Team Jetfire
10-12-2010, 02:44 PM
Just got this guy on the Toys R Us sale and thought I would share some of my thoughts.
Bio: Icepick believes that he represents the next generation of Decepticons. According to him, all those not gifted with the ability to combine are obsolete, and should be destroyed. He's willing to start with the Autobots, but he won't hesitate if an older Decepticon strays into his line of fire.
First of all: seriously great bio. Wanting to commit genocide on non-combiners? That is pretty hardcore!
Packaging: I'm not sure if I like the new trend of packaging in Robot mode as I think the vehicle modes look a bit better. Also, I find that some figures need to be put in awkward positions or miss-transformed to fit in the bubble, but I digress, Icepick looks fine and save for his feet flaps, I think he comes out properly Transformed. I do like the blue plastic that the Mini-con partners come in though; it creates a cool powered up effect. Only a few paper ties and this guy is free!
Robot Mode: Icepick has a decent robot mode with good articulation in the shoulders, hips and legs. My biggest complaint is the arms. They actually look worse in pictures then when you have them in hand, but they still are a bit funny looking as they are curved so it looks like he constantly wants to give you a hug. The hands are also a bit of a let down as they are shovel claws. I guess he has no weapon to hold, but these 'hands' look out of place. I also wish that the Power Core connectors could have been hidden a bit better, but that is a standard gripe for all the PCC's. Overall the robot mode gets a solid B+.
Vehicle Mode: I'm a big fan of Icepick's alt mode, not because I am from the great white north, not because I Snowboard and see these vehicles all the time, but because it also somewhat resembles the GI Joe Snowcat that I loved as a kid. (I realize that the Energon version of the Snowcat was a much better version of the Joe vehicle, but everything else about that toy sucked.)
I'm giving the Vehicle a B+.
Mini Con: Chainclaw.
The PCC Minicons are a bit of an anomaly to me. It is nice to get another little partner for my PCC's, but the Mini con partners seem to be more of an afterthought than anything. I like that they turn into a robot and weapon, but generally speaking they don't do either very well. Chainclaw seams to be one of the better ones, with a decent robot mode and a weapon mode not unlike one of my favorite Miniocons from the Playstation 2 Transformers Armada video game. He works well as a shoulder canon for Icepick in robot mode and gives the Vehicle mode some much needed fire power. I didn't try the third, armor mode so I cannot comment. Overall, Chainclaw is a nice little minicon partner for Icepick, but could have had a better name as he had No chains and no claws...hmmm
Overall I like Icepick a lot and give him a B+. If you are on the fence about PCC's and still don't want to take the plunge with a 5 Pack, this guy would be a good first purchase, especially with the TRU sale that is on right now.
Bio: Icepick believes that he represents the next generation of Decepticons. According to him, all those not gifted with the ability to combine are obsolete, and should be destroyed. He's willing to start with the Autobots, but he won't hesitate if an older Decepticon strays into his line of fire.
First of all: seriously great bio. Wanting to commit genocide on non-combiners? That is pretty hardcore!
Packaging: I'm not sure if I like the new trend of packaging in Robot mode as I think the vehicle modes look a bit better. Also, I find that some figures need to be put in awkward positions or miss-transformed to fit in the bubble, but I digress, Icepick looks fine and save for his feet flaps, I think he comes out properly Transformed. I do like the blue plastic that the Mini-con partners come in though; it creates a cool powered up effect. Only a few paper ties and this guy is free!
Robot Mode: Icepick has a decent robot mode with good articulation in the shoulders, hips and legs. My biggest complaint is the arms. They actually look worse in pictures then when you have them in hand, but they still are a bit funny looking as they are curved so it looks like he constantly wants to give you a hug. The hands are also a bit of a let down as they are shovel claws. I guess he has no weapon to hold, but these 'hands' look out of place. I also wish that the Power Core connectors could have been hidden a bit better, but that is a standard gripe for all the PCC's. Overall the robot mode gets a solid B+.
Vehicle Mode: I'm a big fan of Icepick's alt mode, not because I am from the great white north, not because I Snowboard and see these vehicles all the time, but because it also somewhat resembles the GI Joe Snowcat that I loved as a kid. (I realize that the Energon version of the Snowcat was a much better version of the Joe vehicle, but everything else about that toy sucked.)
I'm giving the Vehicle a B+.
Mini Con: Chainclaw.
The PCC Minicons are a bit of an anomaly to me. It is nice to get another little partner for my PCC's, but the Mini con partners seem to be more of an afterthought than anything. I like that they turn into a robot and weapon, but generally speaking they don't do either very well. Chainclaw seams to be one of the better ones, with a decent robot mode and a weapon mode not unlike one of my favorite Miniocons from the Playstation 2 Transformers Armada video game. He works well as a shoulder canon for Icepick in robot mode and gives the Vehicle mode some much needed fire power. I didn't try the third, armor mode so I cannot comment. Overall, Chainclaw is a nice little minicon partner for Icepick, but could have had a better name as he had No chains and no claws...hmmm
Overall I like Icepick a lot and give him a B+. If you are on the fence about PCC's and still don't want to take the plunge with a 5 Pack, this guy would be a good first purchase, especially with the TRU sale that is on right now.