Review: #876
Name: Soundwave
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Earthspark
Year of Release: 2025
Size Class: Voyager (Wave 7)
Mold Status: new
JET MODE:
Considering the winding down of the Earthspark line, it was a surprise to see a brand new Deluxe mold for Soundwave.
He transforms into a blue stealth bomber, a different, yet fitting, alternate mode for the character.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this figure is the huge wingspan. It cannot be understated how wide he is for this size class, and it is very impressive.
The robot gun can attach to the top, but it does break the aerodynamic look a bit.
Despite the big wingspan, perhaps equally impressively, is how thin and slim he is. He doesn't have much of an undercarriage kibble, it's elegant and clean.
Although the minor negative is that his thinness does lend to more fragile feel, as the plastic flexes a bit.
Nevertheless, this is a fantastic jet mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
The upper body of the robot is pretty stock standard, as it's just the body of the aircraft, which is the torso with the arms around it. The more interesting aspect of the transformation are the legs. The thighs are attached to the torso, but you fold the wings around in order to form the lower legs, and it's this part, that while it's simple in hand, is just very elegant and clever. It's little touches like these that are missing from most modern Transformers.
ROBOT MODE:
Soundwave's robot mode looks great as well. While mainly only the chest and head are close in design to his G1 self, this is still instantly recognisable as the character.
Due to the way his legs are formed from the jet's (huge) wings, they do stick out quite far behind and is a bit bulky as a result.
The head sculpt is awesome, the sharper angles give him a more evil look.
Articulation is great, with joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, wrist, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
He comes with a gun.
Unfortunately, the handle of the gun is longer than you would expect, so having Soundwave hold it in his hands looks somewhat awkward.
It's clearly designed for being a shoulder cannon instead.
A shame that he only has one weapon, so he cannot have both his shoulder cannon and handheld gun at the same time.
While the robot mode may not be as unique as the alternate mode, it feels like a very nice reimagination of the character where there are enough classic Soundwave elements, but adds in some new things to complement the design.
OVERALL:
This is one of the best Deluxes in the Earthspark line, and it's a shame that he was released so late into the toyline's life. The stealth bomber mode is incredibly impressive with its slim profile and huge wingspan. While the robot mode is almost as good with its design.
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