(NOTE: Because this is a repaint, this is not a full-blown review. This mainly covers any changes made to the mold and the color scheme, and merely compares it to Combiner Wars Offroad. For a review on the mold itself, read the review of Combiner Wars Offroad here.)

    Ironhide has a bit of a movie-esque "update" to his vehicle mode this time around, with it being more of a pickup truck as opposed to his G1-esque van mode. That said, everything else about Ironhide is a G1-homage in its general nature; he's mostly red and gray, with a fair bit of black as well. The red is a really nice shade of the color, being semi-metallic in nature and just quite eye-catching-- certainly superior to a more straightforward red. The gray-- which shows up in the robot mode-- isn't the usual boring light milky gray, thank goodness. Like the red, it's a semi-metallic color (a definite plus), but is rather brownish in its shade (a minus, in my opinion); the brownish shade just doesn't work all that well with the red, if you ask me. The light metallic silvery blue paint on the windows contrasts excellently with the red, and I like how the fake "windows" on the sides of the chest are painted the same color, in an homage to his G1 self having a window on the chest. The silver on his engine-gun looks nice, but the gunmetal gray looks aces, and is found in several places, like the "piston" details on his legs, the sides of his abs, and the front and back bumper. There's also a line of yellow around his vehicle mode-- another obvious G1 homage, and it looks good and helps to vary up his color scheme more. I'm also a fan of the Autobot symbol right above his crotchpiece in robot mode-- given the mold detailing around there, it makes it look like a big belt buckle, which fits Ironhide's personality perfectly.
    Ironhide does have a new headsculpt, which is pretty much your classic G1 Ironhide look but with a slightly bigger helmet proportionally. Given the combination of that and the generally skinnier-than-usual robot mode profile for the character, it makes it look like this is "young Ironhide". No other mold changes were made to the toy.
    Combiner Wars Ironhide has some great colors-- particularly the red and the metallic gunmetal-- and enough paint apps and different shades of colors to keep him looking varied and interesting in both modes, with some nice G1 callbacks to boot. That said, there's enough significant differences between this and his G1 form-- such as a skinner form in robot mode, a different alt mode, and different details on much of his robot mode-- where it doesn't come across as a genuine Ironhide "update", but more like a reinterpretation of the character as a "younger version". If this doesn't bother you-- or if you just really want a combining Ironhide-- than by all means get him. Otherwise, this is probably a pass, given how this mold suits other characters better than it suits him.

Pre-mission psych-screening report by Rung, Autobot Psy-Ops Specialist:
If Cybertron had cowboys, Ironhide would have been a sheriff. A beloved and respected hero, Ironhide has been at the front of the Autobot charge since the very beginning. Equal parts warrior, bodyguard, and drill sergeant, his indomitable will and legendary toughness continue to be an inspiration to the Autobot forces. His dual cannon is one of the most interesting Cybertronian weapons-- capable of blasting super-cool nitrogen and white-hot molten lead. The defining attribute of Ironhide is his trithyllium-plated armor, which makes him almost impervious to artillery fire and edged weapons. A steel will wrapped in impenetrable armor? Yup-- that's why they call him Ironhide.
CONCLUSION: Cleared for mission.

HISTORY (extracted from compulsory biographical download):
Optimus Prime inspires tremendous loyalty and awe in the Autobots, but there's no one they'd rather fight beside (or behind) than Ironhide. The legendary toughness of this old warhorse has steadied many a young soldier and turned the tide of countless conflicts over the centuries. Forms either an arm or a leg of Optimus Maximus, the combined form of Optimus Prime.

Review by Beastbot

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