Review: #189
Name: Slog
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Age of Extinction Generations
Year of Release: 2014
Size Class: Voyager (Wave 3)
Variations: repainted as an Amazon exclusive in a G1 inspired deco
DINOSAUR MODE:
Slog transforms into a robotic Apatosaurus. No idea if it is even mildly accurate or not but Slog doesn't look half bad.
He is solid in this mode bar a few exceptions. His torso is formed by his legs, but since one third of it is comprised of a very soft plastic, it can come loose. Similarly, the flap covering the front of the dinosaur mode (right beneath the head) is also soft plastic and doesn't peg in anywhere, it relies on friction.
The soft plastic is Slog's biggest weakness. It seems that they went overboard this time around, since in addition to the aforementioned parts, a portion of his tail is also made from very soft plastic and the red spines of his back are slightly hard, but nevertheless still soft and bendy, plastic. This causes Slog to not feel very... substantial.
Yet, Slog is a decent size in this mode. Figures that have a beast mode always fare better since they look and feel bigger, even if the amount of plastic is the same as a Transformer with a vehicle mode.
You can take out the red pieces as they attach via pegs. Slog comes with two lances and two missile-looking things.
The resulting dinosaur mode is cleaner and more "realistic".
As expected, poseability in this mode is quite limited. His head and neck has a good range of motion but the rear legs are static, while the forelegs can be posed in a few meaningful ways.
The neck has two joints (one is for transformation and thus, looks unnatural when you use that swivel joint to turn the head from side to side). The mouth can open and close.
The head sculpt is good and you can feel the menacing stare Slog is giving you.
This is a good dinosaur mode, however, Slog looks great but when you actually hold him in your hands, prepare for disappointment as the softness of all the soft plastic.
TRANSFORMATION:
The transformation is interesting and can be fiddly with the way you have to twist the pieces. Transforming from robot to dinosaur mode is definitely the harder way around, so it's frustrating that he is packed in robot mode and the instructions go from dinosaur to robot. There are some neat ideas such as the way his legs form.
ROBOT MODE:
Slog's robot mode is a winner. He is bulky and menacing, ready to dish out some pain and despair to the Decepticons.
He is predominantly grey and black with some splashes of red. Most of the red hides away, which is good as it is quite the garish shade.
The most annoying thing is the kibble that hangs so far out his back. It's not that it is a big piece being only the head and front flap but the fact that it cannot be compressed any further, even though it could have been easily done, just feels lazy.
Slog's head doesn't give off as strong as knight theme as some of the other Dinobots. He looks quite evil and brutish.
There are some excellent elements in robot mode. The tail crossing over his groin is a unique take and gives the robot mode some character.
The poseability is fantastic. He is very solid thanks to large and adjustable feet.
A big letdown is the designer persisting to have those annoying elbow joints that causes them to bend inwards. It doesn't look natural and limits a lot of poseability potential.
Size-wise, he appears much bulkier than other Voyagers, even though he is slightly shorter. Key thing is that he doesn't feel hollow, which is good.
You can keep the lance weapons attached to where they were in dinosaur mode to give Slog a pair of shoulder mounted weapons.
Or, they can detach to become lance weapons.
Again, the lack of wrist swivels and the weird inward bending elbow means that a lot of dual wielding poses are out of the window. It's hard to get something natural yet wicked looking out of Slog.
The soft plastic isn't as big an issue now either, they are confined to his back, side of his legs and the waist skirt.
A slight flaw is that the back kibble doesn't peg anywhere, so you can easily swing it out when handling the figure.
This is a great looking robot with a menacing stance. Slog fits in well with the rest of the Dinobots.
OVERALL:
The Dinobots are really the star of the AOE line. As they are not as constrained to being screen accurate (where the robot modes have no visible vehicle kibble at all), the designers have managed to make for some innovative and clever transformations. Slog is a fun figure, only let down by the soft plastic and questionable design choices in robot mode.
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For other Transformers reviews, including some of the other Dinobots, check out this page.
