The Energon Pub

News Credits: 905 · by **Mach** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:16 pm

This is the first time that I am doing a toy review of any form, whether is official or 3rd party products. When I received the toy, I have mixed feeling. The reason is I know in advance that I need to conduct a toy review, which gives me a certain amount of pressure.

The dilemma I am facing is how should I treat this toy and give an objective view. Do I compare with an official product? How about compare it with a 3rd Party product? Think about it, there are not many to compare with in terms of 3rd party. Fans Project? Nope, not until they release a full figure. So far FP’s products are mainly add-on, thus is not fair to do a straight comparison.

Anyway, as we are considering this as part of our collection, I just review it with my personal opinion and preference.

Rating: 5 ★ as full mark

Colour & Material: 4 star

The main colours of the robot are dark red and dark blue. Rear cabin of the train mainly are Grey & Dark blue. I do not wish to comment on colour choice as sometimes more to personal preference. However the quality of paint application on the figure is reasonably well done.
Material use for the figure is ABS and it feels solid. The joints and rotating parts of the figure is acceptable. However, I still believe MMC can further improve on some of the connections and joints.

Train Mode: 4 star

The alternate mode of Knight Morpher Commander (KMC) is a locomotive train. The length of the toy is about 9 inch long. The train is as long as Generation 1 Optimus Prime trailer.

The train is formed by 2 parts. Front part of the train will transform into the robot, and the rear part can become KMC battle station, just like his G1 counterpart.

Both parts of the train are connected by two slots as shown, and it holds on firmly. The train also rolls on pretty well.

Behind of the train, there is a connector that able to tow another train, if available.

There are no accessories such as weapons that need to store separately. All can be kept within the train mode, which I like about it. I love figures with this provision, such as Beast Wars Optimus Primal.

Transformation: 3 star

The transformation from train to robot or vice versa, is rather simple. The transformation difficulty level is probably about the same as Classic/Henkei Optimus Prime. The front cabin of the train transform into the robot, with the smoke stack turn into his hand gun.
The rear cabin can be transformed into battle station, we look into all the features in “Robot Mode”.

Robot Mode: 4 star

The robot mode of KMC is pretty comic accurate.
KMC is tiny bit taller than Classic/Henkei Optimus Prime.

The head sculpt can rotate 360 degree and comes with light piping, which is a nice touch.
The shoulder can rotate 360 degree upwards or downwards. Upper arm can move inwards or outwards and an elbow to connect with lower arms. Waist capable to rotate 360 degree. Upper thigh can move forward, backward, and outwards. Knee and lower legs also able to rotate forward, backward and rotate 360 degree. In another word, this figure has plenty of articulations and can do some crazy moves.

The chest of KMC is able to open up and inside shows a object resemble the Matrix. Unfortunately, there are no articulations on KMC’s fingers, so he is unable to hold on the matrix.

KMC fists are able to interchange with normal straight fist or slanted fist. The reason for this is mainly for holding his weapons esp. the sword as it will look better on slanted fist.

The rear cabin can be open up, ala G1 trailer, and a huge canon can be used by KMC. KMC’s sword is store within the canon. The canon can be push forward or backward, rotate 360 degree. One side of the cabin door can form his shield in robot mode.
My only complaint is the connection of the canon parts is a bit loose for my liking.

Conclusion: As an Optimus Prime collector, I warmly welcome KMC into my Prime lineup. As a 3rd party company, I think MMC did fairly well on their first attempt.
KMC is a fun figure to play with, however personally I still prefer Galaxy Convoy/Fire Convoy type of figure rather than G1 Optimus Prime type of figure. As I always feel is more fun to have prime in “Super Mode” by combining the robot mode with his trailer rather than have battle station.

Finally, below are some of the creative ways of playing this figure:

News Credits: 32 · by **UltraPrimal** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:51 pm

Definite pass for me.

News Credits: 3 · by **Kibble** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:54 pm

Nice review, RD. Would you put it on par with City Commander from a materials and quality standpoint, or not quite? Is it worth $85 USD in your opinion? Thanks!

PS, still think this thing looks great...except in that first action pose. :lol:

News Credits: 5 · by **alexison** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:57 pm

This looks like a pretty solid figure. I didn't realize you could do so much with the figure and the "trailer." The only things keeping me from adding this prime to my collection is the huge shoulder armor and the dinky upper arms. Just doesn't look right to me.

I may change my mind later though :-?

Good review.

News Credits: 905 · by **Mach** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:00 am

Kibble wrote:Nice review, RD. Would you put it on par with City Commander from a materials and quality standpoint, or not quite? Is it worth $85 USD in your opinion? Thanks!

PS, still think this thing looks great...except in that first action pose.

Material wise is on par.... Quality wise, in terms of parts connection slightly behind FP. However, as i said before, FP hasnt do a full figure yet, not mass release yet... So is a bit unfair to compare...

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:08 am

Nice review Dev. I think I'll be getting this guy, although I don't know where I'll be putting him on my shelves yet

News Credits: 1 · by **Solrac333** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:38 am

Wow.

by **ang3l3s** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:51 am

Nice review, for their 1st fig not bad.

