I'll wait and see what these things are like, but my first thoughts are "bleh"
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I'll wait and see what these things are like, but my first thoughts are "bleh"
Multiple combinations? I like the sound of it, as long as it looks good and doesn't compromise the overall toy.
Or a quadruple or even quintuple crossover with other TFs: Lego Star Wars Marvel Disney Transformers!Quote:
Originally Posted by Golden Phoenix
the concept sounds pretty cool
There was an interview in Toyfare with Aaron Archer a few years back (this is when Energon was just released) and he commented that he would like to expand upon the combiner gimmick.
The idea is that smaller robots combine with larger robots as armor or in this case a weapon. The larger robots combine with larger class robots in similar ways. It's interesting play pattern for kids, could be a disappointment for us kidults...
I need to go mourn the loss of Animated now...
The Energon Power Link gimmick was arguably an "inferior" attempt at updating the G1 1989 Multi Force gimmick. Unlike Multi Force, Energon Power Linkers:Quote:
Originally Posted by SMHFConvoy
1. Don't have 'new' identities in their dual-combined forms. e.g.: when Wing combines with Waver they become a new entity, Wingwaver (the toy has a new head). When Hot Shot combines with Inferno it's pretty much just Hot Shot sitting on top of Inferno (using Hot Shot's head). There's no new head (hence no new "combined entity") like with Multi Force.
2. Energon Power Linkers cannot combine into a gestalt robot, unlike Multi Forcers who of course merge to form Landcross. The Energon gestalts cannot Power Link. Yes, they do have interchangeable limbs, but so does Landcross.
When I look at Multi Force by 1989 standards I find them quite ingenious and clever, but I don't get that same feeling when I look at Energon Power Link by 2004 standards.
If it's a genuinely fun idea then I'd get into it too. But it all depends on whether the gimmick enhances or hinders the overall integrity of the toy. By this I mean how well the gimmick compliments the toy, or if the toy is engineered around the gimmick so much that it's significantly compromised by this gimmick. And even children generally don't like toys that are compromised by its gimmick. Quite a few G1 fans don't like toys like the Battlechargers as they feel that they're too compromised by their instant transformation gimmicks (arguably moreso than Jumpstarters). Some G1 fans also don't like Pretenders; and particularly with the 1988 Pretenders I don't blame them... you have these annorexic robots that transform into a series of non-descript vehicular... things. Vehicles? Yeah I guess so. Kids aren't stupid.Quote:
Originally Posted by SMHFConvoy
Wethey know whether a toy is fun or not to play with.
Having said all that, this Powercore Combiner gimmick could be fun... we won't really know for sure until the toys are out. Like with all gimmicks, it depends on the execution and whether the toys still remain inherently fun to play with.
I still really wish they'd avoided using the term "Combiner" again... but I suppose a rose by any other name would still prick just as badly. ;)
To sum up Gok's essay above... it all hinges on whether Hasbro uses the gimmick to get around putting effort into the Transformers themselves (cough... Armada) or uses the gimmick to enhance the fun of the Transformers (like the better toys in Cybertron).
As much as I dislike Animated as a toyline, there are quite a few toys in that line who managed to avoid being overwhelmed by their gimmicks. Of course, there's no realism, but that was never the point was it? Hopefully they'll have learned the lessons of Armada (& much of Energon) and continue in the same vein as Cybertron & Animated.
Well I don't think this will be "lego-formers" the mock up of Huffer looked like your standard TF. Who combines with a smaller robot in vehicle mode.
So much speculation over a photograph! :p
Gok, I agree the powerlink gimmick in energon was really bad. Hence the reason why I sold most of my figures. That said it's 3 maybe four years since Energon, better engineering and who knows how long this has been in development too? It just might be a real pleasant surprise...
You know, this reminds of these dudes I saw at the Bandai section of the Tokyo Toyfare. There are lost of little guys that combine into the big horse thing.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...ycombiner2.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...nycombiner.jpg
Thats the sort of feeling I have from the evidence presented so far. As much as its worth...:rolleyes:
After seeing some of the designs from that new game, I had a feeling they were going for a look like this, G1 ish with hints of Animated and even movie.
In any case its too soon for me to make any judgements, obviously given my dislike of the Armada verse lines when they start mentioning harking back to them I get nervous, however the proof's in the pudding.
Anyways it's all good as long as they keep running a couple of TF lines overlaping each other a little.
True. We only know that Caliburst transforms into a gun and it clips to the back of Huffer in vehicle mode. Huffer doesn't look like he comes apart.
Maybe it's just the little dudes that combine? Eh all I can do is speculate.
More speculation... I do a lot of thinking when driving to and from work, the thought strayed across my mind that maybe the mini partners act as combiner joints...