Toy Review: Transformers Timelines Starscream (Hearts of Steel) (Deluxe)

Review:  #879

Name:  Starscream

Brand:  Transformers

Allegiance:  Decepticon

Line:  Timelines

Year of Release:  2025

Size Class:  Deluxe

Mold Status:  new

PACKAGING:

In a surprise announcement, the designs from Hearts of Steel was going to be released in toy form for the first time.  The first set came in a two-pack with Optimus and Starscream.

It comes in a really nice box with a piece of great artwork on the front.  This is actually a sleeve which you can take off.

The box inside can then be opened up between its two halves and reveal the figures, so that you can keep them in their box and still display it if you wanted to.

JET MODE:

Starscream transforms into a steampunk flying machine, that's reminiscent of the older propeller planes.

It's a very messy jet mode at first glance, with a lot of bits sticking out, but it kind of works after you study it for a while.

He's nowhere near as compact as Optimus, so he's actually a fairly decent size for a Deluxe.

A quick comparison against Optimus shows that Starscream definitely appears larger in alternate mode.

From the side, you can see the huge amount of undercarriage kibble.  This contributes to the messy look, and it's really the robot legs that crosses the line to making the jet mode become too unwieldy.

However, there are still some really nice details.  He has a spiky theme to him, and if you compared him to the Hearts of Steel design, it's actually fairly accurate too.

While there are flaws, this is a unique alternate mode and a breath of fresh air to some of the more generic offerings we've been getting lately.

TRANSFORMATION:

Like Optimus, there are times where Starscream suffers from feeling flimsy and hollow, particularly around the thinner pieces of the wings.  Starscream's transformation resolves around unfolding everything from around the propeller.  His legs are the bottom, while the arms arms are next.  The wing assembly is nearly one piece that just folds onto his back.  There are some pieces that are annoying to unclip if you can't get a proper grip on them.

ROBOT MODE:

The annoyances and sacrifices in jet mode is made worth it when you see the robot mode.  It's a great rendition of Starscream, and gives him a hardened retro look.

He carries a significant amount of kibble, being the majority of the wing assembly, on his back, which is a shame.

The head sculpt is okay, the side pieces are way too big, and gives him one of those sea-serpent inspired faces.

He's around normal height for a Deluxe.

A comparison against Optimus, and they look great together.

Articulation is decent, he has joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles.

However, the wings on his back are fixed into place and cannot hinge backwards, so can get in the way of his arms.  Furthermore, the piece above his head is accurate to the design, but still annoying in practice.

His weapons are a pair of null rays that attaches to his forearms.  They're shaped more like gatling guns that his iconic null rays.

He can also hold the guns in his hands if you prefer.

A fantastic robot mode overall.

OVERALL:

Starscream has more flaws than Optimus, but this also makes him just that little bit more interesting.  The jet mode is definitely too thick and chunky, but the robot mode makes up for it.  The design is awesome and he just displays and stands out so well.

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Toy Review: Transformers Timelines Optimus Prime (Hearts of Steel) (Deluxe)

Review:  #878

Name:  Optimus Prime

Brand:  Transformers

Allegiance:  Autobot

Line:  Timelines

Year of Release:  2025

Size Class:  Deluxe

Mold Status:  new

PACKAGING:

In a surprise announcement, the designs from Hearts of Steel was going to be released in toy form for the first time.  The first set came in a two-pack with Optimus and Starscream.

It comes in a really nice box with a piece of great artwork on the front.  This is actually a sleeve which you can take off.

The box inside can then be opened up between its two halves and reveal the figures, so that you can keep them in their box and still display it if you wanted to.

ALTERNATE MODE:

Based from the Hearts of Steel design, Optimus transforms into the cab of a steam train.

It has a very retro feel to it, and it's a very well formed train cab from all angles.

Unfortunately, like with most modern Transformers, the alternate mode is very compact, and so he is quite tiny by Deluxe standards.

A quick comparison with Starscream, the other figure from the set.

He has tiny plastic wheels underneath to allow him to roll, given he doesn't have functioning train wheels (they're just for show).

He's a bit static in this mode too, with no other gimmicks and not even a hitch to try and connect train compartments to him.

Given the compact nature, he can appear a bit short and stubby, but is otherwise a solid alternate mode.

TRANSFORMATION:

Despite being so compact, he stretches out in robot mode and therefore during a few places, the pieces can feel overly hollow and flimsy.  You will need to remove the blue roof and the smokestack for transformation.  The front is the torso, the rear and the bottom of the cab form the legs.  while the part right behind the engine are the arms.  It's not a difficult or innovative design, but it works fine.

ROBOT MODE:

This is still clearly Optimus through and through.  The front of the train forming his chest looks great, and having the cowcatcher as a waist skirt is a clever idea.

Perhaps due to the compact and minor partsforming nature of the transformation, but Optimus does not have any kibble at all, which is very impressive.

The head sculpt is nice, again, there's a little bit of retro feel in its design.

He stretches out to be taller in robot mode, although he's still very slim compared to others.

Another quick comparison between him and Starscream.

Articulation is great, he has joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, knees and ankles.

He comes with two weapons,  a gun from the smokestack, and a shield from the roof.

He can hold the gun, and the shield can peg onto his forearm.

The shield looks fine.  The gun, given it's just the smokestack with a barrel folded out, looks somewhat comical.

The robot design itself suits the steam train motif, the blockiness of the shoulder armor and overall design, really fits into the theme.

This is a fantastic robot mode that's unique amongst the sea of G1-inspired figures we usually get.

OVERALL:

Timelines Optimus Prime is a good figure.  The only flaw being that the train mode is quite small. Other than that, both modes are perfectly clean in terms of kibble.  While the retro look is perfectly executed here.

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For other Transformers reviews, have a look at this page and this page.

Support this blog by purchasing from Amazon using this affiliate link.

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)