels to help him move, two wheels are actually fake, i.e. the inner back wheels. 

            While it is a commendable attempt, you can’t help it but to feel that HasTak came just a little too short with this design.

Robot Mode:

            Again, the robot mode has nothing to shout about. It’s an okay-looking robot but nothing really spectacular. 

            The arms are bit strangely designed, while I do like what they did with the legs. The head sculpt is thankfully quite accurate – that’s a really saving grace.

            Octane is armed with a blaster, formed by combining both of his blasters (or you could even arm him with both) and also a shield-like contraption, if that’s indeed what it is supposed to be. I’d say it’s a rake – maybe. 

            Articulation-wise: the head rotates; inner shoulders are on ball joints, while the shoulders proper are a little bit too high; the elbows and hips are on ball joints; the wrists rotate, as well as the legs, right below the hips; the knees bend and that’s all there is to him. 

           I would love to say that he is a magnificent little figure, but unfortunately he is only a mediocre figure at best.

From left: Henkei Astrotrain and Universe Octane

Overall:

            Let’s face it; Octane was never a candidate for the action figure of the year, and with good reasons. The figure and all of its modes are mediocre at best, and you just can’t help it but to think that they could’ve done way better than this.

            The only saving grace for this figure is that they managed to squeeze in 3 distinct modes into the figure, and that really requires a lot of engineering ingenuity. If you’re looking to buy at least 1 Triple Changers from the line, go get Astrotrain instead.

            Final verdict: 6.5/10.

Transformers Review: Prowl (Universe Deluxe)

Intro:

            When G1 was first introduced both in the animation series, as well as the comics, Prowl was characterized as Optimus Prime’s second in command. Although Prowl was more of a bit-part player in the animated series, he played a far more significant role in the comics.

            Throughout the various series in the Transformers franchise, the Prowl character has been frequently depicted as police-related vehicles.

Alternate Mode:

            Prowl transforms into a Nissan Z police car, and a very sporty one at that.  Realistic paint applications, as well as wording on both sides of the car, which reads “HIGHWAY PATROL POLICE” makes this mode quite eye-catching. 

            At least for me it is. 

 

            Underneath the car, you can literally see all the kibbles, i.e. the legs, arms, the head and also the main body. While the kibbles are bad, I really like how they manage to provide a slot to mount Prowl’s gun in this mode. At least, you won’t be afraid of losing it. 

 

            Overall, a really neat alternate mode. 

 

Robot Mode:

            This is probably the best ever G1 Prowl that we ever going to have. I have a knockoff G1 Prowl, which looks very similar to the original figure, just doesn’t hit it with his animated counterpart. 

 

            This version of Prowl, however, is the Prowl that we should’ve gotten. Well proportioned, a fantastic head sculpt, the shoulder blasters, and the signature door-wings, he is just a dead ringer to his animation counterpart.

            Articulation-wise: the head rotates 360°; the shoulders are combinational joints that provide complete range of motions; the arms bend and rotate at the elbows; the fists rotate at the wrists; restricted waist joint; ball-jointed hips; the legs rotate and bend at the knees; and finally the feet are on combinational joints. 

ROTF Barricade vs Universe Prowl

            Prowl is literally your standard Deluxe-class figure that looks absolutely fantastic. The Henkei version have a slightly better color scheme, but at a much expensive price. Still, I really don’t mind.

            I really don’t have a bad thing to say about this figure, but if I really have to mention something, then it would probably be the doors keep on popping out of its socket throughout the transformation.

Overall:

            I love Prowl – plain and simple. He is simply one of the best figures to have come out from the Universe/ Classic 2.0 line.

            Highly recommended.

            Final verdict: 10/10.

Transformers Review – Cyclonus (Universe Deluxe)

Intro:

            Cyclonus is arguably one of the post-1986 movie characters to have made the most significant impact on the franchise. Cyclonus was introduced as the second in command of the Decepticon forces. Unlike Starscream, who would seek every chance he gets in order to usurp Megatron, Cyclonus was fiercely loyal to Galvatron, regardless of any situation – definitely an uncommon trait among the Decepticons.

            Due to the animation sequence of the 1986 movie, it has been long debated within the fandom as to whom actually morphed into Cyclonus – was it Skywarp or Bombshell? It was widely tipped that Skywarp was the character in question, since the Seekers’ position in the hierarchy were believed to be higher than ordinary Decepticons. And since Thundercracker morphed into Scourge, it would make even more sense that Skywarp should be Cyclonus.

            The original G1 Cyclonus figure isn’t exactly screen accurate, but he was close enough. Since I never had a Cyclonus figure in my collection before, and since I already got Universe Galvatron figure at the time, it would only make more sense that I should go out and get him and eventually, a Scourge figure.

Alternate Mode:

            Cyclonus transforms into this futuristic-looking spacecraft – very slick in design. Cyclonus of course still displays his trademarked front-sweep wings, which made him stood out more than most Decepticon aircraft from the good ol’ days. 

            One thing that you also noticed is obviously the difference in color scheme. Whereas the Henkei release stayed true to its animated look, Universe’s version has a more deep-bluish/ grey look to him. I don’t know why Hasbro tends to always fail to re-emulate the characters original colors. Probably it’s just a way for both Hasbro and Takara-Tomy to earn more money? 

            Maybe...

            So I would perfectly understand why some of you may prefer the Henkei version.

            As far as the mould design goes, I can’t help but noticed the huge gap at the back of the aircraft. I’m pretty sure that they could’ve done better with the back of the aircraft than as it is. It’s really an eyesore.

From Left: Universe Cyclonus, Universe Galvatron, Generations Scourge

            All things said though, it’s still a good representation of the original G1 animated character, and would probably be the best Cyclonus so far, barring any future remolds.

