Combiner Wars animated series by Machinima

[GoktimusPrime]

http://bwtf.com/node/4242

While I understand the need to focus on Combiner Wars to market the currentr toys, I personally hope that they also include other "Classicsverse" toys to flesh out the cast (even if many of them just appear as cameo or background characters :)).

[griffin]

There was a little more mentioned on the SDCC panel, but not much more.

[RayRay84]

Since CW is just a sub line of generations it would make sense (Hopefully) that they include other characters, otherwise it would be a pretty small cast, like you said.

The most exciting aspect of this (For me anyway) is they're apparently aiming this series at a Teen/Adult audience, Which sounds good to me!

[Jinto]

"...a totally new kind of Transformers animation—one that, for the first time ever, is specifically designed for the teen and adult fans who’ve grown up loving the Transformers brand.”

I thought that was the point of TF Prime?

[UltimateGalvatron]

Prime still had kid appeal characters, Bumblebee/Smokescreen.

I suspect this will be like IDW Comics as a TV Show, more brutal which doesn't really have any kid appeal characters (at least in their G1 comics)

[GoktimusPrime]

Prime was predominantly aimed at kids with a few relatively superficial "Easter Eggs" for adults. It's nothing like Beast Wars which had a dual-layered character driven story that was simultaneously aimed at kids and adults. Beast Wars still reigns supreme as the best TF screen story ever written IMHO.

[UltimateGalvatron]

The only let down of Beast Wars was the animation. I liked the story and the first time I saw Dinobot die I cried (this was on re-runs)

[TAAUBlaster]

The only let down of Beast Wars was the animation. I liked the story and the first time I saw Dinobot die I cried (this was on re-runs)

Beast Wars had great CG for its time. And personally I think it still holds up just as well today. :)

As for the new Machinima series, I really hope they do it right. To be honest, I'm a little worried its going to end up being something like an animated comic type animation.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I am SO FREAKING LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!!! :D:D:D

I've been championing a CHUG cartoon for years! FINALLY!!!

I just hope they do it with manga-style animation rather than CGI. And considering it's also supposed to tie in with the new Devastation game I reckon there is a good chance :)

[Gofigure]

I am SO FREAKING LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!!! :D:D:D

I've been championing a CHUG cartoon for years! FINALLY!!!

I just hope they do it with manga-style animation rather than CGI. And considering it's also supposed to tie in with the new Devastation game I reckon there is a good chance :)

I'm right there with you. Best TF news for a long time. I'm so onboard with this it's not funny :)

[RayRay84]

Beast Wars still reigns supreme as the best TF screen story ever written IMHO.

THIS. Also, the animation for BW was Incredible for it's time, and actually won a (Daytime) Emmy in '97. Sure, it looks dated now, but a CGI series on TV didn't really exist back in '96 (Except for reboot, which was also done by mainframe)

If it is something like the IDW comics in animated guise; with similar subject matter, i'll be a very happy man indeed.

[SMHFConvoy]

"...a totally new kind of Transformers animation—one that, for the first time ever, is specifically designed for the teen and adult fans who’ve grown up loving the Transformers brand.”

I thought that was the point of TF Prime?

Think of the GI Joe webseries written by Warren Ellis years ago.

[GoktimusPrime]

The only let down of Beast Wars was the animation. I liked the story and the first time I saw Dinobot die I cried (this was on re-runs)
As TAAUBlaster and RayRay84 have said, BW's CGI animation was cutting edge for its time, and indeed it did win a Daytime Emmy for its visual effects (the only other Emmy winning TF series was TF Prime). The off the shelf software actually wasn't capable to handling what Mainframe's animators had to do, so they re-wrote the software in order to increase its rendering capacity! :eek: (this is explained in the Madman DVD special features ;)) Also, character-driven story-telling trumps visual effects (as any fan of the Original Star Wars Trilogy over the Prequels will tell you :cool:).

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/meme_charactercaricature_zpssbkyguyf.jpg


Think of the GI Joe webseries written by Warren Ellis years ago.
G.I. Joe: Resolute, right? I always felt that this format could work for Classicsverse. :)

[UltimateGalvatron]

Yeah, it was good for the time. From someone who saw Cybertron and Armada and even the G1 Movie first it was a bit of a let down for me. As I said, I like Beast Wars, it's just the animation didn't really do it for me.

But you know what you guys have made be want to do?

Buy some Beast Wars figures. :p:D

[GoktimusPrime]

Beast Wars toys continue to astound me. I was recently playing with Ultra Class T-Rex Megatron and noticed that some of the design/engineering features of that toy are used in contemporary Masterpiece TFs! :eek: A simply ground-breaking toyline for its time that just set the standard for Transformers ever since. :)

[UltimateGalvatron]

Yeah, I just updated my wants list

[MayzaPrime]

I love Beast Wars, but getting the thread back on track.

I am going to start to speculate of the list of characters, and who I would like to see.

We know the usual suspects will be there Bruticus, Devastator, Menasor, Superion, Defensor. I am hoping that we will get to see Predaking, he did just get inducted into the TF hall of fame.

Will we see Galvatronus, Optimus Supreme, Sky Reign or Victoritron?

[SMHFConvoy]

We know the usual suspects will be there Bruticus, Devastator, Menasor, Superion, Defensor. I am hoping that we will get to see Predaking, he did just get inducted into the TF hall of fame.

Will we see Galvatronus, Optimus Supreme, Sky Reign or Victoritron?

We'll probably see all of them at some point or another.

[RayRay84]

Hopefully we will see Galvatronus, Ultra Prime or the other new combiners, because it would be nice to see the new combiners fleshed out a bit and given a bit of backstory. Also, the idea of Cyclonus being able to mind control/force other bots to combine with him would be a pretty cool idea to bring to life. Let's just hope they've got some good writers.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I love Beast Wars, but getting the thread back on track.

I am going to start to speculate of the list of characters, and who I would like to see.

We know the usual suspects will be there Bruticus, Devastator, Menasor, Superion, Defensor. I am hoping that we will get to see Predaking, he did just get inducted into the TF hall of fame.

Will we see Galvatronus, Optimus Supreme, Sky Reign or Victoritron?

Don't think we will see Predaking and Omega Supreme - I think they will stick with big bots they are releasing/have released toys for. Right now they are saying that the CW/CHUG toyline will be the main inspiration along with the Devastation game, with currently-in-use IDW comic cast as more background characters.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I love Beast Wars, but getting the thread back on track.

I am going to start to speculate of the list of characters, and who I would like to see.

We know the usual suspects will be there Bruticus, Devastator, Menasor, Superion, Defensor. I am hoping that we will get to see Predaking, he did just get inducted into the TF hall of fame.

Will we see Galvatronus, Optimus Supreme, Sky Reign or Victoritron?

Even if we go just by the Combiner Wars Toyline they have a pretty full roster for one cartoon (which is awesome!):

AUTOBOT Combiners
Mirage
Ironhide
Prowl
Sunstreaker
Optimus Prime

Trailbreaker
Hound
Smokescreen
Wheeljack
Sky Lynx

Air Raid
Firefly
Skydive
Quickslinger
Alpha Bravo
Powerglide
Silverbolt

First Aid
Streetwise
Groove
Blades
Rook
Hot Spot

The 5 Femmes that will make up Victorion

Scattershot

Other Characters
Wreck-Gar
Warpath
Rodimus
Huffer
Pipes
Windcharger
And apparently the 3 regular femmebots are going to be in it as well


DECEPTICON Combiners
Dead End
Breakdown
Drag Strip
Brake-Neck
Offroad
Blackjack
Motormaster

Long Haul
Scavenger
Hook
Mixmaster
Bonecrusher
Scrapper

Swindle
Brawl
Vortex
Blast Off
Onslaught

Other Characters
Megatron
Starscream
Thundercracker
Skywarp
Shockwave
Cyclonus
Bombshell
Chop Shop
Buzzsaw
Viper



It would be interesting as you say to see if Galvatronus makes an appearance. Also seeing the combienr group that will make up the TFSS 4.0 might help even the Combiner line-up a bit :)

[prjkt]

I'm not so sure Hasbro will promote the club subscription combiner in a cartoon, unless they're trying to get more people to join up, AND the cartoon will be aired well before the subscription deadline...

