"Generations" War for Cybertron: Siege Mirage Toy Review

01/30/21

General Information:
Release Date: October 2019
Price Point: $19.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: "C-20 Electro-Disruptor Cannon", "Distortion Missile", "W-15 Armor-Piercing Rocket-Dart Launcher"

Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com:

BUILD THE ULTIMATE BATTLEFIELD: Discover an expansive ecosystem of collectible figures and weapon accessories with Siege figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability).
CUSTOMIZABLE WEAPON LOADOUT: Autobot Mirage figure comes with 3 weapon accessories. Multiple C. O. M. B. A. T. weapon ports on figure enable weapon accessories to attach in custom configurations in bot and vehicle modes.
EXPANDABLE WEAPON SELECTION: Fans can build bigger mission load outs by compiling an arsenal of additional weapon accessories from other Siege figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability).
G1-INSPIRED CYBERTRONIAN ALT MODE: Deluxe Class WFC-S43 Autobot Mirage toy features classic conversion between robot and Cybertronian vehicle modes in 19 steps.
ADD BATTLE EFFECTS: Attach Fire Blasts accessories (not included. Included with Battle Masters figures. Each sold separately. Subject to availability) to the ends of weapon accessories to simulate blaster fire coming from weapons.

Build the ultimate battlefield with Siege figures. Siege plunges fans into the epic fight to survive on the final day of the Autobot and Deception battle to control Cyber Tron. The Deception resistance army and the Autobot counter-resistance fighters gear up with the C. O. M. B. A. T. (Cybertronian Omnifuctional Modular Battlefield Assault Tech) System, the universe's most advanced modular weaponry -- including the diplomatic Autobot army sergeant and spy, Mirage. The Deluxe Class WFC-S43 Autobot Mirage figure comes with C-20 Electro-Disruptor Cannon, W-15 Armor-Piercing Rocket-Dart Launcher, and Distortion Missile weapon accessories. Figure features multiple C. O. M. B. A. T. System weapon ports to attach weapons, enabling custom configurations in bot and vehicle modes. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.

Mirage was one of the original Autobots introduced in 1984. He was part of Optimus Prime's crew on board the Ark and over the years the character has popped up in many different forms including:

Now as part of Siege Mirage gets a brand new sculpt intended to portray the character as he appeared on Cybertron before his arrival on Earth.

Packaging:
Taking a cue from "Studio Series", the Deluxe figures in "Siege" are packaged in boxes instead of the traditional bubble card used for Deluxe Class figures. These boxes are beautiful featuring an unusual shape with one flat side and one angled side. While elements of previous packaging are still found on the boxes (ex: the vertical Transformers logo, the "Generations" logo, a largely black background etc.) there is a lot more added on. First, the background is not solid black. There are designs on it that look like sparks or perhaps embers from flames On the angled side is the character's package art. In this case it shows Mirage running into battle. The figure itself is in robot mode behind a clear plastic window. To the left is a chevron with the character name. Below that is the "War for Cybertron: Siege" logo.

On the back of the box, Mirage is shown in both modes and holding a Battle Master with Blast Effects attached. His cosells are Aimless and Caliburst.

In a fun extra, shining a black light on the packaging will reveal Cybertronian glyphs. Input them on Hasbro's "Teletraan-1" web site and you get a translation. In Mirage's case it is "TURBOFOX", referring to the type of creature Mirage used to hunt according to his G1 tech specs. Enter that into the Teletraan-1 site and it reveals a wallpaper featuring his package art and his location as being in the "Iacon" with the blurb "One-time home to the elite ruling class of Cybertron. Satellite signal relay detected. Location-masking protocols identified. Decryption in progress.".

Accessories:
Like this G1 counterpart, Mirage includes three main accessories (technically G1 Mirage had extra missiles but let's not nitpick here). The first weapon is his handheld blaster, the "C-20 Electro-Disruptor Cannon". This design is based on the model used in the G1 animation and Marvel comic book. It features a thin rifle with a thin barrel in front, a weapons clip on the bottom and two "fins" sticking out on the sides. This weapon is cast in silver plastic with a 5mm peg on the bottom, one at the back and the front can fit a Blast Effect.

The other weapon is the "W-15 Armor-Piercing Rocket-Dart Launcher". This is based on the shoulder mounted launcher from the original G1 Mirage toy and animation/comic book model. It even replicates that launcher's "button/trigger" which is sculpted to look like a targeting scope. The launcher features a 5mm port in front and a peg in the back. This piece is cast in silver and painted black. The third accessory is the "Distortion Missile" which goes along with the launcher. This piece features a 5mm peg on the back and bottom so it can be held as a separate weapon or attach to other weapons in the line. This piece is cone shaped with fins on the sides and top, just like the G1 model.

