Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online
Tuesday, August 9th, 2016 11:30AM CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Toy NewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 51,156
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The second episode of the Machinima series Transformers Combiner Wars is now online. It is titled "The Council" and features Starscream and Rodimus.
You can watch it here if you are in the US or right below in the embedded youtube video if you are outside the US.
Let us know what you think of it in the ongoing discussion on the series.
You can watch it here if you are in the US or right below in the embedded youtube video if you are outside the US.
Let us know what you think of it in the ongoing discussion on the series.
Credit(s): Machinima
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Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813623)
Posted by HilltopOfKaon on August 9th, 2016 @ 11:51am CDT
Posted by HilltopOfKaon on August 9th, 2016 @ 11:51am CDT
Am i the only one who can't watch it? Every time you post the episode, i'll click the link and it says " Video has been removed" or "Video not available".
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813624)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 9th, 2016 @ 11:54am CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on August 9th, 2016 @ 11:54am CDT
HilltopOfKaon wrote:Am i the only one who can't watch it? Every time you post the episode, i'll click the link and it says " Video has been removed" or "Video not available".
william-james88 wrote:You can watch it here if you are in the US or right below in the embedded youtube video if you are outside the US.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813626)
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:03pm CDT
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:03pm CDT
This episode was fine. Though with only 5 minutes, it would be fun if it didnt take one whole minute before anything happens.
Also, I really thought this would be a different story. I really thought the decepticons and autobots would be at war and dish out all their combiners in one go, rather than create an army of combiners or preventing that.
Also, that was quite the delayed reaction to Starscream getting shot and a very weak sounding alarm.
I love the character designs though, looking good!
Also, I really thought this would be a different story. I really thought the decepticons and autobots would be at war and dish out all their combiners in one go, rather than create an army of combiners or preventing that.
Also, that was quite the delayed reaction to Starscream getting shot and a very weak sounding alarm.
I love the character designs though, looking good!
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813627)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:05pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:05pm CDT
We were told from the press releases that this would be a post-war show with the Autobot/Decepticon civil war long over.william-james88 wrote:Also, I really thought this would be a different story. I really thought the decepticons and autobots would be at war and dish out all their combiners in one go, rather than create an army of combiners or preventing that.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813637)
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:26pm CDT
Was just expressing my thoughts from when I first heard we would get a series. And saying I would have preferred that.
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:26pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:We were told from the press releases that this would be a post-war show with the Autobot/Decepticon civil war long over.william-james88 wrote:Also, I really thought this would be a different story. I really thought the decepticons and autobots would be at war and dish out all their combiners in one go, rather than create an army of combiners or preventing that.
Was just expressing my thoughts from when I first heard we would get a series. And saying I would have preferred that.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813640)
Posted by Kurona on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:35pm CDT
Posted by Kurona on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:35pm CDT
Rodimus saying things like "turn this threat into an asset" and being the first one to suggest building an army of Combiners just... strikes me as intensely wrong.
Aside from that, the things WJ88 said and the Sound/Animation quality just generally being bad, it was okay. Though both episodes have already ended with a front shot of Optimus. Feels a little repetitive.
Aside from that, the things WJ88 said and the Sound/Animation quality just generally being bad, it was okay. Though both episodes have already ended with a front shot of Optimus. Feels a little repetitive.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813650)
Posted by MrBlack on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:43pm CDT
Posted by MrBlack on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:43pm CDT
This was better, but still a bit of a mess. The opening scene didn't look great, and ended up eating more than a fifth of the episode. Storyline-wise, this was far more interesting than the first, even if characterization is all over the place. Starscream is the reasonable one, Rodimus is the warmonger, and Windblade is still playing the role of IDW Arcee. I don't fault Machinima for wanting to tell a different story than the comic, but the disconnect between this and the comic version of the story, on top of the bizarre personalities of the characters involves, leaves me wondering why they wanted to tell this story at all.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813652)
Posted by That_Guy on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:44pm CDT
Posted by That_Guy on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:44pm CDT
Liked this episode better than the last. Didn't like how over powered Windblade seemed in the last episode. Tore thru them like cheap knock offs from a dollar store.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813656)
Posted by Kurona on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:50pm CDT
Posted by Kurona on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:50pm CDT
Also, the council seems to have some... INTERESTING architectural decisions.
Don't want people to know you have the Enigma? Keep it in a massive glass case that according to Windblade's sniper rifle, can be seen by anyone with a decent case of binoculars.
Talking of Windblade's sniper rifle, that's another interesting architectural decision. The place where the Council, the leading party of Cybertron in a time of war, unease and crisis; is a wide-open area with not even glass between them and a bullet from miles away. Like... wow. How has no-one taken out these morons before now?
Don't want people to know you have the Enigma? Keep it in a massive glass case that according to Windblade's sniper rifle, can be seen by anyone with a decent case of binoculars.