[BigTransformerTrev]

I'm not so sure Hasbro will promote the club subscription combiner in a cartoon, unless they're trying to get more people to join up, AND the cartoon will be aired well before the subscription deadline...

Na it's pretty doubtful, just a passing hope :)

[prjkt]

my far-sighted hope that this is a cartoon based on the IDW RiD comics, from issue 1 up until now - with maybe less focus on the early politics, and starting close to Megatron's return/Aerialbot's desertion

[5FDP]

I am so looking forward to this. Machinima was responsible for bringing us Mortal Kombat Legacy as well so you know it's gonna be good.

[Bladestorm]

I'm not going to get too excited about this just yet.
The concept has LOADS of potential to finally merge the G1 grounding with modern day Transformers with some great storytelling...

/DREAM MODE ON
If we could have Beast Wars story quality with Transformers Prime CGI/background animation and G1 voices (where possible) and as few humans as possible (preferably NOT kids)... that would floor me.
/DREAM MODE OFF

In reality I am setting my expectations at RID2015 poor animation with a "combiner of the week" style episode story where they constantly have to save annoying kid characters from being squished... and I'm not even going to guess at voices.

If they score Peter Cullen then I'll watch it purely to see if they FINALLY give Optimus some of his G1 emotion/camaraderie back regardless of bad animation. They'd get bonus points from me for letting him voice Ironhide...

Whatever comes of this my son will be watching as he can't put his Combiner Wars figures down. They have to be his most used Transformers ... and STILL going strong in terms of wear and tear and every day play.

[Alpha Supreme]

Really excited for this. I hope it is accessible easily as it is only a web series.

[ampoldj]

Wish they will give this one a good length...

[BigTransformerTrev]

Wish they will give this one a good length...

Hopefully if it proves popular enough it will prompt the powers that be to make more like it :)

[optimus1]

I just found out about this! WOW! :eek:

I hope this actually happens, being done with justice!

[Firestorm]

I have so many mixed feelings about this, that I really don't know what to think anymore.


on the one hand this sounds amazing and has so much potential, on the other I didn't find the Combiner Wars comics all that interesting, so if the series follows those I may not enjoy it too much.

I'm hoping for quality animation, music, storytelling and voice acting. but at the same time when I hear "Web Series" my first thought is.... Cyber Missions. :(

I'm hoping this does well and prompts Hasbro to try out more series like this, aimed at fans. (like perhaps a MTMTE series.)

until we get some more concrete information I am remaining fearful and cautious

[griffin]

Sounds like the new animated show for Generations could be previewed at NYCC on October 8th (http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/09/07/transformers-generations-combiner-wars-animated-series-sneak-peek-to-debut-at-new-york-comic-con-2015-300967), as Machinima are noted as being part of Hasbro's presentation.

[MayzaPrime]

Sounds like the new animated show for Generations could be previewed at NYCC on October 8th (http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/09/07/transformers-generations-combiner-wars-animated-series-sneak-peek-to-debut-at-new-york-comic-con-2015-300967), as Machinima are noted as being part of Hasbro's presentation.

Sweet... Cant wait to see this

I hope it is a standalone series and not tied into TFP/RID

[GoktimusPrime]

It'd be really neat if they could tie it in with the G1 continuity family. Like something that is happening after the events of G2 but before Beast Wars (which is easy, cos Beast Wars TFs come from 300 years in the future ;)); i.e. something that is happening now. Much like the ReGeneration One comics, but hopefully without directly contradicting previous G1/G2 canon. I wasn't a great fan of how ReGen One disregarded/contradicted events from Earth-120185 & G2. I know that Beast Wars followed on from a hodge-podge mix of different G1 & G2 canonical sources, but that's because resources like tfwiki didn't exist. They had to rely on a limited cadre of fan advisors who supplied them with various different canonical material which they didn't have time to go through in their entirety. Now the fandom's much bigger and there's so much more easy online references for writers to refer to for research. :)

Makes you appreciate how much effort Beast Wars writers went to in doing all that pre-research in a time where the internet and online Transfandom was still in its relative infancy. If only some other people (http://www.heyuguys.com/images/2011/04/Michael-Bay.jpg) would put in a fraction of the effort/dedication that was poured into Beast Wars... :rolleyes:

[MayzaPrime]

Makes you appreciate how much effort Beast Wars writers went to in doing all that pre-research in a time where the internet and online Transfandom was still in its relative infancy. If only some other people (http://www.heyuguys.com/images/2011/04/Michael-Bay.jpg) would put in a fraction of the effort/dedication that was poured into Beast Wars... :rolleyes:

Come on, he research their names atleast :p:D

[Bidoofdude]

Hopefully all goes according to plan and it's fantastic. :)

[GoktimusPrime]

http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/9/8923605/transformers-series-machinima-combiner-wars

Hasbro, IDW and Machinima are working together to create a Combiner Wars series. Unlike previous Transformers series, this one is specifically designed for teenage and adult fans.

This has me pensively excited. Hopefully it won't go in the way of Beast Machines and become too dark and brooding. As awesome as dark and mature themes are, audiences also do like to see fun, humour and action. :) Beast Wars got this balance done right. It will be interesting and exciting to see if a Combiner Wars series might be able to rival or even exceed the story-telling quality of Beast Wars. :cool:

[TAAUBlaster]

I wish they would give us some idea of what's happening with it. There was supposed to be a preview at one of the events earlier in the year, but nothing showed except for some basic details.
And They've only just started putting idea's together (according to this thread (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/1056852-progress-transformers-combiner-wars-machinima-series.html) on TFW.)

I like the idea of a CW mini series, but I'm worried they've left it too late. Titan Returns starts next year, and the writers haven't even finalized stories yet. :(

And as someone in that thread mentioned, I really hope they actually focus on the combiners and don't just relegate them to second string characters.:rolleyes:

[griffin]

I wish they would give us some idea of what's happening with it. There was supposed to be a preview at one of the events earlier in the year, but nothing showed except for some basic details.

Yeah, we had the announcement at SDCC in July, and they promised us something for NYCC in October but just gave us another announcement... and we're still just in the planning stages. By the time something comes out, Combiner Wars as a toyline will be finished (it becomes Titans Returns in June-July).

[Paulbot]

That linked article is from July so nothing new there. In fact, Goktimus did you forget you started a thread about this cartoon already (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=21213)?

When I saw this pop up in the new threads I was hoping we had some news, like footage or even a promo image.

[Zommael]

Chances are, it'll be renamed "Prime Wars" and become an adaptation of the whole trilogy, at this stage.

[GoktimusPrime]

That linked article is from July so nothing new there. In fact, Goktimus did you forget you started a thread about this cartoon already (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=21213)?
Oopsies! Mods, please merge. :o

[griffin]

This is like the Transformers Universe MOG game all over again... an early announcement with heaps of hype and excitement (from them and from fans), but very little revealed for months, and then years later it gets released to lack of interest and missing the boat of what it was trying to cash in on.

