Review: #915
Name: Star Optimus Prime
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Age of the Primes
Year of Release: 2025
Size Class: Titan
Mold Status: new
PACKAGING:
The Titan for the Age of the Primes line is smaller than the past releases, and comes with a corresponding price drop.
It still comes in big box with nice pieces of artwork surrounding all the sides.
Despite being a smaller size, Star Optimus comes with a lot of accessories, more than some of the previous Titan releases. He comes with multiple blast effects.
VEHICLE MODE:
Based upon Star Convoy, this is basically an updated figure of that character, but shoehorned in as the Thirteenth Prime.
He transforms into a long long truck. Similar to Rodimus Prime in that it's like a Winnebago, and the cab is permanently attached to the trailer.
This is a super long truck, and he does look impressive in size alone. However, a huge chunk of the truck is hollow, basically, the rear trailer section is empty space so he feels really light for his size.
All of his weapons can attach onto the truck mode, and if you add in all the blast effects, it's actually really impressive and looks really good.
The set comes with a Micromaster sized Hot Rod and something called the Micro Trailer.
As the whole figure is one piece, it probably can't turn very well.
There are some odd proportions to be honest. It clashes against the more realistic (well, as much as Cybertronian modes can be) proportions of the rest of the Age of the Primes line. Aesthetically, it doesn't fit in with the rest o the line, like it was shoehorned in.
The rear section is also treaded, rather than using wheels.
From the top you can also see how the back forms the legs, and the trailer is a mishmash of parts, not even having straight sides. It's a disappointing vehicle mode, particularly when it is such a large size class.
HOT ROD:
We'll quickly take a look at Hot Rod and the Micro Trailer. Hot Rod is basically a miniature version of the character, transforms into a futuristic red sports car.
For such a small figure, it's not a bad vehicle mode. All the key details are here.
It's very small, around half the size of a Deluxe. It's is roughly around Core class, although bulkier.
The only play value here is that he can roll on a flat surface.
It's a decent vehicle mode, and well painted too.
Now, onto the Micro Trailer, which is like a mini truck with a trailer out the back.
The thing is, while the trailer itself has tiny wheels that roll, the front cab section does not. They're molded in place, it's a really odd choice.
Like Star Optimus, Micro Trailer looks big, being around the size of a Voyager, but is deceptively light, as it is a hollow shell.
There are some nice painted details though, such as the windows, and the emblem across the side.
The rear has enough space for Hot Rod to roll into.
And back to Hot Rod, the transformation is very easy. Unfold the legs from the back, slightly pull out his arms, and fold the hood to form the chest.
For a simple transformation, it works really well and this is instantly recognizable as Hot Rod.
The head sculpt is good, although the head is fixed, being unable to turn.
Standing next to a Deluxe, you can see how much smaller he is.
To be fair, for such a small figure, articulation is good. He has joints for his shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.
As part of the set, there is a gun, where the handle can unfold to form a stand of sorts.
You can peg Hot Rod's legs onto some grooves, although it's a bit difficult, and Hot Rod can man the battle station.
It can't really stand up on its own, as it is more for the base mode of Star Optimus.
What else can be done though is that the cab of the Micro Trailer detaches, you can then flip it upside down, flip out the guns, and then attach it to the back to form another gun station.
Peg the aforementioned battle station with Hot Rod and you get a bigger makeshift battle station, which is actually quite decent.
Despite all the articulation, Hot Rod isn't a great figure. His shoulders are very restrictive due to where the balljoints are located. They have limited outwards movement.
He also has some slight proportion issues, with lanky arms and limbs that are situated too close to the torso.
Still, he is not the focus of the set, and as a "bonus", he is passable.
TRANSFORMATION (BASE MODE):
Star Optimus has a base mode, and yes, it is effectively a halfway point between vehicle mode and robot mode, leaning more towards the a sitting robot. The back of the vehicle, which are the robot legs, spray out, and they unfold. There are pieces that are detached and then reattached to become platforms for the base mode. While the front are the arms and shoulders, and you effectively get the upper body of the robot out on full display.
