Toy Review - Studio Series VOY Starscream

[GoktimusPrime]

STARSCREAM
Series - Studio Series
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco - new
Wave - 1
Released here - April 2018
Approximate Retail Price - $50
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - F22 Raptor
Main Features/Gimmicks - N/A
Main Colours - shades of grey
Main Accessories - gun

https://image.ibb.co/gPBm6c/studioseries_starscream01.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/cKoYmc/studioseries_starscream02.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/iNE66c/studioseries_starscream03.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/gT2Fzx/studioseries_starscream03a.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

Thoughts on Starscream:

* The best Voyager Movie Starscream mould to date. It is visually far more screen-accurate and the jet mode is also the closest looking to an actual F22 Raptor.

* The colours and paint ops on this toy are fantastic.

* The chest and cockpit window don't split apart like on the original Voyager figure, but considering that the rest of the toy is way better I think that it's an easily forgivable sacrifice.

* The toy has worked really well in trying to reduce the presence of the robot mode in jet mode as much as possible. Yes, you can still see the folded up robot "block" underneath the jet, but that's always going to happen because:
a. This is a robot that transforms into a jet, not a jet that transforms into a robot. If you want the latter then go collect Macross toys.
b. The toy is trying to be a screen-accurate robot, and Bayformers Starscream is a hulking gorilla of a 'bot.
c. It's a Voyager price point (6 times cheaper than a typical Macross Valkyrie)
Given the size and price of this figure it feels like they've done the best that they could in giving us an accurate looking Starscream figure.

* I like how the hands can fold in and allow the weapon to attach, making it look as if the hand can transform into the gun like in the movie (as opposed to holding it).

* Overall thoughts: I wasn't even planning on buying this toy. Even looking at it in stores I still wasn't convinced. But after playing with someone else's figure I decided to go buy it. This toy is seriously a lot better in person and when you're playing with it vs just looking at it. There is more to this toy than meets the eye! Starscream is the most impressive of the Studio Series figures the I've seen so far. Highly recommended.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/th_jaam_yum.gif

[Butcher31]

How does it compare to the Leader Starscream? In my opinion that was one of the best main-release transformers from any line. This one looks good but seems to be a scaled down version.
Besides scale, is it different enough to warrant owning both?

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't own Leader Starscream so I can't really compare. But IMO it's probably not worth owning both.

[KingGrimlock]

It’s a nice combination of an upscale and minor retool of a pre existing figure that seems more like something a third party would do. Compared to the old deluxe sized one it’s certainly an improvement, much more detail but I think I preferred the old paint job.

In comparison with the leader I would say I prefer this voyager, the transformation is a hell of a lot smoother, the jet feels better scaled and sleeker. Even the gun accessory attaches better to the arm and looks more natural. The leader is great but bulky and heavy compared to this guy, but it also comes with a lot of gimmicks such as lights, sounds, shooting missiles and hidden weapons. Each has its own strengths but for me, I like the voyager better, it’s a combination of simple, detailed and posable that wins it in my opinion.

[GoktimusPrime]

It’s a nice combination of an upscale and minor retool of a pre existing figure
This Starscream is an entirely new mould. See my side-by-side comparison pics with the previous Voyager moulds.

As I said before, this new toy works really well in trying to reduce the size of the robot undercarriage in a way that's superior to its predecessors. It's still not flawless, but it's about as good as you're going to get with a Voyager Class figure, really. The only way to substantially improve on this is to make it bigger and more expensive, such as the Leader Class figure (which is why I said it's probably not worth having both). Even at an MP level you would be hard pressed to successfully conceal all robot parts in jet mode, as we can see with the MP G1 Seekers. And that's designed by Kawamori Shouji who's a master at transforming jet toys, as any current Macross collector will tell you. I don't collect Macross, but I've been told that the typical price of a contemporary makes MP Jets look like bargain-bin figures. I've seen other collectors' Macross Valkyries and they're magnificent, but they make Masterpiece Dinobot look cheap.

