Review: #729
Name: Motormaster
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Legacy
Year of Release: 2022
Size Class: Commander
Mold Status: new
PACKAGING:
As the flagship Transformers release in 2022, Motormaster comes in a nicer than normal box.
Unlike the Leader class figures, at least this box is a perfect rectangular prism without the weird angles.
The artwork is as per usual, very nice. Although while the box is around similar sizes to previous Commander figures, still can't help but feel it is smaller than it should be.
VEHICLE MODE:
Unlike the Combiner Wars version, this version is heavily based upon his G1 appearance, so we get the proper truck with trailer, as well as the double windshields.
It's a good vehicle mode, but due to transformation, the rear wheels on the trailers are of the type where it's on a thin panel that looks flimsy (even if it is not).
The trailer is surprisingly good all things considered. It breaks into multiple pieces for Menasor but it manages to stay coherent here.
While a Commander, the budget went into the trailer, so the figure itself is kind of like a Voyager with a trailer. That said, the trailer is hefty, so it helps to justify the additional cost, above is a comparison against TLK Optimus.
The trailer is articulated, and that's basically the only play value in this mode.
Unlike the G1 toy, only the cab forms Motormaster here, so you can detach the cab separately as a standalone.
Considering that most of this is hidden and there are poorer efforts with cabs without trailers in the past, it's a decent showing here with no major oddities or kibble.
That said, while the front is solid, the back half is basically hollow plastic. It's only bad here because it feels so unbalanced as a result.
Unfortunately there are no transparent plastic used here, everything is painted, so it lacks a bit of the premium feel.
And then onto the trailer, which has a flip down stand to allow it to stand by itself.
It's a good vehicle mode, and while there are some flaws, they're all minor.
TRANSFORMATION (MOTORMASTER):
Transforming the cab into Motormaster can't be called complex, but it isn't simple either. It's quite satisfying due to the bigger blocky pieces. Basically the front half forms the legs, but it's panel based, so it cheats somewhat. Whereas the back half forms the arms, and the rear wheels just form a backpack.
ROBOT MODE (MOTORMASTER):
Motormaster's robot mode is decent but not spectacular, mainly because of the legs being so big and out of proportion to what you'd normally expect.
He carries some kibble, namely the rear section of the cab on the back. This is where the hollowness helps as it's lighter.
The head sculpt is great and captures the blocky look of the original.
In terms of size, he's around a Voyager again, but feels a tad bit less substantial.
Since he's only formed from the cab, some cheats needed to be made, such as the false truck front for his feet.
He has all the articulation you'd expect now, with joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles.
He comes with two weapons, a big gun and a sword.
The sword is nice, and it is huge in proportion compared to him.
For articulation, the biggest impediment are the legs. The hips joints are ratchets and they're of the type where the clicks are too far apart so they're not great, especially if you just want him standing, he stands in a wide A stance. He also lacks heel spurs which can be troublesome.
He can hold the gun but since the gun doubles as a turret for the base, it has two handles and he can only hold one of them.
The gun, just like the sword, is also oversized, but at least Motormaster has strong joints to keep it aloft.
Motormaster focuses on being a good Transformer and shies away from obtrusive gimmicks.
The legs can be annoying, but this is still a good looking robot mode.
TRANSFORMATION (BASE):
The trailer can transform into a base, but it basically separates into multiple parts before joining together again into a base of sorts. It's really hard to describe but you can see the different Menasor limbs plugged together.
BASE MODE:
Given that the base mode is most probably and afterthought to use the pieces when not in Menasor mode, it's actually quite decent.
The centrepiece is the turret and it looks pretty good there, although some extra side weapons, like small guns, would have improved it even more.
The base isn't too massive, it's not going to house any Transformers, since it is basically just a turret for Motormaster to use.
So Motormaster can stand behind the turret and hold it to use it, it's a neat aspect and a bonus.
TRANSFORMATION (MENASOR):
The trailer splits into the limbs of Menasor, being the two arms, legs and chest. While Motormaster folds into a cube where the torso piece plugs in. The legs uses Combiner Wars joints, interestingly enough, while the arms use their own design. Unfolding the arms can be confusing at first as there are various joints you need to lengthen.
MENASOR:
The Legacy incarnation of Menasor takes a different approach and mimics the cartoon episodes where Menasor had the Stunticons stuck onto his arms, rather than forming the arms.
As a result, we get a skeletal frame instead that works as a standalone figure, and it is a clever idea so that even if you don't have the Stunticons, it's still possible to play with this mode.
However, the downside of this is this is literally a skeletal frame, the shins are gappy, and the arms are thin.
The shins have springloaded panels that close when you attach a Stunticon, but unfortunately you can't keep them closed when you don't have them.
The head sculpt is great, as you'd expect by now.
One thing to note is that Menasor is massive. Even without the Stunticons he feels really hefty and solid, and just absolutely towers over everything.
He has all the typical joints as well, head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. They're all the tight solid ratchets.
There has been reports of poor plastic being used and some of the grey parts already yellowed out of the box. It affects some batches so it's luck of the draw sometimes.
If you really want to, he can hold the sword but now it is too small.
Not all of the trailer forms Menasor, as the turret is still left, which is available for Menasor to made. It's a bit small and comical though.
This approach to the combined form is interesting and novel, and it really differentiates him from previous attempts, in a good way.
OVERALL:
Motormaster is a good figure, and worthy of the Commander price point. Being able to separate Motormaster into his own figure, and then having the trailer form a skeletal frame for the combined mode while still being able to work without the other team members is genius.
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