The Energon Pub

34 years, Dear reader, It has taken 34 years to get an official Quintesson in figure form, But now it's happened!
Yes, Yes, I know what you're thinking,
"But," You shout, "There've been two other Quintesson figures!"
And while that may be true, IMO they were only Quintesson in name.
The Energon one was, Quite frankly an abomination a unique take on the character.
I feel largely the same towards the Cyberverse one, Some like it, But it's not quite to my tastes.
But this one, Dear reader, Is just right!
[Note, I would've included comparisons with the mainline Quintesson figure, But for some reason BBTS still hasn't shipped mine, So when (if) it gets here, I'll post comparisons via an addendum to this review.]

With the Titans Return version,





With the Titans Return version,

As well as the tentacles being articulated at their base, The faces rotate.
Via this switch, They can be spun (one click forward for next face in line, Push all the way back to rotate to random face).

The gun can be attached via various plugs on his tentacles.


The gun can be stored under the chair,

Or the cage in his head, Which brings us to the altmode.


Yeah. I don't really know what it's supposed to be, And neither do the instructions (or TFwiki).

With MP Hot Rod,

With Titans Return Hot Rod and Kup,

The backdrop may very well be my favorite part of this set, And is definitely how I'll be displaying them on the shelf.

I really really really like this set. With the included backdrop- Which isn't even really a backdrop, Given it's 3D- It's almost like a playset (in a good way).
I'd absolutely love it if the backdrops the Studio Series came with were like this, And I'm hoping either the upcoming Studio Series 86' or Kingdom lines will come with something like this- I don't care, Hasbro can sell them separately- I just need more of these things.
Speaking of which, A lot of the Kingdom / Studio Series 86' figures will probably look great with this set.
On another note, The bizarre altmode of Quintesson doesn't particularly bother me, I'll just be ignoring it.
I have a feeling, Somewhere in an office- Maybe a board meeting, I dunno- When this figure was finished being designed, The design team proudly presented it to the higher ups, And it went like this:

"No- Tim- We've been through this before! They're called "Transformers!" They have to transform!"
"But the Quintessons don't-"
"I don't care! Use your imagination!"
And a week later, They returned.
"Here it is!"
"Wha- What is it?"
"We, Uh, We don't know yet. But it's a thing, Right? A thing it transforms into?"
"Eh, Whatever.. It'll do."

So, Dear reader, If you're used to this format, You know only one thing now remains.


"Has the Imperial Magistrate reached a verdict?"
"I have."
"Guilty or innocent?"
"Innocent."


10 of 10.

Addendum!
I have returned, Dear reader, With the previously promised addendum, Containing comparisons with the mainline Quintesson, Along with the Pit of Judgement version.
A few days ago, (Last week, I think) Mine finally arrived from BBTS, After some delay.
Now having both, At the end of the new photos I'll give my opinion on each of them, Which has slightly changed since getting the new one.
Note, The previous rating of the review still stands, As the set is still great by itself, Even though in comparison to the other one, My opinion has changed slightly.
More on that later.
Onto the photos!

[Pit of Judgement version on right.]

The ramps can be connected together.

While I don't particularly like the altmode, I think two of them look good together, Vaguely resembling some sort of tentacled Lovecraftian city.


Ultimately though, This is how I'll be displaying them.

So.. I'm just as conflicted as I was when the Pit of Judgement set was revealed. I don't think I said anything about it in the original review, But I prefer the original releases coloring, But I like the extras the set came with.
This is why I bought both. To be fair, I could've canceled the original ones preorder (since BBTS doesn't bill until shipped), But I couldn't really make my mind up even then. If I was forced to choose, I would say the set is better, If only because of the backdrop and extras.
Both colors are valid (the 1986 movie was a mess color wise, And the numerous remasters and color corrections mean that the Quintessons can be darker or lighter, (Though I prefer the more menacing darker colors, Which seem more becoming of a tentacled alien race), Though later episodes of G1 seemed to show them in a darker color scheme anyway if I recall.

So, There you have it!