The Energon Pub

Delta Magnus wrote:Well you evidently care enough to make snarky posts about it.

He's good at staying out of the fray, and then swooping in with useful information. Regardless of whether he actually cares or not.

It's a valuable public service, IMHO.

If you say so. I just find the "Does anyone care anymore" needless and annoying.

We get it, guys. You like the MMC version more and hate the TFC version because it's NOT GEEWUN ENUFF. It's getting boring. If you like the MMC version that much, then fine, play with that. But there's no need to endlessly bash the TFC version and anyone who prefers it.

Delta Magnus wrote:If you say so. I just find the "Does anyone care anymore" needless and annoying.

Much like your fine self.

(c'mon, you served that one up on a platter)

Delta Magnus wrote:We get it, guys. You like the MMC version more and hate the TFC version because it's NOT GEEWUN ENUFF. It's getting boring. If you like the MMC version that much, then fine, play with that. But there's no need to endlessly bash the TFC version and anyone who prefers it.

As one of the loudest anti-Feral Rex voices on the threads, your statement is ironic. Not bad, just ironic.

The derogatory treatment of MMC fans as G1-obsessed is not just incorrect, but your own attempt to lampoon people who like MMC, so... I dunno. But you're free to like Ares better, no one's denying you that.

Indeed, though I've expressed my support and happiness with Feral Rex, I have found many things to like about Ares too. I particularly like the nods to Rhinox and Cheetor and if TFC did repaints, I would consider them.

Really, unless I am mis-remembering, I think X was the only one to really be highly vocal with dislikes. But that's just X's way...

Think of it this way DM at least you will have something no one else has

Nah don't beat yourself up about it Delta , there is no right and wrong when choosing a toy you want

Take the Dinobot dilemma most jumped on FP but i'm going for TW . Always go with what YOU like not what everybody else likes , otherwise we'd all have the same collections

megatronus wrote:He's good at staying out of the fray, and then swooping in with useful information. Regardless of whether he actually cares or not.

It's a valuable public service, IMHO.

Thank you, feels good to be appreciated

ZenPrime wrote:

megatronus wrote:He's good at staying out of the fray, and then swooping in with useful information. Regardless of whether he actually cares or not.

It's a valuable public service, IMHO.

Thank you, feels good to be appreciated

Sure thing!

Delta Magnus wrote:I just find the "Does anyone care anymore" needless and annoying. We get it, guys. You like the MMC version more and hate the TFC version.

thanks for that. ive been feelin the same thing lately.

Agamemnon wrote:Indeed, though I've expressed my support and happiness with Feral Rex, I have found many things to like about Ares too. I particularly like the nods to Rhinox and Cheetor and if TFC did repaints, I would consider them.

Really, unless I am mis-remembering, I think X was the only one to really be highly vocal with dislikes. But that's just X's way...

Yup that's my way lol. If I don't like something I flat out say it and make sure to explain why. Most people understand that when I insult a non-living piece of plastic, I am not trying to insult it's buyers. However, there are a couple posters who become one with the character's spark and take any shots at the figure as personal insults. That's when all hell breaks loose on here.

Rated X wrote:However, there are a couple posters who become one with the character's spark and take any shots at the figure as personal insults.

"Unbreak my spaaaaark, say you'll love me agaaaaiinn"

OK, let me explain my position on the Predaking debacle properly (unfortunately a lot of my earlier posts on the matter have been coloured by nerd rage- such is the life of one with high-functioning autism I suppose). So here's my actual, definitive, non-angry opinion.

I don't hate Feral Rex at all. In fact I rather like him, and think he's a very impressive set of toys. The individual robot modes are great, the weapons are badass, the QC looks very good and they look a good size. Unfortunately there are things about him that put me off. The individual beast modes, to me at least, look off. Leo Dux has a decent lion mode, if a bit brick-shaped, but the bizarre choice of having his lion belly partsform off and attach to Talon's wings when he transforms just doesn't make sense, and seems lazy to me. Bovis and Fortis have oddly brick-shaped beast modes, like their rhino/bull legs aren't really a part of them, but are just bolted to the sides. It just bugs me, and it looks pretty lazy, and really clashes with the otherwise superb engineering and sculpting. Tigris suffers similarly, not really looking all that bestial and just looking a bit odd. The strangely wide pelvis makes the tiger mode look...odd. Talon is the worst, with a beast mode that barely looks like a bird. The combined mode looks pretty good, but the proportions are off- the lower legs are way too thick, and the torso is oddly small. I get it looks like that to preserve the scale of the individual robots, but honestly I think they would have been better off sacrificing a little bit of G1 scale accuracy in favour of a better combined mode look. They still look good combined, but I think Ares has much better proportions.

All in all I'd say Feral Rex has better robot modes, G1 accuracy and weapons, but Ares has a better combined mode and better beast modes. I can see why one would prefer one over the other, but really I don't think there's any need to "hate" either one. They're both well engineered and amazingly detailed toys and they both have their upsides and downsides.

Delta Magnus wrote:OK, let me explain my position on the Predaking debacle properly (unfortunately a lot of my earlier posts on the matter have been coloured by nerd rage- such is the life of one with high-functioning autism I suppose). So here's my actual, definitive, non-angry opinion.

... A bunch of stuff ...

