BEAST WARS: TOY REVIEW

Name: RAZORCLAW
Allegiance: Mutant Beast
Function: Warrior
Beast Modes: Velociraptor / Wolverine
Price: 22 AUD

VELOCIRAPTOR MODE

Length: 180 mm
Razorclaw is a dark green velociraptor, with very pale green forelimbs and toes. The painted highlights are black and orange, appearing as stripes and spots respectively down the head and back. This is one of the more convincing beast modes so far seen in Beast Wars figures, leaving Dinobot and Grimlock well in the shade; this velociraptor also has prominent articulated slashing toes claws that previous toys have lacked.

The wolverine's rear limbs are visible from the underside, but are tucked in and textured so well that you would barely notice them if it weren't for the orange claws on the ends. A very minor point (if you want to get technical about dinosaurs) is that the feet have 4 toes instead of 3, but this is clearly a concession to the wolverine mode, which shares these legs. This mode has 17 points of articulation, including the toes and jaw.

The Mutant Beast action feature is contained within this mode also: flip up the top of the velociraptor's head, and there is the robot head in silver and black. The tips of the robot head's antennae form the velociraptor's eyes.

TRANSFORMATION TO WOLVERINE MODE

Flip velociraptor head backwards, and flip out wolverine libs from underneath. Swivel the tip of the tail around to reveal the wolverine tail. Flip the side panels upward, and turn the velociraptor arm inward so they rest on the underside of the velociraptor's jaw. Flip out the wolverine head from between the velociraptor legs. Fold tail around to point in the opposite direction from the wolverine head. Push the flap at the base of the tail inwards until it sites beneath the wolverine head, and tuck the velociraptor head and claws into the hole. The velociraptor's legs become the wolverine's forelimbs.

A step not included in the instructions, is that if you flip the front legs outward, swivel the thighs 180º, then also swivel them at the knees (so the the mutant symbol is on the inside of the leg), then you change the texturing on the upper legs from the leathery texture of the velociraptor to the fur of the wolverine.

WOLVERINE MODE

Length: 120 mm
There are always going to be trade-offs when making toys of this kind, between the respective modes, and it seems that the majority of concessions have been made by this mode. The first and most glaring problem is that this wolverine is GREEN. It would have seemed to me obvious that a brown velociraptor would have looked far better than a green wolverine, but clearly the people at Hasbro thought differently.

Secondly is the almost complete lack of highlights other than the orange rear toes and eyes, and white teeth. The fur detailing is nice, but there was plenty of room for SOME brown detailing that wouldn't have shown through on the velociraptor mode. A bit of a lost opportunity here.

I don't want to sound too negative about this mode, and have proabably devoted more space to these negative elements than their impact deserves. These aside, the mode holds together tightly, with the smooth furred contours not being too interrupted by joints or kibble from the other mode. The front feet are massively clawed and fierce looking, matching this diminutive beast's reputation. This mode has 19 points of articulation, including the jaw.

INSIGNIA LOCATION

On the left thigh of the velociraptor.

OVERALL

Of the two mutant beasts released so far, Razorclaw is the less balanced of the two. Poison Bite had more of a balance of trade-offs between the two modes, and the wilder colours (accurately belonging to neither mode) enhanced this. While the designers managed to create a very good velociraptor, the wolverine suffered somewhat for it.

Strangely, Razor Claw does not seem to have any hidden mechanical parts. This seems odd given that this was supposedly one of the key action features of the Mutant Beasts.

Overall though, a fun toy, with its complex and satisfying transformation being its best feature. Neither mode betrays many features of the other mode (apart from the colours), but the velociraptor is clearly the more accurate and displayable mode.

This review was written by Wayne Bickley. Photographs courtesy of Benson Yee.

BEAST TRIVIA #1: Velociraptor

The word Velociraptor means "speed predator." A member of the Dromaeosaurid family, Velociraptors are grouped under Therapoda (which includes carnivorous dinosaurs), which itself is a subdivision of Saurischia (reptile hipped dinosaurs). The Velociraptor differs from its fellow Dromaeosaurids with its low and narrow head. Dromaeosaurids varied in size. Like its cousin, the Dromaeosaurus, Velociraptor was 1.8 metres in length. This made Velociraptor a relatively small dinosaur, especially if it stood next to another relative, Deinonychus, which over 3 metres!
Velociraptor lived during the Upper Cretaceous period (about 70 million years ago). Preserved Velociraptor remains have been found in Mongolia.

Bibliography: Children's Museum of Indianopolis.

BEAST TRIVIA #2: Wolverine

Also known as the Glutton, Carajou or Skunk Bear, the Wolverine is a member of the Mustelidae family, of which the weasel is also a member of. Found in cold northern latitudes, especially in the timbered areas around the world. It resembles a small, squat, broad bear 65-90 centimetres long, excluding the bushy 13-26 cm tail. Shoulder height is 36-45 cm and weight is 9-30 kilogrammes. The legs are short, somewhat bowed. The soles are hairy. The wolverine is equipped with semi-retractable claws, long and sharp ears and strong teeth. The coarse, long-haired coat is blackish brown with a light brown stripe extending from each side of the neck along the body to the base of the tail.

The wolverine is noted for its strength, cunning, voracity and fearlessness.It may follow traplines to cabins and devour foodstocks or carry off portable items. Its offensive odour permeates the invaded cabin. It is a solitary, nocturnal hunter, preying on all manner of game. The wolverine's sole predator is man. Its fur is valued for trimming parkas, as frost and frozen breath can be easily brushed off the smooth hairs. A litter contains one to five young. The gestation period is about nine months.

Bibliography: Encylopaedia Brittanica

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