Based on the highly anticipated movie from director Michael Bay, Transformers: The Game takes players into the world of both the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons as they battle their way thru level after level in search of the precious All Spark Cube.
Like a lot of people today I went out to my local Gamestop and picked up my copy of Transformers: The Game. When I reserved my copy over a week ago I was given the choice of getting the normal version that would be released in most retail stores, or the special “Cybertron Edition” which boasts extras such as interviews with the actors from the upcoming movie, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the game, and even a special level on the Transformers’ home world of Cybertron.
I’ve had the game for a total of 7 hours. I’ve played it for a total of 3 hours. And I’ve already beaten the game.
Yes that’s right. I’ve already beaten the game. On Autobot mode that is.
Transformers: The Game, although highly enjoyable, is a short experience that leaves you wanting more when there isn’t anymore to give. I haven’t beaten the game on Decepticon mode yet, but I’m going to assume it’s just as long as the Autobots mode so collectively you’re looking at a game that is just about 6 hours in length.
The story for the game loosely follows that of the movie. The planet of Cybertron is home to a race of alien beings called Transformers. The Transformers are split between two factions; The heroic Autobots led by Optimus Prime, and the evil Decepticons led by Megatron. After a World War on their home planet, the Transformers’ life source called “the All Spark Cube” it sent to Earth in an attempt to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Each faction follows the All Spark to Earth hoping to recover it for their own purposes. On Earth, a teenager named Sam Witwicky unknowingly holds the key to finding the All Spark. A chance encounter brings Sam into a meeting with the Autobots who tell him of the problems on their home planet. Shortly thereafter, the Decepticons arrive on Earth looking to gain the All Spark for their own purposes.
The game is pretty cut and dry. You choose which side you’re on and the story adjusts accordingly. Naturally, wanting to see how the movie unfolds (I’m like that) I sided with the Autobots first. You start the game off as Bumblebee, and are sent on a series of missions by Optimus Prime. Bumblebee plays a key part in the story initially due in part to the fact that the rest of the Autobots have not yet landed on Earth. Some of your missions include rid the city of the Decepticon drones (the countless minions you’ll destroy), protect Sam Witwicky, and clear a landing area for the rest of your allies to arrive.
Once the remaining Autobots arrive the game has you switch off between Bumblebee, Jazz, Ironhide, and Optimus Prime. I can’t quite understand why they chose to exclude Ratchet from gameplay, but they did.
Jazz is the next character you’ll assume control of in what I think is one of the coolest missions in the game. Since Jazz is the fastest of the Autobots, he is given the directive of luring the police away from the Autobots crash site, thus allowing them time to escape and regroup. The mission is a lot of fun because basically all you’re doing is driving at top speed trying to get the cops to follow you. Every now and again you’ll stop and be forced to cause a major distraction which usually consists of blowing up a gas station.
Throughout the game you’ll engage in missions that are specific to whichever Transformer you’re in control of. Bumblebee’s missions are usually some kind of rescue mission involving Same. Jazz’s missions usually consist of some kind of chase, or distraction. Ironhide’s (who is MASSIVE) missions consist of brawling with the Decepticons and blowing things up. And last, but certainly not least Optimus Prime’s missions revolve around the Autobot leader dealing out a serious ass beating to a Decepticon boss (Soundwave and Megatron).
I’ve read the reviews on the game with the “pros” (I’ve never understood the concept of a professional video game player) saying things like they expected more in terms of combat, storyline, etc. While the game does suffer from it’s problems, namely the extremely short length and choppy storyline, I am confused at how critics can complain about the combat. You’re playing as a group of 30 ft robots, and the last time I checked the Transformers weren’t known for their finess and martial arts skills. When engaged in combat all you’ll be doing is basically mashing the same button over and over until your opponent has been destroyed. Is it tedious? Yes it is, but again...these are giant robots, slugging it out is what they do. I will admit that the boss battles are lacking. You can pretty much use the same technique to defeat any boss you encounter throughout the game. The developers try to mix it up by adding some combat with some vehicle chase action, but they could’ve tried to make each boss at least a little different.
Without a doubt the game’s strongest point comes in the form of it’s graphics. The in game models look absolutely amazing, and the new designs of the Transformers lend themselves nicely to the gaming world. At a few points during the game it’s a bit hard to tell some of the Decepticons apart, but for the most part they all look great in their fully rendered big screen versions. The transformations (which you can do at any time) are a sight to see as you can really see how each part of the characters converts into either it’s vehicle mode or it’s Transformer mode.
Another strong point comes in the form of the scale, and interactions with the environments. The Transformers are massive in size (with the Decepticons dwarfing most of the Autobots), and when they engage in combat in the middle of a city; things get destroyed. On top of the hand-to-hand combat, each Transformer is given both a light and heavy projectile attack. If that’s not good enough for you, when playing as either an Autobot or Decepticon you can use almost anything around you as a weapon. Lightpole? yep. Civilian automobile? you’ve got it. Hell, you can even uproot a tree and swing it like a club at your enemy.
Personally, my favorite part of the game was hearing voice over veterans Peter Cullen and Frank Welker return to voice Optimus Prime and Megatron. Both actors voice their respective characters with as much enthusiasm and energy as they did when they first stepped into the roles back in the 80’s. The remaining Transformers are all voiced well, however it did take some time to adjust to the new voice for Starscream since his was one of the more distinct in the show. Actors Shia LeBouf and Megan Fox also lend their voices to the game, and although they have very little dialogue, each of them does well with that they’re given.
Overall, Transformers: The Game is a short, but enjoyable experience. Those who are looking for an extremely in-depth, thought provoking game with a variety of combat would be best to look elsewhere. However, fans of the Transformers, or those of you who are looking for a game where you can assume the control of massive robots and dish out some serious damage to both your opponents and the environments around you, then this is for you. I’ve been asked which Transformer game is better, this one, or the one that came out on the PS2 a few years ago. I’ll break it down for you like this. The PS2 version is A LOT more in depth, it’s longer, it has more characters, and the boss battles are far superior. Having said that, this version obviously looks MUCH better, the scale is perfect, the interaction with the environments is terrific, and the action overall is much better.
So in closing....
The Good: The in-game models look amazing. The transformations are incredible to watch. Voice acting from Peter Cullen and Frank Welker is as good as it’s ever been. Interactions with environments and surroundings are as realistic as they come. Tons of unlockables including movie stills, trailers, interviews and Generation 1 skins for the characters. Plus, you get to control giant robots that transform into vehicles with the press of a button....’nuff said.
The Bad: Extremely short gameplay length. Repetitive boss battles. Cut scenes aren’t edited very good, and the story seems a bit choppy. Added Cybertron level is boring with no real purpose to the game.