The Energon Pub

william-james88 wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:Really, what didn't you like about them?

Well there is this:

[Snip excellent review video]

Mind you, if you are a fan of this Grimlock mold, then I encourage you to track down the reissue that came during Age of Extinction, they actually remolded him to be a bit better. BWTF goes into depth in his review: http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/aoe/grimlock-evolution

Well, yeah, I guess I cannot argue with that entertaining video. However, I will say, that some of these comparisons should be done within the context of the period they were in. G1 OP is nothing compared to the articulation and satisfying transformations of more recent OP. But it was highly articulated compared to other G1 bricks, and one of the best of the G1 Transformers. I remember getting the Grimlock-Swoop two pack and thinking it was awesome compared to the other Armada and Energon toys of the day. And I would still argue that it looks better than both Leader AoE Grimlock (that long neck! Was Grimlock's mama a Brontosaurus?) and FoC Grimmy (though the Iron Factory filler add-on makes it a great toy.)

However, I should probably point out that many have discarded my opinions for merely stating that I actually liked The Phantom Menace and wasn't that bothered by Jar Jar.

Both Energon Swoop and Grimlock commit the cardinal sin of having a robot mode head visible in beast mode. The video's right - both toys are hampered by the combining gimmick - which wasn't good at all and not worth it.

Swoop's dino mode is terrible. It's a little articulated, but not by much, especially since his head will play peekaboo if you turn him upwards. I mean they did alright by making the legs thrusters, but it didn't translate to a good robot mode.

Grimlock is better, but not great either. Sure he has the "no abdomen" torso many did in the Energon line, but that's no excuse. His fists stand out as being unnecessarily simplistic. Overall he's just wonky and weird in bot mode.

His beast mode is better than Swoop's but not better than many other dino toys. They somehow took the transformation of G1 Grimlock, simplified it, added more articulation ... and somehow it came out WORSE!

Energon wasn't bereft of good moulds either. Galvatron was great, despite being stiff, Starscream was good, Arcee was a fun little figure and FINALLY gave us a toy version of the character. Energon's entire line was murdered by it's gimmick and that includes Energon Grimlock, but I don't think it gets a pass for all of that.

I will say Grimlock (not Swoop so much) is a nice enough TOY to mess with, but as one of the top Dinosaur robots? No way.

william-james88 wrote:Thanks Gauntlet! You just helped me make up my mind about how I will do things. There will be an article after all (like in a year from now) and it will be thanks to your crafty and succint way of explaining the beauty of the G1 dinos and how they can be summed up in one awesome toy

Delta Magnus wrote:Cybertron Undermine

He's awesome, easily my favorite figure from the line (tied with Wreckloose) he's great

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:Cybertron Undermine

He's awesome, easily my favorite figure from the line (tied with Wreckloose) he's great

Ah, Wreckloose! I need to get that guy, he looks awesome. Great colour scheme and he turns into a goddamned Komodo Dragon!

Delta Magnus wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:Cybertron Undermine

He's awesome, easily my favorite figure from the line (tied with Wreckloose) he's great

Ah, Wreckloose! I need to get that guy, he looks awesome. Great colour scheme and he turns into a goddamned Komodo Dragon!

And he has an articulated midsection and tail in beast mode - and a gorgeous bot mode

Y'know, other than not transforming like the G1 and being Deluxe sized, I don't know why this fella gets so much hate.

shajaki wrote:Y'know, other than not transforming like the G1 and being Deluxe sized, I don't know why this fella gets so much hate.

I didnt think he was hated. More like he was not cared about. With the more G1 like Grimlocks, this guy fell by the wayside of an era of neo G1 that people might feel was more haphazard. I would love to find the mold one day for cheap to try him out and see how he is.

I'm a fan of Guiledart. Sure he's a kibbley in bot mode but I actually like it on this mold. The Dino mode is excellent!. Lots of detail.

shajaki wrote:Y'know, other than not transforming like the G1 and being Deluxe sized, I don't know why this fella gets so much hate.

I'm a fan. He's a fun guy to transform. I think he's just too small to float anyone's boat. But I still think he's neat and it's kinda cool to see an "upside down" take on the standard Grimlock transformation.

Some people think he's a homage to the Pretender version, but I'm not sure if it's intentional or grasping at straws.

Guy's constantly misassembled, though. I'm not sure he can crack a top 10 list. I do like him, though.