Review: #608
Name: Ratchet & Blizzard Breaker
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Cyberverse
Year of Release: 2019
Size Class: Spark Armor Battle Class (Wave 2)
Mold Status: new
ALTERNATE MODE:
Ratchet transforms into a white and red ambulance van, and the surprising thing is that all of the windows are painted.
Unfortunately, that means nothing much else are painted and can be look a bit bland despite the rich sculpted details.
The Battle Class figures are approximately Legends / Scout sized, above is a comparison against Beachcomber.
Despite the bland look from some angles, this is still a strong vehicle mode and a unique design.
TRANSFORMATION:
The transformation does nothing new but due to that, it is simple and works well. The back extends to form the legs, while the arms fold out from the sides of the vehicle's front.
ROBOT MODE:
The robot mode is pretty decent as well and Ratchet has various design elements that are iconic to the character. The introduction of more red helps break up all the white.
There are a bit of kibble. There are two panels that fold to form the back which isn't a problem. The bigger problem are the legs which is formed from the rear of the vehicle... the whole thing so they are definitely too chunky.
The headsculpt is good... but the unpainted plastic makes it hard to make out the details. Unfortunately, the head is fixed as well so don't expect Ratchet to look anywhere but forward.
In robot mode, Ratchet actually gains quite a bit of height, and as the size comparison above shows, gets taller than Beachcomber.
Apart from the fixed head, the articulation is fairly decent. Ratchet has joints for his shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.
The chunky legs is a boon in this area as it keeps him well balanced in a lot of situations.
The only thing lacking for this "core" robot is a weapon. Otherwise, this is an solid robot.
BLIZZARD BREAKER:
As part of the Battle Class line, Ratchet comes with Blizzard Breaker, a snowmobile that will transform into Ratchet's armor.
The snowmobile is okay, although it can look a bit weird with the front being wider than where the treads are placed at the back.
It is bigger than a Legion figure but smaller than a Legends.
It doesn't exactly pair well with a rescue vehicle so that's somewhat odd. It also lacks wheels underneath to allow it to roll on a smooth surface.
The only paint on it is the windshield. It's not a bad mode but is very average.
TRANSFORMATION (SPARK ARMOR):
Blizzard Breaker breaks into five pieces to form armor for Ratchet. The rear treads and the front ski sleds separate and the remainder forms the torso piece. The pieces than attaches to Ratchet's shoulders, arms and torso.
ROBOT MODE (SPARK ARMOR):
Considering the pieces are mostly only external attachments to the limbs, it does a great job at bulking up Ratchet and making him more impressive.
The biggest flaw with the line is how the torso piece always have a giant piece sticking out the back.
The torso piece also contains a helmet that covers Ratchet's head. It would have been preferable to have a new head that replaces the original since it is harder to make out the detail like this.
Since none of the additional pieces are on the legs, Ratchet doesn't gain any additional height, but he gains extra bulk and looks wider as a result. Above is a comparison against Legends Beachcomber and Deluxe Sideswipe.
Thanks to his large legs, all the extra bulk doesn't unbalance him at all and he retains his full articulation.
The lack of a long range weapon hurts, and the sleds used as a blade weapon on his arms is okay and passable, but has nothing on actual blades / swords.
Nevertheless, this is a decent enough powered up mode, although if part of the armor could be placed on the lower body, it would have been more balanced.
OVERALL:
The Spark Armor concept makes for a fun figure. It massively increases the play value and the core Ratchet figure is already very solid. The armor pieces makes the figure even better. While there are a few minor nitpicks, this is a worthwhile figure to get.
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