General Information
Release Date: March 2024
Price Point: $34.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon,
Accessories: Null Ray, Mace Handle, Mace, Right forearm
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- TRANSFORMERS STUDIO SERIES GAMER EDITION: Transformers Studio Series is expanding into the video game universe! These collectible Transformers action figures are based on the Transformers video games
- TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON STARSCREAM: This Transformers Studio Series 06 Gamer Edition Starscream action figure is highly articulated for posability and features video game-inspired deco and details
- TRANSFORMERS TOYS STUDIO SERIES VOYAGER CLASS: This 6.5-inch (16.5 cm) collectible action figures is inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the Transformers movie universe
- 2 ICONIC MODES: This Studio Series Transformers toy features classic conversion between robot and jet modes in 27 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: Transformers figure comes with 2 shoulder pieces, a blaster, and a 2-piece mace accessory. Swap out the figure’s arm and attach the blaster accessories as arm cannon attachments. Accessories attach in both modes
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Transformers figures feature articulated heads, arms, and legs for action poses
- REMOVABLE BACKDROP: Removable backdrop displays the Transformers Studio Series Starscream figure in the Fuel of War scene
Bring the epic action from the Transformers video games into your collection with the Transformers Studio Series Voyager Class 06 Gamer Edition Starscream action figure, inspired by the Transformers: War for Cybertron video game! Transformers Studio Series Gamer Edition toys are collectible action figures that feature video game-inspired details and accessories. Convert the Studio Series Transformers action figure from robot to jet mode in 27 steps and pose the Starscream toy in the included Fuel of War removable backdrop scene. Look for more Transformers Studio Series Gamer Edition collectible figures to build a video game-inspired collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)! TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. © 2024 Hasbro.
Background:
In 2010, the major multimedia push for Transformers was a video game titled "War for Cybertron" created by High Moon Studios. This game featured the Autobots versus Decepticons during the events of the Cybertronian wars, before they would leave their homeworld for Earth. This game was very popular among fans and the figures based on the game were part of the initial batch of Generations toy sub-line that continues to run over a decade later.
In an effort to expand the scope of the Studio Series line beyond live action movie and 1986 movie toys, the Gamer Series of Studio Series figures was revealed in early March 2023. Expanding the scope of the term "studio" is a natural progression of the line and this brings it into the realm of video games.
Back in the early days of the Generations toy line Hasbro made several figures from this game including a Deluxe Class Starscream so this is not the first time this version of Starscream has been made into a toy. However, this figure is an all new sculpt and Voyager class instead of Deluxe.
Packaging:
Starscream is packaged in a standard rectangular Studio Series box. Most of the graphics are very similar to previous Studio Series boxes but there are some variations here and there. The Studio Series logo is not on a blue background. Instead it is on a metallic looking background. Starscream's artwork has the gritty feel of the "War for Cybertron" game and the "War for Cybertron" logo is at the top above the window (and on the actual top flap). Above the Studio Series logo is a "D-Pad" graphic next to the number "06". The figure sits inside the box with an open window, following Hasbro's "no plastic packaging" rule. The artwork covers up most of the figure in an attempt to prevent theft.
The back of the box looks like a very standard Studio Series box with a red background and images of the figure in both modes calling out a 27 step transformation. He is described as "Gamer Edition Starscream" with the text "Fuel of War" (referencing the background incuded with the figure). Unlike Optimus Prime who has "Big Screen Inspired" on the upper left hand corner, this box says "Video Game Inspired". Towards the bottom the text reads "Starscream and the Seekers are tasked with reactivating an ancient Energon bridge" in multiple languages.
Inside the box Starscream comes with a background you can use to display the figure. This features a dark scene from the game (or at least, in the style of the game).
