Review: #115
Name: Swindle
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Fall of Cybertron
Year of Release: 2012
Size Class: Deluxe
Variations: SDCC and JP version in game accurate colors, retail version in Generations line, retooled into Roadbuster
VEHICLE MODE:
Now, the first of the FOC Combaticons! Yes, you know what to expect in the next four toy reviews, the rest of them. Anyway, apparently this is supposed to literally be an updated version of the G2 Combaticons, but I'm still going to treat them as their Fall of Cybertron incarnations. Swindle's in a nice shade of red this time, and one of the better color schemes in the set.
Don't be deceived by the apparent bulk, even in this mold he feels largely hollow and light. Needless to say, all four wheels roll.
It's a fairly well defined vehicle. You can tell instantly that it's some sort of wheeled vehicle (unlike some of the other Cybertronian figures). There are exhaust pipes on either side and he stays together quite well.
While he seems to be quite large in size, he doesn't have the mass to support it. Pick Swindle up and you'd be surprised at how light he will be. That's the only disappointing aspect here.
You can plug his gun on top or just leave it out. Personal preference on which makes him look better. He has a G2 Decepticon insignia at the front.
A surprisingly well formed alternate mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
There's only one aspect where Swindle sucks, and it's not even an engineering flaw. The top of Swindle's vehicle mode is made from the panel in front that plugs onto each of the legs that form the back. What's wrong is that the tabs are too tight, and it's a nightmare tearing it off. Since the plastic quality has gone down (and it's instantly noticeable when you take him from packaging), you'll be worried about it snapping off eventually (and stress marks have already started appearing in some people's toys). Anyway, apart from that, Swindle has a solid transformation, but it's a pretty simple one. It's still fun though and does the job. It isn't going to wow you any time soon but then again, he doesn't need to be (since he has the combiner gimmick).
ROBOT MODE:
Swindle appears to be the bulkiest of the Combaticons, and the most 'value'. He has thick legs, wide shoulders and a bulky torso. He appears blocky.
Viewing from the back is another story and breaks this illusion.
You can see how they have tried to cut cost everywhere, the bulky torso you've seen? It's just a big plate. The hollow forearms and legs? They're not necessary, they're just hollow to save on plastic. This makes Swindle feel extremely light (since he's all 'stretched out') and even a bit fragile.
The head looks nice, with a yellow visor, no lightpiping as the visor is painted on. The head can be tough to get a grip on due to the bits surrounding it but it can turn from side to side.
Swindle looks the size from Deluxes of old but it's all sadly just an illusion...
Okay, that's enough complaints about the low mass (I know I keep harping on about it), Swindle does look good from the front. If you have the retail versions, you'll notice that there are less paint on specific details, but in Swindle's case, it's not too much of a problem (it's worse on the other Combaticons).
Swindle comes with a gun that he can hold in either hand (the extra pegs are for combining weapons).
Articulation is good. The legs are too big to have a wide range of motion though as they get in each other's way. The forearms may also be too short at times to do what you want the to do.
The big feet means he's stable in a wide range of poses. The shoulders are also adjustable so that they're higher up and closer to the main body (I just like mine that way).
Not a bad robot mode. He might take some getting used to but this is a solid robot and one of the better ones in the set.
OVERALL:
I hadn't expected this but Swindle turned out to be my favorite one out of the Combaticons. The vehicle mode looks great, and the robot mode turned out better than I expected. Swindle is a fun figure, and although he isn't without his flaws, there's no compromise made for his combining gimmick. Swindle is a solid figure even as a standalone.
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