Case in point, MP Dinobot's RRP is 28000JPY (approx. AU$345). This Macross Zero VF-0S Valkyrie (https://hlj.com/product/ACA82143) costs 47045JPY (approx. AU$580). The Valkyrie is almost double the price of MP Dinobot, which Transformers collectors are already crying foul about being so expensive! :eek: Contrast this with say MP11 Starscream which retailed for 13000JPY (approx. AU$160), and then consider that Studio Series Starscream is a $50 Voyager.

So given that they were working with what is really a pretty small price point and thus much smaller budget, I think that they have done an exceptional job. I don't think you can make Starscream any better than this without increasing its price. And yes, the Deluxe is also a very excellent figure too, and if you're perfectly happy with the Deluxe then by all means I can understand that perhaps this Voyager won't appeal to you. The Deluxe figure is also about as good as Starscream will get at a Deluxe price point. :)

[KingGrimlock]

New mold compared to the voyagers, I was saying it’s an upscale of the dotm deluxe starscream. From what I can tell the small chest prices, forearms neck joint and hands are all new molding compared to the old deluxe starscream, the rest seems to be upscaled.

[GoktimusPrime]

That's an understandable assumption. At first glance this toy does appear to be an upsized version of the Deluxe, and their transformations are the same. However, upon closer analysis we can see that the Studio Series figure is actually a new mould, albeit clearly influenced by the Deluxe. :)

Here are some side-by-side comparison pics. I've pointed out the key differences between the arms alone, but I won't do the same with the rest of the figures or else I'd be covering these pics with walls of text which I'm sure would be, as the kids say, "TL DR." ;)

https://image.ibb.co/ngpWrc/studioseries_starscream05d.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/fmcUcH/studioseries_starscream05b.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/kfbNxH/studioseries_starscream05c.jpg

[KingGrimlock]

Touche, I didn’t even consider the new differences in the joints. Kinda interesting then that hasbro/takara have used an old design in such a way to create a new mold like this. I can’t think of any other figures they’ve done it for.

[GoktimusPrime]

It's like Smallest Transforming Transformers in reverse. ;)

[Dimi194]

I wasn't going to get this guy (Have the Movie 2 voyager) but I'm so glad for this review-opening it up it's amazing! The sculpt is just so detailed, and the articulation + solidness of the robot make it uber posable.
Was going to skip some of these SS but I don't think I can!

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm in the exact same boat. I was totally planning on skipping this toy as I have both the TF1 and ROTF Voyager and the Deluxe figure. Even when I saw it in store I still skipped it. But I was shopping with a friend who bought one for himself, and as we sat down and I opened Stinger and he opened Starscream and we traded figures, Starscream won me over. I walked back there and bought Starscream (and my mate bought Stinger which he had initially skipped too).

My friend also got Bumblebee which I skipped, and I did have a look and fiddle with his Bumblebee. It's really horrible and I'm glad I didn't get it. :/ The toy is prone to falling apart if you so much as blink at it the wrong way.

[SharkyMcShark]

I'm enjoying this figure a whole lot more than I thought I would.

I'm digging the engineering of this on the Voyager scale a lot more than I expected. Just the right amount of tabs and locks have been added over the Deluxe figure to make it feel rock solid in both modes. Special mention for the arms locking in jet mode and the way the chest comes together with the new fold out parts locking into place in robot mode.

The slight tweak in proportions and the above new locking points means that the jet mode looks leaps and bounds neater than the Deluxe.

It is handsomely painted. It might be the nicest painted mainline figure in years.

I find the accessory integration slightly better executed than the ROTF leader class figure. The wrist locks into place and the fact that the missile launcher doesn't have to fire a spring loaded rocket means it can be slimmer and slightly more screen accurate.

