Xovergen Mecha Warfare Supreme Tactical Commander - Grand Patriot Video Review

Word of warning that the sound does jump at 12:58 so be prepared.

I'm really starting to regret buying these, but they are already paid for and on the way. Oh well, anybody want to buy my Red and Blue version?

I guess some of the issues people are having with the transformation is why they posted this on their homepage.

They should have started with a slightly smaller/easier first product. This could have been awesome. Unfortunately, it's not.

Yeah, I'll have the triple failburger with extra fail... hold the awesomesauce.

I like primes hand guns at least.

That speaker looking plate on his chest sure had me fooled though. I thought for sure there were some sound effects with this figure.

well im pretty glad i wait for reviews before i ever buy stuff. this one just saved me 70.00 dollars. guess its time to buy the FP Powered Commander for my prime.

Not sure what to say about these figures. I'm in the middle of doing galleries of these Grand Patriot figures right now. I have the same problems with my figures. The back piece in the trailer mode doesn't stay together because it's missing the screws. The middle piece that connects the torso to his waist shattered on my green one while doing the transformation which renders this image from their website untrue.



I rigged it together with an extra screw and a tab from an air can. I glued the back trailer pieces together and got a couple of extra screws to keep the trailer connector in place. I'm sorry to say that I would not recommend these figures unless you've got money to blow and don't mind having figures that you will NEED to modify upon receiving them.

While I agree with the video reviewers closing statements about these being toys and not collectible items, I disagree about waiting for these to go on sale for $40. I don't know about you guys, but I like that the things that I spend my money on last for years and years. The green one broke during the transformation thanks to the fragile white plastic. I think it's safe to say that I know how to transform transforming robot toys since I own about 3,500+ Transformers. It's also missing about a half dozen screws on each figure and it just feels cheap. Wait until these are a clearance blowout at $10 if you're still curious about these figures after the reviews.

bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutal
thats what you get for loving primes too much. He turns around and shafts ya.

Wow. The review just amazes me. And, now that I hear that Ryan's had problems with his, I'm definitely against buying these.

I wasn't all that interested to begin with, honestly, but now? I wouldn't take 'em for free as a gift.

When an $80.00 figure breaks because it's nothing more than a glorified toy and makes Hasbro's work seem like a work of art...PASS.

What a piss off product.

EDIT: Be careful connecting to Xovergen's website. McAfee's Site Advisor went red and stated that connecting to their site would lead to browser corruption or something close to that.

Aw, To bad. Looks like the biz might just kill this little up and coming fan company.

You know, It's not like I'll ever be able to do it or anything. But at least I've seen some stuff that seems to work. These guys kinda broke away from all of these.

1: Release one figure at a time! Save repaints for later when you have the resources.

2: Spend more time designing the thing. You need to make a figure more complex and visually appealing if your going to expect us to buy it. I personally liked Don Fig's designs, but these are pretty ugly.

3: Go the extra mile and choose quality plastic, even if you have to raise the price a little. People don't like things that break, it's not hard to figure out. Also skip translucent plastic whenever possible as it can add quite a bit to the costs.

4: Think small. On your first try at a figure, anything above deluxe and your getting quite out of your depth. Legends/scouts are the way to start.

5: Listen to your fans. Your part of the collectors market, so the people on these sites are the vary people that make up your bottom line. Even so, mixing things up a little could be the way to keep us interested.

Again. This is just what little I've seen that works. I really know nothing about business.

Autobot032 wrote:EDIT: Be careful connecting to Xovergen's website. McAfee's Site Advisor went red and stated that connecting to their site would lead to browser corruption or something close to that.

Well ain't that the icing on the cake.

I figured out what the problem was with the wheel/backpack thing that wouldn't transform correctly. The piece that attaches the wheel/backpack thing to lower back of the Prime robot mode is assembled incorrectly ... it's upside down! I unscrewed the white connector, flipped the connector piece around, and now it transforms correctly and pegs into his shoulder blade areas properly.

Now that I have the green one transformed correctly, I see yet another problem. The left knee guard piece that flips up in robot mode has severe stress on it ... it looks like it's about ready to break the next time I transform it. Joy.

