This combiner looks like a "Devastator" at first glance but he's far from it.
The manual is clear and in full colors by the way.
So, why it's neither a KO nor a 3P of Devastator? Because of 2 main points. The team have only 5 members and appart the loader, nothing combine the same way as Devastator.
Furthermore, all the weapons and the combiner crotch guard combine into a tower crane for the vehicle modes. That's pretty genius!
All the bots have diecast metal parts, mainly the cabin of the vehicles. All vehicles except the excavator have rubber wheels too! Furthermore, the plastics are hard and most joints are pretty solid. Oh, and the tower crane have diecast feet too.
Now, let's take a look at the individual bots.
#1) Truck.
Truck heavy and beefy like all the members of this team. The size of each bots are between old school big deluxes or current voyager. Most have limited articulations but it's acceptable for the price point. The paint is good, the rubber is nice, and the diecast feel sublime without impeding the bot too much. He's the right leg of the combiner.
#2) Mixer Truck
Mixer Truck is the main body of the combined form. The main combiner head not even bother to hide! Mine have an unfortunate split in the front. But appart that, he's super simple and fun.
#3) Loader
Loader is simple, yet effective. He's the left leg of the combiner.
#4) Excavator
Due to transformation, the main body of the vehicle cannot turn. The bot also have no heels and have a tendency to fall on his back. Still cool though despite being the weakest of the bunch. He become BOTH arms of the combiner by splitting in two.
#5) Road Roller
The final bot of the team, Road Roller is pretty solid overall. He become the combiner's hips and thighs.
For some reasons, I forgot to make a group shot with all the bots together. Oh well.
On to the combiner!
Everything combine super easily and all the guns store somewhere on the bot. He's massive and impressive. However, the bot is extremely limited in posing. Almost like a G1 with no knees, and like CW with balance issues. The worst offender is Truck the right leg. Because most of the weight rest on SLIPPERY diecast, he tend to slip-n-fall easily. The arms are also very limited for posing. TlDr; he's a brick. But a very nice brick overall.
Engineering Creator is so different from Devastator, those "devastating" colors works against him. I would have preferred the team in yellows or oranges.
Compared to a Hasbro Transformers Combiners Wars, he's massive.
Overall, that "5 in 1" is flawed, but a very good set overall. Especially for the price!
