Transformers is a great game for those younger gamers who actively watch the animated series, as it follows the series closely and has enjoyable if not relatively basic gameplay. Older fans of the Autobots however may find that the gameplay just doesn't have enough weight to it, as with few exceptions the game is a very straightforward experience and offers for little chance of experimentation or flexibility.
Still, the game delivers a relatively solid puzzle game with some Transformers flair and a gearing towards younger gamers. Though the game lacks many high points to point out past the overall presentation, it also lacks any truly hampering flaws to sour the experience.
WorthPlaying recently sat down with Matt Tieger, the game director at High Moon Studios working on Transformers: War for Cybertron.
"WP: Can you tell us a little bit about where you got the idea for this game? The Cybertronian War is an area that of Transformers lore that's been touched on in some of the cartoons but hasn't really been done in-depth in either the cartoons or the comics over the years.
MT: Personally, as a Transformers fan, I'm really excited to explore the mythos that is Cybertron. Hasbro has worked with lots of people on some comics and little bits in the television show and other things, but really, as an opportunity to explore that as a 3-D space, to take your time and look at it? I think this is the first time that fans are going to get that. We took it really serious. We really spent a lot of time figuring out what the different areas look like and how we made this all-metal, alive transforming world."
PALGN writes: "Hmm. A game based on a Saturday morning cartoon designed to flog immense amounts of plastic. Anyone got a ten-foot pole handy? Still, given a choice between giant robots and whatever the heck else is keeping the kids entertained at 6 o'clock in the morning, it could be a lot worse. And, in fact, "it could be a lot worse" quite neatly sums up Transformers Animated: The Game.
Things get off to a decidedly perky start with an animated cut scene that we can only imagine is very much like the TV cartoon. Bright, colourful and pacy, it appears that the Decepticons have been up to no good and, um... well, to be honest, that's where we completely lost interest in the story. The AllSpark got a mention at some point and a variety of squeaky voiced supporting characters kept banging on about a variety of hi-tech sounding thingies, but it all boiled down to an urgent, universe-saving need to go from A to B, via lots platforms, doors and switches."
Transformers Animated: The Game is sadly another forgettable title that fails to capture the essence of Transformers. The puzzle mechanics are fun if a little bit simple and repetitive, bringing back fond memories of The Lost Vikings but without any real challenge to tax you. Teamwork is captured well, but would have worked more solidly if your other teammates could work independent of you or simply follow a set of commands without the need to constantly pause and switch. Transformers Animated: The Game isn't horrible by any stretch, it just fails to capture any of the excitement and fun of the show. The overall presentation is impressive but the general lack of Decepticons and transformation is unforgivable.
