By Shane Willoughby at thegamingliberty.com
Transformers and video games traditionally don’t mix – it’s probably one of the most poison ‘huge franchise meets gaming medium’ cocktails. The last two Transformers games, inspired by Michael Bay’s live action films, were particular tame and ill-conceived. The last Transformers game that actually ‘worked’ as such, was 2004’s ‘Transformers’ a little gem of a game that was probably much better than the ‘Armada’ cartoon series it was attempting to emulate.
It seems that if you try to create a Transformers game based on a film or cartoon spin off already in place, then with the exception of Armada, you are destined to fail. High Moon Studio’s decision to make War for Cybertron an original game with an original story, original character designs and bearing no allegiance to any already established movie or cartoon series is probably the best thing they could have ever done with these robots in disguise. With these decisions in place, War for Cybertron is a real triumph and goes some way to rewriting the wrongs of Transformers’ videogame past.
War for Cybertron (WFC) is a sort of ode to the original 80’s cartoon iteration of the Transformers. It will appeal most to those thirty-something’s out there who still clutch their original G1 Optimus Prime at night more so than Bays’ jaggy, complicated noughties creations. WFC is a prequel to the 80’s animated series and its story is told from both the Autobot and Decepticon sides of the conflict, starting with the latter’s.
Although the story is in itself rather engaging, it doesn’t save the campaign from being inexplicably repetitive and mostly unmemorable. It’s standard enough third-person stuff, quite linear and pedestrian and although there are some interesting set pieces, these do not redeem the single-player experience from being something that is just that, an experience you will only put yourself through one single time.
It’s a shame because the actual gameplay is more than solid and is actually really fun. It’s a really great shooter with lots of weapon variations. Combat is vigorous and offers plenty of disparity. But of course this is a shoot’em up with a fantastic twist, you can transform into whatever vehicle or alternate mode your chosen transformer has at his disposal and this lends itself to making the single player mode that little bit more bearable. Level designs are awkward and repetitive and the A.I (artificial intelligence) is laughable. There is no reason why the A.I has to be this poor. It’s inexcusable. Playing the campaign as a co-op game is probably your best bet and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable drop in/drop out three player co-op experience. Sadly, the A.I doesn’t get any better.
The Transformers themselves are very well designed and these character models probably steal the show. The graphics don’t take themselves too seriously, but this is a good thing. It’s not a cartoon and it’s not a live action film so High Moon has found a really complimentary reciprocal medium somewhere between the two. It looks gorgeous and comes with a very accessible aesthetic that’s coupled with robust voice performances from everyone involved. I don’t think you can go wrong when Peter Cullen (the original voice of Optimus Prime) lends his talent to the piece. Everyone here puts in a stellar job.
Multiplayer Battles
Multiplayer is where WFC shins – it’s very additive stuff. Modes range from the familiar stalwarts such as Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch to the usual variations of “capture the node†and “capture the flagâ€. All of these are fun as hell because playing with humans is so much better than playing with the games’ ragged A.I. Countdown, Escalation and Extinction bring some nice intuitive variety to play, the latter of which is a lot like Halo’s Assault mode.
You can also customise your Transformer and although customization is somewhat limited, it’s a nice touch. Online multiplayer is chaotic and it provides one of the best online experiences this year. When multiple combatants are in the same area, it’s sheer carnage. Explosions, melee attacks, transforming anywhere and everywhere, is just mental and unquestionably addictive.
Transformers: War For Cybertron is the kind of game Transformers fans have been screaming out for forever. More than just great fan service to the franchise; it’s a robust and versatile shooter that comes with an exceptional online experience. WFC’s single player woes shouldn’t be enough to put you off what is an otherwise enjoyable and accessible robotic romp. Buy it.
Format: Playstation 3, Xbox 360; Developer: High Moon Studios
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