Ok, so this is going to be a complete contrast to my previous TFNation purchase review. I will declare upfront that I love Predaking and the Predacons. You can blame Simon Furman, his Divebomb-Swoop rivalry story, and a mother who wanted to keep me quiet while she was shopping so bought me a comic.
Predaking is this year's 'giant' Transformer from Hasbro, and is of a comparable height to Fort Max, Metroplex, Devastator etc from the last few years. Predaking, however, is ten times better than any of them.
I'll get the negatives out of the way first: he's lacking on the detail front, especially when compared to the Titans Return figures (other than the tiny 'Pretenders', I don't have any Power of the Primes stuff to compare to); the figures are very blocky and simple to transform; the matrix gimmick thing in his lion head is a bit unnecessary; the classic swords are not included; and, finally, the stickers don't fit on the figure very well.
That last one is the biggest issue for me. In these modern times, there's no excuse, at all, for stickers not being the perfect size. These are overly large and thus, already, the corners are starting to curl. I expect many to look tatty, or have fallen off completely, in the near future. The other sticker issue is that that cover up sculpted detail. This again will not help them remain attached to the figure as many are not bumpy surfaces.
But enough of the doom and gloom - let the gushing commence!
As individual toys, the five Predacons are blocky, as noted, and most have a giant black lump on their person (which serves as the connection point when the five combine); however, they are all still highly poseable and look fantastic as a group. Standing the Predacons next to other figures, they look like an imposing gang, ready to beat the crap out of any puny Autobots who get in their way.
The Giant Black Lumps are paid off when the five combine incredibly securely together to form Predaking. I was blown away as to how poseable this giant, heavy toy is. His big feet and ratchet joints stabilise him, and I have no fear of this guy toppling over.
Transforming him is simple, but enjoyable. I've lost count of the times I've converted Predaking between the three modes (robot/animal/combiner) and can never decide which is my favourite to leave him (them?) in.
Predaking comes with a hefty £150 price tag. However, when you thing that this is 5 Voyager-sized figures, it's really not so bad. Most importantly, it's bloody good fun to transform, pose, and (dare I say it?) play with. Buy it.