9 months after the first announcement, we finally get our first visuals (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/04/20/machinimas-transformers-combiner-wars-series-sneak-peek-314449)... and they are just two promotional stills, one of which (with Windblade) doesn't look like it is from the CGI animated series (it looks more like a comic book cover).
With very little said, other than "preaching to the choir" about statistics we already know or are aware of with Transformers, the only thing new we get told here is that it will come out in July as 8 episodes (fingers crossed, it is only two months away and we have no animation revealed yet), it is set 40 years after "previous events" (the great war, so maybe this is set in the Gen1 cartoon universe?), and that Windblade is a central character (the new Drift, who also had to be in everything).


Machinima’s contribution to the canon, Transformers Combiner Wars, is 40 years removed from previous events. It’s a time of peace. Cybertron is ruled by a triumvirate … but an ancient technology has emerged, enabling a new threat to take the stage. As in the case of Robocops, there is no trailer we can share for this, but it was worked on by “some of the world’s leading creative minds”: Eric Calderon, FJ Desanto, and George Krstic. It is directed by Kenji Nakamura. License partners are welcome.
Here is some glorious artwork. This is the planet Cybertron, in which you get a sense of the filmlike cinematography (“This is not a children’s cartoon!” exclaimed Gutstein).
Next, meet the heroine Windblade, who has the power to talk to the Titans.”


And from here (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/04/05/details-machinimas-transformers-combiner-wars-series-revealed-312500) earlier in the month...


Taking place 40 years after the great war on Earth, Transformers: Combiner Wars introduces new lore and all-new characters that, combined with the characters fans have known for decades, will bring the Transformers storytelling in a new direction.
The Autobots and Decepticons have disbanded and returned to Cybertron. With the days of Optimus Prime and Megatron over, Cybertron is now ruled by a triumvirate. However, an ancient technology has enabled a new threat, the power for multiple Transformers to combine into one massive, dangerous form: Combiners. Who will stand-up to this threat to ensure that the fragile peace that was 4 million years in the making remains?



Hopefully I am wrong and this gets released on time, with good enough visual and story quality to be worth the wait... after the Combiner Wars toys have been replaced in stores with Titans Return toys.

[TAAUBlaster]

I'm losing faith in this more and more as time goes on. Everytime we have an "update" nothing is really revealed. And being so close to the released date, surely they have a couple of finished - or almost finished - backgrounds or character model frames they could render and show. This approach of being mysterious and just hyping it up is really getting old.

[DaptoDog]

Episode 1 is out now on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YHxMeGDdqs

Felt way too short and Menasor's voice was not really fitting of the character IMO. I liked the visuals though it was a bit choppy. Will give it a few more episodes before forming my view but will watch it all the way through regardless.

What does everyone else think?

[Gutsman Heavy]

What does everyone else think?

Next level cringe, that voice work...

[Initial_G]

very disappointed

- would've thought it would be ~ 20mins, basically it seems like the trailers we were shown
- animation seemed slightly off, can't pin it though
- voices didn't sound right, might've just been the audio dubbing though
- storyline: does that mean 2 of the main combiners (released) are dead within the first 5 mins?

[ZoonMaster5000]

It reminded me of when I watched the eng dubbed headmasters for the first time. Was super excited and everything looked awesome... Then they spoke.

Computron sounded like a dial-up modem and menasor is a rebellious pubescent teenager. All hopes dashed :(

[Raider]

I had a vent about it so I will just quote that here:


Just watched ep 1 of Combiner Wars and I don't have a single nice thing to say about it....

Voice acting was terrible, script was cringe worthy, only lasted 5 mins of which 25% of it was spent with computron and menasor doing this repetitive punch action in space, menasor sounds like a teenager with an attitude problem, no apparent storyline, I could rant for longer.

I am just so disappointed that we have waited so long for this crap :(

[Raider]

- storyline: does that mean 2 of the main combiners (released) are dead within the first 5 mins?

The irony is not lost on me that one of the only combiners still to be sold has been potentially killed off in the first episode :p

[MayzaPrime]

That was complete and utter rubbish... how the hell is Windblade so strong?

I will continue to watch in the hope that it gets better... thank goodness its only 5 mins long

[Shirokaze]

I think "oh dear..." sums this up pretty well :p

[Initial_G]

actually my thoughts after also included "I want my bandwidth back" lol

[CBratron]

I've been putting it off all day. The length has stopped me from watching this. Not because a 5 min clip must automatically be bad, but because it's so short, I can always watch it later.

[reillyd]

Are we absolutely sure the YouTube version this is the first episode, and not a teaser trailer like the previous ones? Because that's a crazy runtime for an 'episode'

[Ploughmans Lunch]

Are we absolutely sure the YouTube version this is the first episode, and not a teaser trailer like the previous ones? Because that's a crazy runtime for an 'episode'

It's been confirmed that this is a series of smaller episodes, so yeah...

I dunno, some of the comments that were made by the people producing this elicited groans ("Windblade HAS to be a badass!") so I didn't have a whole lot of faith in this in the first place. So I can't say I'm disappointed.

[Lord_Zed]

Eh, it's about what I expected for a short series based on an at best a very average comic. This was never going to be the second coming of Geewun.

the animation and voices are not great, but I dunno if that's anything new for Transformers, reminds me of the Armada Trilogy.


It's been confirmed that this is a series of smaller episodes, so yeah...

I dunno, some of the comments that were made by the people producing this elicited groans ("Windblade HAS to be a badass!") so I didn't have a whole lot of faith in this in the first place. So I can't say I'm disappointed.

I dunno why people have a problem with this, no one would bat an eyelid of Prime or Prowl felled Menasor.

The run time is also pretty standard for this sort of thing. years ago GI Joe Resolute was released in 5 minute mini eps, though thus far that series is way superior in animation and story.

Still early days, need to see another ep or two before I declare this a minimum effort nostalgia driven cash grab.

[griffin]

I thought they were meant to be 8 minutes each... or was that just part of the false hype by Machinima, like how awesome this cartoon was going to be.

It seems to be basically like the Transformers Universe MMOG all over again - early hype of what they want to have produced, then months and months of silence, and then when it finally comes out it is a disappointment all round.

[Paulbot]

Seen the comments during the day but just had a chance to watch. That's not bad. Nowhere as bad as the comments here led me to expect. It's pretty much on par what I always expected from this webseries.

[DaptoDog]

Seen the comments during the day but just had a chance to watch. That's not bad. Nowhere as bad as the comments here led me to expect. It's pretty much on par what I always expected from this webseries.

Yes I share that view, I didn't really have any expectations for what it would be. If it doesn't improve from here well at least we got a fantastic Combiner Wars / Unite Warriors line of toys.

[GoktimusPrime]

The way that they all keep mispronouncing "Camīnus" feels like I'm hearing someone drag fingernails down a blackboard. :eek: The stress is meant to fall on the second syllable, not the first!

i.e. It's "kah-MEE-noos," not "cammyness."

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Wow! That was utterly terrible! And that opening space battle -- "CLANG!" "CLANG!" "CLANG!" CLANG!"

Whoever wrote and directed that episode should go back and watch Beast Wars' opening space battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmPUfb3Xt-0) on how to do it right!

