Sunday, June 23, 2013

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Cyberverse Commander Class Optimus Prime Part 1

Optimus Prime, is that you?

A new Transformers action figure to be featured in this new review series after Banpresto's Gundam Seed Destiny DX Image Display Figure Lacus. ^^ The second Transformers review this month after "Transformers: Prime" Cyberverse Commander Class Megatron, it's also the fifth in total so far for this year. I've really been having a lot of fun with Transformers figures this year. ^^


Also from the "Transformers: Prime" Cyberverse Commander Class line, this is the "Beast Hunters" version of Optimus Prime. ^^ A relatively new item as compared to many others in my collection - it was released in February this year, I should probably save it till next year before doing a review on it if I were to follow my usual "sequencing" of new items for review. XD But I really love the design of this new Optimus Prime, and the desire to open the blister pack immediately after getting it not too long ago was driving me crzay. ^^; Also, being a Cyberverse figure, its simplicity is a temptation on its own. Based on the experience playing with Optimus Prime and Megatron from the same product line, the transformation sequence is simple, not frustrating but often include special design features that make the figures enjoyable. ^^ They are fun Transformers toys to play with when you want something quick and easy. Because of that, it didn't seem like a good idea to put the review on this figure on a holdup. ^^;



Front view of the package.


For the record, I've not seen "Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters" at this point, ^^; but I always like this (re)design of Optimus Prime for the show. Of course when the first product (a Voyager Class figure) came out, it wasn't confirmed that this is the design of the Autobots leader to be featured in the show. I really like the bulky and muscular design of this new Optimus Prime very much, and that applies to both robot and vehicle mode. ^^ It's very different from the movie design and that from the first two seasons of "Transformers: Prime" that we are more used to for the past few years, and that's already a very refreshing idea. ^^

At the same time, I definitely feel that the design is also paying homage to various designs of Optimus Prime in the past. The bulky body proportion is similar to the designs from the two Cybertron games; the winged backpack on the Voyager Class figure can be associated with the design from the second and third movies; while the high crest on the forehead is definitely from the first two seasons of "Transformers: Prime". On the other hand, the claws on the waist are new and unique to this Optimus Prime. ^^ As a result of the "mix-match" of design elements, this is a new Optimus Prime that doesn't look too different from most of his older incarnations. ^^ It's very easy to accept, but it does have its own unique merits. ^^ While I do like the overall design and gimmicks of the Voyager Class figure, I don't really like its mask-less face design. ^^; It's still a great figure though, but I'm waiting to see if there'll be a newer release in the future in that line that features the more "conventional" face design for Optimus Prime. ^^

Then again, the masked face design is not the only reason I settled for a Cyberverse figure instead of the Voyager Class version. The compact size and a couple of neat transformation gimmicks incorporated are the more important attractions that make this Commander Class figure interesting to me, which will of course be shown through this review. ^^


(Left) "Beast Hunters" appended to the original logo of "Transformers: Prime". ^^
(Right) Instead of using CG image of the vehicle mode from the actual show, a picture of the actual figure is shown. Since the cartoon series premiered a month after this figure came out, and the the official new design for Optimus Prime was not revealed for story purpose, it makes sense for the absence of any CG image of the character and its vehicle mode on the package.




The figure can be seen very easily and clearly through the clear shell.




Closeups on the details.


The folded instruction manual is placed right beneath the figure's feet.


Image of Predaking, leader of the Predacon legion in dragon mode on the left hand side of the card.


A quick size comparison with Megatron reviewed earlier this month.


Information about Optimus Prime on the package's right hand side.


Bottom view of the package.




A super brief introduction of the character as well as images of the figure in robot and vehicle modes on the back of the package.


Despite the changes in product and packaging design, the CG image on the back of the box remains the same as that from the first and second seasons of "Transformers: Prime".


The package is carefully cut from its side in order for the content to be removed.


Optimus Prime and his weapons on the plastic tray.


The complete backdrop with the remaining edges of the cut plastic cover removed.



Comparison with the backdrop of the first Commander Class Optimus Prime.


The cardboard label for the top, side and bottom faces of the plastic container.


Comparison with that from the first Commander Class Optimus Prime again.


The neatly folded instruction sheet on Optimus Prime's transformation.



Despite the different paper dimension used for the instruction sheet, it still shows how to transform Optimus Prime from robot to vehicle mode, ...



... and back again. ^^


Deployment of the weapon gimmick.


Comparison with the instruction sheet of the first Commander Class Optimus Prime.



A straight-out-of-box display of Commander Class Optimus Prime.

Much like the recently reviewed Megatron from the same product line, I'll be doing a reversed transformation review on this version of Optimus Prime, so coming up next is going to be more images of the Autobot leader in muscle truck (XD) mode, followed by its vehicle to robot mode transformation. ^^

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