He sure looked like he turned into an off-road truck of some kind millions of years ago in Cyberverse, he just never did onscreen.
Transformers: Age of the Primes Thread: ll First Post All Listings II Update : April 12th, 2027 Bonus Wave: Repaint fun, Beast Wars, G2, Machine Wars
- Thread starter TriBlurr
- Start date
His altmode also doesn’t conflict with his intended function. He’s the prime of alchemy, not sportscars, biplanes or yachts.
Last edited:
It doesn't really matter whether you take exception to it, the fact is, from a technical standpoint, a triple-changing Voyager made to combine with multiple frames by default implies budget maximization due to the increased parts count and design/engineering complexity. Also what I said is accurate in the context of the integration with the rest of the toyline. Implying Hasbro left anything on the table with this guy is disingenuous. You're saying you know better than Hastak engineers who make a living off of doing this? I'd argue they squeezed every penny out of this guy (and sadly it shows in his alt-mode).
And again, none of the Primes in AOTP are slavish to their previous depictions. He could still be the guy who "originated combining" while also being able to combine with the other figures in the toyline he was made to be a part of. In fact, that's pretty much thematically implied.
Sure, there is no perfect solution, but displays don't necessarily have to be static for all eternity. At the same time, the people who like to have fun and actually play around with their toys are eating good with this guy.
It matters precisely as much as your appreciation of this design. Dismissing objections as that and having "there's no perfect solution" as some kind of blanket defense doesn't leave a whole lot of room for discussion -- especially since no one here is trying to make you dislike it, just point out what you might have been missing in your surprise at "all the negativity", that these aren't just hating for the sake of.
"Disingenuous" would be if I claimed to like it while not actually liking it. I'm likewise not sure where this accusation of me saying I know better than the designers is coming from -- are we to assume the way they did it is the one true way to do it, and to consider alternatives that I find preferable is claiming to know better? What opinions am I allowed to have, then?
Admittedly, everything I say (and by the same token everything you say) is necessarily from the outside looking in, without knowledge of the constraints they're working within. But I feel I've tried to be reasonable with them, basing them on precedent where it's worked and avoiding obviously ludicrous expectations. There are a handful of expectations that come with each of these characters, and their generally being semi blank slates who've been depicted in divergent ways can simplify and complicate the process of translating them into these forms. But it doesn't seem unreasonable or arrogant to expect this aspect of this character to be represented by a toy of this character in that manner. Is it unreasonable to ask that a guy whose identity is "combiner" not require you to, uh, buy a combiner to experience combining? Is that too slavish an interpretation?
Frankly that seems more reasonable than implying that taking that stance is arrogantly "knowing better" than the professionals, or implying that those who don't like it don't "like to have fun fun" or "enjoy playing around with their toys".
Like hey, like what you like. You don't see anyone implying anything about you or your opinions on this.
"Disingenuous" would be if I claimed to like it while not actually liking it. I'm likewise not sure where this accusation of me saying I know better than the designers is coming from -- are we to assume the way they did it is the one true way to do it, and to consider alternatives that I find preferable is claiming to know better? What opinions am I allowed to have, then?
Admittedly, everything I say (and by the same token everything you say) is necessarily from the outside looking in, without knowledge of the constraints they're working within. But I feel I've tried to be reasonable with them, basing them on precedent where it's worked and avoiding obviously ludicrous expectations. There are a handful of expectations that come with each of these characters, and their generally being semi blank slates who've been depicted in divergent ways can simplify and complicate the process of translating them into these forms. But it doesn't seem unreasonable or arrogant to expect this aspect of this character to be represented by a toy of this character in that manner. Is it unreasonable to ask that a guy whose identity is "combiner" not require you to, uh, buy a combiner to experience combining? Is that too slavish an interpretation?
Frankly that seems more reasonable than implying that taking that stance is arrogantly "knowing better" than the professionals, or implying that those who don't like it don't "like to have fun fun" or "enjoy playing around with their toys".
Like hey, like what you like. You don't see anyone implying anything about you or your opinions on this.
Actually the RV has pretty much taken over the SEO for that name, aside from one occasion of the TFWiki's Nexus Prime's page.
This is like being told you cant dislike or critize a movie, tv series or webtoon, becuase you're not a professional director or artist.
If we take all the 13 Primes we’ve seen and handled. They have all tried very hard to be, reference, or at least homage, past depictions. To varying degrees of success and YMMV.
Prima: Takes elements from FFoD and tries to be an ancient warrior. Very utilitarian alt,ode since he is ‘The First Prime’
Vector: Is trying as hard as possible to be Cybertron Vector Prime, within the limitations of being a Jhiaxus retool. He’s not trying to reinvent the wheel.
Micronus: He’s Very inspired by Cyberverse, while also using Apex Armour. I don’t personally thinkk it quite succeeds in what it wants to do, but he is very much, the tiny one.