[GoktimusPrime]

Oh, the whole thing felt like watching a home-made production based on someone's fanfic. The acting sounded so bad that it felt like I was watching something being dubbed in English, and I had to keep on reminding myself that this isn't a dub! :eek: And the voice actors for the gestalts didn't seem to be trying to make themselves sound massive (although G1 Superion did have that weird screechy voice :p), but at least some electronic modification could've been done to make it sound more booming.

The space fight between Computron and Menasor sounded like a monkey banging on pots and pans. And odd that a battle in a vacuum was much louder than Menasor ploughing through a solid surface on Caminus.
Interesting note: this means that Combiner Wars Computron is now technically more show-accurate than Unite Warriors Computicon!

The scene where Windblade is "crying" over Maxima just felt awkward. How is she crying? She has no tears! Gah... seeing her silently mourn or simply cuddle Maxima would've had a better effect.

IMO Transformers Devastation gave us a better story with Combiner Wars Menasor than this episode. Better animation and voice acting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2ZCu8W3rQ

[Ploughmans Lunch]

E
I dunno why people have a problem with this, no one would bat an eyelid of Prime or Prowl felled Menasor.


Oh! I really hope I didn't give the wrong impression - I didn't mean for it to sound sexist. I wasn't saying "I dont believe women/female characters can be this!", nor do I have a problem with Windblade being able to defeat a combiner/whatever.

My issue is "we need to stress that this character is a bad-ass!" is just a really adolescent-minded way of approaching a character, and kinda misses the point of the original IDW Windblade.

THAT SAID, you can argue that it isn't meant to be the original IDW Windblade and a new interpretation of the character. However it can still be disappointing and it can still be an indication of how the people making this series don't 'get' certain things but ah blahblahblah it's a machinima thing why am I overthinking this.

[Ploughmans Lunch]

PS aren't a bunch of the voiceover people in this just Youtube/Twitch video game streamers or something?

[DarkHyren]

I just watched the first "episode". Here are my thoughts.

Should I have read the comics first? Is this supposed to rely on them to fill in the gaps and provide the majority of the story? Because if not and this is supposed to be a stand alone project that requires nothing else to back up the story it's pretty shit honestly. Even Michael Bay did a better job with the franchise comparatively, and that's saying a lot.

Oh, and yeah, while Computron and Windblade sounded ok (not great mind you, pretty ordinary, but at least they sounded like themselves) Menasor sounded ridiculous. This is a pretty poor work, I've seen/read fan fiction that shits all over this, so the fact that this "series" is a sponsored one makes it even worse. This is probably the first time I've ever said this about an official Transformers story, but I don't care when the next episode is out, I can wait. At least it looks pretty visually, but other then that it doesn't have much going for it

[GoktimusPrime]

I hadn't thought about it but you're right, this series would be less accessible for people who haven't read the comics. But the same argument could be made for TFTM which makes no sense to anyone who hasn't watched the G1 cartoon series; hence it was panned by critics and a box office flop, but it's loved by fans. And you're right, Michael Bay did do a better job, especially in terms of accessibility. Because a person with zero prior knowledge of Transformers can still watch the films and... uh... sorta know what's going on (if they can work out the nonsensical excuses for story lines).

Also agree about Menasor's disappointing voice work. He's too articulate, which goes against Menasor's highly conflicted gestalt mind (because all the Stunticons hate Motormaster). One reason why the Decepticon gestalts were often more simple minded than the Autobot gestalts was meant to be due to poorer collaborative skills (and I thought it was pretty interesting how Teamwork and Cooperation were added to the tech specs of Micromaster teams). Groove and Blades have very different personality traits but they don't hate each other and are able to cooperate well enough for Defensor to mentally function at a higher level.

On a positive note, I do like how Windblade transformed between robot and jet mode while fighting Menasor. One gripe I have w/ IDW is that they often go through entire sequences where everyone stays in robot mode... running, shooting, jumping etc. where they could also be rolling or flying etc. Although Windblade does utilise her jet mode pretty well in the comics when she's needed to fight (lately she's taken on a more diplomatic role). And I thought it looked pretty cool how Computron was losing limb bots as he was falling into the Camien atmosphere, although I think it would've been interesting to at least see those limb bots revert to robot mode as they fell to their doom... Strafe could've transformed to jet mode... eh. In G1 gestalt members would revert to robot or alt mode upon separation, they wouldn't remain in their gestalt part mode.

[MayzaPrime]

In G1 gestalt members would revert to robot or alt mode upon separation, they wouldn't remain in their gestalt part mode.

I also didnt get this part as well... its also interesting that when the combiner dies the entire limbs die as well... I thought separation would occur before terminal damage was sustained.

Menasor spoke way to much and was far to articulate for my tastes...

[valkyrie_76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zULT47yp2Bo

I am starting to actually like this instead:rolleyes:

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I went to watch it, but blow me down, turns out there is some kinda region blocking going on.

I can get to the page, but I'm told there's nothing to see. well, well well.

[MayzaPrime]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zULT47yp2Bo

I am starting to actually like this instead:rolleyes:

That was pretty cool...

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Should I have read the comics first? Is this supposed to rely on them to fill in the gaps and provide the majority of the story?


I hadn't thought about it but you're right, this series would be less accessible for people who haven't read the comics.

I don't think knowing the comics would've helped the first ep, because you could argue that most of the problems were to do with execution rather than overall storyline; and had the voice acting, sound design and action been better it would have been an overall better episode.

[Trent]

Definitely gives the impression of fanfic. Hopefully it improves.

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't think knowing the comics would've helped the first ep, because you could argue that most of the problems were to do with execution rather than overall storyline; and had the voice acting, sound design and action been better it would have been an overall better episode.
Without ever having touched a single IDW comic, you'd be looking at this and wondering:
* "What's a Caminus?"
* "Who are these female Autobots?"
* "What's a city speaker?"

Actually, even as an IDW comic reader I still don't really know what's going on here. :confused:

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Without ever having touched a single IDW comic, you'd be looking at this and wondering:
* "What's a Caminus?"
* "Who are these female Autobots?"
* "What's a city speaker?"

Actually, even as an IDW comic reader I still don't really know what's going on here. :confused:

I was too busy retching and lolling at how bad it was to even ask those questions!

I understand that it's hard to put in complete exposition in five minutes, so would expect those questions to be answered as the series progresses, but if it's so badly put together and realised, i'm not going to even care about finding out those answers!

[GoktimusPrime]

The way that they all keep mispronouncing "Camīnus" feels like I'm hearing someone drag fingernails down a blackboard. :eek: The stress is meant to fall on the second syllable, not the first!

i.e. It's "kah-MEE-noos," not "cammyness."
Actually, it's probably "KAH-mee-noos" rather than "kah-MEE-noos." The accent usually falls in the penult when it is long or heavy, such as in words like reGIna (queen) or cenTAUrus (centaur). But as 'caminus' has a shorter/lighter penult, then the accent should fall on the antepenult instead, hence CAminus (forge) rather than caMInus. Compare this with the Latin pronunciation of other similar words with short/light penults such as DOminus (lord) or AMbulo (walk) etc.

Either way it's certainly NOT pronounced as "cammyness" as can be heard in Episode 1, as Latin lacks the schwa vowel (ə) used in languages like English. Latin only has 10 native vowels, the short and long forms of a, e, i, o and u.

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Episode two (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AquvnEPKu3A) is up on youtube.

Marginally better than the first but still not that good (it helps that Windblade isn't featured much).

[Krayt]

5:18 long..... And the first 1:22 is starscreams silent commute to work?

