Now, with the first live-action installment complete and the second one underway, Hasbro has brought back Classics under the new banner of Universe (known as "Universe 2.0" by fans in an attempt to distinguish it from the unending parade of paint-bucket victims which went under the original Universe name). Hasbro hopes this new line will be able to hold older fans' interest rather than alienate them the way the Animated line appears to be doing.
Sunstreaker is the first character in the Universe 2.0 Line. He's also the poster-child; his face appears on all the boxart (of this first wave at least).
Sunstreaker retains his famous Vehicle Mode- a Lambourghini (I don't have a prayer of spelling that right so I'm not even going to try) high-performance sports car. It's a clear update to his original G1 form. There's a giant Autobot symbol on the roof, and an amusing vanity plate which reads "WE R 84."
Transformation is somewhat complex, almost Alternator level. The end result is indeed somewhat reminiscent of the expired Alternator line, Robot Mode is a near-perfect recreation of Sunstreaker with new age detailing.
Articulation is great, but the arms are somewhat frustrating. Somewhat hard to lock in and not always able to move the way you want them right away. He's armed with a simple laser, again like the G1 counterpart.
The instructions didn't mention this, but I came up with it. I call it "Cosplay Mode." Aside from the hands, its an almost-perfect mode change and a good look at what the future holds for Sunstreaker's Autobot Brother.
I had no idea what to expect from Universe 2.0, but if Sunstreaker's any sort of indication than this is going to be a very good line. It hasn't overwhelmed me the way the original Classics did or made me want to eagerly shill out for it like Animated has, but it's definitely a high-quality Transformer.
