Transformers: Kingdom Warpath is Something That Exists

OK, I went to TFNation Reading yesterday, and in all probability, I am dead right now. I'll try to have a write-up done for the end of next week, but in the meantime, here's a Tranformers review.

 

The 1985 Transformers Warpath toy.

In spite of myself, I've been belatedly drawn to the modern batch of deluxe Minibots. It must have been Beachcomber and Gears proving to be actually kinda good. I don't think I'll be a completionist or anything, but if the price is right, I'm certainly not opposed. Hence, Warpath. And who is Warpath? Well, blah blah blah blah G1 tiny dude. Diddly-do diddly-do diddly-do and so on; shallow tier 3 character with a distinct manner of speech. Tourette‘s syndrome, but with gunfire onomatopoeia. Blah blah blah, Sunbow cartoon appearances, fairly unique altmode, goto Autobot tank guy. Yada-yada-yada, memorable, but is basically a seat-filler. Look, if you've read my writings on similar vintage characters, which I admit is unlikely, you know where I stand. But is this toy any good? Let's find out.

 

At the risk of repeating myself, Warpath's altmode is a tank, although ran through three different filters. This version is aping the Sunbow Animation model, if adding more modern detailing. That model was an interpretation of an 80's toy done in the same penny racer style as the other Minibots, meaning it somewhat cutesy and simple rather than a scale model or owt. You know, the whole Super Deformed thing, but applied to a vehicle. So, peeling back those layers like an onion, what tank is it? The M551 Sheridan AA/ARV. An odd choice, even back in the 80's. Its not a tank in way as a layman might expect; its a light tank with an odd missile armament, designed to be easily transported by air. Its not really there to take hits or slug it out with other tanks, and its debut in the Vietnam War was not a glorious one. As a point of interest, the Sheridan had been retired from frontline service about 5 years before this toy was designed. One wonders if this choice of altmode was thematic in some way, given how the other Minibots are, but I suppose we'll never know. 

 

 

The real tank, as seen on Wikipedia.

I may have got sidetracked there. Moving onto the actual merits of the toy, Warpath does one very important thing right, which is have a functional turret. I.e. one that rotates. This is a pet peeve of mine; if the tank has a turret, it should turn. A lot of Transformers toys get that wrong. Warpath avoids that annoyance, and due to his character design, said turret is not an accessory either. Meanwhile, it rolls on tiny castor wheels, and has some down-played 5mm port and blast effect compatibility. Now, Warpath neither needs or likely wants additional firepower, but not putting in a few explosions or muzzleflashes was a missed opportunity. That aside, this mode's only overt flaw arises from the desire to be as Sunbow accurate as possible: the white tracks. OK, if that's what you want, I get it, but it prompts colour matching issues and reports of photo degradation. Doing them in dark or metallic tones would have made more sense and saved a lot of trouble. This complaint is however on the nitpick end of the scale, and otherwise this tank mode is on point. It looks good from most angles, does what it should, and has no small amount of surface detailing if you care to look.

 

The actual conversion process invites another tangent. As you might imagine, this isn't Warpath's first remake or spiritual successor. There's been a few prior to this, including a well-liked Generations deluxe, but none have really nailed a G1 style transformation. This one has, with the turret becoming the chest, the front of the hull becoming the legs, and the back becoming the arms. There's a lot of folding panels going on here, focused mainly on the legs, but the point of contention here is the partsforming. Like a lot of the modern Minibots, Warpath has a large removable panel that completes the vehicle mode and is used as a shield in robot mode. While not exactly a plus, I do feel this is a notably subtle and inoffensive example, and nowhere near a Huffer situation, let alone Cliffjumper. This panel tabs into the underside of the tank, finishing it off, but its not actually mandatory. Its not so much an obvious cut corner, and possibly more something they added because they had room in the budget. Plus it helps that you get a Zaku II style shoulder shield out if it, which actually suits the robot mode quite well. Even with that, when it comes to complexity, Warpath is making a good case for his pricepoint.

 

Warpath ends up on the chunky and dense side in robot mode. He's not without the occasional hollow bit, and purposefully on the short side for a deluxe, but they have nailed the look. Its not purely Sunbow, the sculpt is too detailed, but I do find myself liking how the track kibble has been retained on the forearms but has been used intelligently, folding up to minimise itself. Niceties like Siege era articulation and 5mm ports are here, and thus the robot mode approaches an almost optimal of balance of form and function. Warpath looks maybe a bit dorky. Maybe a bit chubby and friend-shaped. That's the point though, that's what the previous revamps didn't really get. He's just a little guy, whom happens to be a tank. And not just any tank, a notably small and light one that was maybe a bit rubbish. So yes, the robot mode could pose a bit better. Is that something you'd really expect or need when he's built like Santa? Yes, he could have more accessories. Does he need more though? He's got his chest cannon. Its a good robot mode that does all its supposed to.

This guy could have very easily been in Earthrise, but he may very well have benefited from that extra time in the oven. Warpath has flaws, certainly. Reports of yellowing are not welcome, while the shield piece avoids strong criticism by being quite optional. Everything else though is good to great. I am not usually a fan of attempts to slavishly match the 80's cartoon, I wrote about it, but things clearly worked out here. And it does the tank bit very well. Its possibly the best of the modern Minibots. It will likely remain so until they take another swing at the character. Whatever happens: Kingdom Warpath is something that exists.

And now, Blast Effects!