Transformers Legacy Evolution Leader Class Nova Prime - Pictorial Review

Legacy Evolution haven't really been on my radar recently sans few releases but this one caught my attention. 

He is the first official, mass release (well, he is mass releases exclusive though) Nova Prime and second after TFCC Nova Prime. 

In Package

Just like the other special releases, Nova Prime comes in a brown box with code F69595S00. 

The first thing that surprised me is he doesn't come in normal leader class box like previous Legacy Evo or Studio Series (see below). 

Back View

The box flips open from below, revealing an inner packaging. The figure is wrap inside the paper with the accessories packed inside another paper. 

Alt Mode

You guessed it. He looks almost the same as Siege Galaxy Force Optimus Prime, given that it's his original mold. 

He comes mostly in white with teal and dark grey parts and also some gold highlights. 

The only difference between him and the Galaxy Force version is the side of the trailer. 

The back is actually one thing that I desperately wanted to change. 

Sorry I don't have the more similar version of this mold like Siege Magnus or Galaxy Optimus Prime. Here's he next to Kingdom Magnus. 

My Magnus looking a bit..off white... 

Robot Mode

Let's check out the core body first. Given that Nova is the super mode, Hasbro decides to just straight repaint his core body. 

*EDIT*
There are minor changes on the body compared to Siege Galaxy Optimus Prime's core bot

Nothing much I have to say about the core bot. The mold was released a few time that I think most have had experience with it. 

Despite his...questionable proportion, he has a decent range of movement. With a different, smaller torso, he would look a lot better.

Just like the Galaxy Force version, he comes with 2 guns.

I really don't remember if Magnus was always off-white. Comparing these 2 now, it made me remember the difference in terms of white being used by Takara and Hasbro. Case in point, Generation VS Takara UN Drift.

Super Mode

Ready to Combine

I must say, him and Kingdom Magnus are the 2 favorite version of this mold. As you can see, he comes with a different set of chest plate and head, following closely Nova Prime's design.

Technically his kibble is minimal given. The large blasters swing to the front just like Galaxy Force version. 

One improvement that you can see here is the new, longer heels to support his backpack's weight. If this had been introduced in the previous releases, forgive me.

The hollow parts behind the wings is quite an eyesore, really wish Hasbro would stop doing this.

One of the turn off for me when I was considering collecting Unicron Trilogy's reboot (under the Siege and Legacy lines) was how bad Galaxy Optimus Prime is. So I'm fairly surprised how I like this version.

The armor pegs in nicely. The joints are tight. The colors are even. Good!

The wings are static and short. The thighs are short. Bad!!

While the thigh issue is small (because this is not the first release of the mold), the wings is a bit disappointing. Static, maybe. But it's the bare minimum to be called wings!

If the design decision takes into consideration the amount of plastics used, I would prefer they remove the big blasters and use the plastics to make bigger wings.

Moving on, despite the issues, the figure turns out okay to me.

If Hasbro changed the leg armor, Nova Prime and Magnus would look totally different, not at all a retool.

Nova Prime is a good example of an almost great figure, brought down by bad decision. And I for one, am not someone who ventures into add ons. Not because it's 3rd party or anything, but practicality. Upgrading an official figure with add ons that's almost similar in price, it's better to just find a 3rd Party figure. The price would not differ too much and it won't feel like a 'patched' figure.