Odd that the "Blizzard Strike" version of this mold is released before Drift's regular colors-- wonder what the logic was behind that! Regardless, in vehicle mode, this version of Drift has a largely spot-on car mode. Proportionally everything is pretty much exactly like the show model. There's no robot mode extras whatsoever, nor any really obnoxious gaps because of the transformation 3-step gimmick. The mold detailing is very much what you'd expect from Drift-- that is, a pretty sleek sportscar mode, with only minimal detailing like the windows for the most part. What IS surprising is that there's even a wide exhaust vent detailed in the back that sticks out below the back end of the car (this becomes the heels in robot mode). As you'd expect for Drift, the front grill contains most of the mold detailing-- there's armor-like lines on the side, nice angular headlights and vent details, and of course Drift's signature head crest on the front of the grill. As for the color scheme, every "Blizzard Strike" version of Drift interestingly enough has a different color scheme, and this version of Blizzard-y Drift is the lightest in color overall. A main color is white, but a pale, slightly bluish white that is PERFECT for the arctic-- like the color of a bunch of ice. The main contrast color against this white is a dark blue-- either semi-metallic if it's plastic (it has some glitter mixed in) or outright metallic if it's paint. You'd think using two slightly different shades of blue right next to each other would look bad/be obvious-- like the paint on the rear third of this mode right up against the plastic on the center hood-- but this isn't the case. They generally tend to seamlessly go together unless you REALLY look carefully. Regardless, it's a pretty good basic color scheme, as the dark/light scheme provides a good amount of contrast while both colors are still arctic-y. That said, the white paint apps on the doors aren't QUITE solid enough to block out the dark blue behind them, so the dark blue plastic "bleeds through" the white paint there and dulls the white slightly-- THAT'S actually more noticeable than the two different shades of dark blue, believe it or not. I love love LOVE the angular blue and white detailing that largely separates the blue and white in this mode-- sort of like a stylized version of "snow splattered" on the car mode. There's also a nice shade of moderately light blue used on the headlights, which looks pretty nice and I wish was used more on the toy. There's some charcoal black on the tires (of course), as well as some flat black paint on the windows (including the rear window, huzzah!).
    Drift's transformation is very much like the 3-step version of Bumblebee, but you push out and twist the back end instead of the front end-- otherwise all the motions are the same. It's a fun, effective transformation that accomplishes a lot, and keeps the robot mode surprisingly accurate despite the simplistic transformation. The only parts that are really off-model are the lower legs, which are merely the back thirds of the vehicle mode. Proportionally they fit in well with the overall mode so that's a small downside, but it is worth noting. There's also the hood sticking out slightly behind the body detailing, but that's a reeallly minor problem, especially for a 3-step toy. The front sections of the car split out to become Drift's wide, armored shoulders, while his lower arms have the car doors molded on the outside of them, but are still 3-D enough where I don't really mind this. The molding on the chest details is all there and accurate, with some basic curvy details on the chest and a segmented armor "skirt" and buckle on the waist. His headsculpt is spot-on, with his two thin black forehead antennae and a long face, which on this version is covered up by a silver segmented armor battle mask. There's also some of that nice light metallic blue on the eyes. Overall the color scheme in this mode is a bit darker than in vehicle mode, with more dark blue and charcoal black visible and less off-white. That said, there's still plenty of all three colors-- he's still got those excellent stylized "snow splatters" on his shoulders and waist armor, and some more of that white on the chest. For some reason there's also one spot of gunmetal gray in the middle of the chest-- it's kinda random, but it's a darn good color, so I ain't complaining. For articulation, Drift can only move forward at the shoulders-- thus his articulation is pretty limited, though then again articulation isn't the focus of these simplistic changers.
    Drift is a very solid 3-step changer, using Bumblebee's "pull out, twist, and push back in" transformation gimmick in an even more effective manner, and looks very solid in both modes with no obnoxious extras-- he actually has better proportions than the Warrior class toy! The inaccurate feet are the only real downside of this simplistic transformation, which is quite surprising (in a good way, of course). Yes, he's also got very little articulation, but so does ever other toy in this subline. The Blizzard Strike color scheme-- especially the stylized "snow splatter" paint apps everywhere-- looks pretty nice, as well. Highly recommended if you're not a big articulation stickler-- my favorite 3-step changer mold out of the entire line, it's easy to see this being a fave of kids.
 

Review by Beastbot

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