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:12 am

This figure is Legen...wait for it.. wait for it... you better not be lactose intolerant.... dary.

News Credits: 88 · by **DavidT** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:13 am

Damn! That piece on top of his chest plate is blocking Primes mouth...

.

News Credits: 7 · by **alldarker** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:58 am

ReDev, thanks for the review and the pictures! Looks like the preliminary pictures weren't too far off the (almost) finished mass produced Knight Morpher.
I'm glad to hear the materials used and the paint applications are good. And I really like the versatility of the figures articulation.
I'm mostly wondering how the connections hold up. the pictures show he can hold poses OK. Anyhow, for me this will only ever be a display model: I won't be giving the joints much chance to become loose.
And I personally like the loose battlestation / trailer: it's a great tribute to G1 Prime. Last of all, MMC was of course mostly working with the HoS design that was available to them: in this regard they made a practically perfect product. You can't really fault them for the seperate trailer or for the easy transformation.

News Credits: 905 · by **Mach** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 3:11 am

alldarker wrote:ReDev, thanks for the review and the pictures! Looks like the preliminary pictures weren't too far off the (almost) finished mass produced Knight Morpher.
I'm glad to hear the materials used and the paint applications are good. And I really like the versatility of the figures articulation.
I'm mostly wondering how the connections hold up. the pictures show he can hold poses OK. Anyhow, for me this will only ever be a display model: I won't be giving the joints much chance to become loose.
And I personally like the loose battlestation / trailer: it's a great tribute to G1 Prime. Last of all, MMC was of course mostly working with the HoS design that was available to them: in this regard they made a practically perfect product. You can't really fault them for the seperate trailer or for the easy transformation.

Connection wise is fairly ok.... But some of the joints of the robot have to handle with care (esp shoulder and upper arm part), so not to snap it....
I also mentioned about the canon as it can separate to few pieces and the sword is store within, this is a piece that the connection a bit poor....

Other than that, this figure is doing fine, quality wise.

News Credits: 15 · by **Ravage XK** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 4:39 am

Trailer is a bit bland, I wonder if Reprolabels could come up with a set to enhance this figure?

Overall, I would say that I like the look of the figure but I would have preferred a more metallic look.

As it stands its a pass for me but if Hasbro had produced it at a lower price then I would snap one up. £60 is a bit steep I think.

News Credits: 767 · by **Dead Metal** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 4:49 am

Wow the arms suck.
But I still think this is pretty cool, I won't be buying it but still pretty cool none the less.

RD, did you get like 3 trailers with this?

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 4:53 am

Dead Metal wrote:RD, did you get like 3 trailers with this?

Nah, the shots that are obviously taken in a light-box are more promo images from Mastermind.

Real Dev's are those with the home-environment (and different watermak font)

News Credits: 767 · by **Dead Metal** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 4:56 am

Mkall wrote:
Dead Metal wrote:RD, did you get like 3 trailers with this?

Nah, the shots that are obviously taken in a light-box are more promo images from Mastermind.

Real Dev's are those with the home-environment (and different watermak font)

Oh so that's why the combination of two trailers suddenly turned black. 8-}

Lol I should have noticed.

by **JRFitzpatrick7** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 5:07 am

Dead Metal wrote:
Mkall wrote:
Dead Metal wrote:RD, did you get like 3 trailers with this?

Nah, the shots that are obviously taken in a light-box are more promo images from Mastermind.

Real Dev's are those with the home-environment (and different watermak font)

Oh so that's why the combination of two trailers suddenly turned black.

Lol I should have noticed.

My God...

the font is different...

ordered 2 of these, and recently purchased a black version on ebay, looking forward to putting that together

Like GEEWUN on Facebook · by **GEEWUN** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:00 am

It is a lance... not a sword, but he was very creative showing what else the figure could do.

News Credits: 8 · by **Forgotten** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:03 am

That picture with Black Convoy looks like he's thinking about doing bad, bad things. :-$

Figure looks good, HOS was an awesome series and I loved the retro-styling, darkly detailed designs from it. This figure is a pass for me, because I haven't really started Convoy collecting yet(still working on Megatron, Galvatron,& Starscream{if anybody can help me find a few i'd be eternally grateful and return the favor}). If MMC does Starscream, Octane, Scourge or Shockwave they WILL have my money and my respect for their duration though.

I LOVE THE KREMZEEK!!

and great review RD, you answered all the questions the fans had, laid out straight opinions and kept them neutral. AWESOME JOB

News Credits: 127 · by **Counterpunch** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:25 am

Awesome.

This toy looks great. I hope this company does more figures in the future.

by **mechabooks** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:04 am

I'm glad I preordered one! It looks fantastic. I'll give it a second look on my blog when I get mine in. It'll be my first 3rd party item, so I have nothing to go by. :APPLAUSE:

News Credits: 21 · by **dragons** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:31 am

thanks for sharing i notice extra slots in tralier mode that holds the other 2 set od hands do you know if there s going to be another set of hands t be made to hold the matrix?

first prime ive seen that you can do almost endless possiblitys with :KREMZEEK: