This week I was in San Francisco to check out Transformers: War for Cybertron. I'll have a feature based on my experiences coming later today, but for now I want to share with you a quick look at the first batch of War for Cybertron toys that are coming out, including a first look at Soundwave.
This is certainly the first time I've seen Soundwave and he looks awesome. Bumblebee and Megatron were also in attendance, along with the prequel novel Transformers: Exodus which charts how Optimus Prime and Megatron first met. I'm reading that at the moment, and it's... alright.
There's also Optimus Prime, who I actually have had some hands-on time with (because he's stood on my desk right now). Read on as I give you a closer look at the Autobot leader, and hit the gallery for shots of the other Transformers.
WARNING: Images contained after the jump may be considered disturbing by sensitive readers.

First of all, Optimus Prime is a great toy to have on your desk. Like many of Hasbro's recent figures, Prime looks incredibly faithful to his videogame counterpart, with the "quasi-G1" art style of War for Cybertron rendered very well indeed. He's highly detailed and has plenty of room for movement, making him fully poseable. If you're the kind of person who likes to make his toys bum each other (which you are) then Optimus comes fully equipped for all your bumming needs.

It just goes to how far along the series has come from an offshoot toy line based on appropriated Diaclone figures. Rigid and barely recognizable "robots" now look totally faithful to their media counterparts and can be played with like real action figures after years of breakable, unyielding plastic crap. Unfortunately, this new era of quality and authenticity comes at a price: These toys are fucking HARD to transform.


Seen above are both sides of the toy's instruction leaflet. As you can see, transforming Optimus Prime into a truck requires 26 steps. You remember when turning Bumblebee into a car was as simple as flipping up a head and yanking some legs out? Now there's twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, rotating, and praying to Odin involved. If you miscalculate the angle while turning a limb, you might not be able to move a hubcap later, and your whole thing is screwed. Basically, these things have gotten too complex and terrifying for my old man's brain to cope with.
However, I am not afraid of a challenge, and I most certainly gave it the old college try. Presenting to you, my attempt at Optimus Prime's alt-mode. Be warned that those with a heart condition may not want to look further.

"GOD, WHY!? WHY HAVE YOU MADE ME THIS WAY!?"

Do not grieve for Optimus, boys and girls. He's already dead.
Already dead.
I don't like the movie based ones as they don't look great, but G1(?) and this lot look quite good. Bumblebee looks kinda cool.
I ordered a Brawn keyring to my girlfriend's house and then she dumped me. (Unrelated)
Did they just give you one or did you buy it?
And I second Kaiser's suggestion
I'm not kidding, it took a team of three adults to figure that bullshit out.
The Leader Class figures (Optimus, Megatron, one of the tanks, etc) will definitely try your patience.
And oh yeah, RotF Leadre Optimus is a NIGHTMARE. Megatron? Not so much. I'm sure Jetfire is a mess due to being crappy in general. However most of the line isn't too bad. Agreed though, definitely hard on kids.
Hoping for more epic lulz.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3336/cyberfail.jpg
I'll try to delete the above.. if it's possible on here.
And i envy you for having these toys already... how i envy you...
If you can, get the Animated ones. They require little to no manipulation of higher dimensions to transform and they're generally pretty smexy.
Oh yeah. I buy Transformers. I buy the Transformers marketed to kids whose brains can process nothing but flashing lights. You can laugh. I have Grimlock.
Perhaps the complexity is an acknowledgement that nostalgic adults are buying transformers these days. It also seems to me like toys in general are a dying breed now as well.
Him Hey will you transform this for me?
Me Ehh, Ill give it a shot...
*Forty-five minutes and one broken ego later*
Me *Sigh* here you go...
Him Cool thanks! Vrooooom!
*Five minutes later*
Him ........turn it into a robot again.
Me *whimpering sounds*
And if you want transformers for kids, get the fast action battlers. They are more like the originals in ways of transformations.
Any idea when these come out want Prime and probably get soundwave
On the plus side, Soundwave looks great!