Transformers

Review from Jae, Jae, Jae, Jae, Jae, Jae and Jae - Tuesday, 28 August 2007 @ 11:30pm

Transform and Roll Out!!!

Remember the days of sitting in front of the television at 7:00 in the morning and switching on the telly for a bit of Cheeze TV? Memorable cartoons like Pokemon, X-men and Sailor Moon graced our screens but none matched the endless battles between Megatron and Optimus Prime.

Fast forward about 15 years later and we have a revised franchise, reborn by a real life action flick complemented with some very slick special effects. Like every other big budget movie this year, out spits a complimentary video game. If you're expecting gameplay like the PS2's Melbourne House developed 2004 hit you may be disappointed.

Transformers The Game, for Wii, Xbox 360, PS2 and PS3, is not heavily shooter based. In fact I played most of the 360 version without ever shooting. Throwing any object you can find, on the other hand, would be mighty satisfying if I didn’t have to tap the throw button 5 times before it would pick the damn lamp post up! Missions are set out for you in such a way that you a) Go to a location and b) destroy something at said location. End mission.




There are two campaigns for the game; Autobots and Decepticons both giving you access to the main transformers of the movie. On the DS the Autobots and Decepticons are separate $69.95 cartridges (which I hear are far superior to their home console counterparts). I found the Decepticons to be the better path to play simply because of the array of transformed machinery. Helicopters and jet fighters have more fun then blondes. Well maybe not, but at least its better then the assortment of cars and a truck. They are missing my fave Decepticon from the movie though, Devakstor who was the all awesome tank transformer. Maybe he would’ve been too overpowered? Tanks definitely have more fun than blondes.



The game's saving grace would have to be the sheer volume of unlockables. Countless art work, videos & trailers make it worth collecting all the energon cubes and getting the 5 star rating (stars = Autobot and Decepticon insignias) in game objectives.

Oh if you're a G1 fan there are some little surprises for you in the game that will really make playing through to the end worthwhile. One word of advice, if you plan to watch the movie and play the game, do the movie first. Otherwise the game can potentially spoil most of the plot when you're sitting in the cinema.




Definitely a good effort for a licensed game, plus who can go past a game that makes the "krchuckurch" transformation sound? It is true when they say 'more than meets the eye'.

Summary

Try before you buy. Unfortunately a demo is not available of this game on Live. That’s where those 7 day return policies can really help you out. If you don’t go in expecting too much from this game you will be pleasantly satisfied, especially if the sound of an Autobot or Decepticon transforming makes you all tingly in those special places.

Pros

Good graphics, even for Wii standards. Two different game choices. Nostalgia for the 80’s kids.

Cons

Camera, basic combat system and no multiplayer or online.