June Acquisitions

[Stompy]

I agree with Paul on the simplicity of PCC Huffer. A lot of Legends are more complex than that. Skyburst is just as simple. Painfully so. The saving grace of the PCC's so far is Searchlight with a wonderfully complex yet graceful conversion. Which really exasperates the split in engineering within the same size line. Generally though they do look pretty horrid in either modes. The proportions are all off and robot modes can be a mixed bag.

Although, I personally love the line due to its playability with the drones and interchangeability. Just put them all in a box and have fun mix and matching without needing to look at manuals for conversion instructions.

Anyway, better keep on topic...

Recently picked up Battleblade Bumblebee, Skyburst + drones, Leader Starscream, WFC Prime & BB and Drift.

[griffin]

I think the Movie line has spoilt collectors (or spoilt it for collectors, depending on your focus on play or engineering complexity), making any following toys judged more harshly in comparisson.

I feel that PCCs shouldn't be compared to Movie Toys in that way, because they have to:
1 - incorporate a third mode without having too much kibble in the other modes (Searchlight as you said is more complex, but ends up having a lot more kibble in the 2 non-vehicle modes).
2 - aimed at a younger demographic, based on the easy combiner gimmick and bright blue posts (which were needed after their test group failed to find them easily enough - either a young test group, or a really stupid group).

For me, I'd prefer a simpler toy if it means nicer looking toys (reduced kibble) and better play-value (less time converting when you are playing by yourself or with friends).
Older collectors who display more than they play, have been spoilt with the Movie line, as they have offered more complex 'puzzles' to work out, and are sculpted/articulated to feature on a display shelf. Any pulling back from that complexity to target a younger age group, or fans of more playable toys, will be looked at as being a bad thing. I'm one who thinks it is a good thing, because we will still have that level of engineering in the Movie toys (which end up being one-off souvenirs for kids and parents who saw the movie), so that we can have a more playable, interactive subline to draw in 'new blood' who come back for more, rather than be put off by (Movie) toys that seem to only interest older collectors.

(I like both for their intended purposes, but see the need for a simpler range to draw in fans (while they are young enough to be into toys), who will then embrace the more complex ones later.)

BTW, for those interested, Eric Seibenaler (who designed the Animated toys), is the one designing the PCCs.