|
Post by andrewdsz on Oct 9, 2005 0:08:23 GMT -5
Aquarion's transformation engine is nothing even close to SHE getter robo... ...
|
|
|
Post by xiombarg on Oct 9, 2005 1:33:10 GMT -5
That's an interesting comparison. Reading Matt Alt's review helps me realize why I feel less than compelled to pick up Aquarion. Complexity for it's own sake doesn't mean anything to me if the end result is dysfunctional as a figure. For me, not being able to stand up qualifies as a dysfunctional property. I don't want to discredit it's technical brilliance, but at the same time I kind of feel like it didn't make it to what it's supposed to be. An analogy would be something like a freezer that doesn't have a cooling unit. Sure it might have the shelves and the door and it's insulated, but to make it work you still have to put a brick of ice in it everyday to keep your food frozen. That's kind of how I feel about Aquarion's stand.
Using the SHE Getter Robo as a basis of comparison bring's up some points. The first thing that jumped into my mind was that SHE would never release a figure if it couldn't stand up. Second thought was that SHE would find a way to make it stand up. Granted they would probably have to charge you an extra $200 for the engineering behind it, but it would stand up, and frankly I would be willing to pay the difference.
|
|
|
Post by mannyD on Oct 9, 2005 6:44:08 GMT -5
Here's the money quote from Matt Alt re the Aquarion: "I suspect years from now, toy designers in Japan will be describing history in terms of "Pre-" and "Post-Aquarion." It feels that significant, that momentous. In terms of complexity the only real contender out there is the Studio Half Eye Getta Robo, but being made out of injection-molded plastic and metal as opposed to resin, the Aquarion is a quantum leap ahead in the sturdiness and durability department.
The big question is how one defines their "play value." Those who enjoy the transformation and combination process in and of itself will think it's the greatest thing ever made. Those who demand that the end result be sturdy and action-figure posable will probably find themselves pounding it against a wall. The robot modes are pretty precarious and back-heavy, which can make it difficult to wrestle them into poses (though it isn't impossible.)
This is a toy with a learning curve."Every time I read this, the Aquarion looks a little less ridiculous. JWM wow! a lot of mighty adjectives here: "history in pre and post..." "significant" "momentous" "complexity" "quantum leap" "greatest thing ever made" "toy with a learning curve" i thought bandai already accomplished this things when they released the first SOC in 1997 ;D.
|
|
|
Post by demizer on Oct 10, 2005 0:46:20 GMT -5
Here's the money quote from Matt Alt re the Aquarion: "I suspect years from now, toy designers in Japan will be describing history in terms of "Pre-" and "Post-Aquarion." It feels that significant, that momentous. In terms of complexity the only real contender out there is the Studio Half Eye Getta Robo, but being made out of injection-molded plastic and metal as opposed to resin, the Aquarion is a quantum leap ahead in the sturdiness and durability department.
The big question is how one defines their "play value." Those who enjoy the transformation and combination process in and of itself will think it's the greatest thing ever made. Those who demand that the end result be sturdy and action-figure posable will probably find themselves pounding it against a wall. The robot modes are pretty precarious and back-heavy, which can make it difficult to wrestle them into poses (though it isn't impossible.)
This is a toy with a learning curve."Every time I read this, the Aquarion looks a little less ridiculous. JWM wow! a lot of mighty adjectives here: "history in pre and post..." "significant" "momentous" "complexity" "quantum leap" "greatest thing ever made" "toy with a learning curve" i thought bandai already accomplished this things when they released the first SOC in 1997 ;D. These things.
|
|
|
Post by mannyD on Oct 10, 2005 3:50:31 GMT -5
figuratively speaking
|
|
|
Post by Kidchuckle on Oct 10, 2005 4:27:40 GMT -5
That's an interesting comparison. Reading Matt Alt's review helps me realize why I feel less than compelled to pick up Aquarion. Complexity for it's own sake doesn't mean anything to me if the end result is dysfunctional as a figure. For me, not being able to stand up qualifies as a dysfunctional property. I don't want to discredit it's technical brilliance, but at the same time I kind of feel like it didn't make it to what it's supposed to be. An analogy would be something like a freezer that doesn't have a cooling unit. Sure it might have the shelves and the door and it's insulated, but to make it work you still have to put a brick of ice in it everyday to keep your food frozen. That's kind of how I feel about Aquarion's stand. Using the SHE Getter Robo as a basis of comparison bring's up some points. The first thing that jumped into my mind was that SHE would never release a figure if it couldn't stand up. Second thought was that SHE would find a way to make it stand up. Granted they would probably have to charge you an extra $200 for the engineering behind it, but it would stand up, and frankly I would be willing to pay the difference. Well on a technical level i doubt theres a easy way to fix it. Each aquarion by design.. has that huge backpack thingy. and it really makes it top heavy.. some more then others. And since the "feet or legs" make the other backpacks. You can say.. Oh I'll counterbalance the weight with a heavy lower body.. (because well.. the backpack and the lower body are the same thing.. in different mods ... does the wording make sence here?) So its more in question of the character design.. then the actual toy design. If this was a non transforming toy... Weights on the feet wouldn't be a big issue to counter balance. But having it transformable. Thats a huge issue! I know Studio half eye must have had big problems with getter 2 (look how small those feet are! that I just know is going to be hard to pose). For me.. balancing and standing is probably not a big issue. Look is more important to me.. and they give you a stand. But knowing how much metal.. and the price tag.. hmm kind of upsets me. Not sure if I want this or not. Its a very exciting piece of engineering. And very tempted. But the anime disapointed me. Plus... theres other stuff I want to get.. and this one makes me feel iffy. I may wait. hahhaa I'll probably go for that Military version if that really does come out.
|
|
|
Post by xiombarg on Oct 10, 2005 9:31:58 GMT -5
Instead of having "perfect transformation" they could have had weighted pieces that you could attach and detach for the back and feet areas to better distribute weight. I don't know, just an idea.
|
|
|
Post by Kidchuckle on Oct 11, 2005 11:27:27 GMT -5
hmm thats interesting.. maybe swappable feet or something...
but usually I prefer prefect transformation if I can.. less stuff to lose. its too bad I don't have any friends that have it.. cause I would love to inspect it first hand.
|
|