For the record and for the sake of being 100% up front with all of you, I received these as "review" toys from Xovergen. I did not pay for these. I feel guilty about having to be so blunt about the problems with these toys when they have been so kind and generous with sending me these items to photograph to share with all of you and for express shipping them to me, but I cannot in good conscience just take pictures of these figures and not openly discuss the problems with these toys.

While people did a lot of bitching about the Impossible Toys Arcee / Paradron Medic toys, I did not have a single problem with them breaking, missing pieces/screws, or being assembled incorrectly. I would rank the Impossible Toys Arcee mold higher than this figure at this time.

In Xovergen's defense, however, I will say that these figures are the closest 3rd party toy to the look and feel of an actual Hasbro/Takara Tomy Transformer toy (which might lead some of you to think this sentence conflicts with my comparison in previous paragraph). They've got transparent windows in vehicle mode, which Warbot did not have, they've got light piping which I love and most 3rd party products are missing, they've got little paint details that have Hasbro written all over them, little flip out weapons, etc. It just feels like it's close to a Hasbro toy despite the problems with the figure. It does feel "cheap" compared to a normal Transformer, but it doesn't feel cheap like the Robot Masters toys you see at Family Dollar and such.

By todays standards these seem a little basic. Shame because the design they are based on is pretty smart. These just dont appeal to me at all and they wouldnt be out of place in the corner of your local newsagents selling for £9.99 with the other wierd toy lines you have never heard of but are suspiciously similar to well known brands.

A lot of burn from seibertron himself (reminds me of your other scathing review of 25th anniversary Prime......right on the money). Would you give them an A for effort Ryan?

I blame this all to FansProject. They make a product full of awesomeness sauce that, well, has become such a standard that is waaaaaay hard to overcome.

And based on your analogy, yeah, IT's Valkyrie showed such promise too ( I prefer her car mode over iGears )but it was more or less a miss.

iGears Delicate warrior on the other hand looked too boxy in car mode but had a more sturdy, better design fembot mode (plus light piping).

I wait with baited breath on what next is coming in the pipe-line.

Xovergen definitely going to suffer sales from how bad their products are. i am lucky didn't pre-order the Green prime from RK. Well, let's see what Xovergen going to react on this.

The sound didn't jump around as much as the comments led me to believe. I only heard the volume lose out towards the end.

When I first heard of these my initial thought was where is the premise for these figures? I don't remember there being a comic or cartoon that a 3rd party company would produce these. Knight Morpher has a basis because of the DW comic series. But these Grand Patriots seem to pop up randomly. For this reason I had no intention of picking up a set. I have enough Optimus Primes as it is w/out there being yet one more Optimus Prime for the collection. If I were to buy one it would be the green Green Patriot. But after seeing how loose the parts are I won't entertain a second guessing.

I will hand it to the company. They have a good idea w/ some very interesting concepts for the armaments. I can see potential for the different setups in vehicle whether as a semi w/ trailer or as a military missile launcher. But these variant alt-mode formations aren't enough for me to buy these. Perhaps on future releases when improvements have been made.

Wow, feel like I dodged a bullet here-was about to get these for my birthday. Me thinks I'll get a few United figures instead. It's a shame too; they looked promising.

I will add that this is the kind of thing that scares me about TFClub's Devastator. It looks awesome but they have no track record that I'm aware of for producing stand alone figures and they're creating perhaps the most complex and expensive gestalt to date. That scares me considering I had to resolder the connections in my Prime gun from their Gear of War 2 set.

Blackstreak wrote:When I first heard of these my initial thought was where is the premise for these figures? I don't remember there being a comic or cartoon that a 3rd party company would produce these. Knight Morpher has a basis because of the DW comic series. But these Grand Patriots seem to pop up randomly....

.....I will hand it to the company. They have a good idea w/ some very interesting concepts for the armaments.

These figures were based on an unused piece of concept art by Don Figueroa that saw him cross Optimus Prime with G.I. Joe's Rolling Thunder. It was a great idea and the drawings were epic, but this figure falls far short of matching them aesthetically.

