Transformers Siege Optimus Prime review

Optimus Prime's always destined to get a new figure in every Transformers line, especially the G1 incarnation's recent iterations in the Generations line. From having a single-release Voyager and a Deluxe in a two-pack with Megatron for Classics, to having no really new figures in the Universe line, and from getting a Legends figure based on the 2009 IDW run and an Orion Pax figure in the Thrilling 30 line (excluding the Cybertronian Optimus Primes from the games), and from having two Voyagers in Combiner Wars to a Leader and a Voyager in the Titans Return line. The Power of the Primes line gave fans a decent take on Optimus Prime (we'll take a look at that figure soon), but Siege may be the best take on G1 Optimus Prime in recent memory! This obviously excludes the MP figures, but there's a lot to go over, so let's take a look at Siege Optimus!

Here we have Optimus Prime in his altmode. It's a Cybertronian take on the flat nose truck he had. I've seen some friends say that it's just lazily altered to look Cybertronian, but in my headcanon, this is how Optimus would look in the future had the Autobots arrived in the era of Blade Runner. The truck eyebrows do look dumb when they cover up the actual fog lights (which are shown in robot mode), but I like the clear grill, the clear blue headlights, the armored appearance, and the rims. The smokestacks could be longer, but it looks neat. I kind of wish the side windows match the front ones, but no biggie.

There is an additional mode for the truck to take, where the wheels can be lowered to resemble a hover mode. Almost reminiscent of what the WFC line did. It could work better with a flight stand AND some rubble done from Decepticon destruction. I say that because without the rubble, having just the flight stand would make the mode look weird. Having neither would make it look awkward when it's on the surface like it is here.

The gun and shield can be stored in these spots as shown. I kind of wish both can be stored in the back, or the gun having a port in the middle. With the shield placed on the back of the truck, it sort of looks like an engine.

For a vehicle mode comparison, here is Siege Optimus Prime next to his other G1-themed selves. On the left is his G1 self (which is a reissue that has the shorter smokestacks), and on the right is the Power of the Primes cab (it should be mentioned that the POTP toy, despite being made before the Siege version, will have its review come out after this even when it's written before I did the Siege week, which explains why there will no mention of Siege Optimus in that review). I like the old look of G1 Prime (though it should have the longer smokestacks) while POTP Optimus looks bad.

Here is a comparison with what I thought is my favorite Neo-G1 Prime, that being Classics Optimus (seen here in the Evolution 2-pack deco that came with a Movie-Trilogy colored Evasion Prime). I can't decide which of the two is my favorite. Classics Prime has the unique look that few Primes have replicated, though the front of the cab makes it look like it has puffy cheeks. The smokestacks and roof being weapons are neat, but it means parts forming. The rims do look nice, but they belong more as car rims than truck rims. Both have their pros and cons, so it's a tie here.

Prime's transformation is pretty close to Masterpiece-level engineering. Maybe it's not exactly like MP-44, but it's close to MP-01 or MP-10 with some cutbacks. There are some faux parts on it, but at least it's not as bad as I anticipated, and the leg transformation's pretty ingenious with the way they hinge the vehicle parts around.

In robot mode, Optimus Prime's a very nice recreation of the G1 character design! While the kibble does look off with the backpack or the parts that hang under the forearms, but I like the faux parts, the proportions look great, and it's neither too bulky nor too thin. The things I wish that would be better with this figure would be to have a white outline for the Autobot insignia while there should be some blue on the lower region of his crotch. Also, the smokestacks being short isn't as bad here as it is in the truck mode, but it's still bothersome. Still, the robot mode does look pretty good in my opinion.

Face sculpt is spot-on G1 Prime, and I quite like how crisp the paint and molded details are. The eyes do look like they're spaced away from each other in some views, but I don't think it's too bad. Sure, there's been quite a lot of G1 Primes in history, but seeing a Voyager with the accurate head sculpt works.

