[blastmonkey]

Wow, just... wow.

To share what has undoubtedly been stated before:

The biggest issue I have with the suit and mecha design is the over-abundance of uninterrupted color. No pattern or similar hues to be found. The designs of the helmets at least strike a balance of expressing the train theme and showcasing that member's color. While the tracks across the visor might seem a tad much, it doesn't overpower the other aspects of the design.

The mech, on the other hand, is disappointing. The proportions are off in a displeasing manner and the lack of inspiration in its engineering leave me baffled. The combination isn't bad, but the lack of waist and the enormous gap between the legs, combined with the exceedingly simple anterior aspects of the color layout make it feel cheaper than the toy probably is. The individual trains look good, but they also posses grey, white, and black on the most readily visible surfaces.

Then again, this is also just the first or base unit. It's awfully early to tell how it all ends up. The different power-ups add visual flare, and in time could possibly bulk out the mech.

I know that, as a grown man, I am far from the target demographic. It almost feels like Transformers Armada by design, something that will grab the attention of the entry level demographic and generate a new generation of fans. Hopefully the accompanying show will generate interest and provide an interesting enough story.