Onyx: They went all out for this guy it seems. Since he’s beast bot, Centaur and a dragon/griffon? Barring maybe a repaint down the line, he’s great.
The Fallen: Is primarily inspired by the Dreamwave design. A flaming demonic Prime with a big gun and things to stab you with.
Solus: Doesn’t have a lot prior looks to go on, so they had a lot to play around with to make the blacksmith. Barring qc and fiddliness, and being a deluxe, she looks good.
Alchemist: A short, stocky wall of a bartender who takes elements of Cyberverse. And the altmode is, other than Cyberverse showing he’s a ground vehicle, not so specific.
Star Optimus: Is Star Convoy.
Quintus: He’s a squid guy who turns into a squid ship. Any tentacular transformer is going to have problems.
Amalgamous: He’s the modular dude who can multi form into anything. The figure captures this pretty well.
Liege Maximo: Is aiming to be G2… to the EXTREEEME.
Nexus is now a singular bot, who can become a torso piece and combine with anybody who wants. Which is an option sure. But his previous depictions show him as the First combiner, working like ther combiners. Multiple independents bots or components, with their own personalities, that merge to make Nexus.
This new AOTP take just makes him a guy who can Jack the limbs of other hestalt and puppet them. Which, as a play pattern, is an option, but for the frame system means you either need doubles, or you can’t have one or more of your other combiners built if you want Nexus to be Nexus Prime combiner.
Unless Hasbro does have a way to (eventually) give a purely Nexus frame set and limb team. This is people are disappointed the Hasbros release of the First combiner is underwhelming. I don’t hate this Nexus, I just think it’s a letdown when you realise he’s Nexus Brutirion.
Prima: Takes elements from FFoD and tries to be an ancient warrior. Very utilitarian alt,ode since he is ‘The First Prime’
Vector: Is trying as hard as possible to be Cybertron Vector Prime, within the limitations of being a Jhiaxus retool. He’s not trying to reinvent the wheel.
Micronus: He’s Very inspired by Cyberverse, while also using Apex Armour. I don’t personally thinkk it quite succeeds in what it wants to do, but he is very much, the tiny one.
Onyx: They went all out for this guy it seems. Since he’s beast bot, Centaur and a dragon/griffon? Barring maybe a repaint down the line, he’s great.
The Fallen: Is primarily inspired by the Dreamwave design. A flaming demonic Prime with a big gun and things to stab you with.
Solus: Doesn’t have a lot prior looks to go on, so they had a lot to play around with to make the blacksmith. Barring qc and fiddliness, and being a deluxe, she looks good.
Alchemist: A short, stocky wall of a bartender who takes elements of Cyberverse. And the altmode is, other than Cyberverse showing he’s a ground vehicle, not so specific.
Star Optimus: Is Star Convoy.
Quintus: He’s a squid guy who turns into a squid ship. Any tentacular transformer is going to have problems.
Amalgamous: He’s the modular dude who can multi form into anything. The figure captures this pretty well.
Liege Maximo: Is aiming to be G2… to the EXTREEEME.
Nexus is now a singular bot, who can become a torso piece and combine with anybody who wants. Which is an option sure. But his previous depictions show him as the First combiner, working like ther combiners. Multiple independents bots or components, with their own personalities, that merge to make Nexus.
This new AOTP take just makes him a guy who can Jack the limbs of other hestalt and puppet them. Which, as a play pattern, is an option, but for the frame system means you either need doubles, or you can’t have one or more of your other combiners built if you want Nexus to be Nexus Prime combiner.
Unless Hasbro does have a way to (eventually) give a purely Nexus frame set and limb team. This is people are disappointed the Hasbros release of the First combiner is underwhelming. I don’t hate this Nexus, I just think it’s a letdown when you realise he’s Nexus Brutirion.
As someone that hasn't ever cared too much about the 13 Primes as a concept, but has been enjoying most of the toys, I'm also a bit disappointed by Nexus here. I really don't care much about the characters past, but I had been looking forward to some sort of small, self-contained combiner similar to Power Core Combiners (without the spring-loaded auto transformations) or something similar to the old Deluxe Class Minicon Assault Team but at a Voyager pricepoint:
I'm probably still going to buy this, mostly because it reminds me of the old Gobots Courageous core jet, but it's not quite what I was hoping for and I definitely understand how those that ARE into the mythology of the 13 Primes and the pre-existing characterization of Nexus are feeling a bit let down by this one.
I'm probably still going to buy this, mostly because it reminds me of the old Gobots Courageous core jet, but it's not quite what I was hoping for and I definitely understand how those that ARE into the mythology of the 13 Primes and the pre-existing characterization of Nexus are feeling a bit let down by this one.
@Magnus First of all, welcome to the Allspark!
Second, if the new Nexus works for you, that's awesome! No Transformer is ever going to please everyone, but it's good to see people who are excited for this!
