Transformers Reactivate Starscream Voyager Figure: Full Review, Specs & Buyer's Guide
Full Transformers Reactivate Starscream review: articulation, jet mode, transformation, comparisons, and buying tips for Hasbro's Voyager Class figure.
Few Decepticons get reimagined as often as Starscream, but the Transformers Reactivate Starscream Voyager Class figure might be the boldest take yet. Based on the upcoming video game produced by Splash Damage, this release trades the treacherous Seeker's familiar silver-and-red sheen for a post-apocalyptic redesign loaded with battle damage, quad wings, and — surprisingly — a pair of blue eyes. Collectors have been buzzing since the reveal, and many reviewers rank it among the best figures of the year. Below, we break down everything this release offers: design choices, articulation, transformation, scale, pricing, and how it stacks up against every other modern Starscream on the shelf.
What Is Transformers: Reactivate?
Transformers: Reactivate is an upcoming video game set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, where the Autobots and Decepticons face off against an alien threat known as the Legion. Hasbro has supported the property with a small but well-received subline of game-inspired figures, including Voyager Class Optimus Prime, a Deluxe Class Soundwave, and a Bumblebee and Starscream two-pack.
According to community reports from reviewers who have handled the whole wave, the Voyager Class entries in particular have been standouts, with engineering described as noticeably more involved than typical mainline Generations releases. You can follow development updates on the official site of the game's developer, Splash Damage, though fans are still waiting for substantial gameplay footage featuring these new designs.
Design Highlights: A Battle-Hardened Take on a Classic Villain
The Transformers Reactivate Starscream design is full of storytelling details that set it apart from previous versions:
- Blue eyes — Outside of his brief appearance in EarthSpark, this is believed to be the first time Starscream has debuted with blue eyes. Collectors speculate this hints at a defection to the Autobots, or perhaps that humans have reactivated and repaired him to fight the Legion.
- Asymmetrical armor — Much like Reactivate Bumblebee, nearly every black armament on the right side differs subtly in sculpt from the left, implying battlefield repairs.
- Battle-damaged collarbone — A visible dent sells the war-torn setting.
- Quad wings — A clear throwback to his Transformers: Prime design, and arguably the figure's most striking silhouette.
- Minimal fake parts — The chest, thighs, and legs transform almost entirely from real jet components.
His signature null rays return as well, and they attach to the forearms so seamlessly that they read as extensions of the armor itself. True to the theme, even the null rays feature slightly different sculpt work on each side.
Key Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Figure name | Transformers Reactivate Starscream (Voyager Class) |
| Scale | Approximately 6.5 inches |
| Released as | Two-pack with Bumblebee |
| Recommended age | 8 and up |
| Accessories | Two null ray blasters |
| Standout trait | Asymmetrical battle-damage sculpting |
| Eye color | Blue (a first for the character) |
Articulation and Poseability Breakdown
Reviewer feedback consistently praises this as one of the most articulated Starscreams Hasbro has produced in the Voyager size class. Here's what the joints offer:
| Body Part | Range of Motion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Ball joint: up, down, tilt, rotate | Full expression range |
| Shoulders | Forward, back, out to sides | Shoulder pads detach slightly for clearance |
| Bicep | Swivel rotation | Smooth cut |
| Elbow | Bend | — |
| Wrists | None | A notable omission |
| Waist | Full swivel | Extremely rare on modern Starscreams |
| Hips | Deep forward kick, back, out to sides | Great for flying poses |
| Hip skirts | Independent hinge joints | Unnecessary for transformation — pure bonus |
| Knees | Bend | Boosters may compress when posing |
| Ankles | Rock forward/back and side to side | Reported as loose |
Three practical tips from community experience:
- Watch the leg boosters. The two thrusters embedded in the calves tend to click back into vehicle-mode position whenever you bend the knees, which can be frustrating mid-pose.
- Counter the top-heaviness. The quad wings make him back-heavy, and loose ankles mean he can topple. Angle the wings forward or use a flight stand.
- Use the wing hinges. Both the main wings and the small rear fins articulate, so you can fake aerial motion convincingly.
Yes, he suffers from mildly hollow forearms and lacks wrist swivels, but the overall range — including that uncompromised waist joint, last seen on the Siege Voyager — outweighs the flaws for most collectors.
