Review: #417
Name: Sawback
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Titans Return
Year of Release: 2017
Size Class: Titan Master (Wave 3)
Mold Status: new
ROBOT MODE:
As part of the Titan Master size class, Sawback himself is a Titan Master with a lion inspired head.
The bigger robot head is visible on his back.
Articulation is restricted to balljointed shoulders and neck. The lighter plastic colours of yellow and orange allows the sculpting to show through.
LION MODE:
The vehicle that comes with all Titan Masters has three modes. Sawback's first one is the lion mode and this is definitely the strongest mode out of them all.
Inspired by the G1 Headmaster, he has silver hip wings which actually look quite cool. Unfortunately, articulation is non-existent. The front legs are jointed together on one swivel, while the rear legs only have a swivel each, meaning it is next to impossible to balance when not resting on all four legs.
Perhaps the cleverest aspect of this mode is how Sawback integrates into it. Sawback folds up into a block which forms the lion's mane, that is ingenious and works amazingly.
Size-wise, the lion mode is approximately the same as Legion (above is RiD Drift).
While the lion's torso is hollow, the innovative integration of Sawback into this mode is astounding, it's so neat that it's perfect.
VEHICLE MODE:
The accessories second mode is the transport mode, in which it is supposed to be some sort of flying vehicle, you can see the wings and the front has some sculpting that vaguely resembles some jet parts.
Frankly, it is a terrible vehicle mode that doesn't look like what it is supposed to. Transformation involves flipping the lion mode over, folding the legs away and tucking the head in, quite disappointing.
Sawback can sit in the middle and pilot the vehicle. The lion legs sticking out the back just cements the fact that this is a shoehorned mode as a result of forcing a small simplistic toy with a triplechanger gimmick.
This mode is best used once to see what it looks like and then forgotten.
WEAPON MODE:
Of course, Sawback himself can form a head that can attach on any Titans Return toy of Deluxe, Voyager or Leader size class (this review has used Optimus Prime). The sculpting of the head is heavily inspired by the G1 kibble, which is fanastic.
The last mode of the accessory is a shield and thanks to the lion head forming the centrepiece, as well as no gaps in this shield, it looks regal and fantastic.
It can be held by larger figures via a 5mm post on the back, pair it with a sword and you'll have the ideal combination.
This shield mode is the saving grace of the poor vehicle mode.
OVERALL:
As a cheap small figure, Sawback is pretty good. You get the Titan Master with an interesting head mode, and an accessory with two strong modes, and a third weaker one. The colour scheme is suitable, if you can find him cheap, then he is worthwhile.
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