Transformers: The Game

"Transformers, robots in disguise!!"

The first thing I need to make aware to anyone who might happen to read this review, is that I have always been a major Transformers fan.. I purchased this game the day it came, but didn't want to play it, because I was deep into the Alan Dean Foster novel based on the movie. Therefore, if I played the game, I might ruin the book..
I finished the novel, and jumped right on the game.

Graphics 9/10
The first thing that I noticed (and I was greatly surprised) was how amazing the graphics in this game were. Granted, I wasn't expecting much (most video games made with the release of a Blockbuster movie are incredibly lame), but I was still blown away. The transformers were done splendidly. The colors and visuals were done to (almost) perfection. The only problem was how poorly done the human vehicles and cars were. If you look up close, you could see that they didn't even sport doors. Just windshields, headlights and taillights. This however, does not take away from the game one bit. Just... keeps the score from reaching perfection.

Sounds and Effects 6/10
Metal scraping metal, big massive explosions, people screaming.. it's fantastic!!! Police sirens wailing continuously with out ever stopping, Optimus Prime saying the same command over, and over, and over... quite repetitive. There were many pros and cons for the sound department. Like mentioned above "Metal scraping metal", is great. The sound effects were pummel your opposition is beautiful. The cannons and weapons the Autobots and Decepticons wield, were also done extremely well. The problem with this area, is that no matter how many times you destroy a police car, it's sirens NEVER go off. That's right. You play EVERY mission, with the sirens on 24/7. Can start to get aggravating FAST. Also, just in case you didn't here Optimus Prime, or Jazz, or Ironhide tell you your objective the first 30 times, they'll tell you 100 more times. Gets really old and annoying.

Gameplay 9/10
AMAZING. Pure gold. Destroying Decepticons and Autobots has never been so much fun. And believe me, there are multiple ways to do it. For example, each Transformer has two cannons/guns. No one has the same exact one. Bumblebees power cannon is not as strong as Jazz's, but can be fired more rapidly, and targets differently. Where as Ironhide, has a super explosive cannon that slaughters all in it's path. Each Transformer can turn into their respective vehicles with a push of a button. Brings me to my next point. The missions switch back and forth between driving, and bust-em-up, head-on action. The driving, however, is not so good. Frequently you'll find yourself stuck behind a tree, and you can't move. You have to transform, move, re-transform into your vehicle, and drive again. This is extremely annoying if your mission is timed. You lose many valuable seconds, and get frustrated really quick. However, there are many other things skyrocketing the gameplay. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is at your disposable. Like the school bus? Throw it. Like that lamp post? Consider it your own personal baseball bat. Enjoying that crane? Why not shove it up Barricades robotic ass? The gameplay never gets old. You can climb buildings, jump on robots, throw vehicles, blow up buildings and kick police cars. Gameplay was the highlight of the game.

Replay Value 7/10
If you're a unlockable guy, the this is great for you. Many missions and side-quests are available, letting you unlock bonus content and lots of neat stories about the Transformers. Also there are many different Transformers to play as, both Autobots and Decepticons, including Megatron.

Pros
Great, detailed Graphics.
Amazing Robot, butt-kicking sound-effects
Voices from the upcoming movie
Lots of unlockable content
Gameplay is very addictive

Cons
Horrible vehicle collision ratio
Really lame cutscenes
Continuous objective reminders

Overall this game is worth buying if your a fan of the series. If not, you might want to rent it first.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/02/07