The Energon Pub

I just bough Titan Master Overboard( G1 Overkill) yesterday and i encountered a problem i have never encountered before. the background around the steps is so dark it took me a lot of trial and error to transform into dinosaur mode anything considering how small the headmaster is.


Has anyone else encountered this type of problem with very dark background in instruction manuals from the current Transformers lines?

Honestly, you're absolutely right and you'll find this sentiment echoed across the boards. The instruction manuals are just awful.

Kurona wrote:Honestly, you're absolutely right and you'll find this sentiment echoed across the boards. The instruction manuals are just awful.

Is it only the case for decepticon manuals or do instructions for autobots titans return figures feature dark backgrounds as well

too bad i cant find pdf version of the instructions anywhere online.

Rogue-Primal wrote:

Kurona wrote:Honestly, you're absolutely right and you'll find this sentiment echoed across the boards. The instruction manuals are just awful.

Is it only the case for decepticon manuals or do instructions for autobots titans return figures feature dark backgrounds as well

too bad i cant find pdf version of the instructions anywhere online.

All instructions from Combiner Wars on have a dark background, but the images are usually light enough for proper contrast. I do agree it isn't a good choice, especially for people with eye problems.

For me the biggest issue is that each step has a dark blue highlight instead of old style pink and dark blue blends too much with the artwork compared to older instructions

Kurona wrote:Honestly, you're absolutely right and you'll find this sentiment echoed across the boards. The instruction manuals are just awful.

Below awful. The fonts are so small and the f#ckin' colors don't help much either not to mention the resolution

fenrir72 wrote:

Kurona wrote:Honestly, you're absolutely right and you'll find this sentiment echoed across the boards. The instruction manuals are just awful.

Below awful. The fonts are so small and the f#ckin' colors don't help much either not to mention the resolution

Yes and it's embarrassing when people like with perfect eyesight just feel like they are tackling a wall instead of a toy guide.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Rogue-Primal wrote:

Kurona wrote:Honestly, you're absolutely right and you'll find this sentiment echoed across the boards. The instruction manuals are just awful.

Is it only the case for decepticon manuals or do instructions for autobots titans return figures feature dark backgrounds as well

too bad i cant find pdf version of the instructions anywhere online.

All instructions from Combiner Wars on have a dark background, but the images are usually light enough for proper contrast. I do agree it isn't a good choice, especially for people with eye problems.

At least CW started with the instructions on good, glossy paper, that managed to be able to keep things from looking murky and hard to look at. Then somewhere around the autobot limb waves they switched to the crappy, porous, paper they still use to this day. I don't know how much per figure the downgrade saved them, but I can't imagine it's enough to be worth the headache looking at them now causes.

I actually watch a video of someone transforming the toy in question after briefly looking over the Instruction manual because it is always woefully lacking. There is more of a chance to pick up on something omitted from the manual that way or eliminate whatever is confusing about a step.

So the manuals are at best a rough guide, but if you want intricate instruction you look up a video especially if you're getting hung up. A recent example would be my experience with TR Megatron. I was having the leg panels pop out in his tank and jet modes until I checked for a video that showed about the slots in the hip area/thighs for the leg knee panels to slide into. The moment I did it was the moment the figure became a lot easier to transform and insanely less fiddly between the vehicle modes. I still have problems with the wings coming on and off, but that's to be expected. The main thing was for the leg panels to stay in. I'll show pictures if anybody is confused by my description here.

Yeah, videos are great for making up for garbage instructions, so long as they actually show everything. Sometimes I check one and they leave out part, or only show in in reverse and too quickly to really get, but when it helps, it really helps!

Yup. And it's not just Combiner Wars or Titans Return that have bad instructions. It's a problem that goes way back in most lines.

Optimum Supreme wrote:Yeah, videos are great for making up for garbage instructions, so long as they actually show everything. Sometimes I check one and they leave out part, or only show in in reverse and too quickly to really get, but when it helps, it really helps!

This is true. Usually I can discern a bad video from a good video fairly quickly in order to get down to the nitty-gritty to transform the toy.

Optimum Supreme wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Rogue-Primal wrote:

Kurona wrote:Honestly, you're absolutely right and you'll find this sentiment echoed across the boards. The instruction manuals are just awful.

Is it only the case for decepticon manuals or do instructions for autobots titans return figures feature dark backgrounds as well

too bad i cant find pdf version of the instructions anywhere online.

All instructions from Combiner Wars on have a dark background, but the images are usually light enough for proper contrast. I do agree it isn't a good choice, especially for people with eye problems.

At least CW started with the instructions on good, glossy paper, that managed to be able to keep things from looking murky and hard to look at. Then somewhere around the autobot limb waves they switched to the crappy, porous, paper they still use to this day. I don't know how much per figure the downgrade saved them, but I can't imagine it's enough to be worth the headache looking at them now causes.

Speaking of cutting costs, you'd think maybe NOT INKING THE BACKGROUND DARK would save them some money too