joshimus
06-08-2013, 09:36 PM
I'll probably post pics a little later but for now here's my thoughts on these 2 figures.
Predaking:
Having the voyager figure and disliking it a fair bit, I was looking forward to what the Ultimate Predaking would be like. I like the size for one and while it isn't perfect, I very much like this figure.
http://i.imgur.com/bpkIcws.jpg?1
Dragon mode is sort of similar to the voyager but actually less complex. Some of the back leg articulation is lost due to the new transformation.
http://i.imgur.com/jbnB5w9.jpg?1
Looks wise, I really do like this dragon. The neck gimmick lever could be a bit smaller and fit the overall aesthetics better, but for now, whatever. The feature itself is a nice gimmick but I would have prefered a more articulated neck. The light up gimmick however looks really nice in the dark (as posted by me on the TF Photo thread) The wingspan is pretty impressive and adds to the look. I'm not so huge a fan of how the wings clip on (each side also stores the AA battery) but that is a minor gripe.
http://i.imgur.com/73OFf4C.jpg?1
Could use a bit more silver paint apps for the dragon face which eventually I will get to.
Overall I would rate the dragon mode a solid 4/5
Robot mode:
http://i.imgur.com/gsvvTi4.jpg?1
WOW! I really dig this guys bot mode. FAR better than the voyager and the wings hold better as well (or at least for me) It's impressive, it's imposing, it's very friggin nice. The light up feature is also really nice especially in the dark (button on right shoulder) Some gripes from me would be how basic the transformation is, which seems to be a standard with large figures these days. I dislike the dragon head, head and neck, is just rotated behind the back. Not nearly as well done as the voyager, but a minor gripe none the less.
http://i.imgur.com/O1jc5Er.jpg?1
His tail becomes his sword and it is pretty massive. I do like it plus I like how they have his claw hands hold the sword. It's a smart fit. Robot mode is an easy 4.5/5 Few gripes, but overall really impressive
p.s. he sort of has BW Dinobot hands ;) Not that it was inspired, but nice none the less
Aside from the basic transformation, his robot mode is impressive and his dragon mode looks great. As a whole, I recommend this figure. Also, his guns are nothing special so I didn't really bother with them.
I paid retail but will keep an eye if it goes on sale. Worth the pickup in my opinion, full or sale price. I like this figure a lot. 4.5/5
http://i.imgur.com/OpiKOrI.jpg?1
Prime:
Okay, first and foremost, I collect Primes so I was going to get this no matter what. That said, not worth full price, maybe half price. Doesn't mean I hate it, just that for what it is, it's disappointing
Vehicle mode:
Is LARGE, almost playschool in design to be honest. It has large gaps that it shouldn't and the voyager is supremely better designed. However, he rolls really smooth :p
2/5 for this one
http://i.imgur.com/hcAEaR8.jpg
Transformation:
Might as well be a kids gobot for transformation. Severely basic and could have easily been something special had Hasbro gone with something less gimmicky and more design thought. While I do like how the front wheels connect to the legs, that's one neat thing in the whole transformation and it could have been done different
1/5 Such wasted potential
http://i.imgur.com/GVORXnk.jpg
Gimmick and weapons:
Before I go to robot mode, I want to talk about the weapons.
Sword and shield are neat but it feels aesthetically wrong with them attached in vehicle mode. I would have prefered 2 swords or some sort...or none.
The wheel gimmick is imo a friggin waste and what harms this figure the most. While it does work well and I admit it is neat, still just a waste. I certainly plan on removing it. This is really where all the lost potential for a better figure hurt it. Hasbro put too much stock into this gimmick that it hurt the transformation as well as as the pricetag.
0/10 that's how much I dislike it
http://i.imgur.com/WiHxG0f.jpg
Robot mode:
I will be honest, he is really imposing here and I do like it. Much like the voyager, the arms snapping into the mirrors on the chest doesn't hold so well. They could have done something smarter for a better hold.
http://i.imgur.com/ONZPepG.jpg
Go move the arm and now his shoulder is dislocated. Pretty annoying. I also dislike the amount of lost articulation. For example the feet. Reason why the feet are in some ways similar to the Weaponizer Prime as a molded part is due to the truck front wheel transformation. Yes, Hasbro needed space for those wheels to tuck in for robot mode and cut out feet articulation. Granted it really isn't a huge deal, he holds up pretty well, but it feels cheapened especially at the pricetag.
Also I would prefer his battle mask here too. I was annoyed with the voyager having his mouth but I assumed the U. Prime would correct that...but nope. Minor gripe though.
Another thing I dislike is the green light up and chest. Again, like the voyager, instead of going for blue they went green which blows. It makes his robot eyes light up seem like a waste. I mean if it was blue, hells yeah, but green?! I can deal with a green chest but why the eyes?
Anyway, his arm articulation seems decent but is limited which kind of sucks.
3/5
To be honest, I most certainly will take advantage of the price correction when that comes around, even if it means buying the figure on sale and returning it with the old receipt. As a Prime collector, I am okay with this figure but honestly, don't buy it on full price. If you can chance clearance, go for it. I am planning on modifying him a fair bit so for me that's okay but if you don't paint or mod your toys, don't waste your money on this guy.
Also, a semi-spoiler with regards to Primes story in the instructions:
Possible spoiler. I think UM dies but I wish I knew how to block out the name properly. Anyway, reading the story, if similar to the show, seems a likely outcome. If not then nevermind.
