Review: #460
Name: Optimus Prime
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Studio Series
Year of Release: 2018
Size Class: Voyager (Wave 1)
Mold Status: new
VEHICLE MODE:
Studio Series Optimus Prime is based upon the Revenge of the Fallen version. Unfortunately, the smokestacks are shortened and ruins the look.
The underside of the robot feet is really obvious on the back but otherwise, this is a pretty good vehicle mode.
Optimus is on the smaller side, above is a comparison against Titans Return Optimus.
The two blades can store on the back by plugging there. There's no play value in this mode apart from the six rolling wheels.
A good looking vehicle mode but like most Movie toys, they're realistic but static.
TRANSFORMATION:
Somehow, the designers keep managing to find new transformation schemes. This Studio Series version is involved but still intuitive and not frustrating at all. It relies heavily on panels though with most of the cab collapsing into the torso (and a fake windshield covering the real windshield). There are a few clever sections where the panels neatly tucks away. The legs are also different in that the front wheels don't end up on his ankles now, rather it is reversed.
ROBOT MODE:
The robot mode at first glance seems like a mess mainly due to the black strut between his chest windows, but is actually quite screen accurate and looks good.
He features a hefty amount of kibble on his back. They are mainly the cab panels as well as the fuel tanks, which annoyingly does not peg in anywhere so will rotate out of alignment whenever you handle the figure.
The headsculpt is accurate and very detailed. It is on a balljoint.
There's a lot of sculpted detailing and some of his blue and red parts are painted in a dark metallic paint, which looks awesome in hand.
In robot mode, he is average height for a Voyager.
A quick comparison against the previous Voyager ROTF Optimus and you can see how much they improved the proportions and freed up the limbs from kibble.
As part of the Studio Series he comes with a big cardboard diorama.
The diorama depicts an important scene to the character from a particular movie, and for Optimus, it is the forest fight from Revenge of the Fallen.
Articulation is excellent as in addition to all the standard joints, he features ankle tilts.
Optimus is a solid figure. The biggest detractor to the robot is the fake chest windshields which looks too flat and not immediately obvious at first glance what they are.
The figure comes with a pair of Energon blades, they are cast from a smoke transparent orange plastic.
The blades do not actually peg outside his fists, rather, Optimus holds them underhand but the blades are sculpted in a way that you don't realize that.
The blades are a little bit too big proportionally but still looks menacing and suitable for the character.
When not in use, the blades can peg onto his back for storage.
Despite the abundance of grey and lack of any silver at all, Optimus doesn't come off as cheaply painted.
A fantastic robot mode that's surprisingly better than expected after having him in hand.
OVERALL:
It's a hard sell on yet another rendition of Movie Optimus Prime but this is a fun and solid figure that improves upon the previous toys. He has two great modes, excellent sculpting and gorgeous detailing in robot mode. He is a fun figure and deserves a chance to be on your shelf.
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