Review: #506
Name: Shockwave
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - War for Cybertron: Siege
Year of Release: 2018
Size Class: Leader (Wave 1)
Mold Status: new
SPACESHIP MODE:
Shockwave transforms into a spaceship and it is actually quite decent thanks to the armory.
The multiple thrusters at the back work really well and the whole figure is in a nice rich purple.
There's a plastic hose pegging to the bridge, which features a lightpiping effect, a rarity these days. Shockwave doesn't have any wheels so he can only rest on the table in this mode.
In vehicle mode at least, Shockwave is pretty big (but hollow). Above is a comparison against TLK Leader Optimus Prime.
A surprisingly good mode, especially when most people would have bought the figure only for robot mode.
TRANSFORMATION (TO SMALL SPACESHIP):
As part of the Leader class gimmick for this line, Shockwave features a smaller robot mode and alternate mode, as well as a bigger one. The smaller alternate mode here is done by unclipping various pieces, namely the front and the side wings.
SMALL SPACESHIP MODE:
While the larger spaceship mode looks good, the same cannot be said about the small one. It is weak and you really cannot tell what it is supposed to be.
Stripping all the extra pieces, it is really obvious that this is a robot mode lying down and the robot feet just stick out like a sore thumb.
However, flipping it upside down and you can see the resemblance to the G1 toy's laser gun mode. Too bad the handle is way too short to be held.
Shockwave in this mode is roughly between a Deluxe and a Voyager. Above is Studio Series Deluxe Lockdown as an additional comparison.
A disappointing alternate mode and best forgotten.
TRANSFORMATION (TO SMALL ROBOT):
The small spaceship transforms into the core robot and it is really simple. It does take some cues from Masterpiece Shockwave but on the whole is nothing to be excited about. The arms fold out from the "barrel" (so to speak), the barrel then folds onto his back. Extend the legs and you're pretty much done.
SMALL ROBOT MODE:
To be fair, the robot mode is really what you're buying this figure for and he doesn't disappointing here.
The proportions are near perfect and he doesn't have any ugly silver "battle damage" like so many others in the line. He does have a big hollow backpack though.
The headsculpt is great and features lightpiping! It is really effectively and kind of reminds you that it is sad that recent figures have had to drop this gimmick for cost reasons.
Again, Shockwave's size is roughly between a Voyager (above is POTP Hun-Gurrr) and a Deluxe (above is Titans Return Quake).
Poseability is great with joints for his hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows and head.
The plastic hose on his left arm is attached to the backpack and does restrict his arm a tiny bit. This is because the piece is too short for the arm to fully extend.
He doesn't have any handheld weaponry except for the gun hand.
While this isn't in the instructions, it is in the stock photos and is clearly an intentional feature. Unlike Ultra Magnus, the leftover pieces in this mode can assemble to form a hovercraft.
Shockwave can then stand on the hovercraft and this is a neat use of the power-up kibble.
However, while there are posts on the hovercraft and corresponding peg holes underneath Shockwave's feet, they aren't well spaced meaning you won't be using them anyway.
A fantastic robot mode and the good news is that it only gets better.
TRANSFORMATION (TO LARGE ROBOT):
The various pieces split into: two feet pieces, shoulder armor and a backpack. It's less involved than Ultra Magnus and it's disappointing in this aspect but it is super simple to peg them onto Shockwave. The feet pieces plug straight into Shockwave's feet, the shoulder pieces slot into the shoulders and the last piece clips onto the backpack... to create a bigger backpack.
LARGE ROBOT MODE:
Okay, this is a bit ridiculous but also awesome at the same time. Shockwave... with four arms. It just makes him even more menacing.
It feels like a missed opportunity when so much of the additional armor just ends up becoming an even bigger backpack for Shockwave. It would have been preferred if the legs could have been bulked up more or something.
Shockwave only gains a little bit of height but is a lot wider thanks to the large shoulder pads. Thus, he's still only roughly Voyager height but carries a bit more bulk.
Articulation remains the same but the large shoulder pads can get in the way sometimes, and the larger backpack doesn't help in this regard.
Unfortunately, the additional arms do not have outward movement. They only hinge back and forth on two joints.
As Shockwave gained most of the bulk in his upper body, this can make his legs and thighs seem a bit too skinny.
Nevertheless, this is an awesome robot mode, the four arms really adds a lot of character to the figure and makes it distinctly unique.
OVERALL:
Shockwave is a fantastic figure. The armor gimmick gives it a lot of play value, with four modes and three of those being absolutely stellar. Shockwave is highly recommended as he is one of the best toys we've had for a while.
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