Review- Transformers Combiner Wars G2 Superion

At the point of writing this entry, I am pretty sure it is the last Transformers Combiner Wars set I am getting. For now. The prices of the "Mayhem Attack Squad" and "Dawn Of The Predacus" are going to be exorbitant, way beyond what I would pay. I can't say the same for UW 06 Grand Galvatron though. I fell for it hook, line and sinker. 

Anyway, the Transformers Combiner Wars G2 Superion set was also priced at about SGD $60 and I got it together with the G2 Menasor set from the same seller at Taobao. It was promptly shipped together with free domestic shipping to my mail forwarder address and arrived well-packed which prevented it from being damaged. At this point, I need to make it known that I do not get everything from Taobao. IF I want something that is unavailable in Singapore, I go to the website to check for availability. Exclusive variants are not uncommon. Test shots and prototypes are not rare. BUT, if you are a collector who collects toy packaging, or mint boxes, PLEASE avoid the site as your boxes bound to get damaged. Most sellers would remove the toys from packaging to help you save on shipping costs.

I need to highlight that because this is the third release of the same mold, I am not going to say very much of them. Enjoy the pictures! :)

Powerglide

 

Powerglide Vehicle Mode

 

Powerglide Robot Mode

 

Silverbolt

Silverbolt Vehicle Mode      

Silverbolt Robot Mode

Sky Dive

Sky Dive Vehicle Mode

 

Sky Dive Robot Mode

 

Air Raid

 

Air Raid Vehicle Mode

 

Air Raid Robot Mode

Fireflight

 

Fireflight Vehicle Mode

 

Fireflight Robot Mode

Slingshot

 

Slingshot Vehicle Mode

 

Slingshot Robot Mode

 

Superion

 

Superion!  

I am assuming you have read my review on Combiner Wars G2 Menasor. If not, I will repeat it again. I love the blue and red! Period. Seriously, I think the colours on G2 Superion is way less gaudy than G2 Menasor. I can actually visualise these planes as competitive stunt planes converted from military planes. I did struggle to make sure I had their names right though. That was the only tedious thing in looking at this set. Otherwise, I really do enjoy this mold as the transformation is extremely intuitive and relatively stable for posing in combiner mode. Even without the upgrade, I can safely say I love this mold more as I interact it again for the second time. Most of the collectors who owned the original G2 Superion would probably want to get this set for memory sake. 

Review- Transformers Combiner Wars G2 Menasor

When I saw the news on G2 Menasor, I knew I wasn't going to get this set. You heard me right. I mean, you read me correctly. I wasn't ready to shell out SGD $150-$170 for a repaint of a combiner set that I already owned. Then I saw this set on Taobao. He was priced at SGD $60 and the seller offered free local shipping to my mail forwarding address. Of course I changed my mind! It would be a great sin to pass on a deal so sweet.

 

Blackjack

 

Blackjack Vehicle Mode  

 

Blackjack Robot Mode

The chest armour dude now spot a dominant purple with some black and blue. He shares similar colours with G2 Motormaster as Blackjack has to fit onto Motormaster in combiner mode. The same issue with the pegs still applies and he doesn't stick onto Motomaster all too well. The G2 Decepticon logo on this figure is beautiful and well-located on the figure.

 

Motormaster 

 

Motormaster Vehicle Mode      

Motormaster Robot Mode

By far this has got to be the best figure in the set! I love the blend of the dominant blue and purple, with some black and red. This glossy blue and red are the same colours used on Smokescreen and I adore the choice! 

 

Dragstrip 

 

Dragstrip Vehicle Mode    

Dragstrip Robot Mode

   

 

I think it's a draw between the G2 and original colours of Dragstrip. I can't really decide which is better. The black and blue added a stealth feel to this figure. Loving this recolour!

 

Brake-Neck

 

Brake-Neck Vehicle Mode

 

Brake-Neck Robot Mode

While I like the yellow and racing paint job on this guy, I can't say the same for the colour used on the face. It just doesn't blend well with the rest of the paint. On a side note, I find the head a little loose as he popped open on me. Nothing broke, but you might want to be careful with the head.

 

Breakdown

 

Breakdown Vehicle Mode

 

Breakdown Robot Mode            

This figure is just plain gaudy. But it feels so retro and good. I am getting confused with my feelings here. Gaudy good, not gaudy bad. 

 

Dead End

 

Dead End Vehicle Mode            

Dead End Robot Mode

I definitely prefer the colours from the original release. The bright red doesn't go well for me but I get it that he has to be of this these colours to wear the G2 colour scheme.

