Transformers

"A License Transformed"

One of the following statements is incorrect...
a: You are very handsome
b: There has never been a good Transformers game
c: Atari have a knack for killing good franchises

Surprisingly enough, if you picked either "a" or "c" then you would unfortunately be, quite wrong... but don't despair, you're incredibly popular with the ladies. That is, so long as you don't ask them to play Enter the Matrix or Driv3r. While you're girl-proofing your videogame collection then, please take a moment to let the correct answer sink in a little. That's right... it's coming as bit of a shock isn't it? Finally after all this time, we've been given the opportunity to cross the phrase "a good Transformers game" from our list of fanboy-ish oxymorons. For up until now, fans and gamers alike have had to tolerate a range of titles that have been as disappointing as they were terrible. We've seen the yawn inducing average and suffered through the gut wrenching, make you puke so hard your stomach bleeds, awful. And I kid you not, Transformers Tataki still makes me itch in places I never knew I had! With that in mind, Atari owned developer, Melbourne House have sought to set things straight with a Transformers game of *ah-hem* unparalleled quality. Which all things considered, shouldn't be too hard right? After all, nothing says action more than giant shape changing robots...

"Like Alice, I try to believe three impossible things before breakfast".

As exciting as the the prospect of a good Transformers game may be, initially the odds seemed to clearly favor pigs learning how to fly long before Optimus Prime & Co were given a chance to shine. It's called the Atari factor and you're no doubt already familiar with it. Thankfully enough however, Porkchop Airlines are now open for business as this, the 2nd Transformers title to grace the Playstation2, is quite literally everything we had hoped it would be... and a little bit more besides. Granted it may not be 100% perfect, but I'll be damned if it doesn't still rock the casbah... figuratively speaking of course. Rather than being based upon the classic G1 series that 20something gamers will already be familiar with, Melbourne House have instead opted to find inspiration in Hasbro's 2002 Transformers Armada update. Now hold your disappointment in check there fella's, this is in fact a good thing. While the classic designs of our much loved favorites are sorely A.W.O.L., the core story elements of the revamped Armada series are far more appropriate where gaming is concerned. The heavy metal arse kicking action is still of course present and accounted for, only now the Autobots and Decepticons have been joined by a third faction. And it's here Ladies & Gentlemen that we find the game's hook...

... in the guise of the all new Minicons. A race of of tiny "tool" robots that have the ability to combine with larger Transformers, thereby imbuing their hosts with a wide range of new offensive/defensive capabilities. Unfortunately enough however it's this unique power that has brought them to the attention of Decepticon leader Megatron, who would now like nothing more than to use the Minicons in his genocidal campaign against the noble Autobots. It's with the clock slowly ticking towards doomsday then that players will need to guide Autobot favorites, Optimus Prime, Red Alert and Hot Shot. across a series of 8 expansive stages as they hunt down the last of these mini power houses. Can you see the Pokemon gimmick forming yet? Sure, as a toy selling idea it may have been overly blatant, but as a gameplay concept it just so happens to be utterly compelling, and that's exactly what we're here for. From providing new weapons and shielding to extra abilities such as stealth fields, glider wings and power shields, each of the 40 or so Minicons are incredibly useful given the right situation. And as such, players will need to mindful of their Minicon load outs when preparing for the next stage. But, we're getting ahead of ourselves here...

It's upon starting a new game that players will find themselves greeted by one of the prettiest third person environments the Playstation2 has yet produced. This is a true rarity where licensed games are concerned, made doubly impressive by the fact it's a Transformer title. Surrounded on all sides by the lush green jungles of the Amazon Basin, the sun softly filters in through the tree tops as boulders, assorted fauna and a number of gently undulating hills fill out the landscape to great effect. Rivers snake their way across the map while waterfalls and rope bridges lend the whole shebang a welcome air of believable authenticity. Yes, this was worth waiting 20 years for. It's with WOW riding on the tip of your tongue that you'll notice far off in the distance are a number of beacons calling out to be investigated. The Minicons!!! Forget the sight seeing boys, it's time to get down to business. As you softly whisper "Autobots, transform and roll out", players will begin their long journey across the landscape to their inevitable confrontation with the obligatory end of level boss. Move quietly though, there is evil about and you'll be needing a few Minicons under your belt before the energon eventually hits the fan.