Robot Mode:
In 1984, Mirage's design was one of the more unique ones among the Autobots. Unlike say, Prowl and Bluestreak who shared a sculpt, his sculpt was unique and shockingly was never given a new deco for the rest of G1 and a G2 redeco was conceptualized but never released. Despite this, the character's G1 design remains iconic and this figure features several of that character's traditional design features. This includes:

The head sculpt features a round helmet with a crest in the center and the parts that flank the face have air vent like details. His face features two eyes, a nose and mouth and a pronounced chin piece.
The chest is designed to look like it is formed from the front of the vehicle mode. In G1 the figure's torso was formed by the front of the vehicle mode. However on this sculpt the designers wanted to make the figure look more like the animated model where the front of the car essentially wraps and folds around the torso so it is not sticking out a lot. Some fans are not fans of the "faux vehicle mode parts in robot mode" design choice, but for this character I think it works really well.
The arms each have a thin panel on the sides. On G1 Mirage these were formed by the sides of the vehicle mode, but here these are the halves of the spoiler.
Each leg features a rectangular knee armor and feet that angle downward at the "toes".

I appreciate the way tis figure incorporates a lot of G1 design elements while having the figure transform in a completely different way than its G1 counterpart. That makes it more fun in my book.

Mirage is cast in blue, silver, white, black and translucent blue plastic. Initial photos seemed to indicate the figure would be solid blue, but certain parts like the lower legs are translucent blue, a nod towards the character's ability to turn invisible for a few minutes at a time. The distribution of the colors heavily favors his G1 design, with much of the white winding up on the torso and thighs. Silver and black help add some color contrast on parts like the arms and feet. Paint colors on this figure include silver, red, blue and white. Silver is found on the sides of the arms, the face, chest and knee armor. The red and blue are mostly used on the torso while the white is used for lettering on his legs (I have tried to translate what it says, but I cannot figure it out after comparing it to several "Cybertronian alphabet" charts online). The deco looks great overall and for fans who hate the "battle damage" deco in Siege, breathe a sigh of relief. There are no battle damage details on this figure!

There are twenty two points of articulation on this figure. This includes four on each arm and six on each leg. Each fist has a 5mm port and the panelson the sides of the arms also have 5mm ports. He also has 5mm ports on the sides of the knees, but I would be careful with those since they are made of translucent plastic. If the weapon you are attaching fits nicely then you are solid. However if the weapon is too tight, I would not push it too tightly or the plastic might stress (or even crack). Two more ports flank the head and he also has ports on the bottom of his feet. The last port is on the back. Want to attach some Blast Effects? There is a port on each shoulder and one on the chest.

Transformation to Vehicle Mode:

Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
Straighten out the arms and legs.
Swing each fist into the forearms.
Point the robot feet down.
Rotate the arms around.
Bend each arm at the elbows and swing them up.
Swing the arms in over the chest, connect the the forearms together.
Connect the spoiler halves together.
Swing the wheels behind the chest out to the sides.
Lift the upper body up, extending it on the hinged pieces connected to the upper body.
Swing the head in behind the chest.
Swing the upper body piece down.
On each leg, swing up the translucent blue panel over the thighs.
On each leg, swing out the wheels to the sides.
Connect each leg half together to form the front of the vehicle.
Push the front half of the car against the rear section to connect the two halves of the vehicle together.
The weapons can be attached to the ports on the spoilers.

Vehicle Mode:
Mirage's vehicle mode is a type of F-1 style race car, and really it is one of those modes that pushes the limit for anyone trying to buy this as a Cybertronian vehicle. It looks like something that would be racing on Earth. However, given that it is unlikely an "Earth Mode" Mirage is going to be part of Earthrise my guess is the designers needed to skirt the edge of having a somewhat futuristic/sleek look vehicle and an "Earth" mode.

I am no expert in race car design, but some fans have suggested that having (what looks like) an air intake right under the spoiler is a bit odd. To me the vehicle looks cool and evokes G1 Mirage's vehicle mode enough for my tastes.

This mode mostly shows off white, black and translucent blue plastic. Perhaps the most distinctive deco on this figure is a tampograph on the sides that is intended as a homage to G1 Mirage's "Citanes" deco, itself a nod to "Gitanes", a French cigarette company. Hey, it was the 80's, what can I say? I cannot make out what the characters translate into, but I appreciate the G1 nod. Silver paint is used liberally on the spoiler and the sides of the wheels, which really helps punch up the colors on this figure.

There are two 5mm ports on the top of the spoiler to attach extra weapons. His Blast Effect page still stick out from under the spoiler, but you'll have to be selective about what Blast Effects you can squeeze in there.

Final Thoughts:
Mirage is a fun new interpretation of the character. The biggest complaint most fans have seem to revolve around some of the bulkiness in vehicle mode, but I am not particularly bothered by it. I think this is a cool figure that offers good play value. Recommended!

Pros:

Good sculpt with G1 influences.
Nice deco.
Good play value and articulation.

Cons:

A bit bulky in vehicle mode.

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