Review: #745
Name: Star Saber
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: HasLab
Year of Release: 2022
Size Class: N/A
Mold Status: new
BRAIN OF COURAGE:
As part of the HasLab crowdfunded Victory Saber set comes Star Saber, our first G1 inspired figure after the MP-24 Masterpiece version. First up is the Brain of Courage, which is a tiny figure but still well painted so that you can make up several details.
From the back you can see Saber's face. Otherwise, this tiny figure has arms that can swing forward and that's about it.
As expected, Brain of Courage is absolutely tiny, above is a comparison with Micromaster Holi (also part of the set) and Legion Crosshairs. The small size can make Brain of Courage a bit tougher to keep standing up at times.
JET MODE (SABER):
Moving onto Saber, which transforms into a red jet.
It's not a bad jet mode, although there is a fair amount of undercarriage kibble, with the wings being a bit short and the jet overall being blocky.
Brain of Courage can sit in the cockpit, which is pretty cool, but apart from that, there are no additional play value here.
It's a nice looking jet, with some chromed details at the back.
TRANSFORMATION (SABER):
It's fairly simple to get Saber into robot mode. The back extends to form the legs, while the arms fold up from underneath. The nose of the jet detaches as it is the robot sword's hilt, while the head is revealed. You open up the chest to reveal a gap where you plug in Brain of Courage, given it contains the face. This is actually quite a cool gimmick in practice.
ROBOT MODE (SABER):
Robot mode is very nice here at well, with a good looking combination of blue, red and white, suitably heroic for an Autobot.
He wears half of the jet on his back, but it is not very cumbersome as it is situated close to the body. Likewise, his legs are chunky as they're the back of the jet.
Despite Brain of Courage forming the face, it's hard to tell as it is integrated nicely with the helmet portion.
Saber is approximately Deluxe size, a tad bit shorter but more solid and less hollow in comparison so it evens out.
Poseability is fine and this is one area where it beats the Masterpiece version, and that is his hips are not restricted. He has joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
For weaponry, he can use the grey gun, although it's a tad bit oversized for him. The jet nose that forms part of his shoulder shield is also detachable if you do not want it plugged there.
A decent robot mode, especially considering that he isn't even the star of the set.
JET MODE (STAR SABER):
And now the star of the jet, Star Saber himself. It's really easy to get this mode as you just need to plug Saber, with the wings pointing straight up, into the rest of the ship and it'll securely peg into place.
Star Saber has a great looking jet mode, named the V-Star, especially with the giant V-Lock Cannon pegged on top.
The back is a bit gappy and you might be disappointed for this (especially when it also happened on the Masterpiece version), but there is a reason for this, and it's because that is where Victory Leo attaches to and fills in that gap.
In terms of Size, Star Saber is approximately Leader sized, but has the mass and more parts that is on
par with a Commander figure instead.
He also comes with six effects parts, although they're molded in transparent green instead. They can peg onto the thrusters, or you can have them pegged with the weapons as if they're firing.
You can remove the shield at the back if you wish, but it just makes the ship even more gappy so it's not recommended.
When paired with Victory Leo, they do look good together.
This is a decent jet mode as well, with an impressive size and look.
TRANSFORMATION (BASE MODE):
Star Saber has a base mode, which you can make halfway transforming him into robot mode. You'll need to remove Saber, via a clever unlocking mechanism that releases him when a button at the back is pressed. Then split the back and fold out to the sides (these are the robot legs). The front (the robot arms) fold back, and you stick the shield at the front.
BASE MODE (STAR SABER):
This is pretty much an excuse mode, but it was present in the original toy so it's here as well. It's little more than a partially transformed robot that is sitting down with its legs split.
The shield at the front and the guns makes it look a little bit better, but the shield doesn't stay on very securely since they're just held but smaller tabs at a angle.
Size-wise, it's fairly decent as you'd expect, given it is approximately a Leader sized figure.
There are various places to use the fire effects, so that it can look good as a defending base.
For something extra that doesn't compromise the figure, it's passable, and if you don't like it, it is easy to just completely ignore it.
TRANSFORMATION (STAR SABER ROBOT MODE):
First, you will need to remove Saber via the unlocking mechanism. Once out, you pretty much fold him up into a cube, which is done by extending the robot legs and then folding it up to tab into the torso.
With the V-Star, the back half of the sides extend to the form the legs, while the front half of the sides extend to form the arms. There are a few more rotations and hinges but that's pretty much it. It is a simple transformation. Once you've gotten it in robot mode, you just need to plug Saber in and then attach the robot head on top.
ROBOT MODE (STAR SABER):
Star Saber's robot mode is almost the star of the set and he looks amazing here. Being a crowdfunded figure, there aren't as many budgetary restrictions so he has the full suite of paint apps and articulation.
He's big, chunky and blocky. Although given the transformation, he can feel a bit light in places as his limbs are hollow. The designer did well to make sure there are panels to cover all the hollow parts so you don't notice it unless you're handling him.
The head sculpt is fine, but it is a separate piece that pegs onto the body. His antennae rotates due to transformation but there isn't something to help it lock into place, so you'll easily dislodge it which can be annoying.
As you would expect, Star Saber has impressive articulation. He has joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees and ankles. They are all either hinges, swivels or ratchets.
Furthermore, his shoulders can flex inwards for that extra movement, while his hands can open and close.
Star Saber comes with a bunch of accessories, the first is a grey gun, the same one used by Saber, but much better scaled for Star Saber instead.
Then there's the gigantic V-Lock Cannon and this is one impressive weapon. It's probably the coolest one in the set. Although the predominantly grey color scheme makes it look a bit drab and like an unfinished prototype.
The effects parts can be used at the tip of the weapons, to make it look like they're firing.
Next up is the sword and shield. The sword is formed from Saber's nosecone along with the blade piece pegged on. The blade can be pegged in two different configurations, basically either Star Saber holding it so that the blade faces forward, or the edge faces forward, depending on your preference.
The blade itself can store on the side of his legs, as there is a slot for it.
While the shield can be held in either hand, there is a separate detachable handle piece that pegs onto the back. This is where it has all the pieces required for Star Saber to hold it.
The color scheme is fantastic here, and there doesn't seem to be any expenses held back as he has the chromed chest, and a great blend of the four primary colors.
The shield can also peg onto the forearm, more akin to how a shield is used.
The sword can store within the shield, and still allow it to be pegged onto the forearm, which is a nice storage option.
Saber as the torso piece is pegged very securely thanks to the mechanism, as well as several other slots. This means when playing with Star Saber, it feels like a solid one-piece that isn't in danger of falling to pieces.
The only negative is that given that the hip ratchets are tighter than those panels, you end up detaching the panels on the side of the legs rather than actually moving the hips. Other than that, this is a brilliant robot mode.
OVERALL:
Star Saber is a fantastic figure. Even ignoring Victory Leo, Star Saber himself has so much play value. The synergy between the Brain of Courage, Saber and then Star Saber, as each one forms a core component of the larger robot, never gets old. The sheer amount of accessories that Star Saber gets also helps provide tons of play value in robot mode. And most importantly, Star Saber feels premium enough to justify his high price tag.
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