General Information:
Release Date: January 2020
Price Point: $19.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com and Hasbro Pulse:
This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes! This Hoist toy features an A.I.R. Lock connection point on the truck mode ramp that can attach to Modular Battle Stations to expand and customize the battlefield.
The jovial Autobot maintenance engineer, Hoist, converts into classic G1 tow truck mode in 20 steps and comes with a weapon accessory. Includes Transformers Generations War for Cybertron: Earthrise Deluxe Hoist figure, 1 accessory, and instructions.
- The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the Allspark
- Earthrise collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes, featuring figures that can convert into Modular Battle Station modes and connect together to expand the battlefield (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- Hoist toy features an A.I.R. Lock connection point that can attach to Modular Battle Stations with truck ramp
- Hoist figure converts into classic G1 tow truck mode in 20 steps and comes with a weapon accessory
- Every pack includes a piece of the Transformers Universe map and a red decoder to unlock the map's hidden paths! Collect other Earthrise figures to piece together the full map! (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
- Figure scale: 5.5 inches
- Ages 8 and up
Hoist was introduced as a reinforcement on Earth for the Autobot forces in 1985. In the cartoon series he just kind of popped up out of nowhere. In the Marvel Comic he was built on Earth in issue #14 of that title. The original G1 action figure used the same basic sculpt as Trailbreaker with some retooling and different colors. Over the years the character has popped up here and there including:
- Machine Wars Hoist
- Universe Hoist
- Generations Legends Class Hoist
- Generations Deluxe Class Hoist
- Timelines Hoist
This figure represents the first time Hoist has had a brand new sculpt in several years. It also notable that this time out he was released before Trailbreaker (it was the other way around the last time he was given a Deluxe Class mainline toy).
Packaging:
Earthrise packaging is the same basic shape as Siege boxes. They feature one flat side and one angled side with a window in the middle. Like the Siege boxes the boxes feature a red Transformers logo set vertically to one side with the Generations logo above it. Under the window is the Earthrise logo with the War for Cybertron Trilogy logo beneath it. Off to the left is the name "Hoist" with his rank symbol above it. The other side of the box features the character's artwork. Hoist's artwork features him posed as if he is about to fight someone.
The back of the box shows Hoist in both modes: vehicle and robot. The transformation is listed as having 20 steps. Instead of a cosell, the box shows how you can attach a ramp from other Earthrise figures to the back of the vehicle mode.
Accessories:
Hoist includes one accessory: a blaster. However, the design of this weapon really deserves some kudos. The weapon has a cylindrical base with a narrow section in the middle that widens again a bit at the end of the barrel. This design is a callback to the design of Hoist's right hand in both the G1 cartoon and comic book where a blaster/welding tool was found instead of a fist. What's great about this weapon is that it is designed to fit over the fist, covering it to look like G1 Hoist's right arm. This lets you have the figure both ways. If you just want him to have regular ol' fists, great! If you want him to have one "weapon hand", great! I love having the option to display him one way or the other.
This weapon is cast in orange plastic with no paint applications. The end of the barrel has a port that allows you to attach Blast Effects.
Robot Mode:
Hoist has one of the most distinctive designs among the 1984/1985 Autobots. Unlike the more sleek Autobots like Sideswipe or Prowl Hoist is big and bulky. Among the Deluxes in the first wave of Earthrise, he is the tallest, measuring in over 5 inches (about 12.7 centimeters) tall. He is also the heaviest, weighing in at 3.2 ounces. If you look across this wave of figures, Hoist balances out the relatively small size and weight of Cliffjumper who was released in the same wave.
From a design standpoint, Hoist features many G1 inspired elements:
- Hoist's head sculpt features a rectangular middle section with two thin panels on either side. He has visor eyes and a mouthplate with small vertical lines on it.
- The torso is bulky and formed from the front of the vehicle.
- Each arm has a panel attached to the back that extends all the way to the forearms.
- The back section has two "wings" set at angles.
- There is a small rectangular section that is set above the head with three small circles in it.
- The knee armor is thick and sticks out slightly from the thighs and lower legs.
Many fans felt that some of the figures in the Siege line went a little overboard with greebles. This time out I think the designers have found a nice balance. There are several sections that are relatively smooth on this figure including the torso and forearms. At the same time there are sections with plenty of intricately sculpted details including the upper arms and legs. It is a really nice balance of detail and it looks great.
