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

FeatureDetail
Figure nameTransformers Reactivate Starscream (Voyager Class)
ScaleApproximately 6.5 inches
Released asTwo-pack with Bumblebee
Recommended age8 and up
AccessoriesTwo null ray blasters
Standout traitAsymmetrical battle-damage sculpting
Eye colorBlue (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 PartRange of MotionNotes
HeadBall joint: up, down, tilt, rotateFull expression range
ShouldersForward, back, out to sidesShoulder pads detach slightly for clearance
BicepSwivel rotationSmooth cut
ElbowBend—
WristsNoneA notable omission
WaistFull swivelExtremely rare on modern Starscreams
HipsDeep forward kick, back, out to sidesGreat for flying poses
Hip skirtsIndependent hinge jointsUnnecessary for transformation — pure bonus
KneesBendBoosters may compress when posing
AnklesRock forward/back and side to sideReported as loose

Three practical tips from community experience:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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:

StageWhat HappensDifficulty
1. ArmsHands slide into forearms; shoulders release downwardEasy
2. LegsBoosters seat, heel spurs fold into feet, shins detach from boostersEasy
3. HeadHead retracts and claps inside the closing cockpitModerate
4. Nose coneExtends and locks forwardEasy
5. BackpackDecompresses; intakes hinge, fins flip, giant wings swivel 180 degreesTrickiest step
6. Torso lockUnderside ports tab into the collar assemblyModerate
7. Final foldAnkles hinge down, shins slide up to form the jet bodyEasy

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?

FigureClassWaist JointCommunity Verdict
Reactivate StarscreamVoyagerYes, uncompromisedBest-in-line engineering, bold redesign
Siege Voyager StarscreamVoyagerYesA repeat favorite, retooled many times
Bumblebee Movie Voyager StarscreamVoyagerNoStrong jet, solid robot mode
Studio Series 86 Coronation StarscreamLeaderNoWidely criticized; even a leader lacks bicep swivel
Legacy Armada Universe StarscreamVoyagerYes, but restricted by the cockpitGreat 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.

ProsCons
Gorgeous asymmetrical battle-damage detailingLoose ankles cause toppling
Rare, fully functional waist jointNo wrist articulation
Seamless null ray integrationLeg boosters pop out of place
Clean, sleek jet modeOnly available in a two-pack
Deep knee and hip articulationHollow 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.