I will add pics at some point, maybe a bit later tonight.
hope you enjoyed the review.
Predaking:
Having the voyager figure and disliking it a fair bit, I was looking forward to what the Ultimate Predaking would be like. I like the size for one and while it isn't perfect, I very much like this figure.
http://i.imgur.com/bpkIcws.jpg?1
Dragon mode is sort of similar to the voyager but actually less complex. Some of the back leg articulation is lost due to the new transformation.
http://i.imgur.com/jbnB5w9.jpg?1
Looks wise, I really do like this dragon. The neck gimmick lever could be a bit smaller and fit the overall aesthetics better, but for now, whatever. The feature itself is a nice gimmick but I would have prefered a more articulated neck. The light up gimmick however looks really nice in the dark (as posted by me on the TF Photo thread) The wingspan is pretty impressive and adds to the look. I'm not so huge a fan of how the wings clip on (each side also stores the AA battery) but that is a minor gripe.
http://i.imgur.com/73OFf4C.jpg?1
Could use a bit more silver paint apps for the dragon face which eventually I will get to.
Overall I would rate the dragon mode a solid 4/5
Robot mode:
http://i.imgur.com/gsvvTi4.jpg?1
WOW! I really dig this guys bot mode. FAR better than the voyager and the wings hold better as well (or at least for me) It's impressive, it's imposing, it's very friggin nice. The light up feature is also really nice especially in the dark (button on right shoulder) Some gripes from me would be how basic the transformation is, which seems to be a standard with large figures these days. I dislike the dragon head, head and neck, is just rotated behind the back. Not nearly as well done as the voyager, but a minor gripe none the less.
http://i.imgur.com/O1jc5Er.jpg?1
His tail becomes his sword and it is pretty massive. I do like it plus I like how they have his claw hands hold the sword. It's a smart fit. Robot mode is an easy 4.5/5 Few gripes, but overall really impressive
p.s. he sort of has BW Dinobot hands ;) Not that it was inspired, but nice none the less
Aside from the basic transformation, his robot mode is impressive and his dragon mode looks great. As a whole, I recommend this figure. Also, his guns are nothing special so I didn't really bother with them.
I paid retail but will keep an eye if it goes on sale. Worth the pickup in my opinion, full or sale price. I like this figure a lot. 4.5/5
http://i.imgur.com/OpiKOrI.jpg?1
Prime:
Okay, first and foremost, I collect Primes so I was going to get this no matter what. That said, not worth full price, maybe half price. Doesn't mean I hate it, just that for what it is, it's disappointing
Vehicle mode:
Is LARGE, almost playschool in design to be honest. It has large gaps that it shouldn't and the voyager is supremely better designed. However, he rolls really smooth :p
2/5 for this one
http://i.imgur.com/hcAEaR8.jpg
Transformation:
Might as well be a kids gobot for transformation. Severely basic and could have easily been something special had Hasbro gone with something less gimmicky and more design thought. While I do like how the front wheels connect to the legs, that's one neat thing in the whole transformation and it could have been done different
1/5 Such wasted potential
http://i.imgur.com/GVORXnk.jpg
Gimmick and weapons:
Before I go to robot mode, I want to talk about the weapons.
Sword and shield are neat but it feels aesthetically wrong with them attached in vehicle mode. I would have prefered 2 swords or some sort...or none.
The wheel gimmick is imo a friggin waste and what harms this figure the most. While it does work well and I admit it is neat, still just a waste. I certainly plan on removing it. This is really where all the lost potential for a better figure hurt it. Hasbro put too much stock into this gimmick that it hurt the transformation as well as as the pricetag.
0/10 that's how much I dislike it
http://i.imgur.com/WiHxG0f.jpg
Robot mode:
I will be honest, he is really imposing here and I do like it. Much like the voyager, the arms snapping into the mirrors on the chest doesn't hold so well. They could have done something smarter for a better hold.
http://i.imgur.com/ONZPepG.jpg
Go move the arm and now his shoulder is dislocated. Pretty annoying. I also dislike the amount of lost articulation. For example the feet. Reason why the feet are in some ways similar to the Weaponizer Prime as a molded part is due to the truck front wheel transformation. Yes, Hasbro needed space for those wheels to tuck in for robot mode and cut out feet articulation. Granted it really isn't a huge deal, he holds up pretty well, but it feels cheapened especially at the pricetag.
Also I would prefer his battle mask here too. I was annoyed with the voyager having his mouth but I assumed the U. Prime would correct that...but nope. Minor gripe though.
Another thing I dislike is the green light up and chest. Again, like the voyager, instead of going for blue they went green which blows. It makes his robot eyes light up seem like a waste. I mean if it was blue, hells yeah, but green?! I can deal with a green chest but why the eyes?
Anyway, his arm articulation seems decent but is limited which kind of sucks.
3/5
To be honest, I most certainly will take advantage of the price correction when that comes around, even if it means buying the figure on sale and returning it with the old receipt. As a Prime collector, I am okay with this figure but honestly, don't buy it on full price. If you can chance clearance, go for it. I am planning on modifying him a fair bit so for me that's okay but if you don't paint or mod your toys, don't waste your money on this guy.
Also, a semi-spoiler with regards to Primes story in the instructions:
Possible spoiler. I think UM dies but I wish I knew how to block out the name properly. Anyway, reading the story, if similar to the show, seems a likely outcome. If not then nevermind.
I will add pics at some point, maybe a bit later tonight.
hope you enjoyed the review.