@robfromzonebase Soundwave (Deep-Sea Explorer) [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge] #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #seamonster ♬ Square Hammer - Ghost
One of the more fun aspects of Transformers Cyberworld is its imaginative takes on existing characters. With the newer Energon Surge toys, they cranked that concept well past eleven.
Normally, when Soundwave isn't a cassette player (or a modern interpretation of one), he's a communications truck, stealth bomber, drone, or something similarly high-tech. Proving that stranger things happen in the Cyberworld, this version of Soundwave transforms into a hybrid submarine and sea monster.
I should point out that submarines use sonar...
You know...
Sound waves.
While I'm almost instantly sold on robots that turn into monsters, Amazon also delivered my Soundwave just in time for the beginning of the Zone Base Halloween season. Synergy!
There's another reason I love this design, though. It should come as no surprise that I'm a huge fan of Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters, especially Sharkticon Megatron. This Soundwave fits right alongside that figure in the wonderfully strange "Lovecraftian vehicle monster" category. Honestly, I could even see him as some bizarre Quintesson experiment, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Quintessons ended up lurking somewhere behind the events of Cyberworld.
I regularly compare Cyberworld toys to older robot lines, and Soundwave is no exception. He's a larger figure like Grimlock, but thanks to his proportions and construction, he really feels like something from the G1.5 era of Transformers. I joked on social media that Cyberworld feels like G1.5 if it had been adapted into a PC Engine game, and Soundwave is a Prime (hurr hurr) example of that.
His robot mode looks like something straight out of that era, while his alternate mode feels like a boss from Darius or R-Type. Thinking about it, if he were a smaller figure, he'd make a perfect companion to the original G1 Seacons.
I just can't stop comparing him to other things, and that's exactly what I love about him. It's funny how a toy clearly aimed at younger kids makes me think so much more than many of the far more detailed Generations figures.
It's probably unnecessary to mention that Soundwave doesn't have a ton of articulation. In fact, I'm surprised he isn't classified as an Ultimate Cyber Changer. He's basically a giant Cyber Changer already. Honestly, I swear they could shrink his CAD model down and release him as one... just without all the extra gimmicks, obviously.
Speaking of gimmicks, he's got quite a few.
The most obvious are those massive tentacles. The two longer tentacles on his right arm are bendable, allowing you to pose them however you'd like—or wrap them around an unfortunate victim. The three tentacles on his left arm can open, spin, and also grab unsuspecting victims.
When you're a sea monster, you spend a lot of time grabbing victims.
The tentacles on his right arm can even be removed and replaced with the sea monster's head, just in case he wasn't monstrous enough already.
I don't know if it technically counts as a gimmick, but Soundwave also comes with a removable battle mask. It matches the sea monster aesthetic perfectly and even features a little glow-in-the-dark paint. Combined with the monster mouth sculpted beneath his iconic faceplate, it looks absolutely fantastic.
I freaking love this ridiculous toy.
My only real complaint is that I wish the sea monster head stored on his back in a more compact way. As it is, it makes for a rather awkward backpack.
Transformation is simple, once again reminding me of the Cyber Changers. I'm honestly beginning to wonder if this toy started life as one before being enlarged into its final form. The engineering just feels too similar to be a coincidence.
Once transformed, those dangling tentacles give the sea monster mode an incredibly gnarly silhouette that's honestly hard to describe.
This thing is awesome.
The monster's jaws open and close so it can chomp down on another unfortunate victim because, once again, sea monsters and victims simply go together.
Like chocolate and peanut butter in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
Which I sincerely hope you get while trick-or-treating this Halloween because they're delicious.
Unless you're allergic to peanuts.
In which case, I'd like to point out that this is a very awesome toy that could really use a little more teal so everyone would know Soundwave's lair is peanut-free.
The sea monster head also doubles as a cockpit, allowing a Cyber Changer to pilot the submarine. Like the other removable components found on the larger Cyberworld toys, it can also be swapped around and combined with similar parts from other figures to create all sorts of fun combinations.
It goes without saying that this is a very unconventional Soundwave toy, and that's exactly what makes it so special.
The designers simply made a fun toy, and I absolutely love that they did.
It's packed with personality, wonderfully creative, and just plain enjoyable.
Cyberworld may not be everyone's cup of tea, and that's perfectly okay.
Because those of us who love it...
Really love it.
I'd be shocked if this mold didn't receive a repaint at some point. Soundblaster is the obvious choice, but honestly, I'd love to see something even stranger. A Piranacon-inspired deco? Sign me up. Teal and purple would look absolutely incredible on this sculpt.
If it already looks this good in traditional Soundwave colors, imagine what it could do with a truly aquatic color scheme.
I literally cannot stop gushing about this guy...
...which, for a sea monster submarine named Soundwave, is pretty remarkable.