[Borgeman]

It looks like this show is going to basically be an hour long episode, but split into 5-ish minute webisodes. After watching the first 2 I think I might just wait for the whole lot to be released and watch it one go. Otherwise the episodes are too short to be meaningful, and scenes like Screamers foray this morning, while too long for a 5minute clip, works much better within an hour long show for eg, especially since it would be the 6th minute of the show where everything is still being intro'd to the viewer.

I'm not the type to say this sucks because that's not how character x should behave/look etc so excluding choices like Menasor's voice (which was a little bit... unintimidating :rolleyes:), I think it will be a better viewing experience watched in one hit.

[ZoonMaster5000]

Hmm I know we'll just keep showing optimus at the end and people will keep coming back to watch the next episode zzzz...

[Raider]

I was under the impression when it was originally announced last year (I'll try and find the source) that there was only going to be ~8 episodes of 8 minutes in length. So far I believe (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers:_Combiner_Wars_(cartoon)) that there are at least 7 episodes and that the first two have only been about 5 minutes.

8 episodes at 5 minutes doesn't even give us the equivalent of 2 standard cartoon length shows. I think after watching the first I am going to do as Borgeman suggests and wait for them all to be released and watch them at once. I may be less harsh a critic then.

Edit: From Machinima's youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4i9u_HALwQ) page - "The full series will be 8 episodes..."

[Demonac]

Starscreams silent commute to work

How awesome would that be as an entire episode? (Seriously)

[GoktimusPrime]

Guh, they're still mispronouncing 'caminus,' although Starscream's pronunciation of "KAH-mee-ness" is better than everyone else's "cammy-ness." :rolleyes: I don't think that it's too hard to say "KAH-mee-noos".

Anyone else notice that Rodimus' animation model is based off MP28 Hot Rodimus? This would have to be the first time that a Masterpiece toy has appeared in a Transformers cartoon and IIRC only the second time that one has appeared in TF canon since the original MP Seekers appeared in All Hail Megatron. Is this foreshadowing a Hasbro release of MP28?

The voice of the Mistress of the Flame is just terrible. Why does she sound like she's talking into a bucket? :confused: It's reminding me of the Dutch dubs of the G1 cartoon... (-_-)

[griffin]

Has "Caminus" ever been pronounced in audio format before (in a cartoon or computer game... or the creator of the word stating its pronunciation), or has it only been printed in comics before now?
If this is the first time it has been officially spoken, and it is a made up word, wouldn't that make this pronunciation correct?

A bit like the Gen1 character Dion. Ask anyone on the street how to pronounce it and most would say "Dee-on" like the human name... but since it was pronounced "die-on" in the cartoon, most likely derived from the word Diode, we actually have an official pronunciation to it for others to adhere to.

[GoktimusPrime]

But Caminus ISN'T a made up word. It's Lat (http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/2015/exams/2015-hsc-latin-cont.pdf)in! (http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/2015/exams/2015-hsc-latin-ext.pdf) It's actually derived from the Greek word κάμινος (káminos).

The word "Caminus" is Latin for "forge," and this appears to be a deliberate choice on the part of the writers as the Camiens believe themselves to be descendants of Solus Prime, who was to the Original Primes what Vulcānus/Hephaestus was to the Gods of Olympus - i.e. weapons smith → forge → fire. Even the leader of the Camiens carries the title of "Mistress of the Flame," a direct reference to the meaning of 'Camīnus'. Camīnus is also often poetically and figuratively used in literature as a synonym or metaphor for "fire."

As a well established language (that is still spoken), we know that camīnus is pronounced "KAH-mee-noos", at least when it's in its singular nominative case. Other cases for camīnus are:
* Genitive singular + nominative & vocative plural = camīnī (KAH-mee-nee)
* Genitive plural = camīnōrum (KAH-mee-nor-room)
* Dative and ablative singular = camīnō (KAH-mee-no)
* Dative and ablative plural = camīnīs (KAH-mee-niss)
* Accusative singular = camīnum (KAH-mee-noom)
* Accusative plural = camīnōs (KAH-mee-noss)
* Vocative singular = camīne (KAH-mee-neh)

If this were a fictitiously invented word like Dion, Adamantium, Vibranium, Indominus (Rex) etc., then I would agree. But it's not. This is word that's come from a language that's existed for approximately 2300 years and is still spoken today. The reason why Latin is classified as a dead language isn't because nobody speaks it (that would be an extinct language), but because nobody speaks it as their native language. But a lot of people (including the population of the Vatican) continue to speak Latin as a second language. Remember that until 1965 (Vatican II) that church masses even in Australia were conducted in Latin.

American public school teacher teaching conversational Latin to Year 8 students (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVBN0_UOL6I) - I also teach in a public school and we teach Latin too
Latin speaking actors from Passions of the Christ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUKllT8eclc) (warning: coarse/vulgar language)
More Latin speaking actors (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_IPqniaZR0) (I don't know which show/movie this is from)
Pope Francis speaking Latin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZO8E8iEyX0)
Romans go home! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAfKFKBlZbM); Monty Python Life of Brian - this entire joke is dependent on the audience's understanding/awareness of Latin declension rules
"Two thousand years ago, the proudest boast was civis romanus sum※." - John F. Kennedy (video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdJFTa61u_Y))

P.S.: The English word "chimney" is descendant from camīnus (via the Old French word "cheminee").

---------------------------------------------------------------------
※"I am a Roman citizen."

[Borgeman]

But Caminus ISN'T a made up word. It's Lat (http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/2015/exams/2015-hsc-latin-cont.pdf)in! (http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/2015/exams/2015-hsc-latin-ext.pdf) It's actually derived from the Greek word κάμινος (káminos).
*snip*


You're being pedantic.

Sure, caminus the word is what you said, but this character is named Caminus - who knows how they choose for their name to be pronounced?

"Hi, my name is Cammy-ness."
"Ooh nice name!"
"Yeah my folks named me after some some latin work called Cah-mee-noos, but I like the way my name sounds better."

Never assume the pronunciation of names (proper nouns), even if they are derived/taken from previously used words. Just take it as a new fictional robot's name, derived from a latin word, using the same spelling, but pronounced differently.

Edit - To add, has anyone officially stated that this particular character's name is in fact taken from the Latin word? Or is it a completeney ficticious name that happens to share the spelling?
See how ridiculous these trivial things can spiral into?

Edit - and I know of the TF titan Caminus, but he is a different entity so that is moot.

[Zommael]

Gok apparently thinks every TFs name needs to be sourced from real, literary sources. Primus alone knows what he thinks of Emirate Xaaron. Aside from that, he also appears to ignorant of one thing every student of linguistics ought to be aware of from the get-go: language changes.

[GoktimusPrime]

Continued here (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=532986#post532986)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Continued here (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=532986#post532986)

Considering how bad this cartoon seems to be (unable to watch it myself, without going to more effort than I want), you seem to be going on and on about this Gok.

[GoktimusPrime]

I never said that this cartoon was "bad." My initial criticism of Episode 1 can be found here (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=532128&postcount=63) and a following post here (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=532146&postcount=67) also details some of the more positive aspects about that episode. I haven't actually posted my thoughts on Episode 2's story. Ep 2 was basically just a lot of exposition and talking. I would agree with what others have said in that these stand alone eps don't make much sense on their own and may have a better feel when watched back to back.

Reading a lot of comments posted from viewers in general, I would continue to agree that this story isn't very accessible for people who've never read the IDW comics. I've read comments from confused viewers wondering why the hell Starscream was leader and friendly with Rodimus Prime (and then becoming more confused when other people had to explain that he's not a Prime). And there are comment about 'the female' sounding bad, but people didn't even recognise her as the Mistress of the Flame - which again you wouldn't know if you've never read the comics.

