Review: #174
Name: Optimus Prime
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Age of Extinction Generations
Year of Release: 2014
Size Class: Leader (Wave 1)
Variations: in the initial batches, there was a variation in the red paint used, one was a deeper shade than the other
VEHICLE MODE:
A new movie and therefore, a new Optimus Prime figure. At least with Age of Extinction, a lot of the returning bots have new alternate modes and designs. In Optimus' case, he now transforms into a Western Star 5700 OP concept truck (apparently, I am not too good with these things). To be honest, I'm not sure if I like this new truck after being so used to the original for three movies now.
Nevertheless, this is a fantastic truck mode. He looks great from most angles and feels solid. There are a lot of molded detailing and what little paint applications there are does a good job.
Of course, the main attractions are the chromed bits. He features chrome tanks, smokestacks, grill and the bits above the front windows (the name eludes me). The flame detailing on the hood and cabin is crisp and sharp. I'm very impressed at how well the flames turned out.
In an interesting turn of events (and a throwback to figures of the past), Optimus features rubber tires. If only the hubcaps were chromed or painted silver, it would make the vehicle mode pop out even more.
There is an Autobot symbol on the grill, being chromed, it is not coloured red.
It's not all positives, the truck rear, i.e. the hitch area, is very hollow and gappy. You can easily see right through it, this was a somewhat necessary evil as it slides up as his backpack in robot mode. Still, it's quite a disappointment to see it trim down to this level.
Also, there's a small gap at the back of the cabin. It's not as bad as First Edition Optimus but it's still something to note.
These are all fairly forgivable things, this truck mode is fantastic. There is limited panel breaks, making Optimus a great figure to display in vehicle mode. It might even pass for a model truck as it's not immediately obvious that it transforms.
Unfortunately, the reduction of size strikes once again. Optimus is noticeably much small than the previous ROTF Leader figure in vehicle mode (and as we'll see later, in robot mode). It actually feels more akin to the Ultra sized class toys of 2008.
You would have seen from promo shots that Optimus carries a sword and shield now. The sword stows away out of sight underneath the truck while the shield plugs into the hitch at the back.
A great truck mode that has barely any flaws. It's look great and focuses more on realism than obtrusive gimmicks. The yellow plastic used for the windows is questionable but it's not a deciding factor.
TRANSFORMATION:
Unfortunately, the instructions aren't going to be much help, they only go from vehicle to robot and since Optimus is packaged in robot mode... Furthermore, to tote the simplicity of the figures, in which the packaging states proudly he transforms in 20 steps, the instructions feel truncated and not have enough detail to make sense of what's going on. In the end, Optimus' transformation is fairly simple and by the books. The only slightly interesting part is the way his legs form. The rest of the robot is encased in the vehicle mode panels, in a way, Optimus is a shellformer.
ROBOT MODE:
Wish a new truck mode, it only makes sense for Optimus to feature a robot mode design. Sadly, as the movies had gone on, under Michael Bay's directions, the Transformers have less and less vehicle elements in their robot modes, to the point where they don't really look like something that transforms. It's evident here and that means the designers had to fold away a lot of the iconic vehicle elements.
You can tell that Optimus is burdened with kibble, especially a significant portion of the truck as a backpack. The designers have tried to use the panels in more meaningful ways such as the shoulder armor and waist skirt. On the whole, it succeeds and the kibble isn't as bad in real life.
Optimus also receives a redesigned head and the head sculpt is fantastic. The amount of detail is amazing and the paint applications bringing it all out. Easily the best feature of the toy. Also, the head is on a balljoint as Optimus doesn't have any sort of electronics hindering him.
While the figure appears lanky, especially as the arm proportions are seemingly off, a big chunk pokes out the back. The feet also looks huge and cumbersome.
In terms of size, he is a fair bit smaller than previous Leaders, while also feeling much lighter. He still looks impressive and but there's no denying there are a lot of hollow areas.
His chest details are chromed with some blue and red splashed in. This liberal use of chrome to highlight key areas works really well on this toy. I'm very glad that they didn't go overboard like with a few other figures...
Optimus has all the standard articulation but doesn't go beyond that. You would have thought that the amount of kibble would hinder poseability but they don't get in the way that much.
There is a knight motif going on with some of the Autobots figures (notably the Dinobots), Optimus comes with the "Sword of Judgment" and "Vector Shield". There is now a new winner in terms of my favorite weapons as the design of these two weapons are epic.
Needless to say, Optimus can hold the sword in either hand. Only the thumb of each hand is articulated with the purpose of attaching the sword. There is no wrist articulation which is a massive thumbs down as there was no reason why they couldn't put on in (apart from pushing costs down).
The sword can also store on his back as it uses the same sheath as it does in vehicle mode, but re-positioned such that is now sits at an angle.
Sadly, Optimus does not have the articulation to actually pull the sword from its sheath.
The shield, on the other hand, plugs into a dedicated 5mm port on his left hand. The right hand doesn't have this port and there's no other place to store it when Optimus doesn't feel like using it.
With his big feet, Optimus has no problem standing up in a variety of poses, yet, the feet doesn't have enough motion (there is a limited ankle swivel) for his feet to lay down flat in some poses.
The waist skirt has two hinges to let is get out of the way, a bigger problem is the fact that the backpack sticks so far down that it can hinder his backward leg movement.
Optimus has *just* enough articulation for some awkward two-handed poses.
The shoulders are also attached somewhat weirdly thanks to the transformation, therefore he has slots which let the shoulders fold forward but makes it look awkward.
A big reason why Optimus is so stable is the fact that the backpack is very light (in terms of weight), this was probably one of the reasons why the hitch area of the truck was so bare and lacking.
With that said, Optimus can strike a few astounding poses, the sword and shield combo adds a lot to the playability of the figure. There are no weird obtrusive gimmick here.
Optimus has yellow lightpiping which are really effective. There isn't much additional paint details but what there is highlights some of the great sculpt.
The shield has a good design, it's angle are in a such a way that suggests it can be used for melee attacks, while the Gatling gun at the end means it's also a ranged weapon.
A amazing robot mode, this is one of the best toys in the AOE toyline. Optimus looks great in both modes, sure, he is kibbly but at least the kibble adds to the figure.
OVERALL:
I was a bit hesitant when pictures first showed up with Optimus sporting such a ridiculous backpack. Now, I can't help but fall in love with the figure because he is really fun. The simple transformation works in his favor and there isn't too much compromises to make this achievement. Both modes look great but the clear winner is the robot mode, being chunky, versatile and huge potential for awesome poses with his shield and sword. Definitely recommended to give this figure a go and if I have to recommend one figure out of the first wave, it would have to be Leader Optimus Prime.
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