| 01.22.2019 – The New Transformers toys from Hasbro and Takara Tomy introducing Siege as the first series of “War for Cybertron Trilogy”, a subline imprint not to be confused with the videogame with the same title takes place during “The Great War” prior to their escape to Earth.
It was first announced during the San Diego Comicon in 2018 introducing the First Wave assortment of characters that include Sideswipe as part of Deluxe Class. Sideswipe, of course has been an iconic character in the TF mythology that doesn’t need any introduction, but for new fans here’s a look at this Autobot! |
There have been several iterations and integrations of the character based on the comicbooks, television series, and even in videogames. But Sideswipe is popularly known for being the twin brother of Sunstreaker in the original cartoon. In the original tech spec Sideswipe is a Warrior, a sociopath relishes glory in battle.
The Autobot enjoys extreme risks that sometimes lead to injuring himself just to the heck of it. In the original cartoon you get to see his abilities and had more exposure than his twin brother Sunstreaker able to have the ability of flight with his backpack that Optimus Prime used trying to catch up with the Decepticons in the last part of “More Than Meet The Eyes” and had used his trademark Pile Drivers appearing in the episode “SOS Dinobots” to tunnel into the side of Mt St Hillary to uncover dinosaur remains to use in creating Grimlock and the rest of the Dinobots.
In Siege, he doesn’t have those accessories as this Sideswipe is entirely a new character that will retell the “The Great War” and how it began, a possibility through the rebooted series in IDW Publication.
|
|
Deluxe Class Packaging
Since Sideswipe is part of the Deluxe Class assortment with Hound the new style packaging for this scale is now window type going back to the early days of the Transformers brand in 1984 this time there will be no Takara Tomy variant as both companies will have the same type of packaging.
The figures will be the same as compared to the past released. It is worth noting the shape with art work of the character on the side and description of the new toy at the back without the usual character bio and tech specs. But with the new gimmick and images of the product instead takes a forward approach on the brand.
|
|
Robot Mode
Siege assortment from the First Wave and moving forward the standard packaging of the toys are now in robot mode. You take out Sideswipe out of his plastic prison you get him in robot mode with his accessories like the "W-10 Photo-Pulser Proton Launcher", and the "W-5 Gyro Blaster". Both weapons can combine to form the "RR Gyrofuse Axleswitch Hyper-Blaster."
The “Buffed” Sideswipe takes cues and design like getting a retail version of its Masterpiece version with G1 aesthetics that adds a modern take on the adored character. Translating this new look Sideswipe also features "battle damage" paint applications on his waist, shins, and feet, as well as multiple hardpoints all over himself and his weapons to accommodate "Fire Blasts" from the Battle Masters assortment, which can be used to simulate blaster fire or explosions. The articulation does not hinder its transformation as being part of it that really makes this figure design interesting and worth the pricepoint.
There’s no downside to this character’s design the second best figure next to Hound as a crowd favorite among the two that first sold in the Philippines during the ‘Distribution Day’ at Toy Kingdom flagship store in December 2018.
Transformation
The steps in the manual are direct and even without the need to look at it just using it as a “guide” would be just right. Sidewipe’s transformation is as close as to the vintage version, but with some parts folding here and there. Most tend to have each of their own preference how the manual doesn’t give them clarity to the most difficult figure to transform, but if you’re patient it would be helpful.
But Hasbro tend to not give caption even for the simplest figure and rather based on the image to get an idea how to follow the process in turning the robot to vehicle mode than leads some to be disappointed others just base on how they learn to go through it with ease at the same time give them creativity that reminds you that transformers toys are like rubric’s cube only it’s about moving parts and shifts or fold them carefully in the right way to avoid damaging some of the delicate toys.
Vehicle Mode
Sideswipe transforms from robot to Cybertronian car and back that doesn’t appear alien in aesthetics. It is more of a futuristic sports car with Lamborghini in mind to have designed this type. When you think of Sideswipe as a character the first car would pop into your thoughts would be the Countach.
It put the car further in the map when you’re into Transformers. Even before being acknowledged as the character’s alternate mode the Lamborghini Coutanch has been in every young boy’s car poster. But with this new form that considered Cybertronian in nature gets closer to Sideswipe’s Earth vehicle form.
There have been some design inspirations for his current form introduced in Siege. It looks sleek and fast that takes inspiration from real concept cars as wells taking cues on his original Earth form more like backward engineering it to appear Cybertronian in nature with a new perspective how he appears before coming to Earth.
Overall Verdict
Muscular in appearance toy-wise Sideswipe is not the favourite in the First Wave release, but that goes to Hound. But with that it doesn’t take away the character’s popularity. With aesthetics in appearance taking inspiration from past heritage of the character and its original toy makes this one underrated that needs to be liked.
Accessories seems to be short-handed when the original toy had an actual rocket launcher when this new toy came with almost similar accessory that reduces the authenticity into making it a two-piece weapon not including his signature rifle.
Generation: War For Cybertron | Siege Deluxe Class Sideswipe acquired during the “Distribution Day” last December 2018.
Pricepoint retailed originall in their respecxtive countries at ₱ 999.75 Pesos | $35.00 AUD | $ 19.99 USD
Product Rating:
Transformation (Difficulty): 4.5
Aesthetics: 9.5
Quality: 10
Robot Points: 10
For more news and local updates LIKE Transformers Philippines on Facebook and follow on Twitter: @TransformersPH
No comments:
Post a Comment