The Energon Pub

With the new year starting off I began wondering about the fate of a few different lines; in particular, Alternity.

I have to admit- at first, I really was turned off with Alternity. When Optimus Prime and Megatron were first announced I was pretty disappointed with their size (they looked and transformed just like Binaltechs/Alternators, but they didn't fit in with the scale).

However, my view of them changed with Bumblebee and Cliffjumper. Now, I'm hoping that they continue the line with other Minibots.

What do you think? Is the line worth continuing?

I agree, I really like Alternity Bumblebee, except for its paunch, but overall an enjoyable TF.

It would be great if they continue the line with the minibots, so the robot modes doesn't look out of place with the older Alts/BTs

It all depends on the characters used, really, especially the ones who were canceled for the Binaltech line:

- Trailbreaker (I know, I'm beating a dead horse here)
- Windcharger (Decepticharge in Alternators)

Maybe with a couple of other major characters (Hot Rod anyone?), I'm all for it

Like the figures quite a bit, hate the price point. These too I have a hard time dishing out the cash for more than one per mold. If they were more like $25 or $30 a pop I'd be all for the line having a long life. As it is, I like the figures enough that I'll probably keep buying at least one of each, but I probably won't be devastated if/when it comes to an end.

Still would prefer they were the size of BTs...then I'd feel better about the price even if they tacked on another $10 a pop.

Don't mind the price that much, as imo they're more collector's items rather than toys anyway, but I do wish the robot-modes would get a little bit more attention. Bumblebee especially is just wrong in my eyes, with split feet (disliked it in Animated Bumble as well) and that... 'monoboob'.

Optimus/Convoy was done pretty well and the leg parts were an interesting transforming experience, but the weight-balance was way off and it only seemed to allow this one pose.

Still, the idea of real-life car designs mixed with classic characters far outweighs the negatives imo.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:It all depends on the characters used, really, especially the ones who were canceled for the Binaltech line:

- Trailbreaker (I know, I'm beating a dead horse here)
- Windcharger (Decepticharge in Alternators)

Maybe with a couple of other major characters (Hot Rod anyone?), I'm all for it

I'm thinking they should keep it a Minibot line. Brawn, Gears, Huffer, Windcharger, Beachcomber, even Warpath, Powerglide, Seaspray & Cosmos! Rumble & Frenzy or the Reflector trio would all be possible in a Alt/MP scale and style!

I definitely think the Alternity line should continue. There aren't many high end Transformers toylines as it is. The figures have fun transformation designs and I like the mix of overtly mechanical elements and cartoonish design in bot mode.

I've got all three molds and I think Megatron is the only great one so far. If the line isn't full of new autobot designs that get repainted into decepticons then I'll be happy but when the line ends I don't think I'll mourn it.

Yes, the Alternity line should continue. So far it's had two wonderful molds and one not-so-terrible one. Given that most of the Binaltechs had seriously flawed robot modes, I'm fine with Alternity being a fresh new start for high-end figures. So far, all the characters that have been used in Alternity are at best "meh" for me, but if they made an Alternity of an interesting character who's not so overused (eg. Siren, Slapdash, Lightspeed or Calcar) I'd buy it so fast my credit card would have friction burns.

zodconvoy wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:It all depends on the characters used, really, especially the ones who were canceled for the Binaltech line:

- Trailbreaker (I know, I'm beating a dead horse here)
- Windcharger (Decepticharge in Alternators)

Maybe with a couple of other major characters (Hot Rod anyone?), I'm all for it

I'm thinking they should keep it a Minibot line. Brawn, Gears, Huffer, Windcharger, Beachcomber, even Warpath, Powerglide, Seaspray & Cosmos! Rumble & Frenzy or the Reflector trio would all be possible in a Alt/MP scale and style!

This. These characters seem to fit the scale and spirit of the line rather than Convoy and Megatron.

At this point, I'm still on the fence on these guys and have to see one more Decepticon before passing my final judgement.

I disagree with the idea that the Alternity line is supposed to be a little brother or something for the Binaltechs/Alternators. It's its own line, with its own whole new storyline, packaging and ethos. I can understand the perspective of those who want minibots scaled to their Binaltechs, but I'd rather Alternity be allowed to do its own thing and not just be a supplement to a defunct line.

Besides, given that most car-alt-mode figures since Beast Wars finished have been deluxe size, I think the scale of Alternity is just dandy, even if the price is high. They fit great alongside RiD, UT, Bayformers, C/U and the rest.

Diem wrote:I disagree with the idea that the Alternity line is supposed to be a little brother or something for the Binaltechs/Alternators. It's its own line, with its own whole new storyline, packaging and ethos. I can understand the perspective of those who want minibots scaled to their Binaltechs, but I'd rather Alternity be allowed to do its own thing and not just be a supplement to a defunct line.

Besides, given that most car-alt-mode figures since Beast Wars finished have been deluxe size, I think the scale of Alternity is just dandy, even if the price is high. They fit great alongside RiD, UT, Bayformers, C/U and the rest.

Because the storyline for these figures is so strange, I think most people are just ignoring it and making their own background.