Talking of Windblade's sniper rifle, that's another interesting architectural decision. The place where the Council, the leading party of Cybertron in a time of war, unease and crisis; is a wide-open area with not even glass between them and a bullet from miles away. Like... wow. How has no-one taken out these morons before now?
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813659)
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:52pm CDT
Yeah that part was super weird.
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:52pm CDT
Kurona wrote:Rodimus saying things like "turn this threat into an asset" and being the first one to suggest building an army of Combiners just... strikes me as intensely wrong.
Yeah that part was super weird.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813660)
Posted by shauyaun on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:53pm CDT
Posted by shauyaun on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:53pm CDT
How long is each episode?
Like five minutes?!
Like five minutes?!
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813661)
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:54pm CDT
yup
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:54pm CDT
Shauyaun wrote:How long is each episode?
Like five minutes?!
yup
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813663)
Posted by shauyaun on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:55pm CDT
Posted by shauyaun on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:55pm CDT
Wow that's umm... I did not expect that
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813664)
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:59pm CDT
Posted by william-james88 on August 9th, 2016 @ 12:59pm CDT
Just curious, was I the only one surprised to hear them call themselves "transformers"?
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813666)
Posted by Galactic Prime on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:08pm CDT
Posted by Galactic Prime on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:08pm CDT
The voice acting is simple atrocious. It's so bad that it completely ruins any hope of this even being good
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813667)
Posted by Bronzewolf on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:17pm CDT
Posted by Bronzewolf on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:17pm CDT
Seibertronians, it's review time! As reported on earlier, Machinima's Combiner Wars series now has a second episode, and it's now online! After a less than satisfactory first episode, this episode will really tell the fate of the series. Yay or Nay? Let's break it down to find out.
We start on Cybertron this time, as apposed to Caminus in the first episode, and we quickly change to a shot from what I'm assuming is Starscream, as it cuts back and we see him flying just a moment later. Starscream is on a reconnaissance mission, to gather information on the state of Cybertron. On his flyover, he witnesses some bombs going off on the surface below.
From this vantage point it almost looks like Starscream was the one that dropped the bombs, but I seriously doubt this is the case.
We pan backwards, as mentioned before, to see the Decepticon fly to a large silver building. Here again we have an issue with the choppy animation. As mentioned previously on the boards, Starscream appears really choppy, while the background moves fluidly with the camera.
Starscream enters the building
Starscream enters the building from a top landing bay, and slowly descends using the thrusters on his feet. He lands and meets with Rodimus and, randomly, the Mistress of Flame. These bots are apart of the "Council" we've been hearing about.
They discuss the state and threat of the combiners, and how word of Computron and Menasor's fight has broken out on Cybertron. This is why there's so much unrest on the planet. Peace has been achieved between the AutoBots and Decepticons - and the council doesn't want to ruin that. They all consider using the "Enigma of Combination" for one reason or another. Rodimus wants to use it to take over an army of combiners, turning a threat into an asset. The Mistress wants to use it to wipe out all the combiners in one felled swoop. Starscream has an objection to this, as the combiners are transformers, too. Wiping them all out would be genocide. Besides, some of the Combiners have been loyal to, even fought for, the council.
Rodimus and the Mistress of Flame are introduced to the series
The Mistress feels it isn't Starscream's place to talk about killing other transformers, given his past. We also learn in this discussion that not only is Optimus Prime in hiding, but Megatron as well.
See, now we're getting somewhere. Now we have a story to work with. One that plays with the original concept that was proposed, and not too terribly I might add. There are still some issues, such as some of the lines delivered are a bit stiff, and the mouth-movement-to-actual-voice-and-words is way off and not ignore-able, but it goes leaps and bounds above episode one. But we're not done yet.
We start to view the council meeting through the scope of a sniper rifle. It targets Rodimus, Starscream, and the Mistress. The council walks over to the Enigma of Combination, and agree they should study all it's powers before making any brash decisions.
A sniper sets up an attack on the council
The sniper is revealed to be Windblade, set on stopping the council one way or another. She decides to fire at the Enigma, and somehow misses. She hits Starscream in the shoulder, and he falls. Another problem I have is right here. There's such a weird, delayed reaction to Starscream being shot by the rest of the council. There's a good two seconds before they really do anything. The Dialogue and sound effects become a little clunky here, as the Mistress raises the alarm and Rodimus checks on the former Decepticon.
The Enigma of Combination
We return to Windblade. She hears a noise behind her and immediately jumps and turns around. It's revealed to be Optimus Prime, now out of exile. He still doesn't say anything, and the episode ends pretty much on the same shot as the previous one.
Overall, episode two is a lot better than episode one. It gives us actual emotions, and actual dilemmas for the characters to face. It still suffers from that 5 minute time constraint, and trying to make people understand a whole new continuity with a new story line in 5 minutes in near-impossible. My only wish is that the past to episodes would have had a bit more of each other in them. Meaning, episode one, the hard-to-follow action-feast that it was, could have definitely used a little more (or, a lot more) story. And, on the flip side, episode two could have used a bit more battles and action. But, all in all, you're starting to win me back Machinima. That Wheeljack name-drop didn't hurt, either.
