Dinobot Sludge (Legacy Evolution/Core Class)

It's taken me longer than intended, but today we're looking at the final member of the Core Class Dinobots. Sludge comes in forming Volcanicus's lower torso and mirroring Rairyu in the eventual Dinoking version of this set. Sludge is a likable little fellow, though his dino mode kibble is impossible to ignore. There's two rear legs just hanging to the side of his robot mode legs. There is no getting around them and that might be a turn off for a few people. Honestly, the blocky old schoolness of this set that I've mentioned before keeps me from disliking it that much. In a stand alone figure, it'd be annoying. As a small chonky little robot whose part of a combiner team... I can't help but to instantly compare it to older toys and enjoy it for that. 

Part of a combiner team is accepting that there'll be some compromises and Sludge is a big compromise. Forming the lower torso of Volcanicus means some load bearing and this (little) big boy is built for that function. Transformation to brontosaurus is easy and just works. I have no complaints about that and found the entire process likable. As a brontosaurus, Sludge is absolutely adorable. Just a cute little dinosaur. Once again simple, but simple works.

Slugde forms the lower torso and waist of the combiner. The other parts form together fairly easily into a delightfully little version of Volcanicus. Volcanicus has a decent amount of articulation for a combiner and his smaller form makes for an easier time playing around. His fists strongly resemble those of older Micromaster combiners and of course there's the obvious Dinoking resemblance. I'm really happy with how he turned out. I really like Volcanicus despite the initial idea of the Dinobots as a combiner irked me. Thanks to misinformed folks in older days spreading a rumor that the original team could combine, the idea was a bit of a thorn in my side. However, ever since Volcanicu's introduction... I've liked him quite a bit. He's a cool combiner and I'm a sucker for the Dinobots.

Long Neck

A few weeks ago I picked up Sludge from the Transformers Cyberton line. Ok, it's actually Energon Armor Dinobot Sludge from the Transformers: Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures line. At some point in the future the box will just be a page of text. Sludge is a really neat figure.

He's large, about the size of a Voyager Class figure, with a decent amount of articulation. There is a fair amount of hollowness, which keeps the price below that of a Deluxe Class. Cyberverse figures are generally intended for smaller children as opposed to collectors. There's going to be concessions to keep the price lower. 

Aside from the hollowness, Sludge is a nice toy. A big chunky Brontosaurus that turns into a cool super robot. Once again these Cyberverse toys feel like a toy from another time. It's almost like a G2 era mold that was unreleased. The Brontosaurus's tail turns into a big spear/club type weapon that looks like something out of Monster Hunter. Combine that with the Energon Armor and suddenly Sludge is straight out of some anime. Energon Armor? Yeah, he has that. It flips out from the backpack area and covers Sludge's face and chest. You could call it a gimmick, because that's what it is. The armor is a clear blue with a dinosaur shaped helmet. It's pretty awesome looking if you asked me. I'm assuming you did.