Transformers Cyberverse Ultra Shockwave review

When the Cyberverse line first began, I thought that it would hopefully have more going on compared to RID 2015. Turns out it's an interesting beast to review. See, Cyberverse as a show is more serialized compared to previous TV shows, even moreso compared to Beast Machines or Prime, yet its budget and even episode duration are both smaller than either show. As a result, it may not have much of the same rewatch novelty for individual episodes compared to other Transformers shows, yet it's great for binge-watching, especially for its characters. As for the toys, they feel worse than RID15's. The Warriors especially feel like a downgrade compared to the previous offerings, even if those weren't always perfect. And it's weird how Cyberverse's Warriors and Ultras are pretty inconsistent with one another, as some have more articulation than others. Shockwave was the only one I got from the line, and in this review, I want to judge Shockwave on its merits rather than view it as a collector's item (since it'd rank a bit lower).

Here is Shockwave in his vehicle mode It's a spider-tank of sorts, which may seem like it's a way to give Shockwave an altmode that preserves the robot mode's components, but at least it's effective here, unlike Siege Soundwave's alt mode (coincidentally, the last figure I reviewed). Of course, it does look more like Shockwave's doing some weird yoga or exorcism act, but at least it's convincing for the most part. It's also a mode more commonly seen with his little drones.

The turret can split in half to reveal a blast effect. It's not transparent, but it does give off the illusion that it's blasting an Autobot.

The chest may be present at the front like with TFP Shockwave, but it's passable enough to resemble the front of the altmode. Hey, it's better than having a tape deck door at the back of the altmode. Curiously, there appear to be headlights and a grill, which look like they're carried over from a specific altmode. Either way, it's something I've never seen on other Shockwaves from what I can tell. Also, notice the Decepticon insignia being the incorrect one.

The transformation is pretty simple, though, for a figure in this line, it's acceptable. As an Ultra figure that's put alongside the more brickish Ultras in the Cyberverse line, this is somewhat more involved, and hey, I like the way the turret swivels so it can be repositioned to the top part of the shoulder. As for the cannon less left arm being stored inside the chest, it's kind of a neat way to keep it in there without partsforming. While it could be used as a normal left arm, the lack of a hand probably will affect it.

Robot mode looks fairly good. While it doesn't have the more dynamic style that the robot mode has in the show, it's at least comparable for the most part. The only thing I don't like much is how massive the cannon is; the Warrior figure relocated it at the back with a suitable barrel for the left arm. The cannon also looks odd from some angles, especially when it has the lever exposed. And yes, the back has some hollow bits, but beyond that, it's alright. I will say that the hips are almost loose. While they will keep the figure standing, if someone were to shake the hips a lot, then they'd definitely have the legs flopping around. While I can somewhat forgive the cannon's appearance and the hollowed-out legs, the loose ball joints can be annoying for those that don't want their toy to flop around. I also don't like how the left shoulder's tab doesn't stay in as well. That aside, robot mode looks decent and is one of the better Cyberverse Ultras.

Head sculpt looks decent, though it doesn't have the eyelid over part of the yellow eye, a signature aspect of this incarnation of Shockwave. Both the Warrior figure and the Spark Armor figure somewhat have it, though the Deluxe figure does not have it, much like this figure does. It's not a killer, but the eyelid did make this incarnation of Shockwave memorable.

Articulation is decent for an Ultra figure. Head swivels left and right, both shoulders move front and back and swivel at the bicep, though the right arm has an elbow joint while the left arm does not. The waist swivels and the hips move fairly well front and back as well as in and out, and despite the lack of a thigh swivel, the ball joints can sort of work like thigh swivels. The knees bend, and the ankles are on ball joints. The cannon has the same blast effect work just like in the tank mode.

While this figure isn't quite as accurate looking as the other Shockwave offerings, like the Warrior, the Spark Armor figure, and now the Deluxe figure, this is still a pretty good toy to own if you're a Shockwave fan or want to give kids something to play with without having a lumpy block. I'll admit that it's not as important to an older fan as a Generations figure would be (because older fans will automatically get triggered by play features), but at least this figure has more going on compared to other Cyberverse offerings at the time. I'm sure the Deluxe figure will be better-received by fans that collect Siege or Studio Series for its articulation, but I kind of wish that Cyberverse had a good balance between play features and articulation with the Ultra Class line as seen with Shockwave. If it's a G1-styled Shockwave that older fans want, then they might as well buy all those shelfwarming Leader Class Siege figures for once.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