 

Stunticons!

 

Team Vehicle Shot

Menasor!

 

Menasor!

 

One is not enough.          

I was reminded of why I didn't like this combiner. The hip joints and Blackjack not staying in place irritated me when I got the original release. Yes, I know. I need to get the PE upgrades. Comparing with Defensor or Bruticus, Menansor is weaker in terms of the molds. I say grab this guy only if you are a hardcore Menasor fan or a real good price. Otherwise, it's an easy pass.

Review- Transformers Combiner Wars Bruticus

I think of all the combiners released so far, the Combaticons, or Bruticus, seemed to receive the most positive feedback. Yes, some parts were just repaint. For the most part of this combiner, we do see heavy retool to create an entire different feel to the combiners! I think Hasbro did a great job in giving us what the fans want. A lesson from the Fall of Cybertron Bruticus tells us that you cannot have the figure forming the main body of the combiner to be the same size as the limbs. Without anymore rambling, we will look at the Combaticons!

  

Vortex  

 

Vortex Vehicle Mode    

                                       

Vortex Robot Mode  

This is a repaint. Period. Nah, what's a review without some thoughts?  I like the colour of this figure and the attempt to ensure that the colours are close to the G1 figure. The colours provide ample warning that we are dealing with a Decepticon here. Not a rescue or peacekeeping vehicle!  

 

 

Blast Off   

Blast Off Vehicle Mode      

                                    

Blast Off Robot Mode  

I think this is the figure that received the most flak. Other than the fact that it is a straight-up repaint, there were fans who did not like the representation of Blast Off as a fighter jet. Many preferred him as a space shuttle, and we know this is possible from Sky Lynx. Truth be told, scale is a problem and will always be a problem. A space shuttle just doesn't scale well with other smaller vehicles that form the limbs and main body of the combiner. I know the counter argument is that scale has always been thrown out of the window in the Transformers universe. That's true! Looks like the designers can't please all the fans. Just a good move to save on the cost by giving us a repaint that still fits the scale.

 

 

Swindle 

  

Swindle Vehicle Mode      

                                    

Swindle Robot Mode  

Man, I love this figure! The IDW comics had me with how they portrayed him in the Combiner Wars arc. He always stirring trouble, trying to profit from the conflict, only to find himself at the shorter end of the deal. Great retool of Rook to give us this big jeep. Awesome poseability! I just find the small head a bit of an eyesore as it doesn't go well with the beefy look. Still loving this mold! 

 

 

Brawl  

 

  

Brawl Vehicle Mode     
 
                           

Brawl Robot Mode

 

We got a new mold in this wave through Brawl! The vehicle mode is simply neat as everything rotates and squeezes in nicely into a compact tank. The robot mode is badass and I like the broad feet with ankle tilt. The major flaw in this figure is the waist of the robot! He looks good from the front. The proper angle is needed or you will notice the gaps and flimsy waist that kind of folds on itself. A tad disappointing knowing that it could have been fixed at the design process!   

 

 

Onslaught  

 

    

Onslaught Vehicle Mode    

                                    

Onslaught Robot Mode  

This retool from Hotspot is just what we need of the Combaticon leader! In my opinion, he is a highly accurate representation of the G1 design and he definitely scales well in the team shot. I am gushing over this figure as Hasbro has given what the fans need since the Fall of Cybertron Bruticus.    

  

Team Vehicle Shot!      
 
               

Team Bot Shot!          
 
         

Bruticus Himself!  

For the 1827462947th time, I agree that he needs the PE upgrade for the hands and feet. Moving on, my biggest gripe this round is that he is really unstable in the combiner form. No, I don't mean mentally. He is difficult to pose and has a tendency to lean forward. I sincerely wish you the very best in displaying him on the shelf with other bots right in front of him. Jokes aside, he does look good!  

Bonus round: Shockwave!   

Logic rules!      

            

Guys, just chill and make peace!    

        

There you go! Much better!  

Mentioned about Shockwave on my Instagram (Sgtoydude). He is probably the best Legend class figure so far! While people complained that he is too small, he does what he is supposed to do. To be a blaster for the combiners! Want something bigger, get a bigger version of this character! 