I don't own this figure, and after that review I have no intentions of ever owning it. It strikes me that Xovergen decided to mass produce their first prototype without an ounce of product development. Did anyone else notice the photo at the bottom of Xovergen's website, the one of the green version with the cannon turret on the rear? It's position suggests Xovergen struggled to keep the turret upright as well.

Such a wasted opportunity.

the piece that connects wheels to his shoulders you need to push the sides in & the wheels will fit into place perfectly found it out last night i agree with your comments onfigure but its better than arcee one we got

i know it probably wont happen but i would enjoy a response for xovergen themselves.

Hmmm...I still have this sitting in my POL. I sent an email to BBTS for a cancellation, I hope they allow me to cancel them.

Seibertron wrote:I figured out what the problem was with the wheel/backpack thing that wouldn't transform correctly. The piece that attaches the wheel/backpack thing to lower back of the Prime robot mode is assembled incorrectly ...

Seibertron... I really appreciate the tip about the white bit being assembled wrong! Will definitely flip when they arrive.

It breaks my heart hearing the issues with the toy, because I do really like the aesthetics and size... and the detail touches like the extra head, flip out weapons.

Hopefully Xovergen will take note of the input for the next figure.

Crappy sound? I'll just wait for a better reviewer.

ShardFenix wrote:i know it probably wont happen but i would enjoy a response for xovergen themselves.

I'd like that too. I'm interested to see how they will respond and handle this.

Well I'm glad I passed on these. The video says it all. Easy pass.

After watching that video and reading Ryan's troubles, I'm SOOO glad I passed on these! As a Prime collector, it was hard but I just never had a good feeling about these. I still entertained the notion to gt a green one on clearance to use as a Classics Ani Bulkhead but even that's not happening now!

amcgrath929 wrote:

ShardFenix wrote:i know it probably wont happen but i would enjoy a response for xovergen themselves.

I'd like that too. I'm interested to see how they will respond and handle this.

Well, when I sent an e-mail for replacement parts(my Green arrived missing the 2 shoulder guns and 2 Trailer kickstands), they not only sent the parts, but they asked me for feedback on how to improve the figure.

I'm going to have to go ahead and be the contrary one of the bunch: I love this figure. I have a few worries(the chest transformation, how tight the leg slides are), but overall I've been enjoying it(played with it almost as much as the Protector Armor I received with it). I did tighten some of the screws on the various turret stands, which helps some with them wobbling. Also, if you unscrew the screw beneath the shorter stand a little(not all the way), the post becomes removable and you can switch the 2 stands for varying turrets on the base and cab.

I think the company has potential and will most likely improve with each subsequent figure. I want to see what else they come up with.

i forogt to mention sg mecha tecnhicnal prime is bigger than some voyagers bigger than deluxe fp fanprojects rodimus prime add on hes few inches taller than him ultramagnus add on i dont know didnt feel like finding out

Midnight_Fox wrote:

amcgrath929 wrote:

ShardFenix wrote:i know it probably wont happen but i would enjoy a response for xovergen themselves.

I'd like that too. I'm interested to see how they will respond and handle this.

Well, when I sent an e-mail for replacement parts(my Green arrived missing the 2 shoulder guns and 2 Trailer kickstands), they not only sent the parts, but they asked me for feedback on how to improve the figure.

I'm going to have to go ahead and be the contrary one of the bunch: I love this figure. I have a few worries(the chest transformation, how tight the leg slides are), but overall I've been enjoying it(played with it almost as much as the Protector Armor I received with it). I did tighten some of the screws on the various turret stands, which helps some with them wobbling. Also, if you unscrew the screw beneath the shorter stand a little(not all the way), the post becomes removable and you can switch the 2 stands for varying turrets on the base and cab.

I think the company has potential and will most likely improve with each subsequent figure. I want to see what else they come up with.

Nice to see something positive about this guy! I have yet to receive mine but quality issues aside I still really love the look of the figure. I own a KMC and love it so I'm prepared for minor quality issues to own a unique concept figure.

I went into buying this knowing full well it was a new 3rd party company and their 1st project which comes with its risks.

