DSC_8570
A new year, a new line from Transformers. Folks, welcome to Seige: War for Cybertron.
Now, if you've been collecting Transformers or have been following recent developments, you'll know that people are very excited for this line because of its throwback to the various G1 characters and designs. Equally well known, however, is now MSRP on everything from the Deluxe size and upward is $10 CAD more than it was during the last line.
Of course, Hasbro has done a few things here and there to justify this price increase, but we'll get to these as we go along. You probably won't be shocked if you buy those "premium" Studio Series figures, but if you've been avoiding Movie stuff, this is one hell of a sticker shock. Of course, there is no avoiding this in the sense that no matter where you go, this increase will be there, and with the Unified Product offering, the Takara versions will be identical to this, probably even down to the box given how Takara Tomy is printed on it as well.
Overall, I'm going to say that while a price increase was inevitable, and you do get some more compared to other lines, you're not getting $10 more. Understandably, part of this increase is also exchange rates - I believe that the prices went up by $5 USD over the Power of the Primes line, but this doesn't translate into $10 CAD.
In case you don't know, other than the G1 throw back, the other gimmick of the Seige line is accessorizing, namely each figure Deluxe and upward have 5mm ports built into the body for attachment of various weapons and power ups, each sold separately, of course.
My first blurb with regards to this line will the new Megatron Voyager figure, now priced at a paltry $39.99, which fortunately I had the foresight/patience to wait for a sale during Boxing Day on. As images show, he is clearly inspired by the G1 figure. I'd say the Generations Megatron is inspired by the original toy, and this one is inspired by the toon model.
In addition to the figure, Megatron comes with two weapons, his trust Fusion Cannon, and a fancy sword. Aesthetically, this G1 Megatron definitely seems much more burly than any of its Voyager sized cousins, and has many homages to the original, such as the helmet head, chest, and the shoulder parts that are obviously the hammer on his gun mode.
So one of things you'll notice is that this figure comes in a box... nothing shocking about that revelation as this size class has always come in a box. The Deluxe classes now also come in boxes and other than size, they're very much identical to this and what I imagine the Leader size will be.
It should be noted that from what I've seen, Leader sized figures are going to be Voyager sized with some additional snap on parts. How well those sell at $70 will be interesting to see.
The box is nice and all. Good art work and portraits of the character n the box. The big feature this time around is apparently if you have a blacklight, you can use it on the box for some secret code or something, which is typed in at a website.
Inner packaging is as collector unfriendly as always with those awful plastic ties instead of a clamshell plastic tray.
A welcome change that I've noticed is that the actual material used for the figure is much, much sturdier feeling than the stuff used in the Power of the Primes line. It's weird.. in Titans, the Voyagers and Leaders felt flimsy but the Deluxes were pretty solid. Then, in Primes everything felt downgraded though it didn't get much worse for Voyagers and Leaders. Joints are also nice and tight for the most part - some joints are clearly not made for that sort of thing.
QC isn't perfect, as always, with my figure having a piece of plastic on "heel" just slightly warped so it doesn't clip back into place perfectly. Not the end of the world, but it does hamper transformation somewhat.
I will also note that from a paint perspective, I feel that Megatron as well as the other Seige figures I've purchased have what I feel would be a balance between the barebones nature of Hasbro in the past and the sometimes extravagance of Takara. That battle damage though.. it doesn't distract, at least not on Megatron, but it certainly doesn't really add much to the experience.
All the major articulation points are there, and on Megatron you can make the most of them. Naturally, no ab crunch or upper chest movement, but also missing is no wrist swivel though there is forearm twist to sort of make up for that. As mentioned earlier, the joints are nice and tight, so holding most poses will not be an issue. Also, there aren't any joint misalignment issues to report.
Transformation level is about right, at least to me. I've been a fan of the more complicated lines , such as the original RiD line in 2000. It feels like what Armada Megatron should have been, had they given more than half a shit back then. With the exception of the undercarriage, the vehicle mode is well executed, and allows for the relative seamless integration of the two weapons the figure comes with.
Overall, I do like this Megatron. The toy is fun to play with, doesn't have any annoying gimmicks that ruin the aesthetics of the figure, and the throw back to the classic Megatron is nice.
Having said said that, nice as it is I don't think it warrants the price increase. I think that overall, what is going to happen is that unless you're very, very diehard and must have everything the moment it comes out, you're probably going to see the vast majority of the line sit on shelves until a sale comes along. I also foresee more random sales and discounts at stores that reduce the price, but not to the point of the previous line.
