Toy Review - Titans Return Astrotrain and Darkmoon

[SMHFConvoy]

Or is it Dark-Moon?

I posted a pictorial review on my instagram (https://www.instagram.com/natesoehardi/), he's really neat, he's a retool (titan master) and repaint of Sentinel Prime.

Yes, I know the original character wasn't a head/target/power/micro master - I don't know why Hasbro TT keep on diluting your childhood memories, it's almost like they're a business trying to make money...

+ A new Astrotrain, at voyager scale!
+ Slick paint job - better than Sentinel's clashing red/orange scheme
- No peg holes at either end of the train mode to plug in the guns (because it would be awwwesome.)

Anyhoo, do or do not like this figure at your leisure :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Saw this toy at TRU and Kmart today and I must admit that it looks so much better as Astrotrain than Sentinel Prime. Obviously the mould was originally conceived to be Astrotrain, but just not having those loud hurt-my-eyes orange everywhere was a pleasant change.


Yes, I know the original character wasn't a head/target/power/micro master - I don't know why Hasbro TT keep on diluting your childhood memories, it's almost like they're a business trying to make money...
The Headmaster gimmick on traditionally non-Headmaster characters just doesn't do anything for me. #meh

[SMHFConvoy]

Astrotrain has more paint on him than Sentinel and the advantage of not being bright orange so more of the detail is visible.

I've seen a few customs that use the comic colour scheme better

[Sutton]

Lol, was going to post my own review thread tonight because I feel this guy is a bit of an unsung hero, even after already getting Sentinel I think this guy is a hidden gem.

Initially seeign the pics of his train mode I was a bit "WTF is that meant to be" but it grew on me, especially in light of other similar Cybertronian trains like Energon Omega Supreme (who coincidentally was also a headmaster...!). But also, when I compare him to the original classics Astrotrain train mode, that's...not much better, if at all. At least this one doesn't attempt to be anything other than a rolling slab of sci-fi death. The old one is a lame attempt at an earth mode and suffers for it.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/1_zpssuitrtgv.jpg

Shuttle mode is pretty good in it's own right. Again, some people are miffed that it's cybertronian but I think it looks pretty cool, and the colours help sell it for me.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/2_zpsotqtwypw.jpg

Robot mode is where he shines. Suddenly all the details invisible on Sentinel are really clear, and they're sweet. It looks like Astrotrain, imposing, a little awkward and dumb as bricks. The headscult is spot on, and let down only by being a mask tacked onto a fetal position.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/3_zpsim8emvxz.jpg

Compare him to his poor old ancestor, and...well...it's a bit sad really...

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/8_zps4fce7vuq.jpg

For those intested in silly things like this, here's how the weigh up next to each other...definitely getting lighter...

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/9_zpsgvgsd1z1.jpg

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/9B_zpsbzor79qp.jpg

Here's where it gets interesting with Astrotrain vs Sentinel. Apart from the face, there is no resculpting whatsoever that I can find - even the Titan Masters are the same. The colours make all the difference. Besides that, I still transform them slightly diffently to each to differentiate them:

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/4_zpshvgbdwj5.jpg

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/5_zpsyqzf5yf6.jpg

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/6_zpsoabd819l.jpg

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y464/darthsutius/7_zps6pshbmab.jpg

Anyway, I was really on the fence about him but happy I bit the bullet in the end. A really good update that brings him into scale with Blitzwing, Sandstorm and Springer. Here's hoping Broadside and Octane kick ass too.

[Sutton]

Oh! One really annoying thing about both Sentinel and Astrotrain is the placement of the product stamp, right on top of the train cab. It was a bit more invisible on Sentinel, but it's clear-as-day on Astrotrain...:mad:

[5FDP]

I was on the fence about this one as I have Henkei Astrotrain but this is a great toy IMO. Happy I picked him up.

[Zommael]

Too gray for me. I'll pass. Plus Sentinel is the more interesting character.

[klystron]

I just can't get past that 'train' mode...
:eek:

[SMHFConvoy]

How stable is sentinel with the train feet?

[GoktimusPrime]

Oh! One really annoying thing about both Sentinel and Astrotrain is the placement of the product stamp, right on top of the train cab. It was a bit more invisible on Sentinel, but it's clear-as-day on Astrotrain...:mad:
Have you tried using rubbing alcohol and a cotton tip to remove it?

[Sutton]

How stable is sentinel with the train feet?

Super stable, doesn't really make a difference, it just means the shin flaps aren't clicked in fully.

[Sutton]

Have you tried using rubbing alcohol and a cotton tip to remove it?

Nah, not yet. Being a serial number I reckon it'll come off easier than a proper paint app.

[shockNwave]

I have to admit that the train mode is the weakest aspect because as I like the three roller wheels underneath, I can only get one of them to make contact with the ground due to it's poor design. I also wish the turrets could turn a la Energon Sharkticon's turrets.:mad:

The shuttle mode on the other hand is cool and I'm glad I'm not the only one to have noticed it has a Lego-like look which is better than Galvatron's spaceship mode. The beauty of this shuttle is that it has a look reminiscent of Scourge's space "hovercraft" look and this is it's strongest point.

But of course the robot mode is best and I'm glad I can have an Astrotrain (at last) and I'll place him along side his Generations Blitzwing brother.

[Gasaraki]

I have been waiting for a more substantial official Astrotrain for a long time and am ecstatic that this is finally with us! Agree with most of the comments... the shuttle mode is definitely the better alt-mode, and overall the robot mode really shines. Leaps above my long serving classics Astrotrain, and fantastic we finally have a more substantial figure to match Voyager Blitzwing.

Here's my video review (https://youtu.be/9O_F4rvpV4k) just posted this morning:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/iling79/OTCA/Astrotrain%207.jpg (https://youtu.be/9O_F4rvpV4k)