Damn. And I really, really, really want the green version. Ever since I saw Don Fig's artwork I fell in love. Wanted to pimp it out with Marine Corps emblems and display it, but I got meat hands and would probably destroy this thing.

well i got the set today.

ive got to say, the size of it reminds me of some of the large playset type toys i used to get as a kid (child of the 80's). Im not a GI Joe collector so the trailer battle station is of limited appeal, but it looks cool as a trailer and its got a mountain of accesories. The chest transformation is scary, but once you get the hang of it theres not so much of a problem, its sturdier than it looks. the legs.... oh my god i was terrified. I suppose practice makes perfect, they will be fine once theyve been extended a few times.

I SERIOUSLY wish id just bought one, and im probably going to sell them on ebay (i seriously underestimated the size of them, theyre BIG). But if anybody from here wants to buy one of them im happy to cut a deal and sell one for less than standard price (say £45/$60, but im open to negotiation), buying two was a mistake but one is pretty decent (it wont be taking over from my Henkei Prime or Protector Rodimus as the boss anytime soon tho).

Overall i think the comparisons with Fansproject items is going to kill objectivity, they are masters of their craft in my opinion. For a first time out of the gate, issues aside, this is a fantastic set, its huge and has so many different aspects to it.

Stumpybot wrote:the legs.... oh my god i was terrified. I suppose practice makes perfect, they will be fine once theyve been extended a few times.

One thing I suggest with the legs: place the tip of a screwdriver into the screw hole and gently use it to help extend. I've yet to have it stress the plastic and they'll extend nice and smoothly with no jerking action.

Hey guys.... here is my video review showing how to properly transform the guy and addressing some of the issues most have with this...

I personally have an attachment to ROLLING THUNDER Prime...so this figure is GREAT to me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrjQmwoHA0w

enclinedesigns wrote:Hey guys.... here is my video review showing how to properly transform the guy and addressing some of the issues most have with this...

I personally have an attachment to ROLLING THUNDER Prime...so this figure is GREAT to me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrjQmwoHA0w

thanks for the review Encline, I knew you would give and honest opinion on the figure as well as have a different approach on him. Your customizing skills definitely help with that. I personally cant wait for this figure, I got a guy on here that is sending me the geewunny version after MP Roddy comes out and the anticipation is killing me!

keep doin what you do man

Fistful of Energon wrote:

enclinedesigns wrote:Hey guys.... here is my video review showing how to properly transform the guy and addressing some of the issues most have with this...

I personally have an attachment to ROLLING THUNDER Prime...so this figure is GREAT to me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrjQmwoHA0w

thanks for the review Encline, I knew you would give and honest opinion on the figure as well as have a different approach on him. Your customizing skills definitely help with that. I personally cant wait for this figure, I got a guy on here that is sending me the geewunny version after MP Roddy comes out and the anticipation is killing me!

keep doin what you do man

No prob my man... I am glad I could help out.. To me, this is such a cool fig, I would like to see it do well, because I am sure we will see some more TF/JOE crossovers..... since Hasbro did the Star Wars instead....I have been planning on this guy for a while..I was hesitant with the pics and when I saw the reviews, I didn't really know what to think... I am not knocking anyone else's opinion, but I think.. but I think the figure turned out great...

ALSO, as a side note....I have been in contact with XOVERGEN for a while and they asked for my honest feedback.. everything I said in the vid I told them...they are also reading all the boards and getting feedback....from those who actually own the fig. They have also posted on their website contact info, so, if anyone who owns one can contact them directly....

enclinedesigns wrote:

Fistful of Energon wrote:

enclinedesigns wrote:Hey guys.... here is my video review showing how to properly transform the guy and addressing some of the issues most have with this...

I personally have an attachment to ROLLING THUNDER Prime...so this figure is GREAT to me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrjQmwoHA0w

thanks for the review Encline, I knew you would give and honest opinion on the figure as well as have a different approach on him. Your customizing skills definitely help with that. I personally cant wait for this figure, I got a guy on here that is sending me the geewunny version after MP Roddy comes out and the anticipation is killing me!

keep doin what you do man

No prob my man... I am glad I could help out.. To me, this is such a cool fig, I would like to see it do well, because I am sure we will see some more TF/JOE crossovers..... since Hasbro did the Star Wars instead....I have been planning on this guy for a while..I was hesitant with the pics and when I saw the reviews, I didn't really know what to think... I am not knocking anyone else's opinion, but I think.. but I think the figure turned out great...

