Optimus Prime
“I sense your presence through the Matrix…”
Optimus Prime has seen many incarnations over the years, now he sees his second form from the High Moon Studios video game series based in the Aligned Continuity (Hasbro’s new universe encompassing key elements from every Transformer brand from G1 to Prime into a single universe).
The 2012 Generations line starts with the launch of the Transformers: Fall of Cybertron video game in deluxe class figures for Optimus Prime, Shockwave and Jazz in the first wave.
While a fan of War for Cybertron game, I wasn’t too happy with the figures of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. To me, Bumblebee was the worst offender for his bulky shell and proportions that made him like the robot equivalent of Mr. Pac-Man from the cartoon series. Optimus on the other hand was a case of what happens when Hasbro tries too hard to constrain figures to a deluxe size. The results were interesting with his over-engineered, shell-former transformation and the bulk of a figure twice its class size. For once it was clear that the WFC version of Optimus Prime was a solid inferior to the Megatron produced from the same line. While no Megatron has been revealed yet for Fall of Cybertron to compare against, there is no mistaking that Hasbro got it right this time around for Optimus Prime.
First and foremost, it is clear that Hasbro has begun scaling down the size of their Deluxe class figures while at the same time inflating their price into the steep range of $12 to $15 for a small figure.
From the very look of Optimus’ robot mode, it is obvious that this is the Optimus Prime that will become a semi-truck in the near future (or past, depending on your timelines). What makes this mold work is that he is not over engineered for his size, which was one of my biggest issues with the War for Cybertron incarnation. The mold remains fun in its simplicity.
Compared to his digital model, the figure based on Optimus’ design for Fall of Cybertron is much leaner but still carries some of the same character defining bulk of this version of Optimus Prime.
Not letting the proportions of the truck-face chest fool you, this is not a pot-bellied Optimus Prime like that guy from Transformers Energon, and I don’t want to hear any rumors that this is the revenge of Pat Lee.
Stripped down, you can see that from his joint placement that Prime is anything but pudgy.
This is one of the most articulated, transformable Optimus Primes I have ever seen. There is very little kibble to this design that obstruct his movement.
Optimus’ robot mode is a solid robot ACTION figure that I feel more comfortable comparing to a figure of equal mobility than I do his many incarnations.
Despite his small size, this Optimus plays like he should be bigger, especially when you bend the knee joint against the contours of the mold rather than the space from the transformation scheme.
On the subject of transforming, this is one of the fun parts about seeing this as a video game in development. Before I paraphrase the developers at High Moon, I will let them say something about how to transform a giant robot.
Transforming Optimus Prime is less complex than they make it sound. To me, the figure transforms like his Generation One forerunner only more hyper articulated.
After a short round of folding of joints into the vehicle body, the end result is a compact “Fist with wheels attached to it.”
The vehicle mode is tight, and the limbs stay folded and tabbed into place nicely so there is very little of the robot mode visible save for Optimus’ feet.
The size difference in the mold is more obvious when compared to the other Optimus Primes that pre-date his semi-truck form. None the less, the fun is in its simplicity.
While there’s no mounting tab for an absent/non-existent trailer accessory, there are peg ports on the bottoms of the feet can be used to carry Optimus’ Ion blaster.
The weapon accessory is modeled in the game’s style where it looks like it formed out of the robot’s arm. In plastic, it is molded as an obvious nod to the original Optimus Prime’s rifle.
If just having the rifle isn’t enough, I have one more accessory this Optimus can use…
“Quality Control is the right of all sentient beings.”
It’s no secret that Hasbro has a certain lacking towards paint quality, and this is what will come as the biggest pet peeve with this awesome figure.
After getting a look at the character model from the game, I took my Prime out behind the work bench for a little extra service.
The first addition was the color to the body with a mixture of Testors Model Master Acryl colors Steel and Gunship Gray to fill in around the back, waist and the stripes down the shoulders and under the armpit. The tires that are molded into Optimus’ back are based on his in game character model (which is where the toy’s wheels on the forearms are supposed to be), I painted with a mixture of Steel with Engine Gray.
The final touch I gave this figure were the highlights for his wheels, exhaust vents and headlights with a fine-tipped red Sharpie marker. The end result of the extra work speaks for itself and really completes the figure as it should be.
Overall, the Fall of Cybertron Optimus Prime is awesome figure, and a great way to start off the new Generations series. The figure is fun, and remains true to the concept of the Transformers by being solely focused on a transforming vehicle without any distracting gimmicks such as lights, bells, or oversized (useless) weapon accessories. Despite its small size, the Fall of Cybertron Optimus Prime is a solid companion piece to the other Pre-Earth Optimus Prime figures.
If his smaller size is any consolation, it makes him more in scale with his… special friend.
The game is out now for the X-Box 360 and Playstation 3 video game consoles and PC, and is awesome!
So I ask of you… No. I ORDER YOU! LOG IN AND ROLL OUT! You can find me on X-box Live under my nickname Hadimus Prime!