Nightstick:

            Staying true to its Targetmaster roots, Cyclonus comes along with his Hive partner, Nightstick. 

            Being a Targetmaster means Nightstick transforms into a weapon, i.e. Cyclonus’s blaster. The blaster can either be mounted on top of the cockpit in jet mode, or be wielded as a normal blaster in robot mode. 

            Articulation-wise: shoulders rotate; elbows bend; the abs crunches; hips swings back and forth, and that’s all there is to it. 

            I kinda dig Nightstick.

           

Robot Mode:

 

The robot mode is definitely the main draw here. He looks absolutely fantastic and really does look like his animation counterpart.

The colors maybe a little bit off, which is typical of most Hasbro releases, but the head sculpt is a dead ringer. The light piping also works very well. 

I also like the way how the wings folds up at the back of the robot – really neat.

Articulation-wise: the head and shoulders rotate; the arms swing inward and out; the elbows bend and rotate; hips are on ball joints; the legs rotate slightly above the bendable knees; and finally the toe and heel flaps moves. `

From Left: Universe Cyclonus, Universe Galvatron, Generations Scourge

However, not everything is perfect with the figure. For some odd reasons, the designers only allow Cyclonus to wield his weapons with his right hand as the left one doesn’t contain any slots. Also, the lack of a ball-jointed head, as well as the waist joints slightly limits the pose-ability factor of the figure.

Other than that, Cyclonus is one heck of a figure.

Overall:

            Cyclonus is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the better figures released in the Universe line. The overall look of the figure is awesome. However, the color factor may encourage fans to go for the Henkei version instead, but personally, I don’t quite mind. If you can ignore the color difference, the Universe version is actually already quite nice.

            Highly Recommended.

            Final verdict: 9/10.

Transformers Review – Galvatron (Universe Deluxe)

Intro:

            In most generations/ series, Galvatron has been synonymous with two words – Megatron repaints. That is why that there is scarcely any Galvatron figure amongst my collection, save for Legends Cybertron Galvatron, and even that because I couldn’t get my hands on a Megatron figure. As far as I can remember, there has been only 1 none-remolded Galvatron figure, and that was the 1^st ever original Galvatron figure – G1 Galvatron. Character-wise, he may be a reformatted version of Megatron, but at least he’s an original mold – exchanging modes from a gun, into a futuristic cannon (he also transforms into a monstrous futuristic gun). At least, having an all powerful Emperor of Destruction transforming into a badass cannon is much more believable than into a gun (although Megatron will forever be remembered as the gun). The character Galvatron character itself is unique, in the sense that his personality is totally different from his previous self, as Megatron. Where Megatron is a methodical evil genius, who plans his every move, and whose plans are always based on logic; Galvatron is your typical insane evil leader who relies on brute strength alone.

            Since I started collecting transformers, Galvatron has been one of the missing pieces. Of course, I was hoping to get myself the original G1 mold – the cannon, and I was hoping that Takara-Tomy’s Encore line would provide with just that, but for now, it’s just not happening. So I had to seek other options, and that would lead me to the new and improved Universe line, a.k.a. Classic 2.0. Galvatron in this line is no longer the iconic cannon; rather he’s a cannon on wheels – a tank. Before I got this guy way back in 2008, I’ve caught a few internet photos of this guy, and despite the difference in alternate mode, his robot mode was unmistakably Galvatron, for which have since been up there on top of my wish list. So how does he fare with such high expectations? Read on…

Alternate Mode:

            As I’ve mentioned earlier, this version of Galvatron has gone back to its roots and instead of being just a recolored version of a Megatron figure, he is a tank that loosely resembles its original cannon designs. 

 

In this mode, he is predominantly grey in color. On both sides of the spin-able turrets are printed with the words “Galv – 25” – a clear homage in conjunction of the glorious 25^th anniversary of the Transformers line, which was in 2009. 

 

I’m not quite sure whether this tank mode is based on a real tank or not, but it does look believable, despite its rather futuristic looks. Also worth mentioning, the cannon also come with a similar orange translucent bullet.

From left: Universe Cyclonus, Universe Galvatrion and Generations Scourge

Robot Mode:

            For a deluxe figure, transforming Galvatron from tank to robot mode is surprisingly difficult the first time around! While I do enjoy the sheer puzzling transformation of the figure, I couldn’t help it but to echo what others have been said previously in their own reviews. Galvatron should have been at least a Voyager, considering the fact that he was the Emperor of Destruction of the Decepticon army, and not some lowly characters. A major character such as Galvatron should more than deserve a Leader-class inclusion, or at a Voyager-class. 

 

            Having said that, the robot mode is absolutely recognizable as G1 Galvatron – the crowned head, the four red-square waist and the huge yellow cannon are dead giveaways. In this mode, the color purple is predominant. 

Articulation-wise, the figure is as good as any, except for the right hand which also carries the cannon. The sheer size of the right arm sort of hinders articulation.

From left: Universe Cyclonus, Universe Galvatron & Generations Scourge

 

One of my biggest gripe of this figure is that some parts just doesn’t lock in solidly, such as the two thread pieces at the back of the robot. Also, the robot mode can be a little bit back-heavy.

Overall:

            Galvatron is a good addition to the Universe/ Classic 2.0 line, and would’ve been an even better one were it to be at least a Voyager-class. It’s real refreshing to actually have an original Galvatron mold for once, rather than some mere repaints. Some other collectors may have a complaint or two regarding the physical appearance of the figure, but to me, it is a good attempt.

            Recommended.

            Final verdict, I give ol’ Galva 8/ 10.