Toy Review - First Edition TF4 Optimus Prime

[griffin]

(Please post photos, comments or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details to get you started)

Series - none (TF4 movie)
Sub-line - First Edition
Size/class - ??? Ultimate
Wave - n/a
New/remould/redeco - New
Released here - March 2014 (globally February 2014)
Approximate Retail Price - $130? (US$60 in America = AU$68)
Approximate Size - 27cm (robot), 28cm (truck without shield)
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Western Star Truck
Main Features/Gimmicks - Sword of Judgement, Sentinel Shield, changes in 15 steps.
Main Colours - blue, red, silver, grey
Main Accessories - Sword, Shield.

(official images to come)

In box (it came in a tight fitting shipping box that had to be from Hasbro, but had no product name or company printed on it)


Robot mode (with some recent exclusives)


Instructions


Colour instructions are nice, a bit like early Gen1 instructions. Don't be fooled by the labelling of it as a shell-former, as the transformation isn't a
complete walk in the park. It is NOT a "challenge" type Transformer, but there is still a little bit of creative engineering involved in the design. A
commendable effort when you consider that the back when the designers started on this figure, they would only have had photos of the truck mode
and some early concept CGI for the robot mode (as such, most of the truck shell folds up onto the back and only a little is incorporated into the robot body - the legs).
The shiny parts and rubber wheels, plus the big bulky toy in both modes and decent articulation, makes for something I consider is above average
for the fairly high price point... but is likely to be below average for those who don't collect Transformers toys to play with (who value more the
engineering and displayability of the figures).


The mid-section, showing how the backpack is part of the robot waist, so isn't removable. You can also see from this photo, that only the lower legs
of the robot mode forms any part of the truck (shell).


In vehicle mode, with Ultimate BH Optimus, DLX FOC Optimus, Green BAPE Optimus, MP YOTH Optimus, Rescue Bots Trailer Optimus.


Instead of rub-signs to prove authenticity, or a holographic sticker... we get a logo on the packaging, which anyone could put on KOs quite easily.
Also, this notes a Transformers App - is that something that's been out already, or something new?