We start on Cybertron this time, as apposed to Caminus in the first episode, and we quickly change to a shot from what I'm assuming is Starscream, as it cuts back and we see him flying just a moment later. Starscream is on a reconnaissance mission, to gather information on the state of Cybertron. On his flyover, he witnesses some bombs going off on the surface below.
From this vantage point it almost looks like Starscream was the one that dropped the bombs, but I seriously doubt this is the case.
We pan backwards, as mentioned before, to see the Decepticon fly to a large silver building. Here again we have an issue with the choppy animation. As mentioned previously on the boards, Starscream appears really choppy, while the background moves fluidly with the camera.
Starscream enters the building
Starscream enters the building from a top landing bay, and slowly descends using the thrusters on his feet. He lands and meets with Rodimus and, randomly, the Mistress of Flame. These bots are apart of the "Council" we've been hearing about.
They discuss the state and threat of the combiners, and how word of Computron and Menasor's fight has broken out on Cybertron. This is why there's so much unrest on the planet. Peace has been achieved between the AutoBots and Decepticons - and the council doesn't want to ruin that. They all consider using the "Enigma of Combination" for one reason or another. Rodimus wants to use it to take over an army of combiners, turning a threat into an asset. The Mistress wants to use it to wipe out all the combiners in one felled swoop. Starscream has an objection to this, as the combiners are transformers, too. Wiping them all out would be genocide. Besides, some of the Combiners have been loyal to, even fought for, the council.
Rodimus and the Mistress of Flame are introduced to the series
The Mistress feels it isn't Starscream's place to talk about killing other transformers, given his past. We also learn in this discussion that not only is Optimus Prime in hiding, but Megatron as well.
See, now we're getting somewhere. Now we have a story to work with. One that plays with the original concept that was proposed, and not too terribly I might add. There are still some issues, such as some of the lines delivered are a bit stiff, and the mouth-movement-to-actual-voice-and-words is way off and not ignore-able, but it goes leaps and bounds above episode one. But we're not done yet.
We start to view the council meeting through the scope of a sniper rifle. It targets Rodimus, Starscream, and the Mistress. The council walks over to the Enigma of Combination, and agree they should study all it's powers before making any brash decisions.
A sniper sets up an attack on the council
The sniper is revealed to be Windblade, set on stopping the council one way or another. She decides to fire at the Enigma, and somehow misses. She hits Starscream in the shoulder, and he falls. Another problem I have is right here. There's such a weird, delayed reaction to Starscream being shot by the rest of the council. There's a good two seconds before they really do anything. The Dialogue and sound effects become a little clunky here, as the Mistress raises the alarm and Rodimus checks on the former Decepticon.
The Enigma of CombinationWe return to Windblade. She hears a noise behind her and immediately jumps and turns around. It's revealed to be Optimus Prime, now out of exile. He still doesn't say anything, and the episode ends pretty much on the same shot as the previous one.
Overall, episode two is a lot better than episode one. It gives us actual emotions, and actual dilemmas for the characters to face. It still suffers from that 5 minute time constraint, and trying to make people understand a whole new continuity with a new story line in 5 minutes in near-impossible. My only wish is that the past to episodes would have had a bit more of each other in them. Meaning, episode one, the hard-to-follow action-feast that it was, could have definitely used a little more (or, a lot more) story. And, on the flip side, episode two could have used a bit more battles and action. But, all in all, you're starting to win me back Machinima. That Wheeljack name-drop didn't hurt, either.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813668)
Posted by 1984forever on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:25pm CDT
Posted by 1984forever on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:25pm CDT
Boring. I don't want to see Autobots and Decepticons talking unless they're talking about breaking each other.
The mistress of Flame is just taking up space. She doesn't look like she can transform into anything, so she shouldn't be in TRANSFORMERS.
The last episode was 10x better than this one.
The mistress of Flame is just taking up space. She doesn't look like she can transform into anything, so she shouldn't be in TRANSFORMERS.
The last episode was 10x better than this one.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813669)
Posted by o.supreme on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:25pm CDT
They mentioned Wheeljack?...didn't catch that.
Posted by o.supreme on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:25pm CDT
Bronzewolf wrote:That Wheeljack name-drop didn't hurt, either.
They mentioned Wheeljack?...didn't catch that.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813670)
Posted by Bronzewolf on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:29pm CDT
Yep. Just before Scream gets shot, when they're all looking at the Enigma. Rodimus says something like "I can have Wheeljack take a look at-"
Posted by Bronzewolf on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:29pm CDT
o.supreme wrote:Bronzewolf wrote:That Wheeljack name-drop didn't hurt, either.
They mentioned Wheeljack?...didn't catch that.