Articulation's standard for Siege affair. Head is on a ball-joint, shoulders swivel front and back, hinge in and out, swivel at the bicep (with the smokestacks moving in and out for better movement), the elbows bend, and the wrists swivel. The waist swivels, hips move front and back, in and out, swivel at the thighs and above the knee, the knees bend fairly deep, and the ankles pivot. For his accessories, he has his Ion Blaster. It's a pretty good take on the traditional appearance of his weapon, though it feels a bit small. Maybe it should have that size, but I've felt that the gun could be a little bit in scale with Prime.

His other accessory is his shield, but to my surprise, it can become an ax. The shield does look a bit small yet thick for what it's supposed to be, but the axe looks pretty good. Sure, one side of it is black plastic and there's no orange paint to make the blade look different, but it's decent! Kind of wish the handle let him hold it better.

Being an Optimus Prime toy, there are a few repaints done as soon as it showed up on shelves. This is the cartoon accurate G1 Prime, though it looks more like it's from the Devastation game. I'm not a fan of cel-shaded customs since the result of 3-Dimensional toys having the details clashes with the rest of their surroundings. At least the attempt is done well, but I'm happy with the original.

The toy was also done up in a Nemesis Prime color scheme. Of course it was going to happen. It's slick and evil, but I don't care for it if I'm honest. At least the sword is new for this figure but is otherwise found on Titans Return Alpha Trion.

Now we have another Nemesis Prime, but instead of just coming with a sword, he comes with a trailer that the Earthrise version had, but he also comes with the Giza, Dark Saver, and forearm blasters that came with Power of the Primes Nemesis Prime; in terms of new accessories, he comes with Fangtron, a redeco of Battlemaster Slitherfang, and three Energon cubes repainted from the Ultra Magnus spoiler pack. If you can't get the TakaraTomy version, then definitely get this version! He may not have a Roller, but the value for money is much better than with Earthrise Optimus Prime.

And for anyone who wants that WFC accuracy for the Netflix series but doesn't want to pay $200+ for a toyetic Transformer that doesn't transform, here is the Premium Finish Optimus Prime, who captures the appearance of the character in the show itself. I'd want to own one to go with Megatron but it's not only from a series I hate (the show not the toys), but it's nearly $55!!!!! If he came with some Micromasters or has some added features to him beyond the deco, then I'd pay for it! But considering how expensive it is, it's a massive embarrassment.

For robot mode comparisons, here he is next to the G1 version. Mine has the short smokestacks, but it's otherwise about how most G1 Primes look. Setting aside the MPs, I'm quite happy how even though we have another G1 styled Prime in the Voyager scale, he at least feels more like a modernized take on the character, and by that I mean he's got better engineering and has a more futuristic appearance.

Here he is next to Classics Prime. I still kind of like Classics Prime, especially with the AOE 2-pack colors, but the aesthetics don't line up well with the recent Generations line. I'll still keep him, but he's been dethroned by Siege Prime as my favorite version of the G1 character, what with the cleaner robot mode and improved engineering.

Here he is next to Power of the Primes Optimus Prime...oops! Wrong mode!

Here is the properly transformed Orion Pax. I don't think there's any real synergy between Orion and Optimus in this case. Orion Pax just looks too smooth to go next to Siege Optimus, and I never really liked G1's Orion Pax since the cartoon's origin of Optimus Prime was really stupid; Marvel Comics, War Within, and the earlier IDW comics did a better job with how Orion became Optimus.

There is a version of Orion Pax that I would like to get for Siege Optimus.

Here is Siege Optimus next to the Prime Mode of POTP Optimus. POTP Optimus isn't too bad, and I'd say he makes for a decent MP-10 stand-in (I think he looks a bit better than MP-44). But next to Siege Prime, he's not too hot.

Here are the other versions of Optimus Prime together with Siege. I'm missing Classics Deluxe, Combiner Wars, and the Titans Return Voyager, but I'm fine without them.

This is nicely done take on Optimus Prime from the G1 universe. I know we've got Earthrise coming soon, and it has an even more G1 accurate Prime, but in the meantime, this guy's great to have, even with some of the weird things that he has. Whether you want the regular or cartoon version, I recommend this toy greatly.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