| 02.15.2019 – Transformers Generations in the past has been met with mix to positive views bringing them back from the classic cartoons. The Prime Wars Trilogy was the recent culmination of the brand that they can revive nostalgia back to the fans that grew up with the series. Hasbro has cemented Transformers to the collective consciousness again to its relevance.
Despite the recent negativity of the ‘Bay Formers’ films the toys continue to be innovative. After the Bumblebee Movie screening in cinemas, they’ve also slowly changed that perspective. Now the Generations line gets a new trilogy with War For Cybertron (not to be confused with the videogame) it beings with its first installment “SIEGE” introducing one of the two Voyager Class figures in Megatron! |
The synopsis for SIEGE clearly reboots the brand’s Generation toyline retelling the last days of the inhabitant's planet Cybertron in the middle of the Great War. The Autobots and Decepticons take center stage with the conflict fans have been familiar with that has been translated to media namely from the classic cartoon from 1984, the comic books, and succeeding video games.
This was also seen in the first 15 to 17 minutes of the opening sequence from Bumblebee Movie. There are tons of stories coming from this great conflict for Transformers. Hasbro and Takara Tomy this time team-up to unify the flagship product with its release of the first wave of SIEGE toyline. This time no more US or Japanese release but under one product that has been met with critical praise and some with mixed reactions due to the products scale and size.
Peace through Tyranny
Back in the day when Transformers was introduced for the first time what makes the toys memorable is the Tech Specs bio file and description of the character. Each of this came with a quote of the featured character namely Megatron who was part of the first wave of the vintage toyline. Even before the animated series went on-air the enigma of Megatron was interesting with his “Peace through Tyranny” quote that was in the Tech Specs Bio File at the back of the box.
For SIEGE, there’s no Tech Specs or power rating like the Deluxe Class figures that came out with the other characters from the first wave they only have instruction manuals. But those manuals gave only details to the character’s weapon with the power rating. What’s interesting is they’ve included a message written in Cybertronian letters on Megatron's box art, which reads "RISE FROM THE SHADOWS".
Megatron's pose in the instruction manual's front cover is based on the promotional artwork by Guido Guidi. The packaging includes the toy in robot mode, but what is attractive is the presentation on the box art takes you back to the simple concept from the original now with represented in action.
G1 Cartoonish Decepticon Leader
Prior to the release of SIEGE to retail the product photos, this was an immediate sold to anyone that’s me included. I always gravitate to Optimus Prime when they have revealed the images through social media since in my childhood I was deprived of owning the original (but I have the Encore version now). This also includes Megatron and Soundwave to the list when I had a page of the Sears product catalog.
But of course, I never got to have of the three figures that I mentioned. I end up owning Metroplex instead and this was during the height of Transformers: The Movie. I wasn’t familiar with the characters released in 1986, but I was enough to own an Autobot City than a Decepticon Leader that turns into a gun. A relative owned a G1 Mrgatron along with Soundwave and a neighbor kid had a G21 Optimus Prime. But back then nobody cared about these characters appear in the cartoon until everyone grew up and became adult collectors.
The SIEGE Voyager Class Megatron takes you back to that time you were glued to the telly because Frank Welker made you believe how bad ass this Decepticon Leader was. Armed with particle beam cannon or described in this toy’s packaging as "D50-R35 Fusion Cannon" it is a powerful weapon. The figure like most of the SIEGE in the first wave has battle scar weathering from head to his legs. It works for Megatron since he’s ready for war but not for Optimus Prime for the reason why I picked him up along with Sideswipe during the Distribution Day last December 2018.
Megatron is not a perfect figure and suffers a design flaw: Unlike the left leg, His right leg's pivoting joint had a tendency for not locking back to its straight position once it was unlocked. The only way to amend this is by removing the right foot and then adjusts the joint piece back before reattaching the foot. Sometimes, the light grey backpack/central front tank kibble also had a tendency to dislodge if his waist is moved left or right.
Due to the Fusion Cannon's slightly longer post, the hand's dorsal/panel slightly protrudes out if retracted in tank mode. The other flaw that might not be major is his left hand the one I got is lose that he can’t hold the "HPR Telescopic Laserstrike Launcher" sword straight. I don’t display this figure but use them in my photography sessions outdoors and it shows that this doesn’t have a tight hand.
Tanks that’s more than Memories
Megatron transforms into a Cybertronian tank that reminds you of that Grizzly Tank from Command and Conquers. The steps are not that difficult but you need the "HPR Telescopic Laserstrike Launcher" as a crucial part of Megatron’s vehicle form. It’s not like the figure doesn’t need it just like the "D50-R35 Fusion Cannon" that makes the part of the tank nozzle.
In vehicle form, you’ll see the weathering of the battle scars showing that this works unlike when you see it on Optimus Prime in his Cybertronian Semi-Truck form. The tank, of course, rolls with four tiny wheels underneath the faux tank threads. The aesthetics clearly gives you an idea that before Megatron took the form of a Walter P-38 on Earth this was the form you’ll identify with the character.
The front threads forms into the robot form’s backpack and most times it gets lost, but there’s a lock that secures this. Although not as impressive as you thought I might be wrong on saying this made an appearance during the Prime Wars Trilogy animation. Entirely, the vehicle mode is solid and I was right picking this up as I don’t have a proper Megatron that’s close to G1-Style even though this turns into a tank. I’m already content having a Henkei Megatron that turns into a gunmetal Nerf Gun.
A Different Kind of Megatron
Moist collector’s excuse in getting a new version of the same character is ‘Cartoon Accurate’ that it has elements of the G1 character based on both toy and cartoon. SIEGE Megatron did not disappoint even though the one I got had a loose left hand and like most of that were reviewed and reported having a design flaw on his right leg. Probably there’s going to be a running change in the future to fix these problems. But entirely I’m good with it which adds uniqueness to having not a perfect toy that you really enjoyed having played with for a long time.
The poseability of this figure is top notch and the robot mode certainly takes you back to those days and both Hasbro and Takara Tomy did justice in making this figure. It would be cool if you owned a ** Battle Masters like Blowpipe to use the ‘fire blast’ effect that makes the Fusion Cannon appears to be firing that is certainly a good addition since having one.
Pricepoint was worth it for this figure even though most comments that the toy manufacturers reduced the size of a Voyager Class a head shorter, but put quality in it to be an improved product even though this one has suffered a design flaw. Overall this Megatron was worth the wait and I don’t have plans in getting any character until probably the next wave arrives and we’ll see from there as I do not have any intention to collect the line as I’m probably holding on to the previous releases for now.
** Battle Masters Each Sold Separately
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