Yep. Just before Scream gets shot, when they're all looking at the Enigma. Rodimus says something like "I can have Wheeljack take a look at-"
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813673)
Posted by ricemazter on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:35pm CDT
Posted by ricemazter on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:35pm CDT
This episode, I think, was slightly better than the last if only because we understand more about the context of the setting. Again, though the pacing and priorities of the directions are just strange. In a five minute long episode why, again, do we spend almost a minute and a half of the episode, almost a quarter of the run time, on establishing shots and Starscream in an elevator. These shots don't correspond to anything Starscream says about the situation getting worse, and are borderline filler.
Despite having more exposition, there are still too many missing pieces for us to really understand the stakes. Were the current combiners created using the enigma, or were they built during the war? If no one yet understands the enigma, how do they know it can be used to create an army of combiners or destroy them? If the war is over why does the council need more combiners? Is it to take current combiners? Are the combiners being treated as their own faction? If so, why are some loyal to the council and some not? Why would there be a question of wiping all of them out if some of them aren't acting in their own self interest? So far, there are too many unanswered questions.
Also, it seems that someone at some point switched the lines for Hot Rod and Starscream in the scripting process. Especially since at the beginning of the combiner wars comics it was Starscream that wanted to build more of them.
The weirdest thing about this series for me, with all the gravitas surrounding combiners, is that it feels like an advertisement for the toyline, which is already winding down for titans. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the only ones really left to be released Computron and the G2 versions of the others?
Despite having more exposition, there are still too many missing pieces for us to really understand the stakes. Were the current combiners created using the enigma, or were they built during the war? If no one yet understands the enigma, how do they know it can be used to create an army of combiners or destroy them? If the war is over why does the council need more combiners? Is it to take current combiners? Are the combiners being treated as their own faction? If so, why are some loyal to the council and some not? Why would there be a question of wiping all of them out if some of them aren't acting in their own self interest? So far, there are too many unanswered questions.
Also, it seems that someone at some point switched the lines for Hot Rod and Starscream in the scripting process. Especially since at the beginning of the combiner wars comics it was Starscream that wanted to build more of them.
The weirdest thing about this series for me, with all the gravitas surrounding combiners, is that it feels like an advertisement for the toyline, which is already winding down for titans. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the only ones really left to be released Computron and the G2 versions of the others?
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813675)
Posted by Tyrannacon on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:35pm CDT
Posted by Tyrannacon on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:35pm CDT
Honestly for a web series it's not that terrible at least. The length is my only issue, most web series I've seen were like 8 to 15 minutes (at the most). I do think if it were on the television I do think my own opinion of it would be a lot harsher at least. Kinda sucks because this series is meant to be for older fans at least. I just worry that if it does poorly there won't be another attempt to make a series for older fans though. I do hope this series does have some of the goofiness seen in other stuff from around the continuities.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813681)
Posted by mesh on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:51pm CDT
Posted by mesh on August 9th, 2016 @ 1:51pm CDT
In total honesty, these episodes are just too short. Too short to provide constructive critics and too short to get pulled into whatever they are talking about. For audiences with short attention spans these webisodes suck.
The animation blows compared to the hype produced at the SDCC Convention. They made the fans believe they were getting something extraordinary and mind blowing.
So far I am unimpressed but I'll give two more episodes to see how it developes.
The animation blows compared to the hype produced at the SDCC Convention. They made the fans believe they were getting something extraordinary and mind blowing.
So far I am unimpressed but I'll give two more episodes to see how it developes.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813684)
Posted by Galactic Prime on August 9th, 2016 @ 2:02pm CDT
Posted by Galactic Prime on August 9th, 2016 @ 2:02pm CDT
The voice acting is bad, the animation is sub-par, the story makes no sense, and the episodes are too short.
Terrible, Hasbro should shoot these asshats for even making this
Terrible, Hasbro should shoot these asshats for even making this
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813700)
Posted by partholon on August 9th, 2016 @ 2:53pm CDT
Posted by partholon on August 9th, 2016 @ 2:53pm CDT
i have to concur .
its just not working.
the format is just all wrong for something as complex as an adult TF tale and the animation/voice acting isnt anything to write home about.
i guess i wouldnt be judgeing it so harshly if i didnt just get through watching a compliation of the cut scenes from war/fall of cybertron on youtube.
i laud the effort and hope they dont give up on giving us a more comics level of maturity animated series. but this is just failing to make the grade of such aims.
its just not working.
the format is just all wrong for something as complex as an adult TF tale and the animation/voice acting isnt anything to write home about.
i guess i wouldnt be judgeing it so harshly if i didnt just get through watching a compliation of the cut scenes from war/fall of cybertron on youtube.
i laud the effort and hope they dont give up on giving us a more comics level of maturity animated series. but this is just failing to make the grade of such aims.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813731)
Posted by SG Roadbuster on August 9th, 2016 @ 4:40pm CDT
Posted by SG Roadbuster on August 9th, 2016 @ 4:40pm CDT
This series is gonna fail, And fail hard. and Hasbro is gonna take away the wrong lesson from this. they'll think that older tf fans dont want an animated series/film aimed at them. when the real lesson to be learned here is not to let Machinima make your movie.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813733)
Posted by Stealth Claw on August 9th, 2016 @ 4:40pm CDT
hey armada was amazing, it was beast wars and armada that was the reason I grew up liking transformers.