I fear that this series may be the antithesis of Bayformers. Bayformers is criticised for having practically no real story or plot, but the films are easily accessible by anyone. You don't need any prior knowledge of Transformers to watch them (apparently not even prior knowledge of the other films since they barely maintain continuity among themselves :rolleyes:). But Combiner Wars may be sitting on the other extreme where there is a very strong character-driven story, but it's reliant on the audience's existing knowledge of the comics (where all the ground work has been done) and thus audiences who have never read a single issue might feel lost.

A good Transformers story should be one that is both accessible to new audiences, appeals to existing fans and has a good character driven story. Beast Wars and the IDW comics are great examples of this; both do not require pre-existing knowledge of other Transformers series. Beast Wars continues on from the G1/G2 continuity family, but you can still easily follow it without ever having watched or read anything from G1 or G2. But if you have, then it enhances this experience for long time fans. :) IDW is a whole new continuity, so again, you don't need existing knowledge of these characters, but there are elements which are very rewarding for long time fans, like finally seeing Thundercracker being portrayed in his original persona as described in his 1984 tech specs bio! :D But having zero knowledge of this doesn't impair your ability to enjoy Thundercracker as a character anyway.

And look, I understand that these are just 5 minute shorts, so they are very much restricted by time. Perhaps it might've been better if they'd been told in a similar fashion as the "Transformers: Mosaic" short fan comics that IDW used to print. A series of self contained short stories rather than trying to tell a spanning saga through a series of short webisodes. The cheap-looking/sounding production values doesn't help, but it's really the story-telling that matters the most. After all, the Bay movies are visually spectacular with incredibly thrilling action sequences, but ultimately lacklustre story telling. I can deal with things like cheaper animation, poor sound quality and yes, even questionable voice acting/directing with mispronounced words (it'd still bug me like nails running down a chalkboard) so long as the story is good. Still pretty early days for this series - I'll be interested to see how the story climaxes and resolves.

[reillyd]

I agree with Goktimus about the pronunciation and I could swear I read some interview somewhere that referenced the choice of Caminus as forge by the writer (I know, link for or it doesn't count, right?), but it's probably a mismatch between the voice actor / voice director and the writers intent. Let's face it - from the animation and length of episode, they're probably on a shoestring and already over budget.

I'm just so glad there's new G1-ish Anime that I can forgive the voice acting. I just wish they were longer

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Waitasec.

What's a Mistress of Flame??:confused:

[GoktimusPrime]

Waitasec.

What's a Mistress of Flame??:confused:
http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Mistress_of_Flame

[Trent]

Gok apparently thinks every TFs name needs to be sourced from real, literary sources. Primus alone knows what he thinks of Emirate Xaaron. Aside from that, he also appears to ignorant of one thing every student of linguistics ought to be aware of from the get-go: language changes.

Language evolution is a very poor excuse for bad language. They're mispronouncing it.

And ofcourse Gok is going to pick up on it. He's an English teacher who knows Latin. If they stuffed something up from your field of expertise I bet you'd be all over it too. You might not write about it to the same extent but no one is forcing anyone to read it.

[valkyrie_76]

On a side note..........Things can only get better (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwWfE4DAyao)....cant it?

I mean the only way is up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtKADQnjQmc) for this.......cant it?

But Ill never gonna give you up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ)........no time for being rolled on this :D

[griffin]

I recall the early promotions saying the episodes were supposed to be 8 minutes each, but so far they have been about half that... and there is so much padding, I can't imagine them taking very long to animate once the small number of CGI models/renders have been done.


5:18 long..... And the first 1:22 is starscreams silent commute to work?

The start definitely felt "cheap", with the first 45 seconds (15% of the episode) just being an establishing sequence of Cybertron that could have taken 2 seconds... then a very slow-mo arrival of Starscream for the next 30-odd seconds, followed by drawn out dialogue for most of the rest of the episode that could have been condensed into 30 seconds (they have a debate that just results in maintaining the current decision).
I was actually getting bored watching this episode and kept checking the clock to see how much more was left.
And we have a whole episode of a "Combiner Wars" cartoon but we don't see any actual combiners? (replaying of footage from the previous episode doesn't count... nor does the appearance of Optimus, who is likely to combine at some point in this series, but isn't one of the traditional combiners we are hoping to see here)

The characterisation of Starscream doesn't work for me. It may be in line with the IDW comics, of him being more of a politician than fighter, but when it comes to animated/motion media of Transformers, Starscream will always be an arrogant, opportunistic, fighter. I don't think I've ever seen him be graceful or intelligently articulated before... particularly in a Gen1 body form.

I know that I will have to wait and see if there is a reason for it in future episodes, but my first thought of them featuring (not a minor inclusion) of the Mistress of Flame, is why... when there is no official toy (or likely to be one), and is just a relatively new character, created by IDW. This cartoon seems to be heavily drawing on the IDW universe, when I thought it was going to be an unrelated, new, story universe, so should have been able to use any characters that Hasbro approved (with emphasis on the Combiner Wars toys), so if there is a role to fill that isn't a Combiner Wars toy, why not include a pre-existing Gen1 character that more people might be familiar with, particularly if most of the other roles are Gen1-origin characters that aims to interest both fans and people familiar with the old Transformers universe.
I'll wait and see I guess.

[Megatran]

But Ill never gonna give you up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ)........no time for being rolled on this :D
Yellow card for posting anything Rick Assley (;)) on this board.

[griffin]

I recall the early promotions saying the episodes were supposed to be 8 minutes each, but so far they have been about half that... and there is so much padding,

I might be confusing myself, as there will be 8 episodes... not 8 minute episodes.
(I do remember working out that the total series would be somewhere between 40 to 60 minutes, so about 5 minutes each would make sense.)

[CBratron]

I just default to that cloner planet from Star Wars: Kamino

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Ok, after some manipulation Majik, finally got around to watching it annnnddd

YAWN

The animation is jerk city. Menasor is a rather eloquent chap.

The bit with Optimus at the end of the first episode I think should've been a "wow" moment, but I was just thinking "What is going on? Where did that come from?"

I'm confused. Considering how they are only 5 min, it had trouble keeping me interested for those 5 minutes. Which is quite a feat considering that vast majority of rubbish on youtube that I've watched for more than 5 minutes.

[DarkHyren]

I'm confused. Considering how they are only 5 min, it had trouble keeping me interested for those 5 minutes. Which is quite a feat considering that vast majority of rubbish on youtube that I've watched for more than 5 minutes.Completely agree, considering that this is a series based off something we all know and love I would think it would take some sort of idiot savant to make a series that most of us just can't be bothered watching for a measly 5 minutes a week.
I haven't watched this latest episode, though by the sounds of it it's just a longer version of the Starscream trailer they put out to advertise the series, so I'm in no rush to do so.
I might just ignore it till it ends then watch all the clips back to back, but if they are all as lackluster as the first (and second from all you guys comments) I don't know if I can even be bothered watching it then, my time might be better spent downloading and reading the comics instead

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Episode 3 "The Duel" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNyhC-cDTE4) is up on youtube.

Go in with low standards -- very low standards...

[DaptoDog]

Episode 3 "The Duel" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNyhC-cDTE4) is up on youtube.

Go in with low standards -- very low standards...

Crickets....I'm at work so haven't caught it yet. Have they already lost their audience after three episodes (I use that term loosely)? Or is everyone taking the "if you don't have something nice to say, then say nothing at all" approach?