DSC_8570
A new year, a new line from Transformers. Folks, welcome to Seige: War for Cybertron.
Now, if you've been collecting Transformers or have been following recent developments, you'll know that people are very excited for this line because of its throwback to the various G1 characters and designs. Equally well known, however, is now MSRP on everything from the Deluxe size and upward is $10 CAD more than it was during the last line.
Of course, Hasbro has done a few things here and there to justify this price increase, but we'll get to these as we go along. You probably won't be shocked if you buy those "premium" Studio Series figures, but if you've been avoiding Movie stuff, this is one hell of a sticker shock. Of course, there is no avoiding this in the sense that no matter where you go, this increase will be there, and with the Unified Product offering, the Takara versions will be identical to this, probably even down to the box given how Takara Tomy is printed on it as well.
Overall, I'm going to say that while a price increase was inevitable, and you do get some more compared to other lines, you're not getting $10 more. Understandably, part of this increase is also exchange rates - I believe that the prices went up by $5 USD over the Power of the Primes line, but this doesn't translate into $10 CAD.
In case you don't know, other than the G1 throw back, the other gimmick of the Seige line is accessorizing, namely each figure Deluxe and upward have 5mm ports built into the body for attachment of various weapons and power ups, each sold separately, of course.
My first blurb with regards to this line will the new Megatron Voyager figure, now priced at a paltry $39.99, which fortunately I had the foresight/patience to wait for a sale during Boxing Day on. As images show, he is clearly inspired by the G1 figure. I'd say the Generations Megatron is inspired by the original toy, and this one is inspired by the toon model.
In addition to the figure, Megatron comes with two weapons, his trust Fusion Cannon, and a fancy sword. Aesthetically, this G1 Megatron definitely seems much more burly than any of its Voyager sized cousins, and has many homages to the original, such as the helmet head, chest, and the shoulder parts that are obviously the hammer on his gun mode.
So one of things you'll notice is that this figure comes in a box... nothing shocking about that revelation as this size class has always come in a box. The Deluxe classes now also come in boxes and other than size, they're very much identical to this and what I imagine the Leader size will be.
It should be noted that from what I've seen, Leader sized figures are going to be Voyager sized with some additional snap on parts. How well those sell at $70 will be interesting to see.
The box is nice and all. Good art work and portraits of the character n the box. The big feature this time around is apparently if you have a blacklight, you can use it on the box for some secret code or something, which is typed in at a website.
Inner packaging is as collector unfriendly as always with those awful plastic ties instead of a clamshell plastic tray.
A welcome change that I've noticed is that the actual material used for the figure is much, much sturdier feeling than the stuff used in the Power of the Primes line. It's weird.. in Titans, the Voyagers and Leaders felt flimsy but the Deluxes were pretty solid. Then, in Primes everything felt downgraded though it didn't get much worse for Voyagers and Leaders. Joints are also nice and tight for the most part - some joints are clearly not made for that sort of thing.
QC isn't perfect, as always, with my figure having a piece of plastic on "heel" just slightly warped so it doesn't clip back into place perfectly. Not the end of the world, but it does hamper transformation somewhat.
I will also note that from a paint perspective, I feel that Megatron as well as the other Seige figures I've purchased have what I feel would be a balance between the barebones nature of Hasbro in the past and the sometimes extravagance of Takara. That battle damage though.. it doesn't distract, at least not on Megatron, but it certainly doesn't really add much to the experience.
All the major articulation points are there, and on Megatron you can make the most of them. Naturally, no ab crunch or upper chest movement, but also missing is no wrist swivel though there is forearm twist to sort of make up for that. As mentioned earlier, the joints are nice and tight, so holding most poses will not be an issue. Also, there aren't any joint misalignment issues to report.
Transformation level is about right, at least to me. I've been a fan of the more complicated lines , such as the original RiD line in 2000. It feels like what Armada Megatron should have been, had they given more than half a shit back then. With the exception of the undercarriage, the vehicle mode is well executed, and allows for the relative seamless integration of the two weapons the figure comes with.
Overall, I do like this Megatron. The toy is fun to play with, doesn't have any annoying gimmicks that ruin the aesthetics of the figure, and the throw back to the classic Megatron is nice.
Having said said that, nice as it is I don't think it warrants the price increase. I think that overall, what is going to happen is that unless you're very, very diehard and must have everything the moment it comes out, you're probably going to see the vast majority of the line sit on shelves until a sale comes along. I also foresee more random sales and discounts at stores that reduce the price, but not to the point of the previous line.