(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 the RID2015 warrior Megatronus toy. For a review on the mold itself, read the review of the RID2015 warrior Megatronus toy here.)

    Warrior class Bludgeon is the 2nd toy in the RID2015 line to have that name, though it's definitely the one where the name most fits, as this is a bit of an update to the G1 Pretender shell, which was a warrior skeleton samurai shell that had a TF inside that transformed into a tank. Now, he's a samurai warrior with a skull-face that transforms into a tank-- no shell required. He's a partial redeco of Blastwave, who himself was a very blatant "pre-tool" of Megatronus for Bludgeon. I say "partial redeco" because several plastic colors actually stay the same (and in the same places) between them both. Bludgeon has the same shade of dull military green on the shoulders, inner body, and on the sword and small connector pieces that Blastwave has (though the wheels under the treads are black this time now, for some reason). Silver paint is also used in all the same places as on Blastwave, as is the light gray plastic used on places like the upper legs and arms. The charcoal black plastic & paint is in all the same spots, too. The paint masks are the same, as well; that is, even if the colors are different, paint covers the same spots in the same manner on Bludgeon as on Blastwave. Honestly, this kinda bugs me a bit-- I would've appreciated a bit more difference between the two warrior figures, especially since Bludgeon never appeared on the show so Hasbro could let their imagination run a bit wild. The blue on Blastwave has been replaced with light orange on Bludgeon, and it contrasts against the military green much better and really helps emphasize the "Halloween-y" aspect of this scary Decepticon. The yellow on Blastwave-- that is, on the "eyes" on the skull-like details on both modes and on small stripes on the dual cannons-- is purple on Bludgeon, which fits better as a Decepticon-y color. Purple is also used on Bludgeon's robot eyes. Red is used on Bludgeon, but more than on Blastwave. Bludgeon still has the same "stripe" red paint apps on his shoulders, but his red is lighter, and is also used on much of the lower arms, as well as painted on his helmet. (His skull face is still white.)
    Bludgeon shares all the same base mold changes made to Megatronus that Blastwave does, but has no unique mold changes of his own.
    If you don't have Blastwave, Bludgeon is a pretty decent, unique toy that updates the character while still fitting within the RID2015 aesthetic, even if the vehicle mode is kinda weak. If you DO have Blastwave, though, then unless you're just a big Bludgeon fan, this is probably a pass, as so much is the same between them. It feels more like a low-effort store exclusive redeco as opposed to a mainline repaint. Oh, and if you like the Cyberverse version of the character, you may also want to get this toy as well, since it's 95% the same design and much more articulated and proportional than the Cyberverse toy.
 

Review by Beastbot

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