Transformers Animated - The Game
A (long) Review by zero-kaiser.
- Introduction -
Transformers Animated: The Game was created by Activision and was released in both the United States and the United Kingdom on October 20th 2008.
I came into..
'possesion' of the game, on the 19th of February and as of roughly half past midnight on the 22th of February, I completed it. (who sleeps these days anyway?
)
With it all still fresh in my mind, I thought I would write a review for my fellow Seibertronians
So.. lets get started.
- First Impressions -
Upon starting the game up, your greeted with the Transformers Animated theme as some of the opening credits appear (you know the sort.. the companies that made the game.. and a Hasbro logo that fills the bottom screen.. just incase you had forgotten..)
The game has few start up options other than language and choosing left or right handed controls.
Once 'New Game' and a save slot have been selected.. were treated to the opening theme and animation from the show. After that.. onto the game itself.
- Gameplay -
The first thing that struck me when I began playing was how similar it was to
The Lost Vikings.The majority of the gameplay focuses primarily on teamwork (because we all know that working together overcomes all odds... right?
right??) and short driving sections which I'll cover in more detail later on.
The main missions or levels which take up most of the game, are best described as a side-scrolling platformer/puzzle game.
The basic goal is to get your three Autobots, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Optimus Prime to a holo-matter Autobot insignia at the end of the stage. To do so, you must navigate each Autobot through the given area, using their unique skills to open doors, extend bridges or eliminate obsticles along the way.
The three above mentioned Autobot's unique skills are as follows.
Bumblebee -
Wall Jump -
Much like Samus Aran of Metroid fame, Bumblebee can jump diagonally upwards between two close together walls or surfaces. So long as no direction is pressed on the D-Pad, he will automatically stick to the surface of a wall, sliding down it slowly.
Stingers -
Bumblebees trademark weapon from the cartoon are his stingers. In the game they arent very powerful at all and are better suited for attacking smaller drones rather than taking on larger enemies such as tanks or police robots encountered later on. They can however fire in a full 360 degree motion, by using the stylus.
Generators -
Bumblebee can also use his stingers to power a generator should one be encountered. Generators often provide power for lifts, conveyor belts, doors or various other obsticles. Bumblebee can only power a generator so long as he is stood infront of it. Moving away from the generator cuts its power supply, causing it to shut down.
Jumping -
Believe it or not, Bumblebee is the only Autobot who can jump. However, combine this with his Wall Jump ability and he makes for an excellent scout.
Bulkhead -
Heavyweight -
We all know Bulkhead is a big guy.. but that works to his advantage in this game! Bulkhead is the only Autobot who can stand on a pressure pad and cause it to activate, often opening doors or extending bridges to aid his fellow Autobots.
Wrecking Ball -
Placing the stylus on Bulkhead, tracing a straight line from him to an enemy or switch, then releasing the stylus, will cause Bulkhead to fire his Wrecking Ball along the path traced.
Green Doors -
Bulkhead is the only Autobot who can smash apart the thick green doors encountered in some levels. Three hits with either his fists or the above mentioned Wrecking Ball is all thats needed.
Push me, Pull you -
Bulkheads strength allows him to pull or push certain objects. These objects will make themselves known to the player by flashing when Bulkhead is near them. More often than not they are used as makeshift platforms or as weights for pressure pads, leaving Bulkhead free to continue toward the goal.
Optimus Prime -
Homing Axe -
Much like Bulkheads Wrecking Ball, Optimus can throw his Axe along a path that you draw with the stylus. Just place the stylus on Optimus, draw the path you want the Axe to follow and release the stylus from the touchscreen. This is useful for hitting switches or enemies that are too far away.
Grappling Hook -
Optimus can fire his Grappling Hook upwards only. Even then he can only attach it to red steel girders. Doing so will cause Optimus to reel himself upward and ontop of the girder. Press down on the D-Pad and Optimus will drop back down below the girder.
Optimus and Bulkhead both have a 3-hit combo attack, executed by tapping the Y button repeatedly.. Bumblebee only has his stingers for protection.
Knowing which Autobots can go where and do what is something that you get used to very very quickly.. You will more than likely find yourself in a position of knowing
what to do.. but not knowing how to get the required Autobot to that position. This gives the game a challenging element, one I can honestly say I wasnt expecting.
Completing a mission shows the three Autobots remaining health (a maximum of 100%) and how long it took you to complete the level.
Also shown are three of Sari's Allspark infused keys. These are used when an Autobots health reaches 0%. Sari will appear on screen after a Autobot insignia wipe, and place the key in the fallen Autobot, reviving him back to 100% health where ever it was they fell. 3 of these keys are shared between the 3 Autobots.
Of the 5 Autobots in the game (Optimus, Bulkhead, Ratchet, Bumblebee and Prowl) only 3 are playable during the main missions. Ratchet provides support and hints for the first few levels which could be treated as training if anything.
As for Prowl, he is only playable in (if memory serves) two levels. Both of which involve driving in vehicle mode. Vehicle mode missions are sparse and only played through as either Optimus Prime, Bumblebee or, as mentioned above, Prowl.
