As the highly anticipated Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie approaches, we had the privilege of getting our hands on some toys from the Studio Series line for a review. Let’s dive in and explore these figures!
First, let’s understand what the Studio Series toy line represents. Over the years, the Transformers franchise has catered to different audiences and characters through various toy collections.
The Studio Series specifically focuses on delivering toys inspired by the movies and more recent games. These figures offer a higher level of detail and complexity, targeting an older audience due to the intricate transformations involved.
Now that we have some context, let’s examine the four toys we’ll be discussing today: Bumblebee and Airazor in the Deluxe (Small) category, and Battletrap and Cheetor in the Voyager (Medium) category.
Starting with the Maximals/Beast figures, the 4.5-inch scale appears to be a retool of a previous incarnation from the Transformers: Kingdom toy line, while the 6.5-inch scale features a brand new mould.
The transformations for both figures were pleasantly straightforward, making them easy to handle. Their articulation adds to the playability factor, and the attention to detail does not disappoint, with shading and colour gradients enhancing their appearance.
Now, let’s move on to the two vehicles in the line: 4.5-inch scale Autobot and 6.5-inch scale Terrorcon , both of which seem to feature new moulds.
Bumblebee’s transformation, while not overly complicated, gave me some concerns due to the flushness required during the process. It sometimes felt like I might break the toy in the attempt.
However, once in robot form, Bumblebee proved to be highly playable, with great articulation and enjoyable accessories that allow for exciting poses in your collection or during battle scenes.
On the other hand, Battletrap was, unfortunately, the most disappointing of the four. Although his robot mode looks menacing, upon closer inspection, I found that the figure had some finicky elements. Parts didn’t stay together well, and the hooks around his hands were hindering, making him less enjoyable to play with.
Transforming Battletrap also proved to be a challenge, as I struggled to make everything stay flush. However, it’s worth noting that every toy line tends to have that one figure that’s slightly less impressive.
The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Studio series is very playable and looks just as good on display. Despite a few hiccups, the new wave of movie toys in the Studio Series shows great promise. It’s natural to have some hits and misses, even after collecting for 16 years.
The key is to have a clear goal in mind when making purchases and, most importantly, to have fun with the toys. After all, that’s what being a Transformers fan is all about!