Toy Review: Transformers Reactivate Optimus Prime (Voyager)

Review:  #832

Name:  Optimus Prime

Brand:  Transformers

Allegiance:  Autobot

Line:  Reactivate

Year of Release:  2024

Size Class:  Voyager

Mold Status:  new

VEHICLE MODE:

Based upon his appearance in the cancelled Reactivate game, Optimus transforms into an armored version of his iconic red and blue cabover truck.

It's generally a good truck except for the unpainted grey plastic splotched in random places, which just makes him look like a mess.  The "battle damage" on the cow catcher at the front doesn't do him any favors either.

Surprisingly, this is quite a big figure in vehicle mode, above is a comparison with Siege Optimus.

He comes with two weapons, and bot of them can peg on either side of the vehicle as storage.

Optimus only comes in a 2-pack with Soundwave.

The back of the truck has quite a number of robot kibble too.

All in all, the truck mode has potential and is okay at first glance, but is a bit too inconsistent so that it looks messy.

TRANSFORMATION:

Transformation isn't anything special, he transforms in a similar fashion to most Optimus toys.  The rear becomes the legs, while the arms fold out from the side.  Rotate the lower half so that you have a slimmer torso.  The major differences being that it is a little bit more involved around the legs, and also the torso as you fold up pieces to compact it into the backpack.

ROBOT MODE:

Robot mode is also very reminiscent of the classic Optimus design, but a lot bulkier / buffer, which isn't a bad look for the character.

He carries a ton of kibble on his back, which are folded up pieces of the truck.  This is why the truck mode looks so messy.

The head sculpt feels a bit too simplistic and lacking in detail.

Like in vehicle mode, he is slightly bigger than your average Voyager figure, which is great, although he still feels a bit hollow for his size in terms of weight in hand.

A quick shot of all four Reactivate toys and the Starscream / Bumblebee 2-pack is definitely the much better figures for sure, both Optimus and Soundwave are heavily flawed.

Articulation is good with joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees and ankles.

The first gimmick that he has is that his chest opens up to reveal the Matrix of Leadership.

He comes with two weapons, a black gun and a black axe.

He can hold the gun in his hand... but the handle is too short so that it is loose and flops in his fists.  This is such an obvious design flaw that you cannot believe made it through to the production figure.

The other weapon is better, which is his axe that slips over his fist.

Both weapons can store on his back at the same time.

As mentioned earlier, both figures in the 2-pack are flawed, but Optimus is better than Soundwave, if in the least, Optimus looks way better and much more well proportioned.

Even with two weapons plus the articulation, you can't help but feel that this rendition of Optimus doesn't bring much new to the table.  He feels somewhat generic and quite boring as a result.

Probably the least interesting Reactivate design, Optimus isn't a must-have.

OVERALL:

For a game with such promise, and designs with such promise, Optimus can be a let down with how generic he can feel.  He's not a horrible figure, but just feels mediocre and average.  Then coupled that with the fact that he cannot hold his gun properly, and he comes with Soundwave which is another weak figure, and this 2-pack isn't quite worth tracking down for.

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