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| Transformers: War for Cybertron what fans have been waiting for but might not be enough to grab younger gamers. |
Synopsis:
After learning how control the fabled energy source known as dark energon to corrupt the machines of Cybertron, all-around baddie Megatron decides its time to begin his crusade of crushing the Autobots and conquering the robot world in the name of the Decepticons. With the aid of the loyal Soundwave, Megatron first leads a battalion of soldiers to a maximum security science station in low orbit. After being confronted by the decorated Autobot Sky Commander Starscream and besting him, Megatron recruits the skilled warrior and his followers to the side of the Decepticons. With their new found strength, the Decepticons steamroll straight into the heart of Iacon, the capitol city of the Autobots. Its there that Megatron defeats Zeta Prime, the Autobot leader and learns the secret obtaining the key to Cybertron's core in order to corrupt the whole planet with dark energon. With the death of Zeta Prime, the Autobots turn their hope to Optimus, a promising warrior and skilled leader, who rallies the demoralized forces and assumes temporary command until the Autobot Council decides who will be the next Prime.
Over 25 years after Transformers The Animated Series was first broadcast over the airwaves, Hasbro and Activision have teamed up to give now grown-up fans an chance to relive what happened before our favorite robots in disguise crash-landed on earth. Featuring two campaigns, players will be able to play through the ransacking of Cybertron as the Decepticons, then make an about-face as they command the Autobots in their desperate fight to save their planet. With such never-before-seen moments as Starscream's conversion into a Decepticon and Optimus receiving the mantle of Prime, War For Cybertron will have most fans geeking out just based on storyline alone. The nostalgia experienced by fans playing the game is enough to forgive the fact that Activision took every shortcut possible, and any success generated from the game will be due to the fact that they are riding some Cybertronian coattails.
Appearance:
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| Artist sketching of Megatron. Even the concept art is dark and shadowy. |
Developers of WFC worked closely with Hasbro to create entirely new looks for the Transformers that would pay homage to their traditional appearances while still showing that their vehicle modes were not yet influenced by Earth. For the Autobots this works out perfectly, Optimus becomes a bad-ass cybertronian truck, while BumbleBee transforms into what could very well be a slug-bug from the 22nd century. However, for our dastardly Decepticons, it gets a little sloppy if not all-together lazy. Starscream and his brigade transform between cybertronian jets capable of space flight and similar versions of their cartoon selves, albeit a great deal stockier. While despite having robot modes that mirror their originals, Megatron and Soundwave's alternate forms are a tank and a truck, respectively. Fans of the cartoon series will remember Megatron's ability to transform into a handgun, while Soundwave could assume the shape of a cassette player. There are obvious reasons for the switch in vehicle mode, the strongest of which being the need for balanced play in multiplayer maps, but balance still could have been achieved without a "copy and paste" feel to both teams' transformations. It becomes painful when players realize that the Decepticons suddenly have a truck in their arsenal, just as the Autobots have somehow acquired a tank.
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| Optimus vehicle mode concept art |
With most of the story being told through loading screens narrated by the talented Steven Blum, who does an impressive job of sounding like the show's original narrator, Activision saved themselves quite a bit of work in developing additional cut scenes. While the laziness of this choice ultimately shines though, fans will appreciate hearing that all-too familiar voice before each mission. WFC features about 5 CGI cinematics, none of which as impressive or exciting as the extended CGI trailer shown before the main menu each time the game is turned on.
Game Play:
While fault could be found with button layout and vehicle mapping, WFC is a first-person action-adventure that rivals the excitement and gameplay of some of the best games on the market. At times players might begin to get overwhelmed while battling ground and air units as deadly-accurate snipers rain down fire from untouchable locations, however its nothing that can't be overcome by finding some non-destructable rubble to hide behind and strategically pick off opponents one-by-one. As players near the end of each level, monotony begins to build after fighting identical looking robots at every turn, but right as players begin to grow bored a new level has started and objectives have changed. Through the use of an objective arrow visible on the screen, players can speedily make their way to the next location, or at least figure out what has to be destroyed before being allowed to do so.
Don't Change a thing:
By incorporating veteran voice actors such as Peter Cullen, the voice of the original Optimus, Activision has chalked this game full of nerd nostalgia that's sure to make every fan of the series stroll down memory lane and squeal with excitement.
Should have spent more time on:
Piggybacking on Transformer fame wont be enough for any younger generations who only know Transformers as the large robots in Michael Bay movies who hang out with Shia LeBeouf. It seems like developers made basic modules for the different types of vehicles and adjusted them here and there to fit the desired character. After fighting through hordes and hordes of identical Autobot tanks that look like unpolished versions of Megatron, younger gamers are likely to get bored and opt for something else.
The WFC storyline seems to have been the last thing they came up with. While it works, and is more than enough to make fans smile, its lazy. After realizing that dark energon can magically do everything Megatron wants it to do and still be rendered exactly the same, gamers will begin to sarcastically ponder: "that's convenient..."
Just how homo:
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| Despite his digital improvements Optimus is still just a robot |
While Optimus is sporting some broader shoulders than usual, unless robots become the next big fetish WFC holds no hunky heroes that would keep gaymers awake at night. Fans of fashion and design might enjoy the limited "create-a-transformer" available in multiplayer but not enough to keep coming back for more.
Own It or Rent It:
Rent it. The game has little if any replay value, as well as enough grievances to make players want to chuck the game out entirely when finished with it. While the online play can be fun, players are better suited to get their group-gaming jollies from other more popular titles known for such. While WFC is definitely a must-play for any Transformers fan, not much can be obtained from owning the game that renting it can't supply, save maybe a couple headaches and overdramatized eye-rolls.
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