Review: #215
Name: Hardshell
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Prime - Beast Hunters
Year of Release: 2013
Size Class: Commander (Wave 2)
Variations: repainted into Predacons Rising Bombshock
INSECT MODE:
Hardshell transforms into rhinoceros beetle, this isn't Beast Wars so the insect mode doesn't strive to be as realistic as possible.
Nevertheless, this is still a decent alternate mode, at least you can immediately tell what it is supposed to be. Although the rear legs doesn't peg in anywhere and can dislodge when moving Hardshell around.
The wings are on balljoints and can be adjusted to your preference. The wings themselves are made of a softer plastic so it feels weaker and easier to snap.
Hardshell is a Commander sized figure although the horn and wings make Hardshell feel bigger, he is still fairly small.
The head sculpt of the insect mode is really nice, with red eyes and silver face.
Not only that but his mouth is jointed to open, this is not part of transformation either.
You can leave the weapon off his back if you wish.
Hardshell can stand on his six legs easily although he tends to rest on his abdomen since the rear legs are on balljoints which aren't tight enough to sustain his weight for too long.
A good insect mode that doesn't have any critical flaws but this is his better mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
Transformation is really easy but quite clever at the same time. It manages to create such a different looking robot mode which is quite ingenious. That being said, his head is a large chunk of kibble though which felt like something could have been done with it to integrate it to the robot better.
ROBOT MODE:
Hardshell's robot mode looked like he had just jumped out from the show. He is really screen accurate which is amazing for something at this size.
He carries a lot of kibble though, while you can excuse his wings (which can look like a nice cape), his insect head and particularly the insect front legs sit on his back sticking out.
You can fold those insect legs straight out the back or against his body. I prefer the former because it gets them out of the way, otherwise the insect legs gets caught and affects poseability.
The head sculpt is fantastic. Even though the head itself is really small they managed to pack in heaps of detail it and conveys Hardshell's evilness. Unfortunately, the head is fixed in place with meaningful movement.
Hardshell is a Commander and he's the average height for something this size.
Despite being small he still manages to convey the hulking menace his character was in the show.
Hardshell lacks in the articulation department even in comparison to other Commander toys. Most disappointingly is his legs which lacks any backward knee bend due to transformation. His ankle balljoints compensate somewhat but it's not enough.
He also has the "gorilla arms" elbow syndrome. Lacking wrist swivels (which is not possible due to transformation), it limits the amount of ways you can pose his arms without it looking awkward.
His weapon is a gun of some sort. This is a pressure launcher, able to fire the missile when you push it out. Unfortunately, it's made of the same bendy plastic as his wings which means the weapon itself might bend instead of firing the missile.
Hardshell can hold the weapon in either hand but of course, thanks to the bad elbow design, he can't hold it as a handheld weapon that well.
The better way is to plug it into a slot on the outside of his forearm which acts as both a projectile weapon and a shield.
There are no other gimmicks in this mode, which is a shame as it feels like his torso is one big piece that doesn't do anything during transformation so they could have done something with it to make the robot mode even better.
Nevertheless, a robot mode that works better as a display piece rather than something you would pose around due to the limited poseability and kibble.
OVERALL:
As a figure, Hardshell is an average figure. However, taking into account that he is relatively inexpensive and is the only toy that represents the Insections from Prime, then Hardshell is easier to recommend. The insect mode is the winner which the restrictive legs in robot mode let him down.
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