"Cyberverse" 1-Step Changer Bludgeon Toy Review

11/03/21

General Information:
Release Date: February 2020
Price Point: $9.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Sword

*Images and text below from Hasbro.com:
The war between heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons continues on the Transformers Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures animated series! Discover the unique powers and skills of each Cyberverse Adventures character, and see how those powers will be used to defend Earth… or threaten it.

Experience the excitement of quick conversion with figures that change between modes in 1 easy step! Simply convert Bludgeon figure from robot to vehicle mode in 1 quick step. Conversion reveals the figure’s Whirlwind Slash Action Attack move! The move can be easily repeated.

Kids can collect other 1-Step Action Attackers figures, each sold separately, to discover the signature attack moves of favorite characters from the Cyberverse Adventures series -- one of the best ways to introduce young kids and new fans to the exciting world of Transformers Bumblebee! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. Hasbro and all related terms are trademarks of Hasbro.

  • Includes Bludgeon figure and on-box instructions
  • 4.25-INCH BLUDGEON FIGURE: 4.25-inch 1-Step Changer Bludgeon Action Attackers figure inspired by the Transformers Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures animated series.
  • REPEATABLE ATTACK MOVE: Convert the evil Bludgeon figure to reveal his signature Whirlwind Slash Action Attack move. Fun attack move can be easily repeated.
  • 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TOY: Easy Transformers conversion for kids 6 years old and up! Convert Bludgeon toy from robot to vehicle mode in 1 easy step. Makes a great gift for kids!
  • TRANSFORMERS BUMBLEBEE CYBERVERSE ADVENTURES CHARACTER: Classic Bludgeon toy robot inspired by the silent Decepticon soldier from the Transformers Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures cartoon, as seen on Cartoon Network and YouTube.
  • INSPIRED BY CARTOON NETWORK SHOW: In the G1-inspired Cyberverse Adventures series, giant Transformers robots from the planet Cybertron engage in epic battles, activating signature abilities known as Action Attacks! Kids can imagine unleashing this special power with this Action Attackers figure!
  • Figure scale: 4.25 inches
  • Ages 6 and up
  • Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts may be generated. Not for children under 3 years.

In 1989 Hasbro released a new Pretender named Bludgeon. His outer shell was based on Samurai armor but his head was a skull, giving him an appearance that was both creepy and cool at the same time. The character was heavily featured in the final story arc of the Marvel Comics series, helping give the character a popularity he would not have had otherwise since the cartoon never featured him. As the years have gone along, there have been several figures released that were inspired by Bludgeon. These include:

Now thanks to Cyberverse we have another! This time out he is a One-Step Changer released as part of the Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures line.

Packaging:
Following the design that has been used with Cyberverse One-Step Changers since the beginning of the line, the design of One-Step Changer packaging has not changed. The packaging is basically a large card that folds over a figure tied into a plastic tray that is glued to the card. The graphics however are very different. Instead of mostly being yellow, this card is mostly purple with an image of Cybertron in the background. The yellow is still present behind the vertical Transformers logo and a faction logo is set above that. This figure uses the "Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures" logo (instead of the "Battle for Cybertron" logo used on other Cyberverse figures released at the same time). Above the logo is Bludgeon's artwork. On the flap that wraps over the plastic tray is alternate artwork featuring him holding his sword executing his "Whirlwind Slash" action.

The back of the packaging features Bludgeon in both modes and the one step transformation between them. Above the robot mode is a callout for the "Whirlwind Slash". Under his name is a simple description: Evil Decepticon.

Vehicle Mode:
The original G1 Bludgeon transformed into a tank, and this version does the same. However, instead of an Earth-based tank, this one is a Cybertronian tank. That basically means the designers have freedom to do whatever they want with it so long as there are big guns and treads involved. This tank fits the bill. The tank has a pair of giant treads on the sides. In the middle is a turret with two cannons instead of just one. The tread sections have some armor in the middle. More armor can be seen under the cannons (formed from the robot chest). The sculpt isn't perfect however. Since this figure still needs to transform in one step (or two) the robot arms are super visible on the sides of the treads. This doesn't bother me much, but other fans may not like them being so visible.

Bludgeon is cast in a dark grey (possibly a dark olive color), light grey, orange and green plastic. There is much more paint on this figure than I had expected. Orange is used on top of the treads with a Decepticon symbol on the left side. The cannon barrels are painted grey. These colors really help brighten up the figure, offering sharp contrast to the darker grey on the treads.

While this vehicle mode looks fun, there is one obvious and one less obvious bit of play value that the designers missed out on. First, the treads have ports on the sides towards the front, two on each side. Now, you would think these could be used to attach 5mm peg weapons, but nope. One of these ports is too small and the other is too big. This was very disappointing. The other less obvious play pattern opportunity involves the cannon barrels. Each has port at the end, but they are not sized correctly to accommodate Blast Effects. Remember, with the introduction of the Deluxe Class, Cyberverse has Blast Effects now too. It would have been nice for this figure to have been able to use them. This is perhaps the biggest downer for me with this figure as I believe cross compatibility with accessories and other figures is a huge selling point of the Transformers toy line.

Transformation to Robot Mode:

  1. Detach the sword and set it aside for now.
  2. Hold on to the rear half of the treads and push them together.
  3. The sword can fit in either hand.

Robot Mode:
Surprisingly, Cyberverse Bludgeon reminds me a lot of Robots in Disguise Bludgeon! The similarities owe a lot to the fact that both figures transform from a Samurai armor-based robot to a tank (with two cannon barrels no less!). Like that design he has the skull/Samurai helmet head, a chest design that looks like eyes on a skull and his shoulders are partly made up of treads set horizontally. On top of that his forearms and pelvic area also feature layered armor details based off Samurai style armor. For a One-Step Changer, I really love the look of this figure. Throw in his sword and it really helps complete the picture.

This mode features all the colors seen in vehicle mode, and they are distributed very nicely. The dark grey (or dark olive if you prefer) is focused on the shoulders and lower legs while the chest is a bright orange. The forearms and feet are a darker orange and in between light grey and green break up the colors. What is also fun is that these are all shades of colors found on the original G1 Bludgeon. The figure is eye catching and offers a visually appealing range of colors.

Bludgeon only has three points of articulation. His elbows can bend and his left wrist can turn. The wrist articulation is not really meant to be articulation for display. Instead, it is part of his "Whirlwind Slash" feature. Pull the fist out a bit and it loosens it up. Put the sword in that hand and you can push it to have it twirl around (which I guess is a "slash"). This is not a feature I see myself using but it's fun for kids and it helps emphasize his sword accessory, which is a rarity around One-Step Changers.

Final Thoughts:
I really dig this figure despite its flaws. I think had the designers taken one more pass at the planning of it the figure would have been a must have. As it stands I do recommend this figure, but see if you can get it on sale.

Pros:

  • Excellent sculpt.
  • Great deco.
  • Includes an accessory, which is a rarity for One-Step Changers.
  • Fun and smooth transformation.

Cons:

  • Does not have the ability to accommodate 5mm peg weapons despite having ports in places where weapons could be attached.

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