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My Transformer Collection Showcase, Transformatorium

Transformers Collection – Combiner Wars/Unite Warriors

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And so the great cataloging of my personal collection continues.

The next instalment of the Generations line and the first installment of the Prime Wars Trilogy was Combiner Wars.  This is a toyline that a lot of people – now near a full decade later – tend to disparage.  However personally I feel that is both unwaranted and unjustified.  Combiner Wars brought back many of the classic Combiner teams,including many of the Scramble City groups such as the Aerialbots & Stunticons.  It introduced new teams such that which made the first female combiner Victorion, and best of all it’s signature piece was a huge Devastator, which remains the largest mainline gestalt ever made!

Toy Review – Unite Warriors Computron VS Combiner Wars Computron

The companion line in Japan was Unite Warriors.  These featured most of the same teams but with new paintjobs, and sometimes differered the moulds that Combiner Wars used for various individuals – the Technobots being a prime example.  So if you wanted to have both the Combiner and the bots who made them up on display, picking up both lines was a great option! (also the Aussie dollar was very strong back then, making it affordable enough to do so.  Sadly no longer the case).

 

My Transformers Combiner Wars/Unite Warrriors Collection

 

CW/UW Autobots

 

*Item #ACW0001: Transformers Autobot Windcharger

*Item #ACW0002: Transformers Autobot Warpath

*Item #ACW0003: Transformers Autobot Huffer

*Item #ACW0004: Transformers Junkion Wreck-Gar

*Item #ACW0005: Transformers Autobot Pipes

 

Combiner Wars Optimus Maximus, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0006: Transformers Autobot Optimus Prime

*Item #ACW0007: Transformers Autobot Ironhide

*Item #ACW0008: Transformers Autobot Mirage

*Item #ACW0009: Transformers Autobot Prowl

*Item #ACW0010: Transformers Autobot Stunstreaker

*Item #ACW0011: Transformers Autobot Hot Rod

 

Combiner Wars Sky Reign, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0012: Transformers Autobot Sky Lynx

*Item #ACW0013: Transformers Autobot Wheeljack

*Item #ACW0014: Transformers Autobot Trailbreaker

*Item #ACW0015: Transformers Autobot Hound

*Item #ACW0016: Transformers Autobot Smokescreen

 

Combiner Wars Victorion, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0017: Transformers Torchbearer Pyra Magna

(torso)

*Item #ACW0018: Transformers Torchbearer Rust Dust

(chest)

*Item #ACW0019: Transformers Torchbearer Skyburst

(arm)

*Item #ACW0020: Transformers Torchbearer Stormclash

(arm)

*Item #ACW0021: Transformers Torchbearer Dust Up

(leg)

*Item #ACW0022: Transformers Torchbearer Jumpstream (leg)

 

-Combiner Wars Superion, consisting of

*Item #ACW0023: Transformers Aerielbot Silverbolt

(torso)

*Item #ACW0024: Transformers Aerielbot Air Raid

(limb)

*Item #ACW0025: Transformers Aerielbot Sky Dive

(limb)

*Item #ACW0026: Transformers Aerielbot Firefly

(limb)

*Item #ACW0027: Transformers Aerielbot Slingshot

(limb)

*Item #AUW0001: Transformers Aerielbot Silverbolt

*Item #ACW0028: Transformers Aerielbot Alpha Bravo

*Item #AUW0002: Transformers Aerielbot Air Raider

*Item #AUW0003: Transformers Aerielbot Firebolt

*Item #AUW0004: Transformers Aerielbot Skydive

*Item #AUW0005: Transformers Aerielbot Sling

*Item #ACW0029: Transformers Aerielbot Powerglide

 

-Combiner Wars Defensor, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0030: Transformers Protectobot Hot Spot

(torso)

*Item #ACW0031: Transformers Protectobot Groove

(chest)

*Item #ACW0032: Transformers Protectobot First Aid

(right arm)

*Item #ACW0033: Transformers Protectobot Blades

(left arm)

*Item #ACW0034: Transformers Protectobot Streetwise

(right leg)

*Item #ACW0035: Transformers Protectobot Rook

(left leg)

*Item #AUW0006: Transformers Protectobot Hot Spot

*Item #ACW0036: Transformers Protectobot Rook

*Item #AUW0007: Transformers Protectobot Graze

*Item #AUW0008: Transformers Protectobot Groove

*Item #AUW0009: Transformers Protectobot Streetwise

*Item #AUW0010: Transformers Protectobot First Aid

 

-Combiner Wars Computron, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0037: Transformers Technobot Scattershot

*Item #ACW0038: Transformers Technobot Afterburner

(right arm)

*Item #ACW0039: Transformers Technobot Strafe

(left arm)