Posted by Stealth Claw on August 9th, 2016 @ 4:40pm CDT
Kurona wrote:Stuartmaximus wrote:o.supreme wrote:Deadput wrote:I've seriously never been disappointed by Transformers this much before it's strange for me.
it is isn't it. But don't worry I've had my fair share of disappointments (Beast Machines, Armada, Animated). they come and go. If you are patient, while another spectrum of the fandom is being catered to, it will come back around to what you like, just might take a few years. Combiner Wars was definitely not what I was expecting but I am enjoying it whilst all other parts of the medium aren't really "my thing" right now. Prime was amazing, and I don't expect to see another series as great, at least as far as what I'm looking for, for another decade or so. So, while CW is far form perfect, I'll take what little scraps I can get until Transformers decides to do something again mainstream more to my liking.
Btw what's wrong with Armada? if it wasn't for Armada....we finally wouldn't have gotten a Unicron toy! nor a Tidal Wave one either! nor would we have got the Armada videogame that everyone....well....almost everyone....seemed to love at the time....& maybe there's a few that still love it today as well).
It was a terrible show with a terrible toyline. Not much else to say.
hey armada was amazing, it was beast wars and armada that was the reason I grew up liking transformers.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813742)
Posted by padfoo on August 9th, 2016 @ 5:04pm CDT
Unfortunately your right, you put together a product hastfully and it misses the mark.....
Posted by padfoo on August 9th, 2016 @ 5:04pm CDT
SG Roadbuster wrote:This series is gonna fail, And fail hard. and Hasbro is gonna take away the wrong lesson from this. they'll think that older tf fans dont want an animated series/film aimed at them. when the real lesson to be learned here is not to let Machinima make your movie.
Unfortunately your right, you put together a product hastfully and it misses the mark.....
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813744)
Posted by Kurona on August 9th, 2016 @ 5:06pm CDT
I'm cynical enough to agree with you honestly. The whole bad-thing-failing-but-companies-getting-the-wrong-idea-about-why-it-failed-and-removing-all-the-few-things-people-liked-about-it thing happens a lot I feel.
Posted by Kurona on August 9th, 2016 @ 5:06pm CDT
SG Roadbuster wrote:This series is gonna fail, And fail hard. and Hasbro is gonna take away the wrong lesson from this. they'll think that older tf fans dont want an animated series/film aimed at them. when the real lesson to be learned here is not to let Machinima make your movie.
I'm cynical enough to agree with you honestly. The whole bad-thing-failing-but-companies-getting-the-wrong-idea-about-why-it-failed-and-removing-all-the-few-things-people-liked-about-it thing happens a lot I feel.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813749)
Posted by padfoo on August 9th, 2016 @ 5:17pm CDT
I hate to be overly critical at the attempt to give us fans a animated series of a different caliber but you are right. I thought it was a fortress locked up like fort Knox based on Starscreams entrance through multiple doors but once he entered the entire center of the structure is open. Did someone forget to close the blinds, no guards, and we are in a one shot/hit one kill universe how is anyone still alive. On a positive note I felt it was better than the last episode......
Posted by padfoo on August 9th, 2016 @ 5:17pm CDT
Kurona wrote:Also, the council seems to have some... INTERESTING architectural decisions.
Don't want people to know you have the Enigma? Keep it in a massive glass case that according to Windblade's sniper rifle, can be seen by anyone with a decent case of binoculars.
Talking of Windblade's sniper rifle, that's another interesting architectural decision. The place where the Council, the leading party of Cybertron in a time of war, unease and crisis; is a wide-open area with not even glass between them and a bullet from miles away. Like... wow. How has no-one taken out these morons before now?
I hate to be overly critical at the attempt to give us fans a animated series of a different caliber but you are right. I thought it was a fortress locked up like fort Knox based on Starscreams entrance through multiple doors but once he entered the entire center of the structure is open. Did someone forget to close the blinds, no guards, and we are in a one shot/hit one kill universe how is anyone still alive. On a positive note I felt it was better than the last episode......