Summary

I am happy to find this set early and cheap. Probably the first, if not the first few, to have him in Singapore. Ok, enough bragging! Hehe! You won't regret adding him to your combiner collection and Deception shelf. For some reason, I also found the paint work to be very crisp. Maybe they tightened the quality control? As always, check out this blog for more toy reviews and my Instagram if you want quick and lazy shots of toys :)

Review- Transformers Combiner Wars Sky Reign

With the Enigma of Combination, it seems almost any cybertronian can become part of a greater whole, a part of a gestalt, a part of a combiner! In a seemingly clever move, Hasbro has provided Transformers fans with official combiners at much lower prices than the third party toy makers. But what it also meant is the use of the same or similar molds for the production of different characters that can combine with one another. It is a good way for fans to get their hands on different characters, but over time, it becomes tedious for collectors as these toys seem repetitive and lacked imagination. I wasn't ready to go into Sky Reign but as mentioned earlier, I got these guys off Taobao and got them at a fraction of retail prices. They were too good to be true, too good to pass. So here we are, looking at these boys before they hit the shelves! 

 

  Skylynx    

Skylynx Robot Mode    
    

Close up on Skylynx's head

 

                                Skylynx's full body- from head to tail                                    

 

Skylynx's alt-mode  
                                                         

I think this is the figure that most people are curious about, and rightly so! This is the only new mould of the wave and something that set the Internet abuzz. Skylynx is compact in the alt-mode as the neck, legs and tail are nicely folded. The transformation to robot mode is simple as it comprises of simple steps of extending the neck and tail, opening the mouth, twisting and extending the legs. You can figure all these without images or guide. The problem is with the transformation into the main body of Sky Reign. As I had very little information on Sky Reign, I relied heavily on the images from botcon/toy fair. But if I can figure it out, I am very sure the rest of you guys won't have any problem at all!  

 

This toy does have its flaws. The plastic, while sturdy, is quite thin. Scale is something thrown out of the design process as Skylynx has to form the main body of the combiner. It is out of scale when placed together with its wave-mates. I personally prefer the G1 toy as I feel that the G1 toy has already done the character justice. This figure also cannot separate like the G1 toy and the play value is just not as good as it should be. But for those of us who fancy the IDW design, this toy serves that purpose well!    

 

Trailcutter    

Trailcutter Vehicle Mode

Trailcutter Robot Mode

This figure is easily the weakest of the wave. The Generations line has done such a great job with the Trailcutter mold that I felt disappointed with this mold. It shares the same mold as the recently released Combiner Wars Ironhide with the exception of the colour, head sculpt and cannon arm. 

Wheeljack

 

 

Wheeljack Vehicle Mode    
                       

Wheeljack Robot Mode

He shares the same mold as Sunstreaker with the exception of colour and head sculpt. Remember what I said earlier about the overuse of the same mold? This figure is lackluster too. Considering the recent release of Masterpiece Wheeljack and the earlier CHUG Wheeljack mold,  this figure is an easy pass. Sighs. Even the Wheeljack from the QT series did a better job.

*Edit: A kind user on Instagram has pointed out to me that Wheeljack and Sunstreaker have different molds in vehicle mode. He is right about that and you can check out on @sgtoydude to see for yourself! :)

Smokescreen

Smokescreen Vehicle Mode      
              

Smokescreen Robot Mode

Things are picking up here. In terms of colour, this is my favorite of the mold! The colors are striking and I am deeply drawn by the colour even though this is the exact same mold as Combiner Wars Prowl. I will pick this over Prowl without a doubt! Not much to say except that it is aesthetically pleasing! 

Hound  

Hound Vehicle Mode

 

Hound Robot Mode

If you own the previous wave, Bruticus Maximus, you will know this is the exact same mold as Combiner Wars Swindle. The mold is an easy win as the beefy figure with broad shoulders and ankle joints has captivated me. It is comparable with Swindle and I like this updated look from the CHUG design. Yes, I know. This may not be a close representation of the cartoon character but it looks good as a mecha and it is highly poseable.

Sky Reign  

 

Team shot! Scale is an obvious problem!

Had problems with the transformation until images from the Internet saved me...
                

Sky Reign!

Close up on the torso and head

Looks good even from the side!

I am pleasantly surprised by the combiner form. The colors go well together and the creative use of Skylynx as the main body came out well. The first beast head we are getting in the combiner series, it breaks the monotony of the combiners we have so far. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea. It was really cheaper to get this as a set than just getting Skylynx alone, especially when we are considering the shipping cost. If you are not looking to complete the combiners, just pass on the limbs as the CHUG lines are good enough. If you are not caught in the craze, pick up Skylynx on clearance discount? I am just happy to get them cheaply and early to share these photos and thoughts with you. While we are at it, I just want to wish you a blessed new year! :)