Review: #255
Name: Parasite with Ripper
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: BotCon 2015 - Souvenir Set
Year of Release: 2015
Size Class: Deluxe with Targetmaster
Variations: Parasite is a repaint of Generations IDW Waspinator (along with the rest of the Waruders); Ripper is a repaint of the Generations Waspinator that came with Legends Starscream
BIO CARD:
All "Waruders Marauders" come with a bio card, the text is exactly the same between all four which is somewhat disappointing. Therefore, the only difference between the four cards is the color scheme of the robot artwork. I'm not really a fan of the artwork since it looks too feral instead of a robot that turns into a beast.
WASP MODE:
Parasite is the purple and black repaint of Waspinator, the inspiration of the colors being the unreleased Universe Horrorcon Waspinator.
Parasite has one of the better color schemes out of the set, and the metallic gold is amazing, contrasting and complementing the black nicely.
Like Waspinator, this is a good wasp mode, albeit with unrealistic colors. The legs are still situated on different height levels which makes it look weird and bad from certain angles.
Parasite is a Deluxe class figure, and here he is with a comparison against Crosscut. He is a decent size, the wings help create the illusion that he is bigger.
Now a comparison against the original usage of the mold, Waspinator.
There is a gimmick in this mode in which if you pull back a level on the back, it lifts the wings so you can recreate a flapping motion.
Parasite comes with Ripper, which is a miniature version of the core design, it would be nicer if these pilots (as they were included as a reference to Diaclone pilots) were the same color.
A shot of the set of four, which were really expensive this year.
A great wasp mode with fantastic colors. The purple, black and gold works very well with each other.
RIPPER:
Let's now focus upon the Targetmaster, errrr, sorry, I meant the pilot: Ripper. This is a blue and grey version.
Transforming him into robot mode is as easy as standing him upright and folding down the beast head. Considering the small size, the simplistic transformation can be forgiven.
What cannot is the fragility of the figure, with the thin insect legs sticking out all over the place, it is annoying. His arms can swing forward, as can his legs.
Ripper has a third weapon mode, which is a gun. However, it doesn't lock into place that securely and with the legs sticking out all over the place, it doesn't look that great as a gun either. It somehow manages to feel even more fragile in this mode.
TRANSFORMATION (PARASITE):
Transformation for Parasite into robot mode is simple. Even in beast mode you can tell how the arms go, however, there is a neat sequence in which you pull the arms out to separate the beast head. The legs are also need in how they unfold from the bottom of the beast mode.
ROBOT MODE:
Onto robot mode, which is still striking with its purple and black combination, but loses some gold (being regulated onto the thighs and chest).
Parasite has a decent amount of kibble, but this is all accurate to the character: the insect legs on his arms, the wings on his back and the abdomen.
The head sculpt is good... too bad any details are lost in the black plastic used. There are some gold highlights such as his crest and teeth but what a waste of a such intricate sculpting.
Comparison with Trailcutter, also a Deluxe class figure, Parasite isn't too tall.
And now with Waspinator, there's not as much intricate paint detailing on Parasite unfortunately.
Now, the Waruders 4-pack has a massive flaw, for some reason, their ankle joints are really weak, to the point where they just flop and this makes standing and posing problematic. Even in a neutral standing pose, you need to lean them backwards a little bit.
Apart from the ankles, all the other joints are sufficiently tight. As the wings are on springs, you cannot angle them upwards that well.
Parasite has an inbuilt weapon which is comprised of a portion of his abdomen, transforming into a stinger gun.
It can be held in either hand and he can pull off some nice poses.
The red transparent plastic used is a good choice. Parasite has a good range of joints, although he is noticeable missing a waist swivel.
Naturally, he towers over Ripper when they are both in robot mode.
As a set, the Waruders look really nice, it's too bad that FunPub tried to sell these guys using a Diaclone theme instead of Waspinator drones with color schemes inspired by Waspinator toys of the past.
He can also hold Ripper in his weapon mode. Not a bad robot mode, the weak ankles and the black head are the main complaints here.
OVERALL:
Parasite is a nice figure, but whether he is worth US$68 is up to you. It's very expensive for what he is, even when factoring Ripper, who is not a great mold. The colors stand out, the mold is good and if not for the absurdly weak ankles, Parasite would have been stellar.
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