Games Review: Transformers: War for Cybertron (Multiplayer)
Earlier this week, our writer AndyB0y reviewed the single player portion of Transformers: War for Cybertron and he wasn’t too impressed. Are you an avid Transformers fan that is still thinking about buying this game? Well, the COUNTER answer I bring you based on the game’s multiplayer capabilities is: you should.
Player Classes and Customization
Before diving into the multiplayer, you’re going to want to get familiar with with the different classes, colors, and weapons offered to each class of Autobot and Decepticon. It’s also important to note that you level up these specific classes as you play, until you reach level 100.
Each class has different perks and killstreaks and transforms into a type of vehicle similar to the ones we have in real life (what, YOU don’t have a transforming car? Get your life together). When you customize each class, you customize the color, weapons loadout, two abilities, and three upgrades for your abilities. Even though some weapons are only available to certain classes at the start of the match, you can always pick weapons up during the match.
Scout (Small Car)
The Scout class transforms into what I like to call a small Hotwheel. With this class, you can zoom across the map to catch the enemy team off guard with your machine guns, reigning down like the fires of heaven.
The Null Ray, (Sniper Rifle), and the Scatter Blaster (Shotgun) are exclusive to this class. Your abilities allow you to dash and cloak yourself in the battlefield. Keep in mind this little guy is small whether you’re in Car form or not.
Scientist (Jet)
Scientists attack with advanced technology more than anything. One class-specific weapon has the power to heal teammates and destroy enemies. Their abilities include spawning a Sentry Turret and having an overshield on the battlefield. It’s also important to note that their grenades spawn a bubble that heals themselves and teammates.
One might consider this the best class solely because of the flight factor. With the click of a thumbstick, you’ll find yourself flying around the map, firing missiles at your foes below, reigning down like the fires of heaven.
Leader (Truck)
The biggest of the Transformers, the Leader class has some pretty damn awesome abilities. Barrier deploys a shield to protect key points and teammates while Warcry buffs your teammate’s armor and damage as well as your own. While they run and travel slower than the other classes, Leaders are to be feared.
Soldier (Tank)
The Soldier is definitely the most comfortable class to begin with. With a Mini-Gun by your side and a Rocket Launcher ready to be at your side, you might be able to dominate the match.
As a Tank, you can hold key points on the map and defend other locations. Abilities include the power to Hover, which increases your damage ouput, and Whirlwind, which causes your Autobot or Decepticon to pull a Hammer out and swing it around.
Gametypes
This game features your regular Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch, which can be really fun, but that alone won’t sell you. While the other four gametypes aren’t that original, I find that playing in the realm of Transformers is enough to keep this game’s multiplayer replayable.
Conquest
In Conquest, Autobots and Decepticons battle for control of power nodes that are set up over the map. The more nodes you control, the more points you get. The game ends when either one team gets the winning total or when time runs out.
Code of Power
Code of Power is best described as 1 flag CTF (in Halo terms). The Code of Power lies on the map as teams battle for control over it. One team must get it, and capture it three times to win.
Countdown to Extinction
In this gametype, one team must plant three bombs in the enemy base. Once that team either succeeds or fails, the sides switch.
Power Struggle
In Power Struggle, teams fight over nodes that are lit with a circle. When you or a teammate get in that circle, your points accumulate. The node rotates around the map, like a variation of King of the Hill.
Escalation
Escalation is this game’s Horde mode. Now, I know it seems bad: “Another game doing the same thing.” I’m here to tell you that it’s okay. With each enemy you kill, you “Power,” which is currency to purchase things on the map. During waves, you fight increasingly difficult enemies who reward you with more power. After each wave, you get little time to prepare for the next. During this preparation, you can buy weapons, ammo, overshields, and grenades. You may also open doors leading to other parts of the map.
The variety of enemies differs as you progress through the waves. As you get to more difficult waves, you get the same difficult enemies. When you’re killed, you go into a last stand mode where you shoot blindly. A teammate must help you up before time runs out and you kind of “bleed out” (oil out?). If there aren’t any teammates around, you may self-destruct and destroy any enemies around (take THAT, Call of Duty). When you enter Escalation, make sure you have a good team because you will run into some bosses.
Just tell me if you liked the game or not, Jake.
I started to enjoy the game when I figured out how to use the specific class sets to my advantage. There is a slight learning curve when it comes to the controls, and though I still get buttons mixed up, it’s no big deal. The gameplay is fluid and at sometimes hectic when you’re in the middle of a firefight, which is great. It’s a fast game and it allows for its multiplayer to be intense. Speed and great reaction times make for GREAT gameplay, kind of like in Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Where would that game be without its speed? I do find that my Transformer “rubber-bands” when too many Transformers are in one hallway, though.
The many customizable options make each multiplayer game different, but great. The fact that I can create my own Transformer, and use it in multiplayer blew my mind. So for any fans out there who haven’t bought this game, I think you’ll enjoy it. For people who aren’t into Transformers too much, but want a new game, it depends on your taste. Do large robots do it for you? Or would does the Wild West seem more appealing? What I can say is that I’m not a hardcore fan of Transformers, but I’m not going to quit this game’s multiplayer anytime soon, I wish I knew how to.
I look forward to what Activision has in store for Transformers in the coming years.
