Review: #197
Name: Ultra Magnus
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Fall of Cybertron
Year of Release: 2012
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 3)
Variations: a retool of the FOC Optimus; the Japanese version has shiny blue paint instead
VEHICLE MODE:
Ultra Magnus transforms into a blue, white and red Cybertronian vehicle. My pictures don't do it justice but the blue is a really nice dark shade.
It's not the best vehicle mode around. Ultra Magnus is a retool of FOC Optimus, therefore this is modeled after Optimus' character model in the Fall of Cybertron game. The rear is forms by his legs and shows an unsightly gap.
Ultra Magnus features six rolling wheels and that's about the extent of play value here.
He is a tiny tiny figure, this was during the time when Hasbro was aggressively reducing costs and it shows here.
Although the good news is that with this wave, there were additional weapons included. In Ultra Magnus' case, his addition was a huge sword inspired by the one used by Optimus in the final level of the game. The sword and blaster can attach to various ports of the vehicle.
This is an okay vehicle mode. It's not as good as the original WFC version and the small size doesn't help portray the powerhouse this vehicle should have been.
TRANSFORMATION:
Transformation is exceedingly simple and uninspired. It's very boring to be honest and even to the point of feeling lazy. There are no surprises here, the back forms the legs, and the sides form the arms. Done.
ROBOT MODE:
I didn't like Optimus' version of this mode but it fits Ultra Magnus really well. I don't know whether it is the blue used or the fact that the awkward looking shoulders actually fit the character well. Either way, this is an improvement.
There is not much kibble here, only the vehicle bumper pieces forming the back of his arms. They don't plug in so it's really annoying that whenever you fiddle with him, you will definitely dislodge those pieces.
In addition to the new sword, the head is also resculpted. It's a very nice sculpt and further helps distinguish Ultra Magnus as his own character (instead of always being regulated into an Optimus repaint).
One of the things I hate about this mold is the fact that the waist joint does not lock into place. Since the legs swing down, it's very easy for the upper torso to collapse on the joint such that it's facing the sky. It also makes the figure seem more fragile than it is.
In comparison with the WFC mold, you can see the extent of the cost cutting in the space of just two years. Not only is Ultra Magnus really smaller in comparison, but the fact that he is something like 5 times less complex really lets you down.
Now, weapon time! The first is a blaster that's inspired by Optimus' G1 gun.
The angled peg is for vehicle mode while the other peg for robot mode.
His next weapon is a gigantic sword. The sculpting on this baby is great.
Like I said, it is gigantic and Magnus almost seems too small to wield it properly.
A feature that I felt that they undersold was the fact that the gun and sword can COMBINE. The sword breaks up into three pieces and it attaches to the gun to form an even bigger sword, which is in one word: AWESOME.
It looks absolutely amazing and it is what sold me on this figure. I didn't realize it when I first got him (as I got the whole wave of figures and I didn't manage to sell Ultra Magnus) but now you know.
So in terms of articulation, Ultra Magnus has got the lot, however, there are still some problems such as the awkward shoulders which doesn't allow much outward motion. They look awkward and they are awkward so I don't know how this got past design phase.
The other thing is his knees double as transformation joints, this means that they are situated lower than normal and can look weird in some poses.
His feet has ankle joints which makes balancing the figure a breeze.
A better robot mode than I had initially expected, this is the better mode and he displays well.
OVERALL:
I ended up liking Ultra Magnus much more than I expected, mainly just because of the gun/sword combination. However, what is undeniable is the fact that this mold suits Ultra Magnus much more than Optimus, so if you get a choice, get this version instead. The play value is good and while the vehicle mode is a letdown, the robot mode does somewhat make up for it. That said, I can only recommend this figure if it really and truly appeals to you.
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