Accessories:
Some of Starscream's accessories are obvious when you take the tray out of the box, but be sure you also look in the tissue paper wrapped bundle in the back. Starscream's "collar" pieces are in there and will need to be attached when you take him out of the box. Here's a rundown of his other accessories:
- Right Forearm: In the "War for Cybertron" game characters generally could transform their arms into weaponry (taking a cue from the first few episodes of the G1 cartoon). I'm kind of stretching the definition of "accessory" a bit since this is just a part of the body that pops off to allow his Null Ray weapon to be attached. The right forearm is the mirror image of the left forearm (which does not detach). The forearm features a distinct shape with the outside angling outward and ending in with an angled piece towards the top. This piece is made up of two shades of blue plastic with silver paint application for machinery detail on top of the forerm. The arm itself features a hand in a slightly open position with a 5mm port in it.
- Null Ray: Starscream's G1 weapons were famously known as the "Null Rays", so it is appropriate he has a Null Ray rifle in this release. Unlike his G1 weapons which were intended to attach to the sides of his arms, this Null Ray (singular as there is only included with the set) looks like the game model complete with a sniper scope on top and a long barrel. This piece is Blast Effect friendly at the tip and there is a small 5mm peg on the bottom towards the back. The back also has a 5mm port, allowing you to attach the weapon to the elbow which makes it look like he has "transformed" his forearm into the weapon! The front of the barrel is Blast Effect compatible.
- Mace: Starscream's melee weapon is a large mace attached to a handle. The mace itself features spikes on four sides and many layers of detail including what look almost like cracks. The mace is painted a nice metallic purple while the handle is silver plastic. The handle features a 5mm peg at the bottom and two on the sides (allowing for storage option). Oddly, the bottom of the handle features a smaller peg that seems to have no use.
Robot Mode:
The "War for Cybertron" game had an interesting design philosophy. Since the game represented characters pre-Earth, they were supposed to be purely Cybertronian in form. At the time the live action Transformers movies were dominating the box office and the designers seemed to say "What if we took live action movie aesthetics but brought them closer to G1?". The combination of those design philosophies resulted in characters that looked G1-ish but had a lot of angular and pointed details that recall designs from the live action films. This figure has many features of the game model including:
- Head: Perhaps one of the most classic G1 elements of t his figure is the head, which uses the original Seeker head design as its foundation. The "helmet" section features a central crest separating two rectangular sections, vents on either side and bits that wrap in front of the cheeks. The angles are a bit more exaggerated and streamlines than his G1 counterpart, but there is no mistaking this face for anything but a Seeker-inspired design.
- Arms: The arms feature very sleek designs that visually reference his vehicle mode. On the shoulders are vertical panels that look like wings or fins. The forearms have angled designs with a separation in detail between the outer most panels and the inner forearms. This same type of seam can be seen on the arms of the game model.
- Back Panels: Rising up behind the robot head are two small, vertical panels that are callbacks to the large air vents that would flank the heads of the Seekers in G1. These are also present in the same spot on the game's CG model.
- Wings: Going back to G1 for inspiration, the "War for Cybertron" Seekers had their wings mounted on their backs, angling upward. This same design is present on this figure.
- Pelvic Area: The area in between the legs has a distinct shape, looking like a spine-like detail is fitting into a slot in an armored selection that forms his pelvic area. The sculpting for this almost organic looking detail are present on this figure (however, the deco does not separate out the two parts as it does on the CG model).
- Legs: The legs have several angled sections from the thighs down to the feet that give the legs a chunky appearance that you would not normally associate with a sleek Seeker design. The front of the lower legs has a raised panel on it and the feet have four "claws" on them instead of the usual "foot/heel" arrangement.
Perhaps the most mystifying part of the design choice to me is the chest. Instead of the triangular and sleek chest seen on the game model, Starscream's chest (formed from the vehicle mode cockpit) is wide and frankly, kind of ugly. The cockpit cover looks gigantic and out of proportion and it really put me off on purchasing this figure until I found it on sale. This is even more odd if you consider the the Deluxe Class version of this figure did have a nice, triangular cockpit section.
