I'm not sure if it's cost cutting or a change in design team...but I do think both look a bit "rough around the edges" in ways the last few years haven't. Then again, the last few years have been pretty heavy on characters done and redone to death so maybe this is a result of some "leg stretching".
Skids looks a bit off just standing, but okay "in motion". Bulkhead is not how I would have done it (and it seems like he's destined for other uses, General Optimus Prime maybe?), but I don't think he looks BAD...just a bit dull. A lot of these issues are made up to me by the continued support of the peg systems and the FANTASTIC looking Energon weapons Hasbro seems to be working with for this line. Bulkhead clearly seems designed for us to slap a TON of assorted parts from the past 3 years onto him (though, that feels more like a "AOE Hound" thing than a Bulkhead thing...)
The line had my attention, now it has my interest....