Introduction
Combiner Wars, the continuation of the Transformers Generations toy line that was released in 2014 as a part of the 30th anniversary of Transformers. Here, it more focuses on gestalts, such as old favorites like Superion, Menasor, Defensor, Devastator, and Bruticus, with a modern adaptation.
The combiner system was inspired by its origin, in other words, "Scramble City". In order for you to build one full gestalt, you must get one Voyager class (i.e.: Optimus Prime) and four Deluxe class figures. The four can be interchangeable, in which they can form either arms or legs, as said. Before even CW began, we've already seen many reincarnations of Fall of Cybertron Bruticus, which also appeared in the Generations line as the Wreckers version, and we also Prime: Beast Hunters Cyberverse Abominus which is a must have if you are a big TFP fan.
I will not show the lineup of characters by wave, but I will cover one set I actually own right now, which is Menasor.
The set is composed of 4 Deluxe class:
Dragstrip
Dead End
Breakdown
Offroad
1 Voyager class: Motormaster
And 1 optional Legends class: Blackjack
Alternately, you can replace Offroad (or Dead End) with another member called Brake-Neck, resulting in a G1 style team, just like with Quickslinger replacing Alpha Bravo for Superion.
I have the initial five members in this set, which can be found on the first and second waves of Combiner Wars.
THE BOX ARTS
First, we'll be looking at the box arts, I was a little lazy to picture all sides, but you'll get the idea anyway...
As you can see, Dragstrip was included in Wave 1, where all 4 DX toys don't include a comic unlike the following wave. Also, the combiner shown on the packaging is a picture of Superion but with Air Raid missing and Dragstrip filling in. In the VG Optimus Prime box art, the 4 DX's were used again as the limbs of Ultra Prime. There is however more new Autobots coming next year, which will include a repainted Optimus, plus Prowl, Ironhide, Sunstreaker, and Mirage, forming into Optimus Maximus. In my opinion, you can substitute 'white' Prime with the regular version and make a better version of Ultra Prime. The rest of the set was released in Wave 2 where Air Raid was also released in order to complete Superion.
Note: I originally typed this as "... as the main torso of Ultra Prime." and it sounds weird. How will four characters form one torso? Unless you're Dairugger XV or Vehicle Voltron, which four of the fifteen units form as the torso, and one more for the head.
THE MAIN REVIEW
Taken out of their packaging, you get the main unit, the small weapon, and the combiner piece which has multiple use in the toy. They also include instructions in forming to its robot, vehicle, and combiner part modes, and how to combine them into one gestalt (i.e.: Menasor).
The first picture shows the five vehicles as is. Next is where I added their all of the accessories in them, both weapons and combiner pieces. Take note of Offroad's axe is not showing in this view, but you'll see it in another picture.
Decepticon DRAGSTRIP
Now let's look at the individual units. Let's start with Dragstrip, the only DX Decepticon in wave 1. The sequence of the picture I'll showcase will start with the regular vehicle mode, then with the add-ons, followed by the robot mode along with his pose with the weapons, then finally the limb forms starting with the default arm configuration, then my version, and lastly the leg configuration.
The only downside to Dragstrip is his legs tended to be a little floppy, and I also find the foot parts hard to fold when forming his leg mode. Everything else is fine.
DEAD END
We now move on to Dead End. For me, his design's probably one of the sleekest yet it has some tiny problems. The connector socket on his feet is detachable, and I don't see any problem on that.
The other nice thing about him is he has ratchets on his wrist area. There is also Brake-Neck (or Wildrider) which is based on this mold, and has a different head sculpt. The weapons of Brake-Neck is virtually the same as Dead End, but I don't know what's the alteration or did they kept it the same. Brake-Neck for me, like I said, is better as a replacement for Offroad to complete that reminiscent concept.
MOTORMASTER
We move on to the Stunticons' leader, Motormaster. To me, his truck cab design's good, but the colors aren't as G1 as it is. There will be a better version of him and the Stunticons in the Japanese release of the Combiner Wars toys under the name "Unite Warriors", where they carry almost the same color schemes, except they're more reminiscent of their original design, also Superion has the white combiner parts which fits better than the black ones.
I find him a little weak in some reasons, one is when I combine them and Motormaster's arms sometimes fall off of its connection. And if you have Blackjack, there is pegs on the inside of Menasor's chest. Unfortunately, it doesn't stay very well unless you make some alterations on the pegs.
BREAKDOWN
Up next, we have probably one of my favorites in this set, Breakdown. His off-white color was spot-on accurate to his G1 version. His transformation is also remarkable where he almost transforms in the same way as Dead End, but with some changes.
Many retools were made in the same concept. One example is Streetwise and the upcoming Prowl and Smokescreen are shell retools of Dead End and Brake-Neck.
Decepticon OFFROAD
Finally, we look at Offroad. As a pickup truck, he stands out among the four minions, which three of them are cars. Carrying the Brake-Neck colors, and a bit of his own, making him stand out, just like Alpha Bravo.
On one of the pictures, I showed you how I clearly placed the axe in vehicle mode in order to form mufflers.
OTHER STUFF
Now, let's look at the four's limb forms. The one thing I didn't show you is the alternate leg forms, which is fine if you don't like the default styles.Take note, I forgot to fold out the connector on Dead End when I did the legs, but you'll get the point.
Next, we look at all the accessories. There is one combiner piece for every Deluxe class toy, and one weapon depending on the character. The Voyager classes come with two separate weapons which can combine into a larger weapon. All of them can be utilized not only in robot mode, but also in vehicle mode. The other picture shows the combined sword for Menasor, and the Combiner pieces in the configuration I prefer. The thumb part can be folded when you're not making the combiner.
Here, we look at the five in their combiner parts and ready to form Menasor.
MENASOR
Finally combined, the mighty gestalt is complete. On the first picture, I formed him in the default form without the addition of Blackjack. Notice the design on the chest which will remind you of Galvatron from Age of Extinction (both this and Dark of the Moon, I never liked watching them). Next is a close-up of Menasor's head, followed by my alternate version of the gestalt.
Now if we have Brake-Neck or Wildrider, we could somehow replicate the G1 style of this gestalt.
Here, I decided to pose him to show how well articulated Menasor is, also I added his sword to complete the action.
Now, since Combiner Wars was inspired from its G1 roots, I decided to show you Menasor with Offroad and Breakdown as arms, and Dead End and Dragstrip as the legs.
One simple alteration can be done if you're not smart enough to know this. Dragstrip and Breakdown can form well-proportioned long legs (works best if you have the parts for Galvatronus)...
...or short arms if you prefer.
CONCLUSION
With a lot of us still waiting for Titan Class Devastator, which could be almost as tall as Generations Metroplex which he broke the record for the world's biggest Transformer, formerly held by G1 Fortress Maximus, Combiner Wars gets even more exciting as three new gestalts, such as Bruticus, Optimus Maximus, and Sky Reign, a whole new set of Legends arrive in 2016. And if you are not into this, there's the Robots in Disguise 2015 toy line, which in Japan is called Transformers Adventures. Another thing about Unite Warriors, it will not include most of the characters that already appear in Combiner Wars as the replacements, but we'll be expecting a G2 color version of Superion somehow. The one downside with the original toy was Slingshot's fragility due to the Gold Plastic Syndrome, I hope when this is released, there will never be a sign of the mistake done back then.
I hope you liked this review, and if you have any questions, please leave a comment below. And until then, this has been The Foldabots Blog, we'll see you next time!
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