ALSO, as a side note....I have been in contact with XOVERGEN for a while and they asked for my honest feedback.. everything I said in the vid I told them...they are also reading all the boards and getting feedback....from those who actually own the fig. They have also posted on their website contact info, so, if anyone who owns one can contact them directly....

Hisstank Optimus....that is all

seriously though, pretty much the only thing I have to complain about (without having the figure in hand yet) is that most shops are selling them as a set which is alot to drop on a new product for a 3rd party fresh to the scene. Other than that it MY personal opinion that most of the criticism is due to people expecting a Has/Tak or better yet a FP release. FP does an amazing job but have also set the bar extremely high as far as 3rd parties go. im confident that Xovergen will step up there game with future releases, first ones usually have some issues. Hell, even FP's first was a resin kit.

Your review sealed my confidence and justification in buying this, Ill defend these guys. They made a very ambitious first product and should get more respect for it.

I'm still torn.

On the one hand, I'm disappointed that the figure isn't closer to Figueroa's design, because it is such a cool one. But more importantly, even the green one doesn't quite manage to look "military" and there is a lack of Roller. Hmm... I don't like the base mode... the missiles can't connect to Prime's robot mode... bleh.

On the other hand, it is a nice figure, and if xovergen goes on to release the other G.I. Joe crossover ideas, I don't want Prime to be the one I end up missing.

Does the instruction comic hint at all at their next release?

enclinedesigns wrote:

Fistful of Energon wrote:

enclinedesigns wrote:Hey guys.... here is my video review showing how to properly transform the guy and addressing some of the issues most have with this...

I personally have an attachment to ROLLING THUNDER Prime...so this figure is GREAT to me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrjQmwoHA0w

thanks for the review Encline, I knew you would give and honest opinion on the figure as well as have a different approach on him. Your customizing skills definitely help with that. I personally cant wait for this figure, I got a guy on here that is sending me the geewunny version after MP Roddy comes out and the anticipation is killing me!

keep doin what you do man

No prob my man... I am glad I could help out.. To me, this is such a cool fig, I would like to see it do well, because I am sure we will see some more TF/JOE crossovers..... since Hasbro did the Star Wars instead....I have been planning on this guy for a while..I was hesitant with the pics and when I saw the reviews, I didn't really know what to think... I am not knocking anyone else's opinion, but I think.. but I think the figure turned out great...

ALSO, as a side note....I have been in contact with XOVERGEN for a while and they asked for my honest feedback.. everything I said in the vid I told them...they are also reading all the boards and getting feedback....from those who actually own the fig. They have also posted on their website contact info, so, if anyone who owns one can contact them directly....

Really nice review! Wish you would have been the first to get a video review out, might have saved a few people from damaging their figure. Mine is supposed to arrive tomorrow, I'll be rewatching your review as I transform mine, thanks!

Okay so I got mine in today, and my best description of the transformation: an exercise in terror. Luckily I had watched Encline's video review and rewatched it as I was doing the transformation.

Fully extending the legs-scary

Making the curve to bring the upper torso into position-terrifying

Adjusting the backpack into the proper position-cringe inducing

Mine was also missing the four screws in the turret, although it's made to be interchangeable with the rocket launcher. I'm wondering if they were left out intentionally since they will stay attached with friction. Also have a lot of looseness in the forearm area.

However there is a lot to like about this set. It's actually quite nice in both modes, it's just transforming between those the two that gets sketchy. He has nice articulation, nice base mode, good paint apps, excellent packaging (on par with TFCC Boxsets).

Overall I'm pleased. This was pretty ambitious for an initial release, and I hope they bring more stuff to market.

My figure came with a second Prime head. Question....how do you switch it out? The instructions are useless and do not explain how. The head doesn't just pull off. Help appreciated.