Hoist is made up of green, orange, white, black and translucent blue plastic. The green is the main color, with the white and orange used on parts like the forearms and waist area. His head is black plastic with blue on the eyes and gunmetal grey on the mouthplate. Some silver is used to paint the lower legs and his torso has a huge red and white Autobot symbol tampographed on it. Silver is also used for a bit of wear on the torso (which also serves as the front of the vehicle mode). I like this bit of "wear and tear" detailing. It looks good, adds some detailing but it is not over the top.
There are twenty four points of articulation on this figure. This includes five in each arm, six in each leg and even waist articulation. There are also fourteen 5mm ports to connect weaponry. Each arm has three, the legs and feet have a total of four and the "back pack" has four. That is definitely above average and it offers lots of play value.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the blaster weapon and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the "wings" on the back and the rectangular piece with the circles inside down.
- Swing the back pack section back.
- Swing the head down into the chest.
- Rotate each forearm around so the top of the fists are facing forward.
- Rotate the arms up.
- Rotate the arms back so the arms are set pointed forward.
- Swing up the bottom section of the torso to form the front of the vehicle.
- Swing the back pack up.
- Swing each lower leg over the back of the thighs, tabbing it in to lock it into place.
- Swing the arms and the arm panels in. The arms should wind up under the front section of the vehicle mode.
- Swing the lower body back and snap it into place.
- Rotate each forearm around so the hinges face up, then swing the forearms in, tucking them against the bottom of the vehicle.
- Swing the back pack down and tab it in against the arm panels and the back of the vehicle.
- Swing the "wings" on the top of the vehicle outward, then swing the platform on the back out. Push the white rectangularpiece back, then swing the wings back in place.
- The blaster can be attached to the side of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
In G1 Hoist transformed into a pickup truck with a towing rig on the back. This time out he also transforms into a similar vehicle, but any trademarked features have been changed so as not to violate any potential IP. That said, the truck has a very blocky design that makes it look like a vehicle right out of the 80's. Most modern day pickup trucks have some curves or sleek lines. Hoist here just looks like a work vehicle without a lot of regard for being flashy or fancy looking. I really dig this as it fits with the retro vibe of the vehicle modes in Earthrise. The front of the vehicle has some really nice detailing on the grille and other small details include the rear lights. My only issue with the aesthetics involves the view from the sides. The robot fists and bits of the forearms are very obvious in this mode and that is a shame.
The green color makes up most of this form, but the orange also makes up a significant chunk on the back of the vehicle. Silver paint is used on the front, leaving only the headlights unpainted. The headlights themselves are translucent blue, which looks great. Running along the sides of the vehicle are yellow and black caution strips which call back to G1 Hoist's deco. A tiny bit of orange paint is used on the rear lights. The sides of the wheels are painted silver, however the front wheels have a different design from the back, which kind of messes up the aesthetic a bit. The front wheels have the clip on them and fit into holes in the front section. This lets the wheels show off hubcaps on the sides. However, the rear wheels fit into clips, so you can see the clips in the middle and they are unpainted. The area around the clip is painted silver, but that leaves an unpainted green section in the middle that makes the figure looks a bit unfinished. This is not egregious, but it does not look great either.
Hoist rolls on all four wheels in this mode. There are four 5mm ports in this mode. Two are on the sides and two are on top of the towing mechanism. To use the ones on top you'll need to move the wings aside, but you can have all sorts of fun with it. The platform on the top of the towing mechanism can slide up and down to "tow" another figure in vehicle mode. There is not really a way to "lock" another vehicle in place. I had limited success pulling a Micromaster but not a Deluxe Class figure.
You can also use this platform to connect to the ramps on other Earthrise figures! I mean, does it make sense for Hoist to be towing around Ironworks in base mode? Absolutely not! But it is neat thinking that he can connect to a base to act as an "elevator" or perhaps his ramp lets smaller Transformers hop onto his back from a base like Ironworks. This adds play value and to me that's super cool.
Final Thoughts:
Hoist is a fantastic figure. He looks like the G1 cartoon character brought to life and he's solid. His transformation is intuitive and fun and I love the ability to hook up to an Earthrise base! Highly recommended.
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt in both forms.
- Nice deco.
- Good articulation.
- The weapon fitting over a fist as the "blaster hand" is brilliant.
- Ability to attach to an Earthrise base is awesome.
Cons:
- I wish the "towing platform" had a way to "lock" vehicles in place to be "towed" without falling off the platform.