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813756)
Posted by Mr Skram on August 9th, 2016 @ 5:49pm CDT
Posted by Mr Skram on August 9th, 2016 @ 5:49pm CDT
Oh man, the mouth shapes and lip syncing really stood out as horrible to me. Did the animation get worse in this episode or was I just paying more attention. I swear the first one was a bit more fluid. I'm of the opposite opinion of most here, I thought the first episode was better. I really wanted to like the series but I don't think I can be on board with this. Even the new prelude spot seemed to be lower quality than before. I'll keep watching to see where this all ends up since it's not much of a time investment, but I'll probably keep snidely chuckling to myself the whole way through.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813770)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 9th, 2016 @ 6:42pm CDT
Come on guys and girls, let's not get too hasty with this series. For starters what's hasbro really got to take away from this series anyway? The toy line it's promoting is already at its natural end. They can't lose sales from this, and let's face it, it is just another toy advert. What may happen is that this becomes the only one of this series of it doesn't get enough clicks, so no titans return series or whatever the third part of prime wars is (I'm betting on it actually being called Prime wars).
While I hear and agree that more effort needs to be put in to make these better, it's still just a free-to-watch show at the end of the day, so I doubt that hasbro will walk away thinking the adult fans don't want material for them.
Now if the comics stopped selling completely then you would have something to worry about
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 9th, 2016 @ 6:42pm CDT
Kurona wrote:SG Roadbuster wrote:This series is gonna fail, And fail hard. and Hasbro is gonna take away the wrong lesson from this. they'll think that older tf fans dont want an animated series/film aimed at them. when the real lesson to be learned here is not to let Machinima make your movie.
I'm cynical enough to agree with you honestly. The whole bad-thing-failing-but-companies-getting-the-wrong-idea-about-why-it-failed-and-removing-all-the-few-things-people-liked-about-it thing happens a lot I feel.
Come on guys and girls, let's not get too hasty with this series. For starters what's hasbro really got to take away from this series anyway? The toy line it's promoting is already at its natural end. They can't lose sales from this, and let's face it, it is just another toy advert. What may happen is that this becomes the only one of this series of it doesn't get enough clicks, so no titans return series or whatever the third part of prime wars is (I'm betting on it actually being called Prime wars).
While I hear and agree that more effort needs to be put in to make these better, it's still just a free-to-watch show at the end of the day, so I doubt that hasbro will walk away thinking the adult fans don't want material for them.
Now if the comics stopped selling completely then you would have something to worry about
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813793)
Posted by King Kuuga on August 9th, 2016 @ 8:41pm CDT
It is pretty clear that she misses because Optimus pushes her at the last second.... before disappearing into the shadows for his dramatic reveal.
I'm getting a feeling from these episodes like I got from the second, third, etc episodes of RWBY volume 1. They're too short and not much is happening, and they're over right when they get interesting. Hopefully, like RWBY vol 1, it gets better as it goes on. I won't be too harsh until it's all out and available for judging, but this is starting off rather lackluster. As someone else said, we don't have enough information about the combiners yet to really understand the situation. They're being treated like titans, rather than larger robots made from their fellow autobots and decepticons. Seriously, not one hint that maybe the Combiners are the sum of parts other than just the name "combiners" and their mishmash appearances. You could currently sub them out with generic giant transformers and have the same story.
I will say, Starscream likes to make an entrance and I'd be more appreciative of that if it hadn't taken up a full fifth of the episode.
Posted by King Kuuga on August 9th, 2016 @ 8:41pm CDT
Bronzewolf wrote:The sniper is revealed to be Windblade, set on stopping the council one way or another. She decides to fire at the Enigma, and somehow misses. She hits Starscream in the shoulder, and he falls. Another problem I have is right here. There's such a weird, delayed reaction to Starscream being shot by the rest of the council. There's a good two seconds before they really do anything. The Dialogue and sound effects become a little clunky here, as the Mistress raises the alarm and Rodimus checks on the former Decepticon.
It is pretty clear that she misses because Optimus pushes her at the last second.... before disappearing into the shadows for his dramatic reveal.
I'm getting a feeling from these episodes like I got from the second, third, etc episodes of RWBY volume 1. They're too short and not much is happening, and they're over right when they get interesting. Hopefully, like RWBY vol 1, it gets better as it goes on. I won't be too harsh until it's all out and available for judging, but this is starting off rather lackluster. As someone else said, we don't have enough information about the combiners yet to really understand the situation. They're being treated like titans, rather than larger robots made from their fellow autobots and decepticons. Seriously, not one hint that maybe the Combiners are the sum of parts other than just the name "combiners" and their mishmash appearances. You could currently sub them out with generic giant transformers and have the same story.
I will say, Starscream likes to make an entrance and I'd be more appreciative of that if it hadn't taken up a full fifth of the episode.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813837)
Posted by HilltopOfKaon on August 9th, 2016 @ 10:32pm CDT
Posted by HilltopOfKaon on August 9th, 2016 @ 10:32pm CDT
I thought these were pretty good. A nice twist to IDW's story. A little short i must say but it makes me want more.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813846)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 9th, 2016 @ 11:01pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 9th, 2016 @ 11:01pm CDT
I'm going against the grain here, but I liked this episode a lot better. I hated being thrown into the story en media res but this episode made me actually like it some. Yes, it's too short, but I like it for what it is.
Now if only Optimus would actually be allowed to speak...
