Now, this review will be a tad different as Hound came with an additional "mini-con" (for all your readers out there, I count Soundwave's cassettes, and all Targetmasters and Headmasters as mini-cons. These ones are just not as stupid). So this review will cover both Hound and Ravage.
First, I shall cover Hound.
The Autobots are mechanical; we all know this. If you didn't, you are officially a moron, but let's move right along here. The Autobots are mechanical, but Hound thinks differently, both wishing he could be human and enjoying the planet's natural beauty all the while. I guess since he grew up on Cybertron, nature was unheard of. Hound also forms a friendship with Spike Witwichy, but is soon replaced by Bumblebee as Spike's number one bestest best friend. I can just imagine how much spite Hound has toward that little yellow bastard (no offence in any way, shape or form to Bumblebee. I actually an a fan myself lol)
Hound's main special ability was creating holograms with his shoulder-mounted hologram projector. This has helped him in the past, and on scouting missions where distractions were necessary. Sadly, we do not see Hound after the events of the 1986 movie, so it is widely assumed his fate was the same as Ironhide, Prowl, Ratchet and Brawn; which is such a shame truly.
VEHICLE:
In a word, this vehicle mode is PERFECT. Hasbro has proven with this that they can actually make a few cool Transformers without repainting the crap out of molds. (I am sorry...I had to get that out. But let's move on). This is firstly a great leap ahead for Hound, who's 1940s Jeep didn't exactly scream exciting. This ultra-modern "Jeep" design not only looks cool, but is very detailed for a deluxe class figure. Sure, fake shocks behind the wheels and a fake dashboard aren't very realistic, but it is better than Hasbro leaving the entire interior bare; they put a bit of effort into it.
I also love the fact that you can tab in Hound's hologram projector behind the seat, which is very reminiscent of G1 Hound. Finally, if I had the money, I'd god damn commission the guys from American Hot Rod to built me a working version of this bad boy; I love it that much.
Vehicle: 12.5/12.5 (hells yeah baby!)
ROBOT:
Hound's robot mode does just as good of a job filling in his G1 self's shoes as his vehicle mode did. This mode is off the god damned chain. (and now I will go stab myself in the eyes repeatedly with Ironhide's blaster for saying "off the chain.") This is one of those figures that just blows you away once you play around with it. I personally wish this is the quality of some of the other molds out there, but again, let's see how he stacks up in the three categories below.
ARTICULATION:
Hound has a variety of articulation to choose from. His head can rotate 360 degrees and is on a ball joint, his arms are on ball joints and can pivot at the elbow. his thighs are on ball joints and can rotate 180 degrees due to the body. He can bend 90 degrees at the knee and just a little over 90 at the foot due to the transformation. Finally, his feet can flatten out to give Hound a very stable base to stand on. All in all, a very good selection of movement points, though not as impressive as other figures I have seen.
Articulation: 10.5/12.5
GIMMICK:
Hound's one and only real gimmick is his hologram projector. Basically, it looks like a hand-drill that Wheeljack got his digits on, but I won't go there. This "gun" can either be held (as a sort of throw back to the Alternators Hound and G1 Hound) or pinned to his body by the front wheels. Hound also has two pegs that flip out in robot mode to carry Ravage. But other than that, this figure relies on its posability and Ravage to make up for it. Still, I suppose a dual mountable weapon isn't horrible.
Gimmick: 9/12.5
FUN FACTOR:
Hound is as fun as most of the Transformers Universe deluxe class figures. He can be put into various action poses, can transform into a vehicle that can trek carpet as well as floors and comes with a second figure. The one little con; no spring-loaded missile. But that isn't really a major big deal in the long run as Hound was never really noted for having one in the first place.
Fun Factor: 10.5/12.5
And now onto everyone's favourite cassette bot and Soundwave's feline friend Ravage.
Ravage was one of those few Decepticons who places his full loyalty in the hands of his leader Megatron; only taking orders from him and snarls at everyone else. He is also one of the more famous of Soundwave's "cassetticons". (wonder if they fuse to make a CD)
Ravage's main use is for stealth missions, retrieving data like his fellow cassettes Lazerbeak and Buzzsaw, but he is just as good at fighting as Frenzy or Rumble . He can also talk apparently.
This Universe remold does pay great homage to the original Ravage cassette while improving one tiny design flaw. The original Ravage looked great from the side, but fron the front or back...he was un-naturally thin (if you count transformering cassettes as natural I suppose). This new Ravage is a tad more chuncky, giving him a more realistic appearance. The onyl downside is he doesn't fit into Generation One Soundwave (sad face D:)
Vehicle Mode:
Ravage is....a tape. Nothing much else to say really. He doesn't move, he doesn't shoot missiles. He....is a tape. Yeah...
Vehicle: 5/12.5
ROBOT:
This is truly Ravage's more versatile mode as he can actually move around in it. Well okay, since he does plug onto the back of Hound, technically that's how he gets around. The only one minor flaw I can find is his head, which looks slightly like a beak rather than a mouth, but again, it's only from certain angles and easily missed. Course, I shouldn't complain as I was looking as forward to Ravage as I was Hound.
ARTICULATION:
Ravage has some nice motion for such a small figure. His front legs can pivot out at the shoulder due to transformation and his legs can rotate nearly 180 degrees. His back legs can pivot at the knees and could possibly rotate 360 degrees if the front legs weren't obstructing them. Finally, his tail can pivot as well as his head. This is quite comparable to his G1 self, and then some.
Articulation: 10.5/12.5
GIMMICK:
Ravage doesn't really have much of a gimmick aside from being able to be carried on Hound's back as shown in this image.
Of course, one can also call the fact his G1 blasters can fit into this Ravage a gimmick as well. So, Ravage does have a few, they just aren't very stellar.
Gimmick: 6.5/12.5
FUN FACTOR:
First off, Ravage is easy to transform. This may not seem like much, but think of it this way. Easy transformation = less time to fiddle = more time to play. Ergo, if Ravage = easy to transform and easy to transform = more time to play, Ravage = more time to play. It's that simple.
And just to simplify it even more as my attempt failed miserably, since Ravage is a easy to transform figure, kids can spend more time playing with him rather than transforming him. And that, folks, if one of the major considerations I have when it comes to if a figure if fun to play with or not; because spending thirty seconds on a figure is fun, while spending twenty minutes isn't.
Fun Factor: 11/12.5
OVERVIEW:
Universe Hound and Ravage have both done a great job of reinventing themselves in a new century while carving a place of their own among Transformers fans. The fact that both came in one package that was both counted as a deluxe class "figure" and was sold at the deluxe class price makes this a sweet deal for any collector of Universe figures or Transformers in general. It is a clear sign that the Universe line has improved. (*cough* Universe Galvatron *cough*)
My score for Universe Hound with Ravage: 75.5/100
Hound was the better of the two figures, but in truth both figures are great. yes, I scored Ravage very low, but this was on his own; he is really a nice little addition to the Soundwave family. Both are still available in stores, so get them while you still have a chance.
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