Stormrider wrote:Because the storyline for these figures is so strange, I think most people are just ignoring it and making their own background.

I don't even know the storyline behind this line... That it was the "next generation" of Binaltech toys was good enough for me. The only thing I'm not sure how I feel about with the line is their choice of die-cast, where it's used. BTs it tended to be the outside shell...Alternity seem to be more the inside spines of the figures.

Kibble wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Because the storyline for these figures is so strange, I think most people are just ignoring it and making their own background.

I don't even know the storyline behind this line... That it was the "next generation" of Binaltech toys was good enough for me. The only thing I'm not sure how I feel about with the line is their choice of die-cast, where it's used. BTs it tended to be the outside shell...Alternity seem to be more the inside spines of the figures.

Isn't the Alternity story a sequel to Binaltech?

Mykltron wrote:

Kibble wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Because the storyline for these figures is so strange, I think most people are just ignoring it and making their own background.

I don't even know the storyline behind this line... That it was the "next generation" of Binaltech toys was good enough for me. The only thing I'm not sure how I feel about with the line is their choice of die-cast, where it's used. BTs it tended to be the outside shell...Alternity seem to be more the inside spines of the figures.

Isn't the Alternity story a sequel to Binaltech?

It's not totally clear. It's implied (as my understanding goes) that the events of Alternity are happening either in the regular Binaltech universe (ie the G1 continuity) or the alternate Binaltech universe (ie the one where lots of time travel happens and everyone was rebuilt by car manufacturors and it ended up being seperated from the main timestream)

That said, the Alternity storyline seems to be a bit like Universe 1.0 since it features various versions of Transformers from different universes being inducted into the Alternity.

I will give the Alternity Bumblebee/ Sunstreaker a average rating. But I don't mind the Alternity line to continue. Quite satisfied with the Alternity Optimus Prime..

In short, yes.

Convotron wrote:I definitely think the Alternity line should continue. There aren't many high end Transformers toylines as it is. The figures have fun transformation designs and I like the mix of overtly mechanical elements and cartoonish design in bot mode.

This sums up my feelings quite nicely. I'm very satisfied with the two I've picked up, Black Convoy and Bumblebee. My only complaint is they're a bit expensive, but I've figured out where to get them for cheaper than most online retailers.

It shouldn't end until we see some wild repaints.

I like the idea of the Alternity line, but I'm not impressed with the designs they've come up with so far.

kirbenvost wrote:My only complaint is they're a bit expensive, but I've figured out where to get them for cheaper than most online retailers.

Is it a secret you're taking to your grave? If not, do tell...

Diem wrote:

Mykltron wrote:

Kibble wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Because the storyline for these figures is so strange, I think most people are just ignoring it and making their own background.

I don't even know the storyline behind this line... That it was the "next generation" of Binaltech toys was good enough for me. The only thing I'm not sure how I feel about with the line is their choice of die-cast, where it's used. BTs it tended to be the outside shell...Alternity seem to be more the inside spines of the figures.

Isn't the Alternity story a sequel to Binaltech?

It's not totally clear. It's implied (as my understanding goes) that the events of Alternity are happening either in the regular Binaltech universe (ie the G1 continuity) or the alternate Binaltech universe (ie the one where lots of time travel happens and everyone was rebuilt by car manufacturors and it ended up being seperated from the main timestream)

That said, the Alternity storyline seems to be a bit like Universe 1.0 since it features various versions of Transformers from different universes being inducted into the Alternity.

You left out the universe eating monster (or was it the time eating monster?), and super powerful weapons including Cliffjumpers crotch weapon.

Stormrider wrote:

Diem wrote:

Mykltron wrote:

Kibble wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Because the storyline for these figures is so strange, I think most people are just ignoring it and making their own background.

I don't even know the storyline behind this line... That it was the "next generation" of Binaltech toys was good enough for me. The only thing I'm not sure how I feel about with the line is their choice of die-cast, where it's used. BTs it tended to be the outside shell...Alternity seem to be more the inside spines of the figures.

Isn't the Alternity story a sequel to Binaltech?

It's not totally clear. It's implied (as my understanding goes) that the events of Alternity are happening either in the regular Binaltech universe (ie the G1 continuity) or the alternate Binaltech universe (ie the one where lots of time travel happens and everyone was rebuilt by car manufacturors and it ended up being seperated from the main timestream)

That said, the Alternity storyline seems to be a bit like Universe 1.0 since it features various versions of Transformers from different universes being inducted into the Alternity.

You left out the universe eating monster (or was it the time eating monster?), and super powerful weapons including Cliffjumpers crotch weapon.

Yeah, the Alternity story is pretty strange. But it's no weirder than half the stuff Furman came out with!

Anyway, the figures are excellent, and I look forward to maybe seeing a fourth and fifth mold.

Sure. Why not?

Kibble wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:My only complaint is they're a bit expensive, but I've figured out where to get them for cheaper than most online retailers.

Is it a secret you're taking to your grave? If not, do tell...

http://etoysjapan.com. Got my BB for $50 shipped.

kirbenvost wrote:http://etoysjapan.com. Got my BB for $50 shipped.

Still spendy, but a little better. Hafta keep them in mind...