Toy Review - TFC Hercules Exgraver

[TheFallen]

I recently got in the TFC Hercules Exgraver and I thought I would share my opinion on him.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010562-1-1.jpg

Firstly the price - This was the hardest thing for me to come to terms with. I originally had him preordered on BBTS (with the toatal price of $114 inc. postage) then cancelled my preorder. I then saw more pics and preordered again on BBTS, then cancelled my preorder.
Eventually, I just settled with Robot Kingdom who had the much fairer price of around $97 including postage.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010574-1.jpg

The figure quality - I am sure most people are more interested about this than anything else. The quality of the plastic is very good. The figure is very sturdy and the joints are tight. I have to say I think the plastic quality is very good and it does not feel cheap.
I don't feel ripped off with the quality of plastic if that is more precise to ease people's concerns.
There is some scraping on the shoulder which connects to the backpack piece. This has caused some black paint to rub off onto the green shoulder piece.
The figure transformation - This is very, very basic. In fact, I would say it is scout basic. I am by no means good at transforming figures (yes, I do need the instructions :) ) but even for me I thought it was very easy. I only needed the instructions once to transform him.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010565.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010568.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010564-1.jpg

Alt mode - Considering the figure comes packaged in robot mode, this will be the first transformation every one makes.
Every accessory with this figure has a place in alt mode but I did have a bit of troube initially with getting the Hercules hand to locate properly on the figure when trying to make the transformation to the alt mode. I could be doing it wrong but I think this is an engineering mistake. The Hercules hand can not sit flush on the backpack piece to still be able to connect the shoulders into the tabs. This will make more sense once you have the figure in hand.
The alt mode is quite large and is also very sturdy. The shovel is very tight and it does feel like you might break it when you try to move it up and down but don't worry.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010576.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010563-1.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010561-2.jpg

Robot mode - The robot mode is nicely articulated. It has a ball jointed head, ball jointed hips and swivel joints for the rest. There is articulation in the head, 3 swivel joints in the shoulders, bicep swivel, wrist swivel, waist swivel, ball jointed hips, thigh swivel and knee swivel.
There is enough articulation to get a wide range of poses.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010570.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010571.jpg

The Hercules arm - This is huge. It is the size of a large deluxe. If this is any indication on how big Hercules is going to be then he will be towering over a lot of your figures. In this mode it looks like Hercules will have a wrist swivel, elbow swivel and bicep swivel. I don't know if it will have a functioning shoulder swivel in combined mode because I just can't seem to see it. There maybe something on Heavy Labor to make this happen.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj221/TheFallenTonyStone/P1010567.jpg

Final thoughts - I like this figure. It is very big and bulky in all three modes. It is not perfect by any means but I dare you to show me a Hasbro Transformer that is. I do think the final combined form will be much bigger than the Maketoys Giant and all though it is pretty pricey if you were to comapre this figure to say, Explorer or Munitioner then the price works out about the same and a bit easier to swallow. I don't have Defender yet but I think the size and price is pretty close.
Overall, this is worth it if you can justify paying nearly $600 for the finished Hercules. But until the last 2 a shown and are up for preorder then there will still be that doubt that it will be finished.



Please keep in mind that this is my opinion and results for others may vary. If anyone has some picture requests let me know and I will see what I can do.

[1AZRAEL1]

You have tempted me to grab him now lol. Changing jobs would make it easier to afford to buy them as well. Wonder if it's worth getting 2 lots so I can have them in robot mode and combined mode, but where the hell can I put such a massive figure? :p

[UltraMarginal]

can you please post some pictures of the figure from behind in robot and vehicle mode, I'm trying to get an idea of the kibble.
Thanks

[loophole]

i just opened up mine and had a small play, i agree with everything that The Fallen has said. Good quality plastic, paint apps are very good and the joints are very tight and sturdy.

As for kibble theres pretty much none the only bit is the drivers part of the vehicle mode which in robot mode mounts to his back but then if you want you could leave it off.

Overall i like the figure i will be getting the rest of them, even though it being a tad expensive with its simplistic transformation

[Lord_Zed]

Good to hear, sounds like these guys are of to a fine start. I can't say this toy appeals to me, but that's largely because of the price and aesthetics, but I look forward to having another good quality 3rd party toy maker in the mix, (now if only they'd all do something about those prices).

[jaydisc]

Warpath... ridin' the bull.

Thanks Fallen.

I also stumbled across this review (http://www.cooksux.com/2011/08/02/tfc_exgraver/) today.

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Love this pic, If they don't finish hercules, i'm sure i could use him on my Universe Devastator

[loophole]

here are some more pics for those interested

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010318.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010317.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010310.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010312.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010311.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010305.jpg

[Tallestblue]

The debate to get this guy rages on in my head...It's probably smarter to get him now than wait until they're all released, yeah?


also I notice that Exgraver comes with both purple and translucent red versions of his weapon, a neat addition if the intent is to have all the weapons combine...

[UltraMarginal]

sweet, thanks for the extra pics.

[spooniebeard]

I received mine the other day and I am still just as impressed now as when I cracked the box. If the rest of these guys maintain the tight joints and solid construction I'll be happy even if Hercules doesn't quite work.

He comes with a few things, his cabin, shovel and that big purple fist. He has 5mm post holes all over him, 2 on each leg, one on the right arm, one on the back of each shoulder and one more on the black piece on his back. The shovel is on an 8mm peg and there are two spots for it, the back and the left arm. These help in giving the cabin, hand and shovel somewhere to live. His kibble is loaded with pegs and ports too, and there are many ways to plug his stuff onto his back. For instance after fiddling with it for a couple of hours I had it so the shovel was slung off to the side facing backwards, looks better than a tail to me.

That said I do have a few issues with it. The base piece of the shovel is incredibly tight and has a 3 click range, be careful with that as I have managed to crack one of the loops on one side. Nothing major but just something to note. Otherwise the shovel is just as tight and solid feeling as the actual figure. His ankles are joined to his toes so getting those flat can be a pain.

Also the giant hand is almost perfect, one more thumb knuckle and it would have been the best plastic hand i have ever seen.

All in all, wow. September can't come soon enough.

[Tallestblue]

I've heard reports that the Shovely arm can crack easily during...uh..."vigorous" play...but Also an Improved arm will be packed in with Heavylabor. which i must say is a really cool move on TFC's part.

[mentok27]

I've heard reports that the Shovely arm can crack easily during...uh..."vigorous" play...but Also an Improved arm will be packed in with Heavylabor. which i must say is a really cool move on TFC's part.

theres also a quick fix if your existing digger hasnt broken. mines fine and im just gonna limit movement till heavylabour gets here.

[kup]

Apparently they are fixing that digger issue with the next release:

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/tfc-toys-mad-blender-and-neckbreaker-to-be-revealed-august-21-heavy-labor-to-include-newly-designed-digger/22566/