Transformation and Jet Mode
The conversion is genuinely involved, with a parts count that reviewers describe as remarkable for the price point. The basic flow looks like this:
| Stage | What Happens | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Arms | Hands slide into forearms; shoulders release downward | Easy |
| 2. Legs | Boosters seat, heel spurs fold into feet, shins detach from boosters | Easy |
| 3. Head | Head retracts and claps inside the closing cockpit | Moderate |
| 4. Nose cone | Extends and locks forward | Easy |
| 5. Backpack | Decompresses; intakes hinge, fins flip, giant wings swivel 180 degrees | Trickiest step |
| 6. Torso lock | Underside ports tab into the collar assembly | Moderate |
| 7. Final fold | Ankles hinge down, shins slide up to form the jet body | Easy |
The reward is one of the cleanest jet modes of any recent Voyager Starscream. Community reviews note that despite the Earth-based F-15-inspired shape, the surface greebling retains distinctly Cybertronian details, keeping him feeling alien in a ruined-world setting. All three boosters end up clustered at the rear of the aircraft — smart engineering — and the null rays mount on either wing for strafing poses. Multiple reviewers call it sleeker and more cohesive than the Earthrise-era jet, and it's a fitting counterpart to the equally praised Reactivate Optimus Prime truck.
How It Compares to Other Modern Starscream Figures
Hasbro has released Starscream constantly over the past several years, so how does Transformers Reactivate Starscream actually stack up?
| Figure | Class | Waist Joint | Community Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reactivate Starscream | Voyager | Yes, uncompromised | Best-in-line engineering, bold redesign |
| Siege Voyager Starscream | Voyager | Yes | A repeat favorite, retooled many times |
| Bumblebee Movie Voyager Starscream | Voyager | No | Strong jet, solid robot mode |
| Studio Series 86 Coronation Starscream | Leader | No | Widely criticized; even a leader lacks bicep swivel |
| Legacy Armada Universe Starscream | Voyager | Yes, but restricted by the cockpit | Great character accuracy, small-ish |
Two takeaways from the comparison shots reviewers have posted: first, the Reactivate version is noticeably chunkier than the Armada release, which reads almost like a Deluxe next to it. Second, some in the community have suggested Hasbro could retool the Reactivate engineering into a superior Studio Series 86 movie Starscream — high praise for the underlying mold. In scale, he pairs naturally with Voyager Optimus Prime and looks right at home beside Deluxe Soundwave and two-pack partner Bumblebee.
Price, Customer Feedback, and Buying Tips
The main way to get this figure is the video game-inspired Bumblebee and Starscream two-pack, which has earned roughly a 4.6 out of 5 rating from over 300 customer reviews on Amazon. According to customer feedback summaries, buyers consistently rank these among the best figures in the line, with several highlighting that the vehicle modes look as good as the robot modes. The transformation difficulty splits opinion — some call the figures highly posable, while others find the conversion fiddly, so patience helps.
Quick buying tips:
- Budget for the two-pack, since Starscream isn't widely sold solo in this size class.
- Check Gamer Edition shelf warmers like Reactivate Bumblebee (Deluxe) if you want to sample the line's style first.
- Buy soon if the game excites you — small sublines tied to unreleased games can dry up before launch.
- Handle the wing swivels gently during transformation; forcing them against the intakes risks stress marks.
The Verdict: Should You Buy Him?
If you've been sleeping on this subline, Transformers Reactivate Starscream is the figure that should change your mind.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gorgeous asymmetrical battle-damage detailing | Loose ankles cause toppling |
| Rare, fully functional waist joint | No wrist articulation |
| Seamless null ray integration | Leg boosters pop out of place |
| Clean, sleek jet mode | Only available in a two-pack |
| Deep knee and hip articulation | Hollow forearms |
For display collectors, the silhouette alone justifies the purchase. For fans waiting on the game, he's a tangible piece of a design language that may define the franchise's next era — and the best Starscream Hasbro has produced in years, per widespread community consensus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Transformers Reactivate Starscream figure worth buying?
Yes, for most collectors. Community reviews consistently place him among the strongest releases of his year, citing the asymmetrical sculpting, complex transformation, and unusually complete articulation. The main caveats — loose ankles and the two-pack-only availability — are minor against the overall quality.
Why does Reactivate Starscream have blue eyes?
It's a deliberate design choice and a first for the character outside EarthSpark. Since red eyes traditionally mark Decepticon allegiance, many fans speculate the game's story involves Starscream being repaired or reactivated by humans, or possibly defecting. Nothing has been confirmed until the game releases.
How difficult is the transformation?
It's moderately complex — more involved than typical mainline Voyagers — with the backpack decompression and giant wing swivels being the trickiest steps. Customer reviews are split, with some calling the figures highly posable and others finding them difficult to transform. Following the instructions step by step solves most issues.
Does he scale with other Reactivate figures?
Absolutely. He sits perfectly alongside Voyager Class Optimus Prime, Deluxe Class Soundwave, and his two-pack partner Bumblebee, making it easy to build out the whole game-inspired roster on one shelf.
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