Ultimately it comes close to the ROTF leader class Starscream, but doesn't surpass it. The arms remain perhaps slightly too slim compared to the CGI character model and ROTF leader class figure. The figure lacks integrated weaponry, and while it gains phenomenally expressive ball jointed wrists I feel in the sum of things the highly articulated shoulders of the ROTF figure offer more expressive posing, if we're comparing the two. Full disclosure: the ROTF leader class is my favourite figure ever, so I may be biased.

This is a fantastic piece. It is well worth picking up. I know we're getting a ROTF repaint of this down the line with a saw instead of a missile launcher. I will probably grab that.

[GoktimusPrime]

Ultimately it comes close to the ROTF leader class Starscream, but doesn't surpass it.
Nor would I expect it to. :)

[SharkyMcShark]

NEVER SPEAK TO ME OR MY SON OR MY SON'S SON AGAIN

https://i.imgur.com/rQ5V1I7.jpg

[philby]

That Valkyrie looks stunning 😂

[SMHFConvoy]

I've started listening to the tfw podcast and there's an industry term for when they make toys with similar builds, it's called a "partial tool"

Almost bought the Bumblebee because I like the old camero mode but passed because I couldn't find a review of it on here

[CHILENO20]

Looks like Starscream has been hitting the juice :D

[Sutton]

Fantastic toy. Wasn't on my want-list either until I saw it in store.

Besides the beautiful detailing, poseability and solid transformation, the main thing that attracted me to this was the clear Movie-1 paint scheme - far too many movie Screamer toys have the ROTF/DOTM ugly tattoos, including the otherwise fantastic leader class.

It's also cool how he can stand eyeball-to-eyeball with Blackout, with Blackout still being much bigger/bulkier overall. It's great how this series has used the really big figures at leader-class as a starting point, and worked down from there scale-wise. Putting Screamer next to Optimus, it's amazing that these are from the same price point but I much prefer them looking as close to 'right' as possible (the movie cheated with it's scaling a lot anyway, especially after movie 1...)

[doublespy]

Aside from the landing gears being a little bit too bulky in relation to the jet itself, I have zero complaint about his F22 mode. Then again that may be a safety regulation thing or they break too easily; unlike 3rd party toys these mainline toys do have regulations to stick to. The jet doesn't quite support itself without the landing gears but it'd look incredible on a flight stand. The undercarriage is not as compact as the real thing, but at the Voyager scale this is probably as good as it gets for a transforming F22 toy. As everyone mentioned, the paint is beautifully executed.

https://i.imgur.com/B1y1mj3h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yE9tl19h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/itp0cw7h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qLcPRdvh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6XXAKTBh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xe4Rnh6h.jpg

I don't own the DotM Deluxe so the engineering is new to me. A very elegant transformation overall, and I like how the rear landing gears end up being the heel spurs.

The 'bot mode is quite awesome. What I find incredible with these SS figures is that not only are there ample sculpted details, they also look very crisp and sharp compared to the majority of earlier movie figures. Starscream's overall lighter color scheme also helps highlight these details, and all the parts are molded in the "right" colors without the need for color correction with paint. He's big Voyager so this is the SS figure that you surely get your money's worth.

https://i.imgur.com/FFsumnJh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BOHndyah.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HbztAvwh.jpg

He's a solid figure yet handles and poses very smoothly, with all the right tolerance in the right spot. I'd never realized the Leader Starscream mold has the "curling iron arm" as well like the various smaller ones, so this SS figure finally having a ball jointed wrist makes me happy. I'v never been a fan of the chicken leg design of some of these Bayformers but SS Scramers is very easy to pose and balance.

https://i.imgur.com/ziwdmnXh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MVX3rr7h.jpg


Overall, another winner in the Studio Series.