This figure is made up of colors based on Starscream's traditional palette including silver, blue, red and translucent orange. A lot has been toned down however. The red and blue in particular are very dark shades with the red looking more maroon than red and the blue looking almost black under certain light. Interestingly, his stock photos show much brighter versions of the blue and red colors. These foundational colors are supported by paint colors including silver, red and lavender. The red color is used the most, painting large sections of the lower legs and lines on the torso. Silver is used on the arms and face while lavender does much more subtle work on his "collar" pieces filling in the "U" shaped sections at the base. Overall the deco looks good and fits in with the gritty setting of the game.
There are twenty six points of articulation on this figure. That includes six in each arm and leg. Both weapons can be stored using the 5mm ports on his back. However, there is no storage for the forearm if you have it detached. There are additional 5mm ports in the hands and under the feet.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the weapons and set them aside for now. Be sure the right forearm is attached.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Extend the back section out.
- Swing the sections with the wings attached to them down.
- Rotate the wing sections up so the wings are "pointing" up.
- Swing the panel with the blue, vertical fins on them back, then swing the red panel inside it out.
- Rotate the blue, vertical fins around.
- Swing the panel with the vertical fins on it back in place.
- Make sure the "collar" pieces are rotated so they are parallel to one another.
- Swing the chest panel up.
- Swing out the nosecone piece
- Open the cockpit cover.
- Swing the robot head into the cockpit, then close the cover.
- Swing the whole cockpit section up.
- Flip the vehicle over and you'll see the arms are attached to hinged pieces in the middle. Swing each arm down.
- Rotate each arm up, then bend them at the elbows.
- Swing the forearms in and connect them together.
- On each foot, push the front "claw" in.
- On each leg, swing out the inner panel on the lower legs. Then swing the lower legs up over the thighs.
- Swing the back piece back and push it down. There are tabs on the back piece that connect to slots on the back of the lower legs.
- Swing the horizontal fins on the lower legs out.
- The weapons can be attached to the 5mm ports on the top of the vehicle
Vehicle Mode:
Starscream's vehicle mode is a Cybertronian jet and its design takes inspiration from both the G1 F-14 alt-mode and the Cybertronian "Tetrajets" seen in the G1 cartoon. At first glance it is very "Earth-jet" like featuring a cockpit section in front with wings sticking out the sides and both vertical and horizontal stabilizer fins towards the back. Now look at how sharp the nosecone is and the way the wings sweep forward along with the triangular vertical fins on top and the "Tetrajet" influence reveals itself. I love this blend of designs that serve as inspiration for something new.
This figure replicates many of the design elements seen in the video game model. Aside from its overall shape (forward swept wings, the triangular vertical stabilizer on top etc.) it has smaller details like four air intakes at the rear of the vehicle, two pointed panels extending forward in the middle and the rather chunky looking feet become fierce looking boosters in the back. Overall the designers did a great job replicating the look of the in-game model with the only exception being the cockpit. The shape is off and the cockpit cover is just way too big.
All the robot mode colors carry over to th is mode, but you get to see a lot more red parts concentrated from the middle to the front and more blue towards the back. Lavender colored Decepticon symbols grace both sides of the wings along with some silver. Decepticon symbols can also be found on either side of the vertical stabilizers. The choice of lavender instead of a deep purple is deliberate as the color better emulates the glowing faction symbols seen in the game.
This mode features six 5mm ports to attach accessories. Four are on the top of the vehicle from the middle to the back sections. The other two are from the bottom of the robot feet, which now point back and will fit Blast Effects.
Final Thoughts:
For the most part this figure is solid. Good sculpt, intuitive and fun transformation with some cool play features and a nice deco. I mentioned above that the gigantic cockpit kept me from purchasing this figure for quite some time, and I confess I'm glad I did not pay full price for it. I understand the size is likely due to the transformation and having to fit the head in there, but I feel like Hasbro nailed this design once at a Deluxe Class, sure they could have done even better at a Voyager Class. That said, I cannot deny this is a fun figure. Recommended with reservations.
Pros:
- For the most part, an excellent sculpt except for the chest.
- Good deco.
- Lots of play value especially with the detaching arm.
- Intuitive but complex transformation.
Cons:
- The chest thing (which I discuss a ton above).
