Opened mine last night and I have to say I'm underwhelmed. The lack of paint apps combined with the colour scheme really doesn't do the figure any favours. Ultra Magnus had minimal paint apps and yes, it was noticable but the figure still managed to achieve (if just) that premium MP look. Star Saber doesn't do that at all. To me it just looks like a really big toy. Yuki mentioned is a recent interview that the lack of paint apps on star Saber was being used to test the waters with MP collectors to see how they'd react and that if the reaction was favourable, then the reduced cost of not painting the figures could lead to an increased MP production schedule. Personally, I'd prefer they continue with paint apps in most cases. To me, Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus are good examples of where minimal paint apps don't have a huge effect on the end result. However in Star Saber's case the lack is glaring (to me, anyway. Which I believe is a result of the colour combinations/ratios and why it is so noticable).

There is nothing in the transformation that makes me go "wow!" or even "cool." It just transforms exactly as you'd expect it to. Saber's transformation is simple. Like G1 simple. Pull off plane nose, expand shoulders, pull down wrists and hands, extend legs and fold up tail fins, insert breastmaster. Star Saber isn't much better. I guess I expected something that would amaze me, but maybe I've been spoiled by some of my recent 3rd party purchases.

On my copy, Saber's knees don't ratchet properly. It doesn't affect his transformation or posability, but one knee only ratchets one way and the other has no ratcheting clicks at all. Also, the sword/gun doesn't fit securely in Star Saber's hands. It reminds me of the V1 MP Rodimus in that the fingers are what is holding the gun in place and if you bump it, it comes loose.

On to the good:

He's huge! taller than Ultra Magnus, this guy only just fits in my cabinets and absolutely towers over MP-10. Posability is good, not as good as MP-10 but better than Magnus. Although the sword poses are somewhat limited due to the wide sword guard and his wrist flares. Head and face sculpt look like he fell out of the cartoon.

Overall, I really like the character so I bought this, but now I understand some peoples reaction to MP Ultra Magnus in that if you aren't a fanboy of that character, I can see how certain things would be disappointing. He still makes an impressive addition to my collection and I hope we get Victory Leo soon.

Iwould recommend him, but not at the AU$300 TrU will have it for.