Here's my opinion:

 

The Universe toy line has recieved many complaints due to the fact that it contains only repaints (except for Roulette, Shadow Striker, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker which are remolds). I do not understand this, MANY of them are quite good in my opinion. Some look better than the original, like Magna Stampede, Obsidian and Space Case. I think it's great that some are actualy new characters! Some of the molds Hasbro is using are better than the original mold for some characters. And Hasbro is releasing some molds that they previously haven't used like Big Convoy (released as Nemesis Prime). Well that's my opinion.

I like some of Universe because, like BZ said, the colors are better (you forgot Reptillion) on some. It's also nice to have the chance to get old molds I missed (like snarl and reptillion) or new molds (like Nem Prime). However, I don't like all the choices they've made for Universe, such as all of RID Prowl's redecos at one time.

I think the Universe line is in general pretty cool. One thing that sometimes people seem to forget about TFs is that you DON'T have to 'Catch 'em all' and you can only buy the ones you like... I've quite liked a fair number of the Universe line but was never a fan of beasts - however, bought Razorclaw, Tankor and Obsidian, Inferno and Depth Charge and like them all - quite fancy Whirl and Nemesis Prime too ... just a shame I'm in the UK where we won't be getting them! :(

Well, to start off, I'll just say that when the Universe line first started, I was really not that impressed. It looked like Hasbro had taken all these molds, and then dipped them in the paint bucket called "PUKE/VOMIT".

 

I even went as far as saying that the line needed saving at some point. Very arrogant of myself, I know. :redface :redface

 

However, as the line has progressed the color schemes have really improved, and the selection of molds have expanded to include G2, Beast Wars, Beast Machines and molds previously unavailable in the US market.

 

I really like Nemesis Prime, all of the Cyberjets, Skywarp and Blackarachnia (first version) and I think that if I didn't already own some of these molds (Armada Blurr, BM Spy Streak - AKA Fireflight), I would buy their Universe incarnations in a heartbeat.

 

I am happy to say that I was wrong about the line needing to be "saved". :clap :clap

 

The only issues I am having with the line right now is that the arm assembly on Universe Ultra Magnus (bendy Prime repaint) is put together wrong, and that he's also packaged with quite possibly the worst Transformer mold of all time: Armada Sideswipe (Treadshot).

 

Anyway, I think that give or take a few mold choices and paint jobs, the Universe line has come together nicely.

 

But I still hope for a Universe repaint of G2 Hero Megatron in G1 Megs colors. Unoriginal, I know, but it would be teh sweet.

While I have tried with past Transformers lines to pick up as many figures as I can, I decided from the very start of the Universe line to only try to get molds I missed out on, like Optimus Primal and Silverbolt to name a couple. The colors might be a little...um...off...but I have seen improvement. I'm going to try to pick up the KB Devestator and Defensor, as well as autobot Whirl.

Universe could be a great series if itever gets that treatment, several possible storylines and crossovers. Now the toys are hurting that concept. Some are great repaints and others are crappy repaints; amd some "new" molds never released before. It has promise but it needs to be better developed

The Universe comics are cool!

I like TFU since it provides an opportunity for newer collectors to get the molds of older toys. I also like TFU because of some cool takes on older characters, and by giving them a new paint scheme is able to develop an all new character or a nice homage to another. I also like TFU for able to bring in molds that are only previously available in Japan to cater to the Western market.

 

What I hate about TFU is some of the crappier paint schemes and some bad quality control, which is very evident in the UM repaint of Bendy Prime. I also don't like the fact that some cool repaints are considered "new" to many end up being store exclusives thus making it very difficult not only to U.S. buyers, but also those who are interested in the same repaints overseas.

 

It's sad though that it seems that TFU is dying. There has been so many test shots and prototypes that have been revealed, even fully painted ones, yet we have very little news from them until now. I would love to see TFU last at least another year.

Universe has a lot of potential, but I don't think it is being fulfilled

Anybody got any pics of the Sideswipe and Sunstreaker? Neve seen 'em...