Review: #23
Name: Megatron
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Dark of the Moon
Year of Release: 2011
Size Class: Cyberverse Playset (Wave 2)
Variations: the actual Megatron figure sans trailer was available as a Commander, with two fuel tank guns and in different colours
VEHICLE MODE:
Having a look at just Megatron for now, he transforms into an approximation of the Mack M915 Line-Haul Replacement Tractor and trailer. In the standalone release, he is sold in the price point which was previously Scout class, but you'll immediately notice something, he's really small.
That being said, he has a lot of sculpted detail, but he is severely lacking in paint. A bit of paint would go a long way here as he's very plain and dull right now. All six wheels roll which is somewhat nice.
A size comparison with ROTF Legends Stealth Bumblebee, he is absolutely tiny, not being much bigger than a toy that costs roughly half as much. Megatron doesn't feel bulky so you do get a sense of being ripped off here.
VEHICLE MODE (WITH TRAILER):
The one thing that saves this figure is the inclusion of his trailer, albeit a bit different to the onscreen and Voyager classed figure versions.
The trailer attaches via a C clip joint, meaning that the trailer cannot swivel. Megatron is stuck as a long rigid truck that cannot turn around corners...
The back of the trailer needs some work, as there's a small gap formed. There are sculpted back lights but the two guns just kinda fold up against there with no attempt to hide. Other than that, this is a very nice trailer that fits the truck mode very well. It's not an oil tanker anymore but hey, it looks good.
The look of the truck cab with the trailer is seamless and natural. Sadly, although you don't notice it right away, the last pair of wheels are fake, they do not roll as they house the balljoints for the guns. That said, it's one of the best fake wheels I have seen, I didn't pick it up the first time.
The trailer adds some considerable length to the vehicle mode. Above is a comparison with Deluxe Cliffjumper from the first movie, Megatron is clearly longer (but not as wide). I've seen some comparison pictures online with the Voyager version and they are almost the same length!!! That said, at a price point that is nearing (and in my case, is the same) as a Deluxe, he simply does not feel as big as one.
The set includes a cardboard backdrop, in this case it is somewhere in Africa, fitting considering that was where Megatron was hanging out in the movie. Notice that the left window juts out further than the right, which is really weird (and also apparent in the Voyager classed figure). A really nice truck mode overall, and I'm pretty sure it's licensed since it has "Mack" on the grill and the back of the packaging, my favourite Megatron figure out of the ones available in DOTM so far.
TRANSFORMATION:
One thing I must commend on Megatron is his transformation, for the base figure, it has a really innovative transformation for the legs. When I had first had a go at it, I was pretty amazed at the ingenuity of it, it was quite astounding for a figure this small. The rest of him (arms and torso) was pretty much what I had expected. He is very simple to transform but clips together really well, so getting things out in the beginning can be a pain.
The trailer on the other hand has an even simpler transformation, not that I can expect too much. It does what you would think it would do, the whole trailer unfolds into a sort of battle platform. I do find it amusing that Megatron bears such a similarity to Optimus now, transforming into a truck, and then having the cab form the robot and the trailer forming a base. Anyway, this simple transformation allows the trailer to be stable and solid in both modes.
ROBOT MODE:
Megatron's robot mode is awesome, a great solid build and good figure. Quite a bit of the truck went into the legs, thus the arms are a bit thin and skimpy, both arms at least are the same size, and ends with claws.
The robot mode is surprisingly quite screen accurate considering the small size, the major thing that stands out would be the grill that forms his chest, but it looks great there anyway.
The big feet makes Megatron very stable, it is quite weird, but his legs are designed such that the knees cannot straighten completely but his feet slope forwards, so Megatron has to 'crouch'.
The head sculpt is detailed, and half his face is painted neon green to mimic the face damage. Seriously though, the green looks really out of place and ugly, ruins the whole look. The head is fixed too, with no way of turning, it would have been very easy to put it on a ball joint or make it onto a swivel.
Pose-ability is very good, and apart from the fixed head I have absolutely no complaints. Megatron even has knee swivels and two joints for his elbows.
Comparing him now with Legends Bumblebee and Scout Windcharger, he's more on par in size with what he should be. Still, he doesn't have as much mass as he should have at this price point.
Here he is again against the back drop, I think Megatron is seriously lacking in paint apps, some silver would have been nice. He is almost entirely base plastic.
Size issues aside, he has a great robot mode that packs plenty of fun to the various poses you can put him in.
TRAILER (BATTLE BASE MODE):
The second configuration of the trailer is the base mode, he has a total of three guns here, the main one on the turret and two secondary guns out to the sides. It looks good when placed behind Megatron like an attack base or...
...Megatron can man the turret himself, it's only target-able on the vertical plane, a rotating turret would have been awesome. Probably only complaint here is that it seems the base is too small and sparse, doesn't provide much protection against incoming fire.
The secondary guns are mounted on balljoints and hence can aim pretty much anywhere (except the ground). Not a bad base mode overall, and certainly better than the Optimus one.
TRAILER (ATTACK JET MODE):
The third and final configuration is the Attack Jet mode, it looks like it can pass off as a flying vehicle, and the appearance bears a passing resemblance to Megatron's jet mode in the first movie. The turret at the back ruins the streamlining a bit, but that can be removed.
This isn't shown in the packaging but is included in the instructions, the trailer in jet mode can attach to the truck (using the same connection point in the side windows). It looks ridiculous like this but it is bonus play value (and official).
Attaching it to robot mode, Megatron now sports a jet pack, so it's not only Optimus that has a trailer wing pack now :). The trailer adds a bit of weight at the back but this is where the sloping feet and crouching stance helps, as Megatron is not the least bit back heavy and still very stable.
It's not immediately obvious that the back pack is a jet that gives Megatron the ability of flight, there are no thrusters or anything. The wingspan and shape is not terribly aerodynamic as well, I get the feeling that this is an added mode just for the sake of promoting that the trailer can triple change.
You can detach the turret (it is on a big C joint) such that Megatron can hold it, it should be noted that the missile can be fired too easily, to the point of annoyance. The slightest bit of touch will shoot it to the other side of the room. Megatron can also hold the missile as a club, which is nice. A pretty good third power-up mode, but one that feels that it's lacking some deep thought, seems like a tacky third mode.
OVERALL:
An excellent figure, I wouldn't go so far as to call this a playset, more like a single individual figure instead, but it is excellent nonetheless. The engineering is impressive, and most of the modes are great, even the ones that aren't are still fun. While it might be a bit expensive for what you are getting, it is one that I highly recommend (once again), especially if you get it on sale.
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Credit: pictures and text are all mine, but I've linked a few pages to TFwiki.net.
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