ToyWorld's Orionvil (3rd Party Nemesis Prime)

When deciding to choose the most applicable word to describe my outlook on Orionvil, it would have to be "bi-polar" because he is absolutely great as a robot, but his transformation is perhaps the most convoluted mess of parts I have ever experienced with any type of Transformer (including MP-05, Masterpiece Megatron, which is a piece of cake compared to Orionvil).  Being a redeco of ToyWorld's Orion (their version of Optimus Prime), he was available at BBTS for roughly $110, and he looked great in the photos.  This was perhaps a most negative version of "judging a book by it's cover" because the looks in this case were very deceiving. 

Like the name suggests, Orionvil transforms into a semi-trailer hauler in the same size class as the Voyager class figures like Brainstorm and Springer.  His packaging is very simple; nothing ornate or eye-catching.  He arrives in robot form in the package, with instructions, accessories, and a baseball card-size bio card.  Given ToyWorld's track record with previous releases, I had expected something decent, having purchased Roar, their version of Dinobot Snarl, and absolutely loved it.  What I got was a 2 hour transforming nightmare, so let's get right down to it.

The instructions, which start to falter 2/3rds of the way through, are clearly an exercise in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics.  Although the parts in each step are somewhat highlighted, it is damn near impossible to figure out the angles, turns, and tabs unless you have access to a YouTube review, which I fortunately did.  Orionvil inherited all the same issues that Orion had.  One might think Toyworld would have done a bit of redesign based upon the negative feedback of Orion, but that certainly wasn't the case here.  The directions start out with the legs, which are not too confusing; I was able to handle that on my own, but when you get to Orionvil's chest which is essentially the front cab of the truck, the nightmare truly begins.

I don't think even Toyworld knew the correct steps to take since you have to insert tabs into the grill for one section, such as the 3 panel red tinted window, UNtab that to get the front hubs inserted, then REinsert the tabs again from the same front window.  Even the reviewer on YouTube noted how the directions do not follow a proper sequence, and he was much more positive about Orionvil than I am, and all the while you are transforming him, you have to be absolutely careful not to break these tabs, otherwise nothing will hold together.

Orionvil was so badly designed that the well hubs over the front wheels aren't even attached (a lesson I learned the first time around).  You have to hold them in place while swiveling them downwards from the inner torso of the robot, and then make sure the tab into the grill properly, which means undoing the tabs on the 3 panel window (AGAIN).  Much like G1 Optimus, the arms fit into the sides of the truck to become part of the solid unit, and that move is probably the last thing you want to do.  Unfortunately, I cannot give you a correct sequence regarding the front, but somehow, someway, it does eventually come together.  You just need a lot of patience and ingenuity to figure out the tab mess.

Once fully transformed, Orionvil doesn't look half bad.  He certainly resembles G1 Optimus in most ways, right down to the Freightliner model of truck that Optimus was based on.  I'm not sure if ToyWorld ever designed an accompanying trailer for him, but that would have been cool.  You can insert his blaster into the back wall of the cab for placement, which leaves his other two accessories (battle axe and small size matrix on the sidelines.

Now, here comes my polar opposite stance on Orion after such a horrid transformation.  When you get him back into robot mode, he truly is one of the most engaging robots out there.  His articulation either equals or surpasses Marvel Legends, which I use as a gold standard for comparison.  Arms, legs, torso, and waist have so many points of maneuverability that he makes for some great photos.

The light-piping in his head is excellent.  The battle axe, which fits over either hand, is a direct homage to the Optimus/Megatron battle over the Sherman Dam from the G1 cartoon.  And you best be careful with that axe- it is solid and very sharp!  I nicked a finger handling it the first time around.  His blaster, in comparison to his size, is huge, but it compliments rather than condemns the whole robot.

The worst aspect of his robot mode is the front bumper fender, which ironically fits behind him.  There is nothing holding it there in place, and it gets in the way of swiveling his waist.  The hood of his cab mode makes some appealing wings.

So, is he worthy of Nemesis Prime?  I would certainly say so, since the transformation is, well, quite a Nemesis in itself, but his robot is Prime.