[GoktimusPrime]

The undercarriage is not as compact as the real thing, but at the Voyager scale this is probably as good as it gets for a transforming F22 toy. As everyone mentioned, the paint is beautifully executed.
A friend of mine's who's an avid Macross collector also got this Starscream and thinks that it's a really nice toy. He said that it's easy for people to dismiss toys like this Voyager Starscream as being inferior to contemporary Macross Valkyries, but he pointed out key differences such as:
* This toy is based on a very complex live action movie CGI model, Valkyries are not.
* From a toy engineering/design POV, this is a robot that transforms into a plane. Valkyries are planes that transform into robots.
* Cost (and thus budget). This toy costs $50 or less at retail. I just saw someone drop a pre-order on an upcoming Macross Valkyrie for $350.

So I totally agree that at the Voyager scale, this really is an excellent toy.
TakaraTOMY seems to be dipping their toes into the upper price ranges that we see with other transforming robot brands in Japan - initially with the high price of MP Sunstreaker and then with the whopping price of MP Dinobot. While these prices feel super-expensive for Transformers collectors, they're about average compared to TakaraTOMY's other collector-centric competitors' products. But I suppose time will tell if Transformers collectors are willing to meet TakTOM at the price range or not. What works for other transforming robot toys may not work for Transformers. <shrugs>

[doublespy]

.
TakaraTOMY seems to be dipping their toes into the upper price ranges that we see with other transforming robot brands in Japan - initially with the high price of MP Sunstreaker and then with the whopping price of MP Dinobot. While these prices feel super-expensive for Transformers collectors, they're about average compared to TakaraTOMY's other collector-centric competitors' products. But I suppose time will tell if Transformers collectors are willing to meet TakTOM at the price range or not. What works for other transforming robot toys may not work for Transformers. <shrugs>

I got into Soul of Chogokin last year after a trip to Japan. I now have played with a few and own several SOCs, including Gunbuster and Saikyo Robo Daioja which have been praised as two of the best from the line engineering wise. Honestly, from what I've seen TT can kill Bandai engineering wise any day of the week imo. The SOC doesn't come even close to TT's Transformers Masterpiece in terms of transformation engineering. But Bandai's build quality and QC have always been top notch; quality plastic, crisp paint apps, die cast content (including die cast load bearing joints), and generous amount of accessories, etc. The SOCs just feel "premium" in hand and you just feel you've got your money's worth.

I've always felt Transformers are more difficult than other toys to budget as so many man hours go into making the design work. If it weren't for Takara, Hasbro would probably have to charge a lot more on their RRP just to have the engineering done locally.

I kinda see where TT want to go with what they're doing now, but they need to up their QC game a lot, and hope people come on board with the price increase vs. the extras we get.

Digression over.:D

[UltraMarginal]

Digression over.:D

but a well thought out interesting digression all the same. Having never handled any of those toys I appreciate your appraisal.

[SharkyMcShark]

Something that I've found really gives this toy posing character is if you use the joints that rotate the thighs into position for jet mode as ersatz thigh swivels. The actual CGI model for Starscream in the movies always had a lot of curve and bend to it, and posing the thighs using those joints can break up the straight lines and flat surfaces on this design in the same way that the shoulder setup in the leader class mold does.

[Bumbleb33]

Cracked open my SS SS :P today and I have no concern in stating this is by far the best Transformer I have played with this year! His build quality is excellent! Excellent joint tolerances, excellent weight, solid plastic feel. Engineering and execution is sublime. To me it is most evident alot of love went into developing this ver of SS. I cannot state how happy I am with this figure.
IMO if you were only going to buy one Studio Series fig this is the one to get!

6 stars out of 5 :P

Bravo TakTom Bravo!

[SharkyMcShark]

Cracked open my SS SS :P today and I have no concern in stating this is by far the best Transformer I have played with this year! His build quality is excellent! Excellent joint tolerances, excellent weight, solid plastic feel. Engineering and execution is sublime. To me it is most evident alot of love went into developing this ver of SS. I cannot state how happy I am with this figure.
IMO if you were only going to buy one Studio Series fig this is the one to get!

6 stars out of 5 :P

Bravo TakTom Bravo!

I would like to endorse this. In the months since I bought this it reminds my go to absent minded fiddling and posing figure.