Seibertron.com Reviews the Transformers Dark of the Moon Game

Thanks for the review. I almost rented this from Redbox.

Have yet to find a Transformers game that tops Heavy Metal War.

Thanks for the review. Nothing less than I expected after playing the first movie game. It was easily one of the worst video games I've ever played. I passed completely on the second and so far have not touched War for Cybertron either as the first movie game was such a huge turn-off. The only Transformers game I've played that I liked was the one for Playstation based on Armada with all the minicons. That was a good game--it developed over the levels, had varying types of opponents, different environments, and controls that were easy to learn and worked like they were supposed to. And no "action zones" and time limits on everything. In other words, it was a well-made game that just happened to be about Transformers, rather than a piece of crap that just happened to have Transformers branding slapped on it. (The same piece of crap used for the Spiderman games and I'm sure countless other movie-licensed games that simply recycle the same core with different visuals.)

i personally think both vehicle and stealth modes are necessary, you can't move fast and what not when you're in stealth mode.

and for me.. the game was WAY WAY TOO SHORT. 3 autobot missions, 3 decepticon missions, and a final battle.. that's extremely weak. especially when compared to war for cybertron.

i didn't mind the controls.. it was, like i said, the length of the game that made me trade it in the next day.

Well, the campaign was definitely not somthing I'd bother ever playing again. The multiplayer is still fun though, and changing between all 3 forms definitely matters in multipalyer mode.

I Disagree with this review. First off your concerned about spoilers which is a bit silly to me because they have already stated it's a prequel to the movie many times and as someone who has actually finished the game i can tell you there are only a few tiny hints no real spoilers. And this brings to a major issue with the review actually beat the game before you rank on it like that that was just ridiculous to call it next to worthless before you even finish as someone who has actually completed the game it' actually quite good while stealth force can be overpowered sometimes in campaign they balanced it very well in multiplayer mode where issues like that actually matter. oh by the way the stealth force does not have faster health regeneration actually make sure before you claim these things Your complaint about cover isn't as big a deal as you make it to be and your comparing this game to gears of war 3 and uncharted when you should be comparing it to other transformers game because your audience is transformers fans not necessarily hardcore gamers. Also your final thoughts are you just saying the game was terrible without anything substantial you didn't finish the game or even play the online this review is terrible just terrible. By the way most critics actually finish the game before reviewing it

I gotta say that I completely 100^ disagree with this assessment of the game. I loved it. It's the exact same gameplay as War for Cybertron - built on the same game engine in fact, with new character models and levels but the backend's the same. If you liked WFC, you'll like DOTM. Personally, I really, really enjoyed it. Just finished it last night and got into the multiplayer a bit, which I'll probably keep playing. Going to go back to try to get all the trophies next (got the PS3 version). I definitely recommend it for any TF fan who has a PS3 or 360. Also gives a very good background story that leads right into the movie, including introducing Shockwave. If you're still not sure, go rent it from Redbox for a day and check it out - I bet you'll be hooked. I didn't have any of the issues the author had with it being awkward to find cover behind something and shooting from there... not as elegant as how Uncharted did it, but it's effective. Depending on the weapon you're using you can use the scope to zoom in for further away shots. All in all, I thought it was a really fun game. Also, I rarely used the Stealth Force mode (vehicle mode) - only when I absolutely had to - I used robot mode for 99% of the game - didn't find it sluggish or hard to control at all - actually found it to be much easier to use robot mode than stealth force. My single, only complaint about the game (lots of complaints about the review - finish the game first and rate it compared to others in its class), is in multiplayer - when playing multiplayer as an Autobot, the team death match is sometimes skewed to the Decepticons too much when there's a lot of Decepticon Seekers playing - they tend to fly around in jet mode and overpower everyone else... but that's a minor complaint.