*Item #ACW0040: Transformers Technobot Lightspeed

(right leg)

*Item #ACW0041: Transformers Technobot Nosecone

(left leg)

*Item #AUW0011: Transformers Technobot Scattershot

*Item #AUW0012: Transformers Technobot Afterbreaker

*Item #AUW0013: Transformers Technobot Strafe

*Item #AUW0014: Transformers Technobot Lightsteed

*Item #AUW0015: Transformers Technobot Nosecone

*Item #ACW0042: Transformers Technobot Scrounge

*Item #ACW0043: Transformers Technobot Cybaxx

*Item #ACW0044: Transformers Technobot Scattershot (vehicle mode)

 

CW/UW Decepticons

 

*Item #DCW0001: Transformers Decepticon Megatron

*Item #DCW0002: Transformers Decepticon Armada Megatron

 

*Item #DCW0003: Transformers Decepticon Starscream

*Item #DCW0004: Transformers Decepticon Thundercracker

*Item #DCW0005: Transformers Decepticon Skywarp

 

*Item #DCW0006: Transformers Decepticon Skywarp

*Item #DCW0007: Transformers Decepticon Thundercracker

 

*Item #DCW0008: Transformers Decepticon Shockwave

*Item #DCW0009: Transformers Decepticon Viper

 

*Item #DCW0010: Transformers Insecticon Bombshell

*Item #DCW0011: Transformers Insecticon Chop Shop

 

*Item #DCW0012: Transformers Decepticon Buzzsaw

 

*Item #DCW0013: Transformers Decepticon Cyclonus

 

-Combiner Wars Devastator, consisting of

*Item #DCW0014: Transformers Constructicon Long Haul

(torso)

*Item #DCW0015: Transformers Constructicon Hook

(head & shoulders)

*Item #DCW0016: Transformers Constructicon Scavenger

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0017: Transformers Constructicon Bonecrusher

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0018: Transformers Constructicon Scrapper

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0019: Transformers Constructicon Mixmaster

(left leg)

*Item #DUW0001: Transformers Constructicon Long Haul

*Item #DUW0002: Transformers Constructicon Hook

*Item #DUW0003: Transformers Constructicon Scavenger

*Item #DUW0004: Transformers Constructicon Bonecrusher

*Item #DUW0005: Transformers Constructicon Scrapper

*Item #DUW0006: Transformers Constructicon Mixmaster

 

-Combiner Wars Menasor, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0020: Transformers Stunticon Motormaster

(torso)

*Item #DCW0021: Transformers Stunticon Blackjack

(chest)

*Item #DCW0022: Transformers Stunticon Drag Strip

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0023: Transformers Stunticon Dead End

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0024: Transformers Stunticon Brake-Neck

(leg)

*Item #DCW0025: Transformers Stunticon Breakdown

(leg)

*Item #DUW0007: Transformers Stunticon Motormaster

*Item #DCW0026: Transformers Stunticon Offroad

*Item #DUW0008: Transformers Stunticon Breakdown

*Item #DUW0009: Transformers Stunticon Drag Stripe

*Item #DUW0010: Transformers Stunticon Dead End

*Item #DUW0011: Transformers Stunticon Wildrider

*Item #DCW0027: Transformers Stunticon Blackjack

 

-Combiner Wars Bruticus, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0028: Transformers Combaticon Onslaught

(torso)

*Item #DCW0029: Transformers Combaticon Vortex

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0030: Transformers Combaticon Blast Off

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0031: Transformers Combaticon Swindle

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0032: Transformers Combaticon Brawl

(left leg)

-Combiner Wars G2 Bruticus, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0033: Transformers G2 Combaticon Onslaught

(torso)

*Item #DCW0034: Transformers G2 Combaticon Vortex

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0035: Transformers G2 Combaticon Blast Off

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0036: Transformers G2 Combaticon Swindle

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0037: Transformers G2 Combaticon Brawl

(left leg)

*Item #DUW0012: Transformers Combaticon Onslaught

*Item #DUW0013: Transformers Combaticon Vorter

*Item #DUW0014: Transformers Combaticon Swindle

*Item #DUW0015: Transformers Combaticon Brawl

*Item #DUW0016: Transformers Combaticon Blast Off

*Item #DCW0038: Transformers Combaticon G2 Shockwave

 

-Combiner Wars Liokaiser, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0039: Transformers Decepticon Dezarus

(torso)

*Item #DCW0040: Transformers Decepticon Guyhawk

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0041: Transformers Decepticon Fellbat

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0042: Transformers Decepticon Drillhorn

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0043: Transformers Decepticon Ironbison

(left leg)

*Item #DCW0044: Transformers Decepticon Ion Sythe

(sword)

 

UW-EX Woman Destron Combined Female Soldier Megatronia, consisting of:

*Item #DUW0017: Transformers Destron Megaempress

(torso)

*Item #DUW0018: Transformers Destron Lunaclub

(arm)

*Item #DUW0019: Transformers Destron Moonheart

(arm)

*Item #DUW0020: Transformers Destron Flowspade
(leg)

*Item #DUW0021: Transformers Destron Trickdiamond

(leg)

 

Count: 124

 

Toys Review – the Combiner Wars Combaticons!

