Toy Review - GEN FOC Starscream

[Jim_jim]

Series - Generations
Sub-line - Fall of Cybertron
Size/class - deluxe
Wave - 3
New/remould/redeco - New
Released here - February 2013 (globally Dec 2012)
Approximate Retail Price - 25-30 Au$
Approximate Size - 14cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Cybertronian jet
Main Features/Gimmicks - none
Main Colours - Red, grey, blue
Main Accessories - two-piece gun






If you like Starscreem, you will get this toy. Otherwise, it would be an option. At least, for me it is. The transformation is too easy, just like Legend class, the hands are too big. The only good thing about it is the weapon. Man, I cannot imagine a Starscreem looks like that. It looks really nice on the top, but it is a thick and bulky figure.

Think twice before you are getting it.

[SharkyMcShark]

While as a rule I generally hate easy transformations I'm willing to make an exception for the Cyberjet style transformation.

I've got two of these on order with TFsource - where did you get yours?

[Jim_jim]

Got it from HK. It' already been released there.

[SharkyMcShark]

So mine finally arrived today. No pics as my camera is in the shop at the moment

Comes packaged in robot mode, and I'm pleased to say that for the first time in a very long time everything is joints wise is tight right out of the box. There is a pleasing amount of sculpted detail on the figure - the mini intakes on the underside of the wings and detail on the torso behind the cockpit are particularly pleasing. While not a bad thing at all, it's not really what I'd call 'Starscream red' - that red is a lot brighter and slightly more orangey than this (having compared it to an MP3, MP11 and an Energon Energon Starscream I have laying around). Again, not a bad thing at all. I've not played much of FOC and played through WFC once two and a half years ago so I can't really speak to game accuracy.

Poseability is fantastic especially compared to the original Classics Seeker mold - the shoulders don't get impeded by the wings, it has wrist, shoulder and thigh swivels, and it has actual useful ankle joints that allow for a range of fantastic posing. Maybe I've been watching a bit much Battlestar Galactica, but the way that the intakes 'strap' over the shoulders give it the appearance of a pilot in a flight suit. Overall, a fantastic robot mode.

Transformation is basically the Cyberjet scheme - cockpit flips 180 degrees up (although theres some nice folding/unfolding of panels involved instead of it just being a standard pin joint), legs go under the fuselage and arms fold up and go between the legs. Bit simplistic, but it works here.

The vehicle mode is also largely excellent. The legs are really chunky so the rear end gets a bit large, but then this isn't really meant to be a representation of an Earthen atmospheric fighter so it gets away with it really. Same goes for landing gear - there is none, but it's not a big deal (and I infinitely prefer none to molded in place landing gear like on the Classics Seeker mold). While the robot mode is more or less as tall as previous figures (well compared to the Energon Energon Starscream I had laying about) the it folds up into a noticeable smaller vehicle.

The weapons are decent. I'm not really a fan of massive chunky weapons but it sort of works here. I have heard from other places that the holes are too small for the 5mm handles and have shown stress marks on other samples. They were very tight on mine, but no stress marks as yet for me, so handle with care.

I wish I could say that this is the best deluxe in a long while, but honestly since the disappointment that was Revenge of the Fallen's toyline I've more or less given up on that size class. I can however say that this is the first deluxe in a long time that has convinced me that it was worth buying.

As a toy this trumps the already existing Classics Seeker mold in every way. Bring on the slew of repaints, because I'll be grabbing most of them.

[Bumbleb33]

I opened mine last week, simple fulfilling transformation, plenty of pose-ability for action stances, light piping is awesome, paint detail is good, head sculpt is excellent. Only bad point is the gun is a little weak. He is now my resident deluxe Starscream filling a gap in my collection for a G1 likeness Starscream. Get him if you can.

[Bumbleb33]

As a toy this trumps the already existing Classics Seeker mold in every way. Bring on the slew of repaints, because I'll be grabbing most of them.

I agree. I'd love to see it in green as Acid Storm.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

..light piping is awesome... head sculpt is excellent.

These points, plus plus!

Looks like three of the guns can be joined together to form the standard machine gun. Name escapes me right now, but this one.