Sooner rather than later however the Decepticons will discover your presence, and when that happens Melbourne House's dedication to fandom will really begin to hit home. Regardless of which Autobot you've chosen for the mission, each controls with such smooth precision that you'll find yourself capable of any number of "holy **** did you see that?!" style moments. As incoming blasts crack the once tranquil silence, you'll need to act fast if the next Minicon is to be rescued in time. Think quick. What would Optimus Prime do? He would probably transform into his big rig mode before charging the Decepticon clones with all the incoming fury a 10 tonne truck can muster. Cut left and avoid the first, swing past the second only to knock the third off of its feet. Transform in mid air, spin and nail all three of the bastards in the back with a series of well placed shots. Hit the ground running and strike a pose. Holy **** did you see that?! Mark my words, where action is concerned this a game that wears the slogan 100% authentic proudly on its sleeve for all to see. Combine the unique thrills of Transformer style combat with the strategic planning and variety that the Minicons represent and suddenly we're all 8 years old again in total awe of our heroes...

When you're not shooting it out with the Decepticon armies, you'll be hunting Minicons in a free forming style reminiscent of the great Grand Theft Auto. Not that you'll be running over humans and terrorizing the innocent, that's not the Autobot thing... and besides, this game is strangely devoid of human life. No, what this means is that at numerous times throughout your adventure, you'll be looking to return to past stages in order to salvage previously unreachable beacons. Say you've just picked up the glider Minicon and don't know what to do next. My advice to you would be to revisit past stages and spend a few hours boldly going where no Autobot has gone before. It's this ability to open up new areas inside of old stages that makes for a refreshing change of pace, and is one that is sure to extend the game's longevity outside of the standard 6-8 hours that it would have otherwise represented. What's more is how Melbourne House have sought to compliment the Minicon hunting madness with a huge number of Datacons, each of which is guaranteed to unlock a fan pleasing extra. Music, art, instructions blah blah blah, as good as they are they pale in comparison to the "so corny they're hysterical" G1 Public Service Announcements. Don't steal that car Bud, how would you feel if someone did that to you? You're right! Knowing is half the battle HAHA oh HAHA it hurts HAHA... did we really used to watch this crap?!

It sounds pretty sweet doesn't it? Giant transforming robots, a large selection of weapons, and trace elements of the concept known as strategy, all wrapped up in an eye pleasing fashion that literally screams for attention. It's sexy and fun a million times over, but even still there are a cracks in the veneer that Melbourne House have failed to address. So I'm a greedy man, leave me the hell alone! Most notably among these outstanding issues is the lack of variety where the game's 8 stages are concerned. Sure they may look great, but with only 4 different environment types on offer it all becomes quite repetitive and same-ly after a while. They're absolutely mammoth in size and stunning to behold, even still though a little extra variety would have gone a long way. Give us some cities! Maybe a lunar landscape?! Heck by this stage even a generic lava environment would have been welcome! Alaska, the Amazon, a Pacific archipelago and a number of Decepticon starships... this is you'll have to play with. Please make them last! Further more if I were to be honest, I would point out that transforming into your character's alternate vehicle mode isn't as tightly integrated as perhaps it should be. And though you can transform at any time, rarely is the need ever there to do so... other than to look cool and fulfill a few childhood fantasies that is.

Those most minor of points aside, this is exactly what Transformer fans have been waiting for. A fast paced action game that not only looks good, but captures the true essence of Hasbro's Robots in Disguise. Some people thought it was impossible, others had simply given up all hope... yet here we are with one of the best licensed games of 2004. And by the best I am simply using a colorful fan euphemism that would otherwise be translated as being "pretty damn good". The game design is interesting while the action is consistently impressive. That is until you meet the Decepticon, Tidalwave... and then words just can't do the moment justice. Let it be said however that it was one of those rare gaming moments where your brain goes numb from excitement and your friends have to poke you in order to check that you are in fact still breathing. Holy mother of... did you see that?! Not really the type of thing I was expecting to find in a game such as this but there you go, the surprises just kept on coming. The more I think about it, the more it seems to me that even if you're not a fan of the series, there's more than enough going on here to keep you entertained for quite some time. To most it's a solid action game with a few neat gimmicks, to the fans who have coveted the idea of an entertaining Transformers game, it is a God send. Flying pigs indeed...

Pros
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* Fans be warned, this is the game that you've been waiting for
* Huge expansive stages
* Free forming gameplay allows for total exploration of each stage
* There are 3 Autobots to choose from, each of which represents a different balance of speed, strength and power
* The controls are so precise that players truly feel that they are capable of anything
* Crisp lush graphics bring the game to life
* With 40 Minicons to collect and use there's always another weapons configuration to try out
* The Datacons provide a wealth of bonus materials
* Tidalwave... wow... oh... my...

Cons
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* Transforming is not as tightly integrated as it should be
* With only 4 environment types things get a bit repetitive
* Where are the humans?! I want to crush them... eerrr need to save them!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/24/04, Updated 08/26/04