Games & Competitions, Transformatorium

Game Review – Transformers Battlegrounds

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Transformers Battlegrounds is the first Gaming Console game released by the Transformers brand since Devastation several years ago and takes a much different tack to its predecessors.

 

Whilst previous Transformer console games have been primarily 3rd person shooters such as War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron, or hack & slash like Devastation, Transformers Battlegrounds is a strategy turn-based game where you (as a hovering human) control a group of bots below to work your way through levels until you have the obligatory ‘boss battle’ at the end.

Optimus vs Megatron – how unexpected…

 Right from the outset you can tell this is a Transformers game aimed at younger players.  The game is based on the recent Cyberverse cartoon which itself was aimed at younger fans.  The controls are simple and easy to pick up and the gameplay follows a very simplistic style.  Older players who are looking for an in-depth turn-based game with hundreds of options are going to be disappointed, but the game is a good entry point for your younger player who doesn’t want to get too burdened with choice.  So lets take a look at the different facets of this game.

 

The Levels

The graphics are very faithful to the cartoon, which is both good and bad.  The cartoon had very simple 3D animation with smooth bots with minimal details and the environments they inhabited were even more so.  The game reflects this and you work your way through environments such as identical looking towns, deserts and even Cybertron itself – none of which look particularly impressive. 

Once again, the makers of the game had to stay true to the source material but when we were treated to such visual marvels back on the PS3 in Fall of Cybertron, its kind of disappointing for so little potential of the PS4 to be utilized here.

 

The Characters

The game contains a decent variety of characters from the show.  In the main campaign you play as the Autobots and take control of such characters as Arcee, Windblade, Grimlock, Wheeljack and the obligatory Optimus and Bumblebee.  There are many opponents from the Decepticon cast of the show as well; Seekers such as Starscream, Slipstream, Acid Storm, Thundercracker and Thrust, as well as other characters such as Dead End, Strika, Megatron and Shockwave with his drones. The Decepticon cast is also fleshed out by several characters that never appeared in the show but did in the Generations toyline such as Battletrap and Offroad.  Several of the Decepticon show characters are also playable in the Multiplayer mode so you get a chance to play both sides of the conflict.

The characters look faithful to the show, but once again the game designers have made little use of the PS4’s capabilities.  Characters are very limited in their animations and any cutscenes simply show speech blocks at the bottom of the screen rather than bothering to make the actual characters lips move.  They did get the voice actors from the show in which is a plus, but in some situations the characters say things that aren’t applicable.  For instance, in ‘Capture the Flag’ the character with the flag often says ‘I’m damaged here!’ or ‘I’m leaking Energon!’ even if they haven’t sustained any damage.  Also, in the main game lots of the female Seekers give distinctly masculine grunts.  Rather than this being a gender-swapping scenario like Acid Storm in the cartoon, it comes across as simply lazy by the designers who didn’t bother to match up the voices to the characters correctly.

 

Gameplay

As mentioned the gameplay is very simplistic, with you herding your group of bots through different levels.  Each character has different abilities which can be upgraded throughout the game.  Each character gets three action tokens to use per round and these are used for either travel, attack or healing other bots.  There is some strategy to this game, for instance using your scout characters to herd Cons towards your tank characters to get taken out, with healer characters ready to either snipe or heal as needed.  But the depth is minimal and any experienced gamer will soon grow bored.

 

Multiplayer

Here is the main reason that I personally purchased the game, so that my son and I could sit on the couch next to each other and finally play a Transformers game together.  Before this Transformer console games have either been single player or online coop, with no options to sit and play with your buddies.   There are five different multiplayer options, some of which you can play as Cons, ranging from taking out as many enemies as possible in a limited number of turns, to games such as Capture the Flag.  The latter was by far the most fun to play with my son as one of us would steal the flag while the other provided cover or heal.  But, like the main game, the lack of depth was disappointing and despite my sons young age we both found ourselves growing bored.

 

Overall

While this game opens up a new style of gameplay for Transformer games, it’s simplicity is also its downfall.  Lackluster graphics, overly-simplistic and repetitive gameplay and an uninspired storyline relegate this release to a niche that will only appeal to younger and less experienced gamers.  For older gamers, and even younger gamers who have spent a lot of time with a controller in their hands, this game will become very dull very quickly and only appeal to the most die hard of Transformer fans.

