For me, I think IF War Giant is to this set what my MP-10 is to MP-44. I don’t feel inclined to “upgrade”.

 

I wonder why no one ever accurately recreates the bottom of Onslaught's truck mode, that is a rather clear shot of most of it.

 

I don't even think it's a case of 'upgrading' or not - they're just a completely different take on the character(s). I love War Giant, and wouldn't trade it for this. But I like Iron Factory's IDW-esque aesthetic very much (and have grown to really love their samurai alternates, too), and I have no interest in the '84 cartoon look, so of course I wouldn't. Someone who wants a Bruticus that looks like the one in the '84 cartoon, conversely, would take this over War Giant any day. Which is fine. It's good for everyone that there's different takes and styles out there to buy (I'd like more different takes myself, I can't help but feel too many are too similar).

Even having no intention of buying this toy, however, I'm still very interested in it's design and development. I like Legends figures, so it's nice to keep track of what every company is doing and see how they're all evolving/ tackling the same challenges in different ways. Every company is doing cool and interesting stuff within the size class (despite what some of the more... cult-like... individuals on these boards would insist). Yes, even Hasbro.  

 

I agree with you 100%. I used quotation marks around the word upgrade because although I don’t personally seek animation fidelity, many collectors feel that any figure that looks more like the cartoon model is better and therefore supersedes any that came before it.

I own a few toony figures because I like their transformations, but I tend to have a greater interest and appreciation for stylized versions, or ones that upgrade the original toy design. I have Newage, Iron Factory, and Magic Square versions of Mirage, for example, and I like them all (though MS probably the least).

I too will watch with interest even though it’s doubtful I’ll buy this set.

 

Interesting analogy. I have a similar feeling with mp10 being an OG and still holding a crown— still have mine.
But I’m feeling like most people avoided that mp44 ‘upgrade’ as a result of the exorbitant price tag, whereas this isn’t going to be nearly as repellant.
Plus there seems to be a pretty decent gap in style between this and IF, like two very different toys.

 

Different styles, for certain. IF War Giant seems to channel the spirit of the original toys without directly imitating them. But they’re stylized takes on the characters, not toy homages. MS focuses on replicating the animation models in plastic— as per usual— and they’re damned good at it. The two sets almost represent opposite ends of the aesthetic spectrum, and I’m not sure both would be equally welcome on the same collector’s shelf.

The MP-10 analogy was a bit of a stretch, but I do genuinely prefer IF’s version of the Constructicons. I might be tempted to go in on a Newage EX set if they were to attempt it, but it wouldn’t replace War Giant. I appreciate NA and IF figures for different reasons.

Oh, and it wasn’t cost that deterred me from buying MP-44. It was design.

 

I'm not going to sweat any of their color choices for toy/toon, but extending Vortex's tailfin makes all the difference in the world to me, it looks soooo much better overall.

 

the preorder indicates third quarter 2023 but do you think it will come out earlier, like April May too?

 

i think the third quarter could be when they are expected to be finished with all the releases.

with the stiff competition between the 2 companies right now. i don't see any reason to believe that MS would give NA a shot at beating them to market.

i fully expect to see some of these cranking out in the next 2 months...or less

 

yes, I also think that it concerns the combiner as a whole...next two months...we could see the first couple already in early April then...

 

Sorry for little Ot
at this point Magic Square could release their Terrorcons before Newage,both are too quiet for now about s3 combiners.

Apart this if they release Onslaught within 2 or 3 months are running fast ,good for us.

 

For me it's a definite upgrade. War Giant is difficult to pose and has limited articulation. I do like his design, but everytime I touch it... It just falls apart!
Especially compared to Zeta superion and MS menasor. War giant also just feels like a pumped up body builder like Ronnie Coleman. Which makes it cool, but sadly doesn't really fit in with other combiners from NA, MS and zeta.

 

Many suspected them to be going by season after menasor, but they upended that recently when they teased dinobots but then went bruticus…we would have expected aerialbots but who knows now. I wouldn’t be surprised if they go ahead and continue the s1/s2 bots after this. Or… maybe they’re switching it up to avoid such direct competition with NA, as far as the same bots at the same time…

 

I agree, it doesn't fit in with the offerings from NA, MST, and the like at all. Which is why I'd never buy any of them, and why I can understand someone skipping Iron Factory.

 

guys but how much time passed from the presentation of menasor magic square to the actual release? Do you remember? So I get an idea of when the first combaticons could come out.

 

Lol that would be like 2 years but it's not the same.

 

Guys, do you want to tell him or should I?  

It was a long time. Years.

But MST is much more on the ball these days (Smokescreen notwithstanding). Devy was completely out within a year of showing the first colored prototypes IIRC.

 

Maybe 6-8 months to complete this gestalt.

 

So I doubt we will see first completamente for April - May

 

We have an early colored prototype of Brawl. If their prior releases are anything to go by, I’d expect two packs for the limbs and a singular release for the torso.

I’d think the legs (Brawl and Swindle) will be out by later 2nd quarter at the earliest, but sometime during 3rd quarter of this year is more likely.

I think a finished team is likely around a year out from now.