Post by shaxper on Aug 20, 2003 20:25:01 GMT -5
Three Second Overview:
Cool looking Harrier-Jet (first time we've seen one of those transform!) converts into really lousy robot mode.
The Good News
1. Harrier Jet mode is very impressive looking (from the top)
2. Rear Mini-con bay is a cool idea, especially since Inferno (included mini-con) looks like part of the jet when attached, as does his missile launcher.
3. Inferno is the best color variation of a very cool little Mini-con from the Land Assault Team.
The Bad News
1. If I didn't know better, I'd swear Thrust's robot mode is a carry over from Beast Machines (though I know for a fact that he wasn't). He's the same tangled mess of ball and socket joints that kinda' sorta' looks like a robot with two arms and legs that I'd come to expect from Beast Machines, and he definately doesn't seem to fit the look and feel of Armada.
2. His transformation is annoying, rather than fun. Again, it's a tangled mess.
3. His missiles snap out rather than eject with a spring loaded launcher. Hasbro/Takara only sprang the extra cent for a spring in Inferno's launcher.
4. If you look at the Jet mode from beneath, it looks like a transformer forced into the shell of a Harrier Jet. It's the first Armada toy I've seen that falls into that old trap, and I'm very disappointed by it.
Overall
Thrust just doesn't fit the series. His robot mode and transformation completely lack the quality and solidity that you see in the rest of the series. It shows in all the minor details, like his missiles, the fact that he doesn't balance as well as the other robots, the fact that he doesn't look like a vehicle from all sides when transformed, etc. However (and this is a pretyt big however), I really think his Harrier Jet mode nearly makes up for it. From the top, it's quite impressive looking, and I really like how Inferno attaches and looks like part of the vehicle. Very cool little detail!
How I'd improve it
1. I think the robot mode is nearly beyond saving, but I would change his little cone helmet and make it look like an actual helmet that he can swing over his face or lift up. It doesn't actually show in jet mode and yet it's painted to look like the tip of the jet's canopy. Very unnecessary.
2. I'd also have his missile launchers detach from his legs in robot mode and attach to his arms. That way, he can shoot his opponants instead of his face.
3. I'd also make the jet canopy able to rotate 180 degrees so that it makes a cool chest plate instead of an over-sized, weird looking thingy sheath
4. I'd also completely change his face and at least have that look more Armada and less Beast Machines. He'd fit in better and the chicks would dig him
5. Spring loaded launchers, you freaks! SPRING LOADED!
6. No 360 degree rotating wings powered by his chest powerlinx. This is a highly unnecessary, useless ability that can't be used effectively in either mode.
7. Inferno's color is similar to Thrust's, but it should actually match, so he really looks like part of the jet.
Cool looking Harrier-Jet (first time we've seen one of those transform!) converts into really lousy robot mode.
The Good News
1. Harrier Jet mode is very impressive looking (from the top)
2. Rear Mini-con bay is a cool idea, especially since Inferno (included mini-con) looks like part of the jet when attached, as does his missile launcher.
3. Inferno is the best color variation of a very cool little Mini-con from the Land Assault Team.
The Bad News
1. If I didn't know better, I'd swear Thrust's robot mode is a carry over from Beast Machines (though I know for a fact that he wasn't). He's the same tangled mess of ball and socket joints that kinda' sorta' looks like a robot with two arms and legs that I'd come to expect from Beast Machines, and he definately doesn't seem to fit the look and feel of Armada.
2. His transformation is annoying, rather than fun. Again, it's a tangled mess.
3. His missiles snap out rather than eject with a spring loaded launcher. Hasbro/Takara only sprang the extra cent for a spring in Inferno's launcher.
4. If you look at the Jet mode from beneath, it looks like a transformer forced into the shell of a Harrier Jet. It's the first Armada toy I've seen that falls into that old trap, and I'm very disappointed by it.
Overall
Thrust just doesn't fit the series. His robot mode and transformation completely lack the quality and solidity that you see in the rest of the series. It shows in all the minor details, like his missiles, the fact that he doesn't balance as well as the other robots, the fact that he doesn't look like a vehicle from all sides when transformed, etc. However (and this is a pretyt big however), I really think his Harrier Jet mode nearly makes up for it. From the top, it's quite impressive looking, and I really like how Inferno attaches and looks like part of the vehicle. Very cool little detail!
How I'd improve it
1. I think the robot mode is nearly beyond saving, but I would change his little cone helmet and make it look like an actual helmet that he can swing over his face or lift up. It doesn't actually show in jet mode and yet it's painted to look like the tip of the jet's canopy. Very unnecessary.
2. I'd also have his missile launchers detach from his legs in robot mode and attach to his arms. That way, he can shoot his opponants instead of his face.
3. I'd also make the jet canopy able to rotate 180 degrees so that it makes a cool chest plate instead of an over-sized, weird looking thingy sheath
4. I'd also completely change his face and at least have that look more Armada and less Beast Machines. He'd fit in better and the chicks would dig him
5. Spring loaded launchers, you freaks! SPRING LOADED!
6. No 360 degree rotating wings powered by his chest powerlinx. This is a highly unnecessary, useless ability that can't be used effectively in either mode.
7. Inferno's color is similar to Thrust's, but it should actually match, so he really looks like part of the jet.
