Review: #770
Name: Scourge
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Studio Series
Year of Release: 2023
Size Class: Leader (Wave 11)
Mold Status: new
VEHICLE MODE:
Scourge, based upon his appearance in the Rise of the Beasts movie, transforms into a truck.
This isn't your normal truck, there are details all around that suit the demonic theme that the figure has going for it.
Unfortunately, Scourge is on the much smaller side in regards to Leaders, he feels very small for the price point, and while he is definitely above a Voyager, it's not to the point of justifying the additional expense.
The other thing that makes this disappointing as a Leader sized figure is the laziness in hiding the robot pieces. The arms are fully visible from the back, including gaps in the cab. The smokestacks are just on panels. There was no effort in trying to make it better.
It doesn't end there because there is a gap on either side of the hood where you can see through to the other side, it's just very disappointing in this aspect.
On the flipside, there are some really nice details including the most impressive of all, the grill. If you look closely, there are molded insignias on it.
The robot weapon also unfolds so that it can tab on the back, which can help hide the robot arms and fill in some of the gaps.
This is a good truck mode at first glance, but it's far from what it could have been. There were a lot of small improvements that the designer could have made, and it's disappointing that this is what we got for a Leader figure in 2023.
TRANSFORMATION:
The transformation doesn't justify the higher price point either. On the whole, the back splits into two to form the legs, while the arms also unfold from the back. Most of the cab flattens to form a backpack, while the front of the hood forms the shoulder pads. There are some neat elements here and there, particularly the truck hood becoming the shoulder pads, or the way the arms peg into the back of the truck.
ROBOT MODE:
The robot mode is definitely where all the focus was and Scourge looks really good, considering what the design was going for.
As a byproduct of having a poorer truck mode, he doesn't have much kibble in robot mode, with only the cab folding into a flat piece on his back.
The head sculpt is unique but the long neck isn't a great choice as it makes the head articulation harder than it should be.
As part of the Studio Series line, he comes with a cardboard stand depicting a scene from the movie.
There are a few gimmicks in this mode, but first off, the right arm has a sword slung underneath, which is only one of his weapons.
Your eyes will naturally be drawn to his other arm, which is a huge claw. It's a striking design but one that grows on you, and each claw is individually jointed.
Scourge has excellent articulation, with joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
The sword on his left arm is on a hinge that can flip up so that he can hold it in his hand, it's a neat integrated weapon. At the same time, being non-removable kind of sucks too.
He comes with a blaster.
The blaster can store on his back when not in use.
However, this isn't your typical blaster that he holds in his hands, no, you remove the claw arm and then plug the blaster as a replacement.
The claw can then peg onto his back as well.
The recent trend of having more figures with removable arms and weapons is not great since it feels like you get a spare piece that you can't use.
Ignoring that, Scourge has a demonic theme going for him and he is one of the most unique Transformers designs that we have had for years.
Scourge has a striking and strong robot mode.
OVERALL:
Despite the poorer truck mode, and despite being such a small figure without complexity and parts count to make up for the difference, Scourge is still a good figure. The robot mode is clearly the better mode of the two and he looks amazing. Being so striking and unique is what sets this figure apart.
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