Transformers Age of the Primes Alpha Trion review

Alpha Trion is best for being an archivist for the history of his planet, the one bot who turned Orion Pax into Optimus Prime, and representing himself as one of the original thirteen Transformers. His roles in different continuities also varies in his prominence, where he was pretty reoccurring in regular G1 to having been mostly prominent in prequel material of the Aligned continuity and dying pretty quickly in Cyberverse and One. As for Generations merch, most of it has been exclusive to cons and the like, but we did have a Titans Return version nearly a decade ago which was a Headmaster and triple changer. In-between that and the AOTP version was a retool of SS86 Scourge for a 2-pack along with Orion Pax retooled from mold mate Kup. Now that we have another stab at an all new Alpha Trion, let's see if it's as definitive as it can be for a G1 display.

Here we have Alpha Trion in his spaceship mode. It is based on an unused concept design from the original IDW comic run, which would have been a rare instance of him having an altmode for.G1-related media. It looks fairly decent as an altmode from.yhr front at least, with a decent use of tapering to give it a Cybertronic, layered appearance. The cockpit is much further back than normal, but that's the nature of a more alien design and not something trying to be Earthly. However, the arms don't really blend in that well from the shoulders to the elbows; if they had just covered that area up better, it would have flowed nicer. At least the forearms continue the sculpted details on the middle, but I wish there was some additional silver paneling to cover what will be the biceps of the robot arms.

While a Titan/Prime Master cannot fit inside with the cockpit closed, it is possible to have one sit inside with the empty space underneath the canopy. However, this is not the Alpha Trion Prime Master but instead Quintus, but it doesn't matter since the Prime Master gimmick was lame.

Here he is alongside the Hero is Born version retooled from SS86 Scourge. I always appreciate when we get a new altmode for a character that won't always be stuck reusing a main Decepticon design. They have a few similarities in common with the vague shape, but one looks more like a bath toy than the other.

And here we have him with his fellow Primes. I really love seeing them all together bit by bit, even if Star Convoy isn't in the group shot.

Transformation is not as shellformery as I initially expected, as parts of the robot mode make up a few crucial chunks of the altmode. While the backpack does have the top portion as some sort of makeshift cape, the legs do at least help with making it feel less lazy than with Scourge. Also, be sure that those tips on his shoulder pads are attached at all costs since they come out of the box disassembled for some reason. The robot mode is based on how Alpha Trion appeared in G1 episode War Dawn, the same story where the Aerialbots traveled back in time and met Orion Pax along with Ariel and Dion. While his design may seem less Prime-like than the other characters we got, it still evokes that ancient aesthetic in addition to the presentation of a younger Alpha Trion. The color scheme even adds to that aspect with how unique and unusual it is compared to most other Transformers who came long after him. The Autobot insignia is something that a few collectors complained about, but it does more than represent the history of the faction in G1 fiction as we'll get to.

His head sculpt may be younger, but he still has some facial hair that would later evolve into the facial hair he is known for. By the way, remember when people thought Stratosphere having a mustache was blursed despite, you know, him not being the first Transformer with facial hair? Anyways, before I start delving into the stupid selective memory of the TF fanbase, his articulation consists of a neck swivel and a slight hinge, shoulder rotation as well as outward arm movement, bicep rotation, hinged elbows revealing the hollow forearms, finger articulation, waist rotation, universal hips, thigh swivels, hinged knees, and ankle pivots. He also has a slight bit of ab crunch due to transformation.

His accessories include a quill and the Covenant of Primus, which had two pages featuring Cybertronian text reading "till all are one" and a section based on how it appeared in the Beast Wars cartoon (complete with cassette deck!). His finger articulation helps him hold the book naturally, but the lack of wrist joints limits how well it can work.

The Autobot insignia on his stomach is removable so you can have it double as the Coder Remote, which was used to help the Transformers turn against the Quintessons. Yeah, G1 cartoon lore has that kind of "that's it?" vibe, but removing the sigil leaves him with a gap in his torso so best it stays on there.

For a size comparison, here he is along with his present day self as well as Optimus Prime and Orion Pax. If you told me 10 years ago that I'd have cartoon accurate, transformable versions of these designs, I'd never believe you! Anyways, while the Trion Duo remain at relatively similar heights, Orion sure got a growth spurt as Optimus.

And here we have him along with the other Primes, looking a bit out of place yet belonging at the same time. He's a better figure than I expected, even if his War Dawn-era design isn't as dynamic than his more traditional appearance. The accessories he comes with also help, but I will have to knock points off for those exposed biceps in alt mode and the lack of wrist rotation in addition to the hollow joints. With a bigger than necessary price hike coming soon, I am growing weary from excusing those flaws.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