All in all I'd say Feral Rex has better robot modes, G1 accuracy and weapons, but Ares has a better combined mode and better beast modes. I can see why one would prefer one over the other, but really I don't think there's any need to "hate" either one. They're both well engineered and amazingly detailed toys and they both have their upsides and downsides.

First, just speaking for myself, I don't feel that anything you said came off as nerd-rage, just the contrary opinion to a lot of the other folks.

In fact, you seem to fall on the exact opposite side of the line from me. We even have a lot of the same criticism of the MMC figures.

I actually completely agree that the TFC beast modes mostly look better! The MMC ones are a bit boxy, and I too dislike the legs on Fortis & Bovis. "Bolted on" is a good description for them. But I feel the bot modes are better on MMC, and that was more important to me.

I like the combined mode a bit more on Feral Rex BECAUSE it is a bit squat in the build. That evokes the G1 figure and, for me, those proportions are something that are part of the character. Much like an Ogre, the arms and legs being beefy and almost as big as the torso is a plus.

We differ on Talon, though. I REALLY like him. I wish the wings had one more rotation joint in them, but other than that he fires on all cylinders for me.

Not sure what you mean about the lion-belly. You mean the parts forming butt shield? If so, yea, I agree here too, it could have been better designed, but it is a minor negative for me.

I think we see all the same things but "score" them differently.

If the TFC version was the only one available, I would still be a pretty happy collector. As it is we have choices, and I am an even happier collector, and so are you because we each had the opportunity to get the Predaking we like better.

Good...good....

And with all that out of the way, here are TJDuckett's reviews!

Phobus


Combined

Did he do reviews for the other Ares members?

Pictures from my review of TFC Phobus (Not-Divebomb). Full Review can be found below













Full Review
http://blackplasticlife.blogspot.com/2014/10/tfc-phobus-project-ares-pictorial-review.html

I think Phobus is my favorite of this group. It does look good. Realistically, I like most of these as individual bots and animals. I'm just not crazy with them as Predaking...

i love phobos. especially that bird mode (leagues above MMC's brick with wings). but i do have a few critiques:

-the feather swords are cool, but i wish they came from the bottom of the wing instead of the top. with them in his hands, the wings look incomplete.
-i wish the robot head was more G1 (ie: bird head hood thingy). but i spose its more suiting to the "neo" aspect, which is what im going for.

Phobus looks pretty great- that bird mode is miles ahead of Talon.

Hope these come out as a 5-pack eventually.

Agamemnon wrote:I think Phobus is my favorite of this group. It does look good. Realistically, I like most of these as individual bots and animals. I'm just not crazy with them as Predaking...

Yup, agreed! Quality wise, there's significant improvement for Aethon and Phobus compared to Nemean, Phlogeus and Connabus

shajaki wrote:i love phobos. especially that bird mode (leagues above MMC's brick with wings). but i do have a few critiques:

-the feather swords are cool, but i wish they came from the bottom of the wing instead of the top. with them in his hands, the wings look incomplete.
-i wish the robot head was more G1 (ie: bird head hood thingy). but i spose its more suiting to the "neo" aspect, which is what im going for.

- the feather swords are from all 5 feathers so it's a matter of choice. I used to top ones cause they are the longest
- well, none of their releases followed G1 design to the letter, mostly just homages. However, I like the fact that they still made the options available.

Delta Magnus wrote:Phobus looks pretty great- that bird mode is miles ahead of Talon.

Hope these come out as a 5-pack eventually.

From their previous release, I really doubt that. Maybe a repaint of something like Perseus perhaps?

Delta Magnus wrote:Hope these come out as a 5-pack eventually.

That may not happen exactly, but retailers may do a combo deal for all 5.

I'm hoping for that for the Protectobots.

rpetras wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:Hope these come out as a 5-pack eventually.

That may not happen exactly, but retailers may do a combo deal for all 5. I'm hoping for that for the Protectobots.

chimung has a non-boxed bundle for a killer price.

*just looked*

oookkkay so its gone now. it was 460 shipped. if i were a bettin man id say itll be back.

shajaki wrote:

rpetras wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:Hope these come out as a 5-pack eventually.

That may not happen exactly, but retailers may do a combo deal for all 5. I'm hoping for that for the Protectobots.

chimung has a non-boxed bundle for a killer price.

*just looked*

oookkkay so its gone now. it was 460 shipped. if i were a bettin man id say itll be back.

That's one reason I haven't picked thi sup yet myself. I'm just waiting for a great deal like that before I get it.

Although I may wait some more. Damn this hobby for having so many expensive things I want!

Pictures from my review of TFC Ares. Full Review can be found below













Full Review
http://blackplasticlife.blogspot.com/2014/10/tfc-ares-project-ares-pictorial-review.html

Looks nice! Compared to other combiners, how poseable is he?

Gauntlet101010 wrote:That's one reason I haven't picked thi sup yet myself. I'm just waiting for a great deal like that before I get it.

Although I may wait some more. Damn this hobby for having so many expensive things I want!

its back up!

TFC Toys Ares - FULL SET (unboxed) of 5 @ chimung for $399.99
shipping rates:
USA by airmail ~ USD$60
UK by airmail ~ USD$60
Canada by airmail ~ USD$60
Australia by airmail ~ USD$55
Italy by airmail ~ USD$60
Japan by airmail ~ USD$35
Singapore by airmail ~ USD$35
Brazil by airmail ~ USD$90
Brunei by airmail ~ USD$35