Maketoys MTCD-01 Striker Manus - A New Beginning...

Not too long ago Maketoys made an announcement that they will be releasing a brand new series, Cross Dimension. The Cross Dimension. This is a brand new product line from Maketoys with their original design and story on its own. The design and story will revolves across dimension and across time to stop the bad guys, hence the name Cross Dimension was conceived. For now, we will be looking at the very first robot of the Cross Dimension line, which is MTCD-01 Striker Manus, which is based on Optimus Prime character. I believe that Striker Manus will be the main character in the Cross Dimension. Let's look at the figure itself


Packaging
Striker Manus comes with standard Maketoys packaging with outer cardbox and plastic clampshell inside the box. Striker Manus comes with a blaster rifle (which can be part-formed as the top of the vehicle mode, and 2 (two) hand-axes which also served as the smokestack of the vehicle mode

Robot Mode
Just like other Maketoys product, the robot mode feels very solid and sturdy and have some decent weight on it. There is no loose parts in the robot mode and everything locked and pegged securely without fear of pieces falling off during playing or transformation time. The design and esthetic is very Maketoys-style design with lots of panel detailing and sharp paint application overall. 
I only wish that the grey part is painted rather than the original plastic molding color. 
Additionally, just like other Maketoys product, Striker Manus does not have any problem holding its weapon due to a small groove/indentation on gun/axe's handle. I like this approach by Maketoys since the accessories can be hold securely in the hands.

Alt Mode
We all know that the alt mode is going to be a truck. Personally i like the design of the robot mode better than the alt mode.
But most importantly, just like the robot mode, everything is pegged securely.
Overall transformation was very satisfying and not overly complicated.
The transformation is a little different than that of the original MP Optimus Prime, but still retain the same similarities. One should not have too much problem transforming Striker Manus to truck mode.

Articulation
Nope, we do not have any racthet joint in Striker Manus. All the joints are either ball joints or friction joints. But the good thing is all the joints is very-very tight and Striker Manus should be able to do various poses without problem. 

Final Thoughts
I like Striker Manus. I think this is a good start into a new series. Striker Manus has its own personality and its design is very fresh and original. 
We all now by now that the next Cross Dimension figure will be Megatron (Riot Despotron) and it seems like Maketoys already have several designs for future robot/character in the series.
This is indeed a great start for a brand new and original series, and so far i'm liking the direction that Maketoys are heading into. I will have to prepare a new space on my shelves for this Cross Dimension series.

Cheers,
eToys