First Impression RETRO: Transformers: War for Cybertron

Based on completed campaign, Autobot and Decepticon, Medium difficulty

Ah, those wonderful Robots in Disguise! Transformers have been a staple of sci-fi geeks, cartoon enthusists, and collectors for nearly 30 years. We've seen good, bad, and ugly from the various Transformers story lines. And, more recently, we've been graced by Michael Bay's Transformers movies, which really gave new life to a series that dwindled for nearly 5 years. As a forward, this game is not based directly on those movies.

Considering my personal Transformers collection rivals most of the available space in my closet, The fact that I saved every last cent I could to buy the 25th Anniversary box set, and I have never turned my back on any series save for 1 (Transformers Animated was bullshit), I feel my opinion is worth something this time.

To properly explain where this takes place in the timeline(s), you have to have some familiarity with Transformers. This is the absolute beginning. This is the war between the Autobots and Decpticons that ultimately led to them being on Earth. What's so great about this installment is, it can take place at the beginning of virtually any Transformers storyline.

Similar to the approach that Batman Arkham Asylum took, almost anyone can pick up this game and enjoy it, even if you don't like Transformers. Using the Unreal Engine, you get a Gears of War gameplay feel, but you experiance the sheer onslaught of battle similar to Halo. Throw in a "click to transform" and honestly, you've got a kick-ass game.

The Story

This game plays out in two campaigns. To properly follow the exact events, you need to start as Decepticons. At the end of that campaign, you pick up as the Autobots and complete the story. This game is rather Halo Reach in respect that you know the end from the beginning. You know that ultimately you will evacuate the planet. This game really helps sort out those events. I do not know if these events are considered cannon, but they should be.

This game really has it's own independant story. There isn't much in terms of Transforms mythos that this game has to conform to. That being said, the appearance of several characters leads me to believe it more geared toward the original 1980's cartoon. 

The Gameplay

You play it in third-person shooter. You have a constant recticule on the screen, and use the left trigger to enter first-person perspective. Unlike Gears, you have no duck-and-cover system, and must rely on dodging in and out of cover while you shoot. Most characters have a limited ammo supply and you are constatly searching for more.

At first glance (and nearly the entire first level on your first playthrough) everything looks the same. Each wall, each room, EVERYTHING. It's really disorienting to attempt finding health and ammo. But, thankfully, that passes rather quickly. Once you engage multiple enemies in a firfight, you start to ease up and feel more at home. The weapon pick ups and abilities are a bit clunky at first.

Each character can carry two weapons. Some have the option to only switch out 1 of those two. You find a vast array of usful firarms as you proceed. You also get to use turrets (with a freakin bad-ass miniscene when you interact with one) which can be torn loose and carried. You also have the ability to throw grenades. You can carry three of 1 type at a time.

Each character has two robot abilities and one or two vehicle abilities, all mapped to the Left and Right Bumpers. When using robot abilities, the left bumper ability recharges over a period of time. The right bumper ability requires you pick up Energon shards from fallen enemies. I worked all the way throught the Decepticon campaign before I realized that's why I was bothering to pick those little floating pieces of white confetti.

You can transform at anytime, with a happy little click of the left thumbstick. Very little of the game actually requires you to be in vehicle mode. There are times where you have to fly and obviously you need to transform into a jet to do so.

The missions are linear, and play in various chapters. You start a mission and play to its end without realizing you have gone into the next chapter. You have the ability to roam around a little, but not enough to consider it a sandbox standards. Overall, the game's story is somewhat short.

Multiplayer

Huh? Multiplayer mode? Ya, two of them actually.

Escalation plays out very much like Horde on Gears of War. There's a few very distinct differences. First off, you have to collect Power and spend it on things like Ammo and Health. Secondly, as stated before, you have no cover system. So you have to fight off waves of baddies while attempting to keep bullets out of your ass. It's really frustrating, but really fun. I've only played solo, so I hope it's a better haul when playing with a team.

Matchmaking is your basic, nitty gritty fight to the death. Think Halo. Yup, just like that.

Conclusion

Just like Dead Space, this awesome game didn't get the deserved push when it launched. Even I bought it used at Gamestop, with a coupon and gift card. I'm really glad I have it. I think it's one of the better action titles on the market. Plus, Transformers is right up my alley.

Buy it on sale if you're afraid of what you might think. Don't judge this title by the two games associated with the movies.

8 out of 10

Let's roll out!