The vehicle mode missions themselves provide a change of pace from the regular platforming/puzzle solving theme. They usually involve either chasing a Decepticon transmission drone, destroying rogue gunner drones, racing to the Decepticon hideout.. or, for two missions, battling Lockdown in vehicle mode.
During vehicle mode missions, acceleration is automatic. Optimus and Prowl can both transform at will by tapping the Autobot icon in the lower left of the touchscreen, or by pressing any button other than the D-Pad. Whilst in robot mode they continue to move automatically, but may now throw either shuriken or their axe, depending on the character. Bumblebee is the only exception during these missions, in that he does not transform. Tapping his Autobot icon enables the use of his boosters for a limited time (dependant on a gauge shown on the top screen)
I would have liked to have seen more vehicle mode missions but by no means does their limited inclusion detract from the game overall.
The controls are fairly responsive, my only complaint was really anything involving the touch screen (Optimus' homing axe, Bulkheads wrecking ball, Bumblebees stingers etc) though this may just be a case of my touchscreen needing to be recalibrated.
- Presentation -
The games dialogue and story are scripted by
Marty Isenberg and definately have an Animated feel. Characters often cracking jokes with each other during dialogue. I would honestly say I feel that the voice acting is on par with the cartoon.
A2M (Artificial Mind and Movement) provided the in game graphics for Transformers Animated: The Game and I must say they have done an excellent job. While the camera may be fixed at an angled 2D orientation (either angled left or right depending on the direction the player is facing), everything is rendered in 3D including the backgrounds. The Autobots models fit the shows animated asthetics perfectly as well.
Cutscenes before and after each mission are made up of stills taken from the cartoon on the lower screen, with a dialogue box on the top screen, showing a headshot of the character speaking. The cutscenes are short and entertaining enough that they provide a welcome break from gameplay but by no means do they drag on.
A couple of times between certain levels, stock footage of transformation sequences are played on the lower screen, usually before or after a driving mission. Once viewed for the first time, these are added to an 'Unlockables' section on the main menu, allowing the player watch them over, and over, and over, and over again..
It should be noted that the games plot (which I wont reveal too much of) Does not fit into the Transformers Animated continuity established thus far. From what happens throughout the game, it would seem to be somewhat of an alternate ending to season 2.
- Sound -
Dispite the DS lite having such tiny speakers the sound in Transformers Animated: The Game is spot on (and in full stereo I might add!). There was no point in the game where a sound effect sounded out of place or awkward.
The same goes for voice acting. During cutscenes, the dialogue written on the upper screen is spoken aloud by the same voice actors who provide the voices for the cartoon.
The voice actors for Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Ratchet, Prowl, Ultra Magnus, Sari, Megatron, Lockdown, Lugnut, Blitzwing and Shockwave/Longarm, reprise their roles for the game.
Music wise, aside from the various uses of the cartoons theme song, the background music during gameplay fits very well. Not distracting but definatley noticeable. Though later levels on Cybertron use I think only 2 tracks, it can start to get somewhat irksome..
- Difficulty -
Transformers Animated: The Game has no difficulty settings. To sum up how hard/easy the game is.. I spent roughly 6 hours over 2 days playing it and completed it. I dont think of myself as a 'hardcore gamer' but to be frank I've probably played more video games than I've had hot meals..
That said the game is by no means a cake walk. Later levels provide a decent challenge.. and while I wont give away too much about the plot, the fights against Megatron can be quite tricky to figure out on a first play through. Aside from the boss fights and the
RBFATE.. if I failed a mission on the first attempt I succeeded on my second.
The game has a PEGI rating of 7+ ...so dont expect anything too difficult
- Similar Games -
As I mentioned toward the beginning of my review, the game brings back alot of memories of playing The Lost Vikings.
Another game I have noticed similarities to, is Exit for both the DS and PSP (though I have only played the DS version myself)
Though Exit DS is much more challenging it could be treated as a step up from what the Animated game has to offer.
If you do play Transformers Animated: The Game and want more of a challenge.. I would definatley recommend Exit DS (or the PSP version)
- SCORES -
Presentation - 9 -
Fully animated cutscenes would have been a nice inclusion but the still shots are nicely done and relevant to whats happening during the dialogue.
Graphics - 9 -
The only thing really working against the graphics in this game is the DS lites small screens. Though at the same time, they do not hinder gameplay or obscure anything on screen.
Sound - 10 -
Voice acting is spot on, the music doesnt draw too much attention and the sound effects fit nicely.
Gameplay - 9 -
Different difficulties would have been nice as well as more vehicle mode missions but overall a very enjoyable game to play.
Replay Value - 8 -
With 25 missions in total, I honestly dont think I could remember their layouts on my first play through. That said, completing the game does not unlock any extra modes or characters which would have been a nice touch.
Overall Score - 9 out of 10 -
If your a big Animated fan I would recommend picking this up, though I would advise to shop around for it. I'm not saying its not worth full price.. but if you
can get it cheaper, I would do so.
So.. there you have it. My (rather long winded) review of Transformers Animated: The Game for Nintendo DS. I hope you have enjoyed reading it and if you do pick it up, I hope you enjoy playing it