[Initial_G]

Just viewed it during lunch, /sadface It seemed so long and drawn out ... worse than DBZ episodes ... I think like others I'll just wait till all episodes are out and watch them all in one go

[Jazzman]

There's a weird room reverb on the voices that just doesn't sit well...

[GoktimusPrime]

It's hard to take the voice of the Honest Trailer Guy seriously. I keep expecting him to say something that rhymes with "newbs." :p

[griffin]

It's hard to be objective when I dislike the concept of Windblade... another "Drift" that suddenly becomes a prominent character who is made to look like they were always there... when there could be other pre-existing characters to bring to centre-stage as a major character. It just feels so forced, and if you aren't yet familiar with her or her standard character traits, it makes you focus more on her character just to try to understand what is going on (which in itself is confusing in this cartoon).
In other words, any episode that has her featured in it (and this one has her as the primary character), I'm just not interested enough to like it because it doesn't feature characters that have always been a part of Gen1, that I do know and care about.

As for Optimus, the animators don't do motion very well, with him moving like a zombie mannequin... especially when he was first backing away from Windblade at the start. That just looked really terrible.
And his voice reminded me of the Autobot leader from within the Matrix in the Hate Plague episode (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/It)... it was way too digitised.

This series had better start throwing in some (credible) action or it is going to lose everyone before it ever gets to a climactic final conclusion.

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

As for Optimus, the animators don't do motion very well, with him moving like a zombie mannequin... especially when he was first backing away from Windblade at the start. That just looked really terrible.

I think his moves are pretty slick (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK0E3IdF8cQ) for an old bot that's been brought back to life a couple times... :p

[DaptoDog]

I've been an apologist for the first couple of episodes but there was nothing to redeem this episode. Prime doing the moonwalk evasion was comical. Prime's voice was ruined by the voice effect applied to Jon Bailey's solid voice work. Moreover, it just sounds like each person reading their lines, there's no real interaction between the two characters voices.

Suddenly Menasor and Computron going bang bang doesn't seem so bad.

[MayzaPrime]

I have to agree with all of the comments posted...

Maybe my expectations were to high for this series... I will continue to watch because I have already committed and watched 3 episodes.

Its just been a massive let down.

[GoktimusPrime]

Maybe my expectations were to high for this series...
And I think that it wasn't unreasonable to walk in with high expectations. This was meant to be the first Transformers series explicitly written for mature collectors and not kids. All other TF series are predominantly (or exclusively) aimed at children so naturally we cut them some slack.

And while this series is promoting the Combiner Wars Generations toyline, it otherwise seems to have a greater degree of creative freedom than most other TF TV series; as evidenced by seeing MP28 Hot Rodimus and Optimus Prime seems to be modelled after MP10 (no longer a current product for Hasbro). And considering that Windblade and Optimus Prime are the only characters we see in the latest ep, I doubt that they are running under a directive to showcase the entire toyline. And this series is clearly based on the IDW comics which has set a high bar for fans.

As much as the G1 cartoon was generally not as well written as the G1 comics - and we know that the comics out-endured the cartoon - but the cartoon was still engaging for audiences. I can't really say the same for the Combiner Wars 'toon. :(

[Trent]

Man.....

The only word I've got is... bad :(

[DaptoDog]

For those that still care, Episode 4 is up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wj2FAbYaYs

I actually enjoyed this a lot more than prior episodes. I liked Megatron's voice acting. Hopefully the action will start heating up from now.

[Jazzman]

Watching Megs take a boxing stance is actually funny as hell... best episode so far! :p

[griffin]

That was more interesting, but still felt lacking, as it ended up being mostly talk, with little else happening outside of Optimus and Megatron trading blows.
The voice of Megatron isn't too bad though.

[Trent]

I like the idea that Megatron has found peace with himself outside of the Decepticon cause. Like he, the warlord obsessed with conquest, outgrew the war where Optimus, the symbol of peace and freedom, still dwells on the war and is somewhat lost without it. A really cool concept that probably won't get elaborated on or explored any more in an otherwise uninteresting (so far) series.


Interesting that Megs can still form a fully functional tank without his fusion cannon.

[GoktimusPrime]

Why doesh Megatron shpeak with a lishp? :p

Maybe I've been spoiled by the IDW comics, but this Megatron hasn't made a great first impression on me. He feels like a caricaturised villain... as if he's incapable of having any other emotional range other than being a violent thug and thus spends his post war exile senseless beating up Constructicons. :confused:

Unless there's more than meets the eye going on here and all this mindlessness is just a ruse. The Constructicons did seem to be secretly communicating with each other during Megatron and Prime's banter, and they were left behind when Prime, Megs and Windblade departed. Are they working on a hidden agenda for Megatron or someone else?


Watching Megs take a boxing stance is actually funny as hell... best episode so far! :p
I couldn't stand that.

It's not even a realistic (combative) boxing stance (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YK9B_E78YBo/S_qF2KtIPOI/AAAAAAAABzE/yfb3MI-FoQE/s1600/nastbox1.jpg) but more like modern sport boxing. The bouncing around was just ridiculous; it doesn't make much sense for a human to do it. Competitive fighters might do it because the surface of a boxing ring is more bouncy than solid ground, and they often bounce in order to give their step greater spring. This just doesn't work on actual earth. I would especially doubt that it would work with a giant robot. :eek: And Megatron was doing this with his guard up from a considerable distance. Why?? What's the point of having your dukes up when you're no where in melee range (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIyHJFiBUkk)? :confused: The rest of the fight sequence was just silly... the lack of footwork made them look more like rock 'em sock 'em robots. It was like watching Thunderbird or Team America style marionettes fight. :rolleyes: Optimus Prime and Megatron even fist bump (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85erZJDXmgI) during the fight. :eek: The only decent move in that entire fight sequence was Prime parried a downward arm strike from Megatron. The way that Megatron punched his hand into his other palm looked like a Kung Fu salute, which does look cool... but then nothing became of it, so... eh.

I'm hoping that there's more to this Megatron than meets the eye.

[Bidoofdude]

And I think that it wasn't unreasonable to walk in with high expectations. This was meant to be the first Transformers series explicitly written for mature collectors and not kids. All other TF series are predominantly (or exclusively) aimed at children so naturally we cut them some slack.

And while this series is promoting the Combiner Wars Generations toyline, it otherwise seems to have a greater degree of creative freedom than most other TF TV series; as evidenced by seeing MP28 Hot Rodimus and Optimus Prime seems to be modelled after MP10 (no longer a current product for Hasbro). And considering that Windblade and Optimus Prime are the only characters we see in the latest ep, I doubt that they are running under a directive to showcase the entire toyline. And this series is clearly based on the IDW comics which has set a high bar for fans.

As much as the G1 cartoon was generally not as well written as the G1 comics - and we know that the comics out-endured the cartoon - but the cartoon was still engaging for audiences. I can't really say the same for the Combiner Wars 'toon. :(

They really did make it out to be a gritty drama when they announced it, at least in my mind. I like what we got, but those expectations were indeed high.

[DaptoDog]

Episode 5:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw9OvZtV5Q0

Megatron still gets all the good lines.

[Jazzman]

The plot thickens... getting better

[Borgeman]

I just watched eps 3-5 1st time, all in a row - it views a hell of a lot better in one hit, as suddenly it feels like an episode, and not one scene

[GoktimusPrime]

...that was predictably dull...

[ampoldj]

Just watched all episodes today. Are they on low budget on voice acting? :confused:

The fight animation looks way off as well and im not sure where the story will lead to.

