From
Aliexpress for only 100$CAN (round down some dollars), I got this amazing Jinbao oversized Gravity Builder "Devastator". However, I wonder if it's not a modded K.O of the one it's supposed to be about because there is some MAJOR differences between mine and the video reviews I've seen. Normally, this set is supposed to be around 200$CAN, not 100$CAN. There's a reason it's cheaper. Based on the videos I've seen, my version have NO ratchet joints anywhere. Only tight friction joints. Plus Mixmaster is a completely different bot, heavily simplified. (more on that later.)
For now, let's begin from what we get:
The set come without the original box. Only bubble wrapped in a foam box. You need to air out the toys for a day because that packaging had a nasty smell. The set comes with all 6 bots, the two combined hands as well as the chest plate, and the 6 small guns. No big gun for the combined mode nor any extras. 6 individual instruction booklets are also included. There's also a sheet of
stickers, but the symbols are not cut out making the sheet basically useless. Luckily, I have Reprolabels for that.
Size comparison with 3 size classes of SS and WFC figures:
The instructions are also very clear and easy to read:
There is a small problem when transforming the figures. The "battle damage" paint have seep into the small cracks and pegs of the toys, making the first transformations hard simply because many parts are stuck together. You'll need to use force to BREAK them appart. This may result in some confusion as to where to apply force and you may break the hard but relatively brittle plastics. Some breaks did happen that I had to repair with relative ease. There's also the hands transformation joints of all the bots that were too tight, making getting out the hands from the forearms impossible. Simply loosening the screws fix that issue on all the bots. Some tabs had to be shaved down, and a pair of panels had to be swapped due to a misassembly. These fixes later, the set is basically perfect.
So let's take a look at the first bot, Scrapper (I'll use the OG character names)
Scrapper's vehicle mode is perfect. The paint is top=notch and the sculpting details are exquisite.
The bots of this set are fairly articulated and can take basic poses. To wield the gun
once again the "battle damage" paint needs to be used off. contrary to the "full" version, this bot have no ratchets joints. Only basic friction joints. But they are tight just right and hold themselves well.
Mixmaster maybe the "lightest" of them all. The "original version" have a transforming cement tank that do not spin, is square at the bottom, and can transform into a cannon. The bot also transform completely differently. My version have a simpler transformation, and I have a "real" cement barrel that not only spin freely, but have some rattling "sand" inside. However, the "mixer hat" came off too easily so I super-glued it in place. NOT the hat's "laser cannon" part because that part is essential for combined mode. The truck is just perfect and the bot is too.
Longhaul is beefy and impressive looking. Contrary to Hasbro's Combiner Wars version, this vehicle is the same size as all the other ones on the team.
All vehicles can store their small guns and Longhaul can have the Devastator chest-plate as a hat.
Powerful looking bot:
Hook is really impressive. They even thought of giving him the stability pilons for when he deploy his crane!
Once again, a perfect bot:
Bonecrusher have a very fiddly "front shovel" It's made of many parts and some love to pop off when transforming. A bit annoying, but manageable. On both him and Scavenger, you have to turn the circle at the end of the threads to turn the feet's transformation joints. The instructions tell you to lift the circle and use it as leverage, but do NOT do that. You'll break it. Just turn the circles directly. Here on Bonecrusher, you have to lift the exhaust pipe up. Something that I forgot to do here.
The Devastator fists transform into generators that can be towed by Bonecrusher and Scavenger. The instructions tell you to leave them on for bot mode and to "transform" them by flattening them up on their back, but that gust gives them a stupid backpack.
Scavenger, last but not the least. The shovel arm is just friction joints, no ratchets.
The whole team together:
Compared to current WFC size classes:
To combine Devastator, the small guns are ESSENSIAL PARTS to build the combiner. They serves as joints and stabilizers for most of the components. Do NOT lose them.
Devastator is HUGE and impressive. Although all the bots and vehicles are as big as Hasbro's Combiner Wars version, this Devastator is definitely shorter, giving him a stockier look. Unfortunately, no big gun, but he can wield Hook's crane arm as a club. I don't like that so I didn't do it. Despite having no ratchets joints whatsoever, this Devastator hold himself pretty solidly. Plus it's nice to see the fully articulated hands haven't been sacrificed. No wrist missiles option though.
Pretty clean back.
Compared to current WFC toys:
Compared to the undersized "CW Devastator" and the official Hasbro G2:
Finally, he looks his best beside the Studio Series Devastator. He's roughly the same size and could be passed easily as a "Bumblebee Movie" version with all it's details and overall looks.
Overall, is this set worth 100$CAN? Oh HELL YES! This is pretty cheap for what you get. Despite it's flaws and it's issues that you must fix yourself, this Devastator is worth owning.
