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I've been looking forward to getting hold of this guy ever since the early 3D models turned up on the TFW2005 boards. now nearly two years later we final have a mass produced version of the Hearts of Steel Prime.
Pro's: This guy has a lot going for him. the sculpt is fantastic, very crisp and detailed, with lots of little rivets all over the place. The head also has some nice detail, it make him look slightly different from any other Prime, and the light piping really help bring this guy to life. There is also some nice sculpting on the inner side of the legs, that have some paint apps that really make them stand out.
Lots of thought has gone in to making this guy and it shows. From the smokestack rifle, to the large cannon in the trailer that can turn in to a lance and a jetpack. The Knight Morpher also has a shield that in the Alt mode acts as a bulkhead for the trailer. He also has a little matrix in his chest to top it all off. This guy also has the full range of articulation we all come to expect from a modern transformer, it has nearly twenty points of articulation. And finally who doesn't like steampunk Prime?
Con's: for all the good points this figure has there are also some downsides, quality being the main one. whilst overall it's very good the QC could have been much better, mine have some dodgy paint apps around the chest area, and during transformation one of the smokestack feel off. whilst I understand that this is a collector piece and not a mass-market toy I kind of hope for better then that especially after the good products that have come out of Fansproject in the last few years.
The feel of the plastic leaves you feeling under whelmed when compared to Fansprojects Warbot Defender, it feels a little bit cheep in comparison, and it's not the same colour as the pre-release shot suggested it would be, but that could come down to the lighting of the shots.
The joints also could be better. whilst they are nice and stiff they are all fiction based, and won't last many transformations or lots of posing. When compared to the Warbot Defender and it's multiple ratcheting joint it seems a little lacking. That combined with how tough some of them are to fully extend it makes you feel like you could brake the toy at any moment. The waist joint also concerns me as it's made of the same clear blue plastic as the light piping, I can't see that lasting to long ether.
Inconclusion: This toy has as many Pro's as it doe's Con's in some ways. whilst the QC one mine isn't the best it might be an isolated issue and the joints are a minor gripe on an overall good toy. It's obvious that lots of thought has gone in to making the toy, with all of its little details. As for the colour, well the darker tones of the plastic do add to the over all steampunk feel and do make him stand out when compared to all the other Prime that are out there.
With a little more time and experience this toy would have been up there with things like the Warbot or the Citycommander.
For a first go it really is very good, and I hope it is just the start for Mastermind creations and their HoS line. With the little hitch on the back of Primes trailer for towing other trailer I for one am looking froward to seeing more from this line maybe a Prowl or a Ratchet next who knows
Rating:  [4 of 5 Stars!] |
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