BASE MODE:
Base mode... is as good as you probably expected, which isn't that great. It's basically the robot sitting down with the legs unfolded.
Granted, the legs are better dealt with, as there are bigger platforms for small bots to stand in, but the upper torso of the robot just sticking out there is... not so great.
It becomes slightly better when you attach the Micro Trailer, as well as the gun emplacement and the large robot gun to help bulk up the base.
Add in the fire blast effects and suddenly the base looks much better.
The big fire blast effect attaches to the sword hilt, which one of the hands can hold.
When everything has been attached, the base mode now becomes a lot more impressive.
The base mode is naturally scaled for the included Hot Rod figure, where he can interact in a few places, including on one of the arms, as there are grooves and pegs that corresponding to his feet.
The robot chest can also open up and Hot Rod can sit inside, as if he is controlling it.
Despite the cheesy look, this base mode has a lot of play value, making it more fun than usual.
TRANSFORMATION (ROBOT MODE):
Getting from base mode to robotmode is very simple, as you just need to detach the extra panels, fold down his legs, fold the halves together to create a whole leg, and then reattach the panels at the back. The upper body is basically already done, you just needed to straight out a few things.
ROBOT MODE:
And now Star Optimus' robot mode, which usually should be the best mode, as all other modes would have compromises.
However, were the compromises worth it? Star Optimus doesn't look exactly bad, but he is still very stylized and goes against the aesthetics of the rest of the Age of the Primes line.
The head sculpt at least looks really nice, in a heroic kind of way.
To show how much smaller Star Optimus is compared to a previous Titan, here he is next to Metroplex, and yeah, the new Titan class is at a much smaller size, more than what the reduction in price point would suggest.
Like, he's not small, he still towers over Voyagers and Leaders, just don't expect anywhere near the same level of bulk and heft.
Articulation is great as you'd expect, with joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
He comes with two main weapons, a small gun, and a big gun.
The guns can be held in his hands, and the smaller one tends to look a little bit too small.
Still, they contrast nicely and complement his shoulder cannons.
As mentioned earlier, Star Optimus comes with an absurd amount of blast effects. Three of those can separated into even more smaller ones.
There are many points on Star Optimus, as well as his weapons, where you can use those blast effects.
The two guns can even combine... although they look very wonky as a result.
There is a small grey piece, where you can attach the blue blast effect (or any of the other bigger ones), to form a sort of sword, which works surprisingly well.
One reason why Star Optimus feels so much lighter than he looks would be his legs... which are completely hollow. Although they do serve a purpose in that they're big enough to store the Micro Trailer and a few other accessories (not all of them mind you).
The chest can open up to reveal the Zodiac Orb.
The Orb has his personal insignia stamped on it, although it's kind of annoying to pull out as it is hard to get a grip due to the spherical shape.
Similar to in base mode, Hot Rod can fit in there, although you cannot close the chest compartment otherwise.
Most of his joints are ratchets, although they may seem like overkill, especially since the ratchets can feel tight and make loud sounding clicks.
At least Star Optimus doesn't have too much kibble, but he just doesn't seem that elegant, as there are pieces that seem awkwardly placed.
While he is packed full of gimmicks, as well as plenty of accessories, you can't help but feel that they could have done more, particularly given how simple the figure is for its size.
It's an okay robot mode, the proportions are the biggest issue, he just doesn't seem to quite fit anywhere when displaying him.
OVERALL:
Star Optimus Prime really does feel like a figure shoehorned into the line just because they had to release him. Aesthetically, he doesn't fit, and his design is too simple for his size. While he does have plenty of play value and accessories, that doesn't quite bridge the gap, and you're left somewhat disappointed. This feels a lot more like only a kids toy rather than something that serves the dual purpose of a kids toy as well as a good display piece.
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