Third, I can only provide my own perspective, but for me, Nexus' depending on my buying a bunch of other figures to "complete" a combiner form is not an optimal solution. I grew up with Transformers and Gobots, and started collecting as an adult around 2001. At this point in time, I have probably 2 or more iterations of almost every major combiner; because of this, and to conserve budget, I had no plans to buy any of the AotP combiners.
The other issue I have with Nexus in AotP is that I consider it to be one of the rare combiners with a unified color scheme, and with the current AotP combiner offerings, that will not be the case. Maybe a gift set later on would fix this, but there's no indication that such a set is in the works.
Lastly, Amalgamous Prime showed how a Voyager budget can do some pretty cool things with a complex concept; I think a lot of people expected something similar from a Voyager Nexus, and most would have been fine with a small combiner.
You are right, none of us here have inside information about what budgeting and design constraints the designers work with, so maybe there are some factors we aren't even seeing at play, but Nexus feels to me like one of the weaker AotP offerings in execution.
Second, if the new Nexus works for you, that's awesome! No Transformer is ever going to please everyone, but it's good to see people who are excited for this!
Third, I can only provide my own perspective, but for me, Nexus' depending on my buying a bunch of other figures to "complete" a combiner form is not an optimal solution. I grew up with Transformers and Gobots, and started collecting as an adult around 2001. At this point in time, I have probably 2 or more iterations of almost every major combiner; because of this, and to conserve budget, I had no plans to buy any of the AotP combiners.
The other issue I have with Nexus in AotP is that I consider it to be one of the rare combiners with a unified color scheme, and with the current AotP combiner offerings, that will not be the case. Maybe a gift set later on would fix this, but there's no indication that such a set is in the works.
Lastly, Amalgamous Prime showed how a Voyager budget can do some pretty cool things with a complex concept; I think a lot of people expected something similar from a Voyager Nexus, and most would have been fine with a small combiner.
You are right, none of us here have inside information about what budgeting and design constraints the designers work with, so maybe there are some factors we aren't even seeing at play, but Nexus feels to me like one of the weaker AotP offerings in execution.
To be fair, the five dudes were in a metaphorical trenchcoat. That still counts as one if my movie-ticket-buying history is any indication.
And don't forget! We're all tired, jaded, sarcastic asses.
Yes, but we're the nicest tired, jaded, sarcastic asses in the fandom!
Now THAT is a Nexus Prime I'd like to see. But with an actual trenchcoat.
The whole situation with Nexus makes me think that what we ended up with has a lot to do with misled marketing and budgetary concerns, and that right now there's got to be someone on the design team thinking "I told you so, people DID want Nexus as a full combiner, we could totally have sold Heatwave at commander price point"
IIRC Nexus in the original FP lore wasn't a Combiner originally. He got split into five parts that all got turned into their own guys and scattered across the Multiverse. And only later recombined into one guy? Do I have that right? If so, a Nexus Prime toy where he's one guy would be fitting.
And I mean... he's just one dude in both TFO and IDW. Hell, IDW used the CoP design and just presented him as one normal sized dude. He just happened to invent the Enigma of Combination that made Combiners possible.
I guess that's one reason AotP Nexus doesn't bother me at all? Not only do I think he looks like a neat blocky robot man with some retro flair, but the idea of him just being a guy has precedence in the fiction.
A Deluxe core robot who could become a torso with some PCC limbs sold at a Voyager price point would have been a cool way to split the difference but... well... I'm gonna be real. The frame Combiner system may not be popular with everyone, but it is Hasbro's current Combiner play pattern. It's not crazy to expect Hasbro to lean into compatibility with that with a character who's supposed to have some Combiner functionality.
And that's even assuming the pseudo-PCC idea is possible at a Voyager price point. We don't know.
And while a fully fledged Commander Nexus and four Deluxe limbs would have been the dream for some people who just wanted an update of the FP/TFCC set... again, which team of Combiners for AotP are you sacrificing for that? 'cause those slots would have to replace current product, not be added to it.
This place has actually been better and more even handed in its reaction than Discord. Where you have Zoomers, some of whom weren't even alive when the FP Nexus came out, crying about this being some sort of betrayal.
This stuff is super subjective. Even the most positively received figures have someone out there who doesn't like them. There are positively received figures I don't like for admittedly stupid and arbitrary reasons.
I do like this Nexus though. He's not the perfect way to handle the character, but I don't think that perfect way exists given how varied the character's depictions have been across various media.
But this looks like a fun chunky robot dude who has some neat retro stylings and added cross-functionality with some other recent releases. I dig it.
I totally get why someone may not like this though. I do... I just find the hyperbolic responses to be a bit much.
First the great diapered fort max! And now a combiner in a duster.
I don’t think there’s anything hyperbolic about thinking that a toy has a passable robot mode, a completely garbage altmode and a gappy torso mode that requires another, more expensive toy to access is bad. 33% is a failing grade anywhere.
Micronus wasn't in Cyberverse.
You sure he wasn't just reeeeeaaally small?