Now if only Optimus would actually be allowed to speak...
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813851)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 9th, 2016 @ 11:21pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on August 9th, 2016 @ 11:21pm CDT
It's funny seeing people complain about Optimus not talking at all when people were prevously sick of either all his psycho dialogue from the movies or nearly everything he ever said in the Prime cartoon. 
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813860)
Posted by Sunstar on August 10th, 2016 @ 1:20am CDT
Posted by Sunstar on August 10th, 2016 @ 1:20am CDT
that wasn't too bad. better than the last. I had to giggle a little. Starscream sounded a bit like he inhaled helium. Other than that. I felt it was okay.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813862)
Posted by Burn on August 10th, 2016 @ 1:28am CDT
Posted by Burn on August 10th, 2016 @ 1:28am CDT
I'm going to keep holding onto the belief that once this is all released and I can watch it in one sitting, it will be a good little series.
That being said, I really hope we don't get a repeat of Starscreams "entrance". Honestly dude, just use the front door next time.
That being said, I really hope we don't get a repeat of Starscreams "entrance". Honestly dude, just use the front door next time.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813863)
Posted by leokearon on August 10th, 2016 @ 1:35am CDT
Posted by leokearon on August 10th, 2016 @ 1:35am CDT
Given the weak animation models and all, is Rodimus supposed to be Hot Rod or actually Rodimus Prime
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813877)
Posted by Kurona on August 10th, 2016 @ 5:55am CDT
Starscream says in his prelude that it's Rodimus. He looks to be based on his recent Masterpiece toy, mind.
Posted by Kurona on August 10th, 2016 @ 5:55am CDT
leokearon wrote:Given the weak animation models and all, is Rodimus supposed to be Hot Rod or actually Rodimus Prime
Starscream says in his prelude that it's Rodimus. He looks to be based on his recent Masterpiece toy, mind.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813887)
Posted by william-james88 on August 10th, 2016 @ 6:37am CDT
Neither, he is just Rodimus. Just like in the IDW comics.
Its based on his older masterpiece toy which was both Rodimus and Hot Rod. His newsest Masterpiece toy is just him as Hot Rod.
Posted by william-james88 on August 10th, 2016 @ 6:37am CDT
leokearon wrote:Given the weak animation models and all, is Rodimus supposed to be Hot Rod or actually Rodimus Prime
Neither, he is just Rodimus. Just like in the IDW comics.
Kurona wrote:Starscream says in his prelude that it's Rodimus. He looks to be based on his recent Masterpiece toy, mind.
Its based on his older masterpiece toy which was both Rodimus and Hot Rod. His newsest Masterpiece toy is just him as Hot Rod.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813918)
Posted by o.supreme on August 10th, 2016 @ 9:10am CDT
Yeah I definitely don't get that, and for the record, I thought Optimus Prime was amazing in TF Prime.
Posted by o.supreme on August 10th, 2016 @ 9:10am CDT
Sabrblade wrote:It's funny seeing people complain about Optimus not talking at all when people were prevously sick of either all his psycho dialogue from the movies or nearly everything he ever said in the Prime cartoon.
Yeah I definitely don't get that, and for the record, I thought Optimus Prime was amazing in TF Prime.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813924)
Posted by Bradimus on August 10th, 2016 @ 9:24am CDT
Posted by Bradimus on August 10th, 2016 @ 9:24am CDT
I don't get most of the complaints about this web series.
So what if the animation is questionable? I almost didn't watch RWBY because to be quite honest my initial impression of the animation was that it sucked. I'm glad I watched anyway because I would have missed out on a very entertaining series.
As for episode length, it's a web series. It's a 30 minute show broken down into 5 minute parts. When it's done and viewed as a whole I will not be surprised if most of the people complaining do a 180 and end up liking it.
I'll withhold my own judgement until it's over but I am happy with what I've seen so far. Could I wait until it's complete to finish watching it? Yes, and I may end up doing that. But as this is summer time and I'm starved for viewing content I'll probably watch the weekly segments.
So what if the animation is questionable? I almost didn't watch RWBY because to be quite honest my initial impression of the animation was that it sucked. I'm glad I watched anyway because I would have missed out on a very entertaining series.
As for episode length, it's a web series. It's a 30 minute show broken down into 5 minute parts. When it's done and viewed as a whole I will not be surprised if most of the people complaining do a 180 and end up liking it.
I'll withhold my own judgement until it's over but I am happy with what I've seen so far. Could I wait until it's complete to finish watching it? Yes, and I may end up doing that. But as this is summer time and I'm starved for viewing content I'll probably watch the weekly segments.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813937)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 10th, 2016 @ 9:59am CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on August 10th, 2016 @ 9:59am CDT
Starscream's Prelude called him "Rodimus Prime", around the 1:10 mark:william-james88 wrote:leokearon wrote:Given the weak animation models and all, is Rodimus supposed to be Hot Rod or actually Rodimus Prime
Neither, he is just Rodimus. Just like in the IDW comics.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813945)
Posted by Ironhidensh on August 10th, 2016 @ 11:00am CDT
This was my take away as well. Why are we wasting so much time watching Starscream enter?
