Toy Review - Combiner Wars Devastator

[philby]

so i got my takara version the other day, so far i've only transformed them from vehicle to robot but i love the colours and the details a couple of small gripes though, the ball joints on my Scavenger's hips/legs are pretty loose and it was REALLY difficult separating the legs on Scrapper. It was so difficult that when they finally came apart i think a sliver of plastic on the tab has peeled off or something, it looks a bit damaged it was a real pain joining the legs/groin area on Bonecrusher too. Despite that I love the heft, details and articulation. Each one is almost as tall as superion! I want to try a couple of poses and photos before i merge them.

[GoktimusPrime]

Despite that I love the heft, details and articulation. Each one is almost as tall as superion! I want to try a couple of poses and photos before i merge them.

Yeah, despite the use of hollowed out plastic, the Constructicons actually have a decent level of mass. According to BWTF's review, Hook weighs in at 176g, compared to Generations Springer who weighs 147g with his weapons! These are really satisfying Voyagers, and the fact that they can combine into a gestalt makes 'em even sweeter.

This is what the Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons should have been like.

[Zommael]

Yeah, despite the use of hollowed out plastic, the Constructicons actually have a decent level of mass. According to BWTF's review, Hook weighs in at 176g, compared to Generations Springer who weighs 147g with his weapons! These are really satisfying Voyagers, and the fact that they can combine into a gestalt makes 'em even sweeter.

This is what the Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons should have been like.

Weighing Transformers has to be the single worst way I can think of to classify them as satisfying. I don't own Springer, but I certainly wouldn't say that his remould, Sandstorm, is less "satisfying" than Hook, a very simple toy. Why are some collectors so obsessed with how much their toys weigh despite the differences in construction and engineering between toy lines?

[Borgeman]

Weighing Transformers has to be the single worst way I can think of to classify them as satisfying. I don't own Springer, but I certainly wouldn't say that his remould, Sandstorm, is less "satisfying" than Hook, a very simple toy. Why are some collectors so obsessed with how much their toys weigh despite the differences in construction and engineering between toy lines?

The only thing I would say the weight might signify is the thickness (and potentially) the durability of the plastic used, which could give it a more satisfying feel when held, because you're not holding it like a piece of glass for example.

[Smint]

I think he's far from MP quality but combined he's super impressive. Great articulation, solid joints, well proportioned and aesthetically hes very pretty.

The individual figures are a disappointment. Mixmaster is borderline G1 quality. Elbows are awful. None of the transformations are particularly clever. Scrapper is the only one that comes remotely near MP in terms of articulation and proportions. Everyone else just looks a bit weird.

But all those issues dont worry me, i bought it for Devy and as Devy im satisfied with him as much as one of my MP's.

[drifand]

Weighing Transformers has to be the single worst way I can think of to classify them as satisfying. I don't own Springer, but I certainly wouldn't say that his remould, Sandstorm, is less "satisfying" than Hook, a very simple toy. Why are some collectors so obsessed with how much their toys weigh despite the differences in construction and engineering between toy lines?

Because you pay top dollar. You shouldn't expect cheap light plastic.
If you collect other toys, you would have a better understanding why.

[millhouse]

Because you pay top dollar. You shouldn't expect cheap light plastic.
If you collect other toys, you would have a better understanding why.

A light toy has zero to do with engineering costs. Material costs, yes, but nothing in terms of the intricacy, design considerations, licensing etc.

Your comment is a complete moot point apart from in the vaguest of discussions.

[drifand]

A light toy has zero to do with engineering costs. Material costs, yes, but nothing in terms of the intricacy, design considerations, licensing etc.

Your comment is a complete moot point apart from in the vaguest of discussions.

Sorry light weight does have things to do with engineering. Material like you said are all part of the engineering. Putting too much weight isn't great either, putting weight in the wrong areas is also bad engineering.
I didn't come into this thread to have a dispute, I only explain why some people feel that way.< I didn't say anyone is right or wrong, is how people expect when you throw some money into it.

Zero factor? Afraid not.

Masterpiece paper prime for $100?
Yeah okay

[Zommael]

Because you pay top dollar. You shouldn't expect cheap light plastic.
If you collect other toys, you would have a better understanding why.

I do collect other toy lines, and the pricing for Transformers is hardly "top dollar". If I were willing to pay the $100 plus prices expected these days for Play Arts Kai figures, I would expect generally better construction than I typically see with them. To go further, I have never had any issue with plastic quality with Transformers. To be quite honest, the logic that suggests weight and plastic quality are a measure of the quality of a toy would suggest a well-made ABS plastic brick is a better toy than CW Devastator. It wouldn't be and isn't.

What I look for in a Transformer is engineering and design; design being the artistic and appearance related facets of a toy, and engineering being the practical work used to put that in place. What fans who talk about weight don't seem to get is that better engineering leads to stronger toys (or products in general, really) that weigh less. That's why Generations Metroplex weighs less than G1 Fortress Maximus despite being on just about every level the better toy.

But even with modern lines, for some figures, the design and engineering will mean that it weighs less than another toy in the same size class. Case in point, Generations Springer (or Sandstorm, as it's the nearest comparison I have) and CW Hook (or just about any of the Devastator components). The constructions are very simple toys with limited articulation and easy transformation, whose primary design feature is the combination into Devastator. On the other hand, the Springstorm mould is a highly articulated figure which transforms into two separate relatively convincing alt modes. Taken on their own, I'd have to say Sandstorm is the better figure; it has better detailing, is better engineered with all the articulation, looks nicer in robot mode, etc - none of which is to say Hook is a bad toy, because it's not, just not as good as Sandstorm. In this case, Sandstorm weighing less isn't an aspect of the quality so much as it is a facet of the engineering; the Combiner Wars Constructicons in general need the extra strength that comes from weight to support one another as Devastator, but that doesn't mean Sandstorm is made of pixie dust or that Hasbro skimped out on quality when designing it.

Weight is a bad measure of quality because numerous other features go into the manufacture of toys. We should assess them based on how well-designed and engineered they are, not how much they weigh.

[Lint]

Because you pay top dollar. You shouldn't expect cheap light plastic.
If you collect other toys, you would have a better understanding why.

I actually kinda appreciate the trend moving towards lighter toys. Remember how clunky a Voyager toy was from 5+ years ago? Anything with a backpack would pretty much fall over backwards unless it had ridiculously oversized heel spurs.

Lighter toys helps with balance and hence the stability of dynamic poses. Sadly they've also cut back on the number of joints/parts which absolutely ruins pose ability. What do they have against wrist joints?

I think CW Devastator would benefit from a lighter mass and stronger joints: at least for Hook, Bonecrusher and Scavenger. The weight makes outstretched limbs sag. But hey, a Devy of that scale is an achievement in itself and progress is always in baby steps.