Last Updated on Thursday, 4 October 2012 09:33 Written by PunchDrunkGamer Thursday, 4 October 2012 09:33

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Transformers: Fall of Cybertron – Game Analysis and Review

By Christopher ‘sLapDatSuCKa’ Jester

 

 

 

 

Developer:  High Moon Studios

Publisher:  Activision

Engine:  Unreal Engine 3

Platforms:  Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Release Date:  August 21, 2012

Genre: Action, Third-Person Shooter

Modes:  Single-player, Multiplayer

Rating: Teen

 

 

Transformers’ games have always had their major faults. One of the primary reasons is because Transformers is such a beloved and cherished series from the ‘80s. The fandom surrounding Transformers is large and the ability to recreate the lush stories of the G1 series has not been able to translate onto the video game platform. High Moon Studio’s 2010 hit Transformers: War for Cybertron changed all that with taut third-person action, amazing co-op features and great fan-service to the original series, War for Cybertron made Transformers gaming popular again. In the 2012 sequel, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron was capable of increasing its fan-service but also failing in other categories.

 

Starting off where its predecessor ended, Fall of Cybertron finds its Autobot heroes heading towards a space bridge and leaving behind their destroyed home planet. Unfortunately for them, the Decepticons have other plans. In the very first stage, fans of War for Cybertron will notice that they do not have the choice of picking who they want to play as. Fall of Cybertron takes a different route. This time around, the choice is made for you and the level is designed based around that character.

 

Throughout the course of the 13 level campaign, the player rarely plays as a character more than once. This gives the gameplay a greater sense of diversity, which was lacking in the original game. Some levels that include Optimus Prime are for run-and-shoot gameplay, while Cliffjumper uses his stealth ability to takedown bigger and harder foes. Even levels where Starscream is the main character he requires a ton of more flying which changes up the gameplay.

 

But the biggest addition to gameplay change had to come from the inclusion of Grimlock, where it is great to see him in a Transformers game but he’s also a blast to play with. His hack-and-slash gameplay style when in robot form seems like a breath of fresh air in a game that is all about shooting. When he transforms into his Jurassic form, he’s even more entertaining to play with, as he is a brute powerhouse that can nearly destroy anything in his path. Unlike other Transformers where they can shift at any time, his transformation requires a Hulk mixed with Onimusha style power-up, as the player has to make Grimlock angry by destroying enemies around him.

 

Visually, the game has one up part one of this Transformers franchise. From sparking husks of fallen Autobots and Decepticons to massive Transformers such as Metroplex, High Moon Studios seemed like they took episodes from the G1 series and placed it into video game format. The Transformers animation is much smoother and cleaner, making the movement seem flawless.

 

 

The most impressive feat in this sequel is its narrative. While War for Cybertron had a great story as well, it lacked characterization because of its co-op feature. This time around there is no co-op in the campaign mode. This ultimately allows the writers for this sequel to flesh out characters in a way that they could not in War for Cybertron. Each character fits into the narrative like a missing piece to a puzzle and it spells out a much more satisfying story. In the end, this actually pays off greater because it makes each level seem like an episode or a story arc from the shows.

 

Unfortunately, as previously mentioned co-op has been removed from the campaign mode. While this helps improve the narrative, this takes away from some of the re-playability. However, Escalation does return and it allows online users to play as the canon characters from the campaign mode. Escalation is much like Horde-Mode from the Gears of War series, where each wave brings out powerful enemies in a game of survival. With superior maps and co-op team-work a necessity, this should instill some re-playability back into the game.

 

While co-op sold War for Cybertron, this time around it may be its multiplayer. The multiplayer in Fall of Cybertron has been upgraded with the ability to create your own Transformer. Yep, you read correctly. This time you don’t simply get a basic Transformer and its appearance change based on class or weapon. In Fall of Cybertron, the player has the ability the change nearly every piece and part to their Transformer. This makes nearly each opponent or teammate the player come across unique in their own way. With several classic online multiplayer modes at player’s finger tips, players finally have the opportunity to relive their childhood dreams of creating their own Transformer and using them to take down Autobots and/or Decepticons.

 

In the end, Fall of Cybertron delivers in spectacular ways where fans of the television shows should be pleased with the overall product. It offers gameplay that suits non-Transformers fans as well as the game gives its players a superior story and diversified gaming styles. There may not be a co-op campaign mode, but players will have their re-playability with the game’s Escalation and multiplayer modes. If you want to relive some similar classic G1 Transformers and its 1986 movie moments, then this is the game for you.

 

 

 

 

Follow Christopher “sLapDatSuCKa” Jester on Twitter @sLapDatSuCka

 

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