Posted by Ironhidensh on August 10th, 2016 @ 11:00am CDT
Burn wrote:I'm going to keep holding onto the belief that once this is all released and I can watch it in one sitting, it will be a good little series.
That being said, I really hope we don't get a repeat of Starscreams "entrance". Honestly dude, just use the front door next time.
This was my take away as well. Why are we wasting so much time watching Starscream enter?
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813949)
Posted by Kurona on August 10th, 2016 @ 11:15am CDT
Posted by Kurona on August 10th, 2016 @ 11:15am CDT
It's supposed to be an establishing shot and a pan to show us the scale of the war.
The problem is it's way too long for a five-minute video, and since the animation is bad - whatever excuses they may or may not have - it's not very nice to look at. If you have bad animation you need a good story or dialogue to distract from that, so when you have a full 1/5th of your episode be nothing but that animation... yyyyyyeah. Not impressive.
The problem is it's way too long for a five-minute video, and since the animation is bad - whatever excuses they may or may not have - it's not very nice to look at. If you have bad animation you need a good story or dialogue to distract from that, so when you have a full 1/5th of your episode be nothing but that animation... yyyyyyeah. Not impressive.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1813980)
Posted by william-james88 on August 10th, 2016 @ 1:12pm CDT
Schooled again!
Though that makes it one more big deviation from the comics.
Wait, does this mean he would have the matrix of leadership?
To save money on animation, which is the most expensive part.
Reminds me of that scene in ROTF where Optimus Transforming is covered by a tarp flapping around to save on that costly CG.
Posted by william-james88 on August 10th, 2016 @ 1:12pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Starscream's Prelude called him "Rodimus Prime", around the 1:10 mark:william-james88 wrote:leokearon wrote:Given the weak animation models and all, is Rodimus supposed to be Hot Rod or actually Rodimus Prime
Neither, he is just Rodimus. Just like in the IDW comics.
Schooled again!
Though that makes it one more big deviation from the comics.
Wait, does this mean he would have the matrix of leadership?
Ironhidensh wrote:This was my take away as well. Why are we wasting so much time watching Starscream enter?
To save money on animation, which is the most expensive part.
Reminds me of that scene in ROTF where Optimus Transforming is covered by a tarp flapping around to save on that costly CG.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1814039)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 10th, 2016 @ 3:15pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on August 10th, 2016 @ 3:15pm CDT
One would wonder, but his face is his younger Hot Rod face instead of his wrinkled Rodimus Prime face. So, who knows what's up.william-james88 wrote:Sabrblade wrote:Starscream's Prelude called him "Rodimus Prime", around the 1:10 mark:william-james88 wrote:leokearon wrote:Given the weak animation models and all, is Rodimus supposed to be Hot Rod or actually Rodimus Prime
Neither, he is just Rodimus. Just like in the IDW comics.
Schooled again!
Though that makes it one more big deviation from the comics.
Wait, does this mean he would have the matrix of leadership?
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1814045)
Posted by william-james88 on August 10th, 2016 @ 3:20pm CDT
Sounds like the perfect review for this seriesso far
Posted by william-james88 on August 10th, 2016 @ 3:20pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:So, who knows what's up.
Sounds like the perfect review for this seriesso far
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1814067)
Posted by Windsweeper on August 10th, 2016 @ 3:47pm CDT
Posted by Windsweeper on August 10th, 2016 @ 3:47pm CDT
I think you could completely ignore episode 1 and this would work as the first episode.
My only issues so far are the voices of Menasor and Starscream and the inclusion of Windblade. I'm sick of her getting forced down our throats all the time.
It's nice to see a G1 cartoon after all this time. However it really doesn't feel like it's aimed at an older audience.
My only issues so far are the voices of Menasor and Starscream and the inclusion of Windblade. I'm sick of her getting forced down our throats all the time.
It's nice to see a G1 cartoon after all this time. However it really doesn't feel like it's aimed at an older audience.
Re: Machinima's Transformers Combiner Wars Episode 2 The Council Now Online (1814068)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 10th, 2016 @ 3:50pm CDT
Things like joy, fun, and comedy are for babies! Adult stuff is hardcore SERIOUS BUSINESS!
Posted by Sabrblade on August 10th, 2016 @ 3:50pm CDT
Ah, but don't you see? Older audiences need things like uber violence, death, murder, vengeance, politics, bureaucracy, agony, and all those other "gritty and mature" things that are totally not kiddie and childish, for realz yo!Windsweeper wrote:It's nice to see a G1 cartoon after all this time. However it really doesn't feel like it's aimed at an older audience.
Things like joy, fun, and comedy are for babies! Adult stuff is hardcore SERIOUS BUSINESS!
