There is no other being of significant magnificence than with Sky Lynx. This character is extremely capable of contributing towards the victories of the Autobots, even if he brags about how amazing he is as a unique Transformer. He doesn't have a normal robot mode, yet his mix of a lynx and a prehistoric bird results in a very great design that no other Transformer would ever live up to if they replicated his feats. Sky Lynx was already famous in G1 as a motorized toy, and we wouldn't get anything new of his until the Encore reissue, but even then, a mold made from scratch wasn't conceived until the Combiner Wars line brought him back as a torso. While that line was appreciative at the time, its version of the character doesn't feel as robust as the old toy, so it took Hasbro another 4-5 years to bring him again for the Earthrise line. I didn't get this guy until the day Hasbro and EntEarth along with other online sites put him up for preorder. So now, we shall explore the glory of a reissued Earthrise Commander Class as we have here for Sky Lynx!
Here is Sky-Lynx in his space shuttle mode in addition to being attached to the crawler. I like this combination of vehicle modes; it makes them feel very sci-fi appropriate without them being either too grounded on realism or too toyetic. The space shuttle is beautiful, with various panel lines and golden paint apps to make it look like the real spaceship that it's based on, NASA's Magnificence. While the Magnificence text does look like plain text next to the NASA logo, it does show that the company gave permission to Hasbro with using the iconic license. The only thing that kind of ruin the look is the exposed red near the wings, but otherwise, one can't deny the glory of the space shuttle itself. The crawler is pretty chunky from underneath, as it's meant to also accommodate the parts that make up the lynx-half of the equation, though I have to commend Hasbro for making it look like it's not just a toy but also has lots of details that give it a sense of engineering put into what an actual shuttle would look like if that makes sense.
The bulk of the side profile makes the crawler seem rather clunky compared to the fineness of the shuttle, but this is an otherwise impressive depiction of the character that goes above and beyond the original toy in terms of presentation. I especially like the paint apps that make the gunmetal portions of the figure look believable as a toy, especially with the treads adding more to the figure that the previous toys haven't done. And while the treads don't have the little wheels, there are still wheels to help the toy roll nonetheless. So much to commend Hasbro with this glorious toy, huh?
The toy has a hatch that you can open with a ramp that connects to other A.I.R. Lock pieces found on toys like the Modulators, Hoist, or Optimus Prime. The three smallest effect pieces can plug into the boosters of the rocket, making it look as if it is flying in space.
Separating the shuttle from the crawler requires a lock that you can pull down to release it from the top. deploying the landing gear left me surprised that he has rolling wheels! Impressive! Anyways, here he is next to Siege Astrotrain, who was also released in the Earthrise line. Man, this line loves space so much, huh? While Astrotrain's design is entirely different from Sky Lynx, especially when it comes to the different transformation schemes for obviously different characters, Sky Lynx ends up being much more refined and perfected compared to the dreary, puny look of the Decepticon. Such a comparison can't be made unless one was curious about the history of space shuttles in the Transformers universe!
As for the crawler, it can roll on its own just fine, and while it may not be as complete without the gorgeous space shuttle, it does at least have some color breakup that is meaningful and weirdly patriotic aside from the gunmetal gray paint and plastic. The right way to perfect an already great formula previously seen from the G1 toy.
Transforming the space shuttle into the dinobird first has you pulling the front of the head to extend the neck before flipping down the tiny legs. The tailfin has an actual tail hidden away while the wings fold out from underneath the shuttle wings, resulting in the Sky-half of Sky Lynx. As for the Lynx-half, you have to extend the legs down and flip out the lion head as well as the twin tails, which does feel more like a Carrierzord than the bird does. Regardless, they both have great elements of their own, with the former having good poseability for the legs and sturdy ratchets for the necks (with some that move up and down or left and right. As for the lynx, we'll get to the leg articulation, but I like that the front legs can be splayed open somewhat. Both beast heads also possess blast-effect compatible tongues.
But why leave these two separate if you can go a step further? Let's put them together in one of two other modes that revolve around both of them!
Now let's combine them together into the magnificence that is Sky Lynx! And this allows me to showcase the big effect part made up of three blast effect pieces! in addition to the ratcheted neck with a head at a ball joint and an articulated jaw (with mouth), the legs feature front and back movement as well as in and out hinging, both of which have ratchets. They have swivels above the double jointed elbows/knees,, and the feet can hinge up and down as well as pivot side by side. He may not have the motorized walking gimmick, but he still retains a great level of play features nonetheless.
For a size comparison, he looks like an appropriately big beast for a Commander Class figure, and a beastie that is made up of a space shuttle and a crawler. It especially helps with the neck of the beast mode, especially considering how he's a dino-bird all around. And the best part is that he's pretty much able to accommodate Grimlock for a ride! Overall, Sky Lynx is a beautiful experience to obtain if you either got him back in 2020 or this year when you get him preordered. I'm happy to say that he will not disappoint, even in spite of his nonexistent motor gimmick. He will win everyone over for he is, and always will be, magnificence incarnate.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
No comments:
Post a Comment