Games Review: Transformers: War for Cybertron (Single Player)
When Game Informer magazine had a feature article on Transformers: War for Cybertron, my interest was instantly peeked. With the return to the Transformers roots, reading the article made me even more happy for a good Transformers game. Now that I have had a chance to play, I have to say that I am heartbroken. Let me explain.
Transformers: War for Cybertron tells the story of the Autobots and Decepticons before they came to Earth and met Shia Labeouf. This story has been somewhat of a mystery to all but the most hardcore fans. Most venues tell the tale very vaguely if at all or start from when the Transformers arrive on our planet. I found the story that High Moon Studios created (with the blessing from Hasbro) satisfying. Transformers: War for Cybertron splits the story between a Decepticon campaign and an Autobot campaign. You can choose which campaign to start with first although to get the full effect of the story, playing the Decepticon campaign might be wise considering it takes place before the Autobot one. I did feel, however, that the game pushes through the story way too fast, making some parts a blur in my memory banks.
Sadly, most of Transformers: War for Cybertron feels like any other game using the Unreal Engine mechanics wise. The speed in which the game moves along is both frantic and frustrating to me. There was so much action on the screen at times that it was hard for me to fully digest what was going on. Combat seemed to be a little unrefined due to enemies being able to soak up enormous amounts of bullets. That brings into question the weapons you can acquire in the game. I know that sometimes you have to make things a certain way to balance out a game but the lack of “futuristic” weaponry as well as having to find ammo robbed me of the full experience of playing as a Transformer. Constantly running out of ammo should never be an issue in a game such as this. Aren’t the Transformers just shooting energy at each other anyways?!?
Still, not all was bad with Transformers: War for Cybertron. The voice acting was exceptional with only Starscream sounding very off and annoying. Getting Peter Cullen for Optimus was perfect since anyone else would have been a mockery. Fan favorite Soundwave is also done well enough to make my young heart dance in excitement. Seeing the different Transformers in the game made me wish I still had my toys from my childhood. Most of the major characters are playable in their respective campaigns and offer you different play styles although I never felt like using anyone but the powerhouse players of Megatron and Optimus Prime. In the handful of missions in which you cannot pick them, you’ll be navigating in vehicle form anyways. Flying in those missions felt too slow for a game mostly comprised of fast paced action. You never really feel like you are flying around like a jet since you’re really just hovering most of the time. There is a boost move though that you can use but sadly it doesn’t make it seem like you are moving around fast enough.
Being that the previous Transformers games were movie tie-ins and succumbed to the mediocre status that nearly all movie based games are known to, Transformers: War for Cybertron is a good start in the right direction on how to treat a franchise. Let’s just hope that the next Transformers game can roll out with something a little more fulfilling.