 

Got a comment about this game?  Pop it in the comments section below.

 

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Games & Competitions, Transformatorium

Game App Review – Transformers Bumblebee Overdrive

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There have been a ton of Transformer gaming apps in recent years on both Android and iPhone; a few have retired and several are still chugging along.  In anticipation of the new Bumblebee Movie coming out later this year, we have a new game (currently only available through Apple) based on everyone’s favorite little yellow bot in Transformers Bumblebee Overdrive.

Pretty much every app has been based on either the Movieverse or Generation 1.  This is most definitely G1 with a bit of Generations thrown in.  And like G1, this game is 80’s arcade all the way baby!

You start the game as Bumblebee and work your way through 4 main stages over and over, gathering crystals and coins in order to unlock new characters.  Once you reach a certain points level, you then take on a boss character, the defeat of which will unlock new weapons and bonuses within game.

Lets fight!

The four main stages consist of Highway, Canyon, another Canyon and Decepticon bases.

Highway

Like the run to Brisbane Airport

Lots of innofensive traffic which you need to dodge, the only real enemy you encounter and flying Decepticon Drones that fire off missiles, one hit of which can kill.  It is during these highway drives that you can try to earn bonuses from completing events, such as destroying a certain amount of Phone Booths or Fire Hydrants.

 

Canyon – style 1.

Who takes a sports car that expensive offroading?

Lots of swerving required here.  Surprise spike pits pop up, silver mines are laid about, more flying Missile Drones and as you progress Laser Cannons.  Ironically the main thing you need to avoid are rock columns, crashing into one kills you instantly.

 

Canyon – style 2.

Air Time!

Nothing to crash into here, but you are being pursued!  Here we get some G1 goodness with you being chased by Stunticons  Dead End & Breakdown as well as other G1 Cons Ruckus and Ground Hog.  There is also the Stunticon Offroad from Combiner Wars and Slice(r) from Timelines thrown in.  Taking out these other cars is probably the easiest of the levels, though as it gets harder sometimes you find ones parked in your way as you fight the others.

Subtle hints are provided

 

Decepticon Bases

Here is the only part of the game where you get to fight as robot mode and a plethora of different dangers get in your way.  Laser Canons in different configurations, barriers both physical and electric and purple flying Conheads who resemble the same ones found in Transformers: Devestation.  These levels are also the ones were you get to test out the different weapons you have unlocked by defeating bosses, in particular I like the laser beam you get for defeating Acid Storm.

The laser kicks ass!

 

Bosses

Nearly all G1 based (apart from Generations Battleslash) and they are a lot of fun!  You only get to fight these when you have reached a certain amount of points.  In the classic 80’s arcade style, these bosses throw different energy weapon patterns at you and as long as you avoid the obvious patterns the bosses are easy to defeat.  Quite an enjoyable part of the game, it’s a shame that they come along so rarely.

And you only get to fight them once

 

Character Unlocks

You start as Bumblebee and, much like any toy isle you go down, the easiest other character to get is another version of Bumblebee, this one resembling in part his look from TF: AOE.  The other characters to get at this stage are Sideswipe, Arcee and Optimus – Optimus requiring a whopping 500 crystals!  When you obtain a character you use your coins to increase their armor and firepower, then use crystals to ungrade them to the next level to start all over again.  I just got Arcee this morning and she is quite fun in robot mode since she has two guns, which means double the firepower when you use the upgrades like lasers and homing missiles.

‘Freedom is the right of all sentient beings – as long as they pay through the nose with crystally goodness’

 

In-Game Purchases

Guess the game companies need to make their money somehow

What app doesn’t have these.  Personally I’d never buy even the cheap ones but maybe there is someone out there willing to spend over a hundred bucks on the big pack.

Yeah, good luck selling these!

 

Is the game worth playing?

In short doses yes.  It’s lots of fun!  In big doses no.  Your finger gets tired after a while and to be honest when I was most of the way to the points total for Battleslash I was hoping I would crash as I had had my fill.  Also despite the minor variations you get each run through, having only 4 stages to work through over and over again gets understandingly repetitive.

Will I still be playing this game in a months time?

I doubt it.  I’ll unlocked Arcee a few hours ago but no way could I be bothered saving enough crystals for Optimus.  Also as mentioned before, the amount of points you need to gain increases exponentially to reach bosses.  The first three (Tracer, Quake and Acid Storm) are not too onerous but then suddenly you find Battlelslash to be a whopping 256,000 points and that takes forever to reach.

So should you download it?

If you are a TF fan sure, why not!  It’s a bit of cheesy 80’s arcade fun but it really doesn’t have anything to keep you there for the long haul.

 

Got something to say about this App?  Put it in the comments section below!