Toy Review - DOTM Shockwave

[SharkyMcShark]

I think the issue is that the protoforms and WFC figures had alt modes that incoporated an involved transformation, whereas the rest have been like... (sometimes) hide the head, make robot lie or sit down. Somtimes cross arms.

[GoktimusPrime]

What I don't understand is that the first ever movie figures with Cybertron alt modes (Prime and Screamer protoforms) were awesome in both modes, so why since then has every Cybertron mode figure just looked very poor? (with maybe the sole exception of voyager crab tank Megatron from ROTF)

"Awesome" is a fairly subjective descriptor. I personally wouldn't describe movie Cybertronian Optimus Prime and Starscream as "awesome"... they're almost like those freakin' crappy Rock Lords from Machine Men! <shudder>


Warpath: (straining) "Hhnnnn!!" *PLOP*


Gremlin: *sniff* *munch.munch*

And Starscream's prone to falling apart in robot mode.

I think the issue is that the protoforms and WFC figures had alt modes that incoporated an involved transformation, whereas the rest have been like... (sometimes) hide the head, make robot lie or sit down. Somtimes cross arms.

With TF1 and ROTF Megatron I would agree, but I'd give DotM Shockwave a lot more credit than that. His transformation is certainly more complex than "robot lying down to make a tank" Animated Shockwave. I'm personally quite satisfied with DotM Shockwave's engineering -- and the hose is such a neat G1 homage too. And he's one of few movie Transformers to sport the same colours as his G1 namesake too...

[yoshi594]

I just got the toy today along with skyhammer. Skyhammer is still boxed for now .

Only gripe with shockwave is that I can't do emotes with his ears , hopefully they make his ears poseable if/when they make the leader class version .

[GoktimusPrime]

(o_O) Most Transformers can't physically emote with their faces or heads... and not all Shockwaves have mobile ears. The main reason why the original G1 Shockwave's ears move is because they need to fold down in gun mode; so it's a necessity of design. Heck, when I was a kid I didn't even know Shackwave's ears could move up and down -- at first I kept transforming him to robot mode with the ears down. I accidentally discovered one day that they could move up!

I don't have Action Master Shockwave, but I suspect that his ears can't move. Binaltech Shockwave's ears also can't move (and that's the most complex Shockwave toy ever made!). Energon Shockwave's ears can move back, but not forward. Animated Shockwave's ears move because, like 1985 G1 Shockwave, it's part of the transformation. So really... considering that including separate parts (and thus increased costs) for mobile ears wouldn't effect the performance of the toy, I don't see the need for Hasbro to include them.

Besides, as Shockwave would say, emoting is illogical.

[griffin]

Shockwave
Series - Dark of the Moon
Sub-line - Mechtech
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 2
Released here - May 2011
Approximate Retail Price - $50
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Cybertronian Tank
Main Features/Gimmicks - Electronics, Convertible Mechtech weapon
Main Colours - Purple, grey
Main Accessories - Mechtech weapon

[ITZTRU]

I just got the toy today along with skyhammer. Skyhammer is still boxed for now .

Where does one find this toy? (Shockwave)

[Vector Prime]

Where does one find this toy? (Shockwave)

I believe the only retail places this guy has been sighted at thus far is David Jones and Toyworld.

[1AZRAEL1]

I believe the only retail places this guy has been sighted at thus far is David Jones and Toyworld.

Neither of which are around me (don't want to have to travel too far just to get him )

[5FDP]

Apparently he's been sighted at Big W as well.

[SkyWarp91]

PROS:
- Robot mode looks AMAZING, I think it's screen accurate and though the colors are simple - they're so badass. There's so much detail to this guy too
- Relative to DOTM Voyager Megatron Shockwave's is simpler and less worrying as parts are seemingly more stable
- 2 Badass Mechtech weapons, a giganto gun that reminds you of 2007 Megatron's FUSION CANNON and a cool looking forearm blade.
- Articulation is actually very good, Shockwave can facepalm himself!
- The vehicle mode has an impressive feature where the front cybertronian wheels that don't look like they roll actually do roll.

CONS:
- Minor articulation problems. I wish the shoulder joints could have the option to be lowered on an additional swivel joint on the coronal plane. I also wish his neck joint allowed him to look up and it would have been nice to have wrist rotation. ALso would have liked waist articulation on the axial/horizontal axis. THese are minor complaints though.
- This guy looks awesome on the FRONT, on the back it's mostly exposed gaps of transformation which is understandable, again, minor complaint.
- Would have been nice if the hose that connects to Shockwave's gun would be longer, it does limit articulation!
- Not a big fan of the vehicle mode, but eh, it's a Cybertronian vehicle. It does have the two MechTech ports which offers hours of fun putting together different MechTech weapons

OVERALL:
This toy is probably one of the best toys for this year and the Movie Line. You can tell more effort went into the design of this one as opposed to VOyager DOTM Prime. Though there are plenty of minor flaws to this toy, I'm willing to forgive them considering the shift in costs and that this toy has such an amazing presence to it.