Originally, I was going to stick with Studio Series only, and nothing more for the Rise of the Beasts movie. But after seeing people comment on how well-made the figures are for mainline stuff, and we're not dealing with the trope of every character being Deluxes like with RID15, Cyberverse, and now Earthspark, it makes sense for me to fulfill that new movie itch that wasn't present in the Bumblebee movie toyline. I already got the first wave of Deluxe 3-pack as well as Optimus Primal on the way, and now it's time for us to take a look at the newest addition to the Optimus Shrine with Prime himself!
Here is Optimus Prime in his vehicle mode, which is a more stylized version of the truck he takes form of in the movie. While it doesn't have the same realism that one would expect from an actual mainline figure, I will admit it still works in some weird way. I already like the silver vane and the grille guard, but this one not being 1:1 with the movie helps it avoid any licensing fees (if Freightliner has any like with Western Star and not Peterbilt). In a way, it's like IDW's 2009 take of G1 Prime! I do find it odd, however, that there is both a lack of paint on this toy as well as paint on parts that should be molded in red or blue. Especially if you see the contrast in the red paint vs the parts are molded in red plastic. I also wish there'd be silver paint to make some of those parts pop more where they are molded in gray. Especially the feet, which stand out more without any blue to blend them in better. And don't get me started on the rims being left without silver paint. I also feel like parts of the plastic are really good while other parts feel thinner than normal, like with that panel with the small crack on the side. Oh, and the gun stores on the back.
Here is Optimus Prime next to himself from the previous movie and as a Studio Series figure. The new Voyager is smaller, more stylized in appearance, and doesn't feel as complete as the old truck mode, but in a way I like the stylized design he has. Almost like if this was what TFP Optimus would turn into had he went with a flat nose and not a semi.
Transformation is mostly familiar to previous versions of the character, from the flipdown feet of the Evasion and Studio Series versions to the lower back wheel kibble of Earthrise Prime, and tge upper body torso of Classics Prime. Even the Arm kibble reminds me of Siege Optimus. The robot mode we end up with looks very good and surprisingly cleaner than the Studio Series version, having a more dynamic design and lankier proportions that are accurate to the movie. I'll admit I originally hates this design, but seeing it in action for ROTB specifically made me warm up to it much faster. The upper body definitely looks broader and bulkier than how it appears in the movie, which, once again, reminds me of the 2009 IDW comics that had G1 Prime's leaner design. Unfortunately, the unpainted parts still return, as the hips and thighs could use more paint, and the back of the lower legs make him look unusually incomplete. At the very least, he has cleaner kibble than the SSBB Prime figure on the back, and the legs don't untab stupidly.
Head sculpt is pretty small, especially for a figure in this scale. It does have some sculptwork applied onto it, thouth it appears softer than normal. There are also eyes with light-piping, though it may not be the best there is. As for the articulation, the head is on a neck swivel, shoulders move front and back as well as in and out (the parts that make up portions of the cab's back are individual pieces that hinge up and down), biceps swivel, elbows bend deeply, and the wrists are on ball joints. The waist swivel is limited but the upper body has a diaphragm joint a la the aforementioned Classics Prime for more range, the hips move front and back as well as in and out, the thighs swivel, the knees bend, amd the ankles hinge up and down as well as pivot side to side. He can hold his gun on his hand, though it appears he will ditch that in favor of an arm cannon a la Bumblebee's.
Fro a robot mode size comparison, here he is with his Beewun self again. The older toy has better colors, plastic quality, and height, but the mainline guy has better proportions, cleaner kibble, and it also doesn't have feet that untab a lot. I honestly think that the new Voyager is a good figure, though not worth the scalper prices it somehow went for on eBay. Seriously, why are people making you pay more for these? You would probably wait for the Studio Series version, even if that one is moreso going to be in the Buzzworthy line.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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