I'm a long-time Star Wars collector, but I also just like toys in general, so I get to appreciate this Republic Attack Shuttle set from both perspectives. I got mine from Amazon for a substantial discount off the MSRP of $80, but am trying to review it from that price as well because at the under-$40 I spent, it's a lot easier to like.
From a collector perspective, the Republic Attack Shuttle is a vehicle that at full price may not hit too hard. It's from the Clone Wars, so it's not for a movie-only fan. And, like the classic Imperial Shuttle it's inspired from, there just isn't as much to do for a collector with these shuttle toys, they have a cockpit and they have a main body hold for a few figures, but they're not a Millennium Falcon or an AT-AT in excitement-level. That said, the RAS's design and deco is show-accurate although it lacks the weathering, there's a lot of nice sculpting for panels and tech details, and the transforming playset nature doesn't hamper the display potential in the least since it's fairly solid and the transformation joints and seams are pretty well hidden (so a collector could almost entirely ignore the playset aspect with ease). The collector would enjoy the decent size of the vehicle as well as the wings being on big hinges with strong stops at the top and bottom with no wobble (they fold down to the accurate angle, past the flat shown in most photos), and a nice interior that could look in place on a Star Destroyer - accessible from a hatch in the top or by transforming the playset part way. However, like many SW vehicle toys, it is under scale so as a shuttle there is only room for about 6 or 7 figures, and it loses the front section's signature bay corridor - that nose door opens but only to reveal the pilot's legs. The collector perspective on the exclusive figure isn't probably going to be a big deal either, it's the newer Clone body and season 1-inspired helmet (Oddball's paint scheme, in fact) with logos to the shoulders, but Clone Wars figures aren't super collectible the way movie figures are, though it's nice to have another pilot figure. So, overall, the RAS is a nice item for a collector who actively wants this vehicle, but at full price it's not a great gift choice for the collector without knowing firsthand whether or not they want it.
That said, from a play perspective, the Republic Attack Shuttle is a ton of play potential in a single vehicle toy, kids who are into The Clone Wars tv series and its figures will have a blast with this. It does require adult assembly on the wings, they require a lot of force to get on so that they won't wobble or snap back off, but once installed they are unlikely to be removed again. The landing legs also need to be attached, but they're not as difficult (they are permanent though), and a screwed-on panel to house the 3 required AA batteries (not included), and about 20 stickers - though none are vital, it already looks good without them. The vehicle is big and has a show-accurate paint job, the wings move for flight, there are firing missile laser cannons, and it has mode-specific sound effects so if the wings are in flight position, the sounds will be appropriate for that play style. The transformation to base mode has a bunch of stuff going on, but not in an annoyingly fiddly way, and there are sound effects set off when various elements are transformed (there's also a nice Off switch for when you tire of hearing it). The tower base playset is pretty nifty, it's quite different from the vehicle, has even more spring-loaded missile launchers, the cockpit becomes a mini recon fighter, and there's space for over a dozen figures. There are also buttons for the various sounds, including a lot of Clone Trooper dialog from the show, and the interior has a pair of red LED lights for the alert klaxon sounds - there's a lot of sounds here, although some play out entire scenarios which I find too much. As a Vehicle, it's not quite as cool as the AT-TE from a few years ago, but as a Playset it's better than either that or the Clone Turbo Tank from this line, and a lower MSRP than those by $20.
Bottom line, as a collector, getting the Republic Attack Shuttle is more about personal taste, and a bit difficult to swallow at full price, but not bad when bought on discount. From a fun perspective, at full price it's a decent tho' not outstanding value for a kid who actively likes the source material and is into the Clone Wars action figure line - there's a lot going on here to enjoy, it's fun in both modes and nifty to transform from one to the other. The star taken off is mainly for the high MSRP and the soft collector interest (which is partly just the fault of the source material it's taken from). I like mine quite a bit at the discount price I got.