by Autobot032 » Thu Aug 02, 2012 3:21 am
- Weapon: Switch Blade Tail
Well, I'm glad I preordered the G2 set, the cheapest of the bunch. See, BBTS won't allow returns once an item's been opened, but Amazon will. Now, I'm not condoning such an action, nor am I saying I will even go that far, but after spending that kind of money, I don't want to get ripped off. Now, I know some of you will say "But there are reviews! There are videos showing how awful he is! Don't want to get burned? Don't buy it!" But here's the problem: People need to have hands on experience with an item to truly know whether or not they want said item.
For example: PRID Airachnid. Most people HATE her toy. I can see why. However, I'm quite satisfied with the figure and don't regret the purchase. Is she perfect? Oh hell no. Quite the opposite, in fact, however, I do like her. Maybe it's because it's a quirky mold? Maybe it's because she's the only Airachnid we have coming? I don't know, and I agree that's not a strong argument for her figure, but I do actually like the figure. I'm not lying when I say this. I transform her frequently. I actually like the transformation and how streamlined she becomes in vehicle mode.
I need to be able to do the same with FOC Bruticus. He might end up being a favorite of mine. He also might end up being a pile of $#!7. (Chances are the latter, but I'm hoping for the former.)
At first, I was appalled by the PRID figures. After seeing First Edition, I was spoiled. However, the PRID only figures (such as Wheeljack, Airachnid, etc.) are good. In fact, if F.E. hadn't existed, we might not be complaining about PRID at all. On the other hand, figures such as Breakdown are deserving of First Edition status. (He's really that good...) Thing is...they look good in both modes (usually), they transform in neat ways (so they're not boring, but not tear inducing either), and they're affordable.
Bruticus, on the other hand, has been expensive so far, and will continue to be so.
SDCC: $100.00
Retail: $75.00 (plus tax!)
G2 Exc.: $65.00 (plus shipping!)
And he's not living up to that price. The individual figures seem to receive some praise, some more than others, but they're still a mixed bag. The transformations SCARE people because tabs can break. (Some already have!) The vehicle modes are just pure asshattery on most. The combined mode is just...(insert ridiculously foul language here) That's a LOT to ask of us, especially when we know HasTak's capable of so much more. So. Much. More.
When FansProject makes two limbs and a bunch of accessories and makes a respectable Bruticus out of the Energon monstrosity that HasTak screwed up on, it should tell you something.
I now own a Maketoys Giant. (Yellow version.) Fantastic set. Amazing build quality, impressive designs (overall and individually), and it LOOKS good. The asking price ($350.00+) is excessive, I agree. Hercules, even more so. ($600.00? P*ss off.) But, they're still blowing HasTak out of the water. HasTak IS capable of making figures on the level of Maketoys and FP and TFC. They are. In fact, after seeing ROTF Optimus (both Leader and Voyager classes) and HFTD Starscream, plus several others in the ROTF line, we KNOW HasTak can make magic happen.
...they're choosing not to. It's not that 3rd party's beating them to the punch. It's not that they're trying to appease kids. It's not that they're worried about laws. It's that they're trying to make money with the least amount of work, and they're taking the path of least resistance to do so. Granted, the economy is CRAP right now and everyone's pinching pennies where and when they can, but HasTak's going about it the wrong way.
Shrinking figures, cutting paint apps, stripping features AND charging MORE? Bad, bad form.
At least with 3rd party, you know they're gonna screw you on their prices, you can see it coming from a mile away. But a duo of companies known for reliable quality (not perfect, but reliable) and fantastical designs screwing you and doing their darnedest to hide it and continue doing it? Bad. Disrespectful to us. Fraudulent.
Changing factories and plastic type? Not going to fix much of anything.
Hiring 3rd party designers? Not going to change anything.
HasTak chooses to go crappy with their works, lately. It's a choice.
...it's a choice.
NOTE: Realize that I am not a perfect Christian, nor do I profess to be. I apologize if anyone's ever offended by me, I'm not perfect. Don't hold my posts and opinions against other Christians.