Review: #556
Name: Soundwave
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Studio Series
Year of Release: 2019
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 8)
Mold Status: new
VEHICLE MODE:
Soundwave transforms into a licensed Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the first thing that catches your eye is how the whole vehicle is doused in silver paint and it looks absolutely fantastic.
This is a great vehicle mode and everything packs together tightly. The clear windows show some robot kibble inside. It's nice that the tail lights and rims are both painted.
Above is a comparison against TLK Bumblebee and it shows that Soundwave is a tad bit smaller than a normal Deluxe.
There are a lot of nice sculpted details and the vehicle has a nice curvy silhouette.
You can roll Soundwave on a flat surface, it's harder on carpet due to the low height. Sadly, the headlights are painted instead of clear plastic so it ruins the look just that little bit.
This version of Soundwave comes with Laserbeak, which is cast from grey plastic with red eyes.
Laserbeak can peg on the top of the vehicle.
A fantastic vehicle mode with no complaints.
TRANSFORMATION:
Soundwave's transformation is fun and leaps and bounds better than the Human Alliance version. The sides fold out to form the arms, the back unfolds into the legs, and the front becomes the chest. It doesn't break the toy but the two small pieces on either side of the chest needs to be rotate but there are very tight tolerances. This means they're pretty much guaranteed to pop off at least once during transformation. The way the top of the arms with the wheels that snap onto either side of the head, and then folding the other panels away is quite satisfying.
ROBOT MODE:
Like Studio Series Jazz, Soundwave's robot mode have bare grey plastic but there are still some dedicated robot parts that have silver plastic. The end result is still a premium looking robot mode.
With that being said, he carries most of the vehicle's shell on his back. The hood, windshield and rear window forms the backpack, the rear of the vehicle is on his legs, and the sides are on his arms.
The headsculpt, interestingly enough, is not painted. Based on the Movie version, it is a messy design and makes Soundwave look every bit the Decepticon.
Soundwave is a bit shorter than a normal Deluxe, above is a comparison against Siege Sideswipe.
As part of the Studio Series line, he comes with a cardboard stand.
The stand depicts the camp in Africa that the Decepticons were using as a base in Dark of the Moon.
Articulation is as good as you'd expect but he lacks a waist swivel. Most of his joints are swivels and hinges. He doesn't have ankle swivels unfortunately.
There are c-joints on his forearms where you can clip Laserbeak on.
His hands are able to hold 5mm weapons. Also, compared to his Human Alliance version, the mass is much more evenly spread.
An amazing robot mode that looks really good and is built solidly.
OVERALL:
Soundwave is one of the best Studio Series figure in the line. He has two fantastic modes, as well as a premium paint job and a clever transformation scheme. He is a lot of fun to play with, looks awesome and feels very solid. Soundwave is highly recommended.
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