At least for me it is good to see OP and Megs together and looks like Starscream has beefed up armor and did not die in one hit :p

[Trent]

So we're all enjoying this series so much that we can't find the words of joy to express ourselves?

Or is it more of an "if you can't say anything nice...." Sort of thing?

[Jazzman]

So we're all enjoying this series so much that we can't find the words of joy to express ourselves?

Or is it more of an "if you can't say anything nice...." Sort of thing?

lol it's so dull everybody forgot??? :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Wow, the latest ep reminded me of the Underbase Saga...

...if the Underbase Saga were a sad piece of scrap.

*yawn*

[Lord_Zed]

Is this still going? I stopped watching after the second ep.

[CBratron]

Yeah, it will last twelve-ish episodes. I'll wait and binge the hour in one go. Watching it in weekly drips feels unsatisfying.

[DaptoDog]

Ever since Megatron's appearance in Episode 4 it's become watchable.

Here is the link to Episode 6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khicl3E4bNY

[GoktimusPrime]

...what the flock did I just watch? :eek:

[Trent]

They lost me at the whole Starscream combiner thing.

It's like they went "Hey, you know what's cooler than combiners? Combiners that combine into bigger combiners!! WE CAN'T LOSE!!!"

I do quite like Megatron though. The voice actor is doing quite well with him.

[Sinnertwin]

They lost me at the whole Starscream combiner thing.

It's like they went "Hey, you know what's cooler than combiners? Combiners that combine into bigger combiners!! WE CAN'T LOSE!!!"

I do quite like Megatron though. The voice actor is doing quite well with him.

They lost me the moment Jon Bailey stepped up to the mic.

[Trent]

They lost me the moment Jon Bailey stepped up to the mic.

Oh, you're back. How was the wilderness? :p

[MayzaPrime]

When Starsceam went super combiner I thought it might have taken Fortress Maximus or Metroplex to stop him... but instead they have Starsceam become a floating mess...

Megatron is pretty awesome

[GoktimusPrime]

When Windblade put her hands on her head I thought that she was psychically summoning Metroplex. Nope. :rolleyes: This series is such a let down on so many levels. As I said before, it feels like a Poor Man's version of the Underbase Saga, and that story was written in the 80s... aimed at kids... to sell toys.

Combiner Wars doesn't seem to have the "To Sell Toys" feel to it because the cast are made up of:
* toys that are no longer current (Combiner Wars was effectively last year's line; Titans Return is the line that Hasbro should be pushing if they really wanted this show to be a toy advert). It's been years since Hasbro had their MP10 on sale, and Windblade is from Generations from 2-3 years ago.
* a toy which is current only in Japan, i.e. MP Hot Rodimus
* characters which aren't even based on toys; Mistress of Flame, Windblade's disposable friend from Episode 1

...unless this story is, like G1's Underbase Saga, a massive cull of the old toys and they're planning on introducing the new TR figures to replace them. e.g. gestalts being killed off, MP Optimus Prime being upgraded to Titans Return Optimus Prime etc. Even if it were... G1 still did it better. Underbase Starscream was a god (who even survived his own destruction as a zombie!) -- CW Enigma of Combination Starscream is a floating head making NSFW noises. :o

[Sinnertwin]

Oh, you're back. How was the wilderness? :p

The Gong was an eye opener. Glad to be back in Sydney though :)

[MayzaPrime]

So I caved and watched the final episode...

It was just awful... and looks like they will be doing a titan wars series...

Megatron once again was the only reason to watch it.

[Raider]

Ok so I haven't read this thread since the first episode was released and I was very VERY disappointed in the show. Just after some thoughts here with no spoilers (if that is possible), is it worth watching the series?

[MayzaPrime]

Ok so I haven't read this thread since the first episode was released and I was very VERY disappointed in the show. Just after some thoughts here with no spoilers (if that is possible), is it worth watching the series?

Nope... the only redeeming feature is Megatron... he was actually really good in this series.

I think it would play better if you watched all episodes back to back... but its still a massive let down

[DaptoDog]

Ok so I haven't read this thread since the first episode was released and I was very VERY disappointed in the show. Just after some thoughts here with no spoilers (if that is possible), is it worth watching the series?

I watched them with my son so it was nice to do that together. Megatron is quite enjoyable. The other characters are mostly forgetable. There were probably 3 episodes that were ok-good. I would watch it but with no expectations.

[Sinnertwin]

Ok so I haven't read this thread since the first episode was released and I was very VERY disappointed in the show. Just after some thoughts here with no spoilers (if that is possible), is it worth watching the series?

No.

[DaptoDog]

A highly recommend this stop motion of Victorion vs Devastator (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLeh_UUmH4c). Way better than the battles in the actual show.

[Raider]

A highly recommend this stop motion of Victorion vs Devastator (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLeh_UUmH4c). Way better than the battles in the actual show.

I already saw that and if the battles in the show remain like ep. 1 then yes i agree!

So far the consensus seems to be not to bother... I watched the first but it was like listing to nails down a chalkboard. Perhaps I'll watch it with my son too and see if that helps.

[SMHFConvoy]

Finally, it's over.

Other than some really heinous dialogue my other big criticism is the lack of background sfx and music, I get that the budget was limited but animation and film need these two elements!

The absence of these two things really highlighted how bad the dialogue was.

[GoktimusPrime]

A highly recommend this stop motion of Victorion vs Devastator (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLeh_UUmH4c). Way better than the battles in the actual show.
That stop motion was more entertaining than this entire Combiner Wars series has been!

The final episode was pretty lamentable, but there were at least two elements that I liked:
* Seeing Windblade control Metroplex's arm with her own
* Windblades' "the Titans have returned!" line... although this simultaneously filled me with dread because I really hope that they don't make a sequel series for CW. :(
But pockets of coolness isn't enough to make the episode (let alone the series) good. It's much like the live action movies - each one has moments that are good, but overall it's not enough to save the story.

[Raider]

So I finally sat down and watched them with my son tonight. He just wanted to see Devi fight so as soon as that occurred he was done with it. I toughed it out until the end. Just felt like a half arsed mini movie. Is it accurate that the 'Combiner Wars' literally started and ended in 1 day? There are just so many questions left unanswered it felt, even regarding just background and plot.

I think the story had potential if properly fleshed out. Perhaps I am just overly critical as the story pales in comparison to the IDW comics, imho.

Overall summary, if you have nothing at all else to do for 40 mins and you are a Combiner Wars toys fan, then sure give it a try. I will not be rushing to watch Titans Return. Give me the IDW comics any day!

Side note: there were a few nice nods to the 1986 movie I saw in there that were not over the top so that was actual a highlight.

[griffin]

Apparently Machinima took the Combiner Wars cartoon off their youtube channel, so Hasbro have added it to theirs (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/10/27/eight-episodes-combiner-wars-now-hasbros-youtube-352722)... for anyone still wanting to watch it.

Episode 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpK_tO6RQaM) - The Fall

Episode 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U8fewvkoLI) - The Council

Episode 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZdW6mO_qZ8) - The Duel

Episode 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMEnLP9NmNI) - Unforgotten

Episode 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n07o--ENGUo) - Homecoming

Episode 6 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St3SKrM7d58) - War of Giants

Episode 7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVUGsvPjUiE) - The Darkest Hour

Episode 8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5iV9BlgUDw) - Destruction's Dawn

[philby]

A highly recommend this stop motion of Victorion vs Devastator (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLeh_UUmH4c). Way better than the battles in the actual show.

that was pretty good, if at times a bit fast for me to follow what was going on lol