jbellanca wrote:I gotta say that I completely 100^ disagree with this assessment of the game. I loved it. It's the exact same gameplay as War for Cybertron - built on the same game engine in fact, with new character models and levels but the backend's the same. If you liked WFC, you'll like DOTM. Personally, I really, really enjoyed it. Just finished it last night and got into the multiplayer a bit, which I'll probably keep playing. Going to go back to try to get all the trophies next (got the PS3 version). I definitely recommend it for any TF fan who has a PS3 or 360. Also gives a very good background story that leads right into the movie, including introducing Shockwave. If you're still not sure, go rent it from Redbox for a day and check it out - I bet you'll be hooked. I didn't have any of the issues the author had with it being awkward to find cover behind something and shooting from there... not as elegant as how Uncharted did it, but it's effective. Depending on the weapon you're using you can use the scope to zoom in for further away shots. All in all, I thought it was a really fun game. Also, I rarely used the Stealth Force mode (vehicle mode) - only when I absolutely had to - I used robot mode for 99% of the game - didn't find it sluggish or hard to control at all - actually found it to be much easier to use robot mode than stealth force. My single, only complaint about the game (lots of complaints about the review - finish the game first and rate it compared to others in its class), is in multiplayer - when playing multiplayer as an Autobot, the team death match is sometimes skewed to the Decepticons too much when there's a lot of Decepticon Seekers playing - they tend to fly around in jet mode and overpower everyone else... but that's a minor complaint.

Indeed, cover ISN'T that big of a deal. TBH, SCREW gears of war (disliked both 1 and 2, both single and multiplayer). Hardcore games mean you gota be clever in finding cover, not just tap a button and have it solve all your problems (i.e. FPS games, which shares some of the fast and furious combat I find in WFC and DOTM)
As for the Seekers, they are overly powerful regardless of faction, I find, but yes. The Decepticons do seem to have some nicer advantages.

Man this sounds like an amateur at least for the fact you played 1lever and sound SUPER negative
1level??? Wow C'mon that's more like a preview.... All for the sake of I want to be first it seem

I shared my thoughts on the game in an earlier thread, so I'm not gonna go too in depth here. You do have to finish the game here though, basing a review on the first level isn't really fair. It's a decent game, thought the campaign is WAY too short. Online is fun, though I really wish there was an Escalation mode and some co-op. The modes though are definitely more balanced than you're saying though, yeah stealth mode is probably the easiest mode to fall back on, but it's not as precise as robot mode. And try outrunning the erupting volcano in any other of Soundwave's modes but vehicle mode, it can't be done(I tried). I will say that DOTM shoulda came before WFC, as WFC just seems like it is far superior to DOTM. But hopefully some dlc comes down the pike and brings it up to par with it.

yeah i agree. you gotta finish the game. and this game has way better graphics as ROTF. just look at the dang detail in bumblebees legs and the other robot that is there(the whitish one).

D-340 wrote:I shared my thoughts on the game in an earlier thread, so I'm not gonna go too in depth here. You do have to finish the game here though, basing a review on the first level isn't really fair. It's a decent game, thought the campaign is WAY too short. Online is fun, though I really wish there was an Escalation mode and some co-op. The modes though are definitely more balanced than you're saying though, yeah stealth mode is probably the easiest mode to fall back on, but it's not as precise as robot mode. And try outrunning the erupting volcano in any other of Soundwave's modes but vehicle mode, it can't be done(I tried). I will say that DOTM shoulda came before WFC, as WFC just seems like it is far superior to DOTM. But hopefully some dlc comes down the pike and brings it up to par with it.

and im sure there will be a DLC. on the PS3 case it says there is Add-on Content.
i like WFC but i wish the stages weren't so bland looking

I actually enjoyed the campaign but I will admit it was far too linear and painfully short. I mean, REALLY short. You can finish this one in one afternoon sitting. But the mechanics were excellent and the guns really felt like they pack a punch, (especially when utilizing Ironhide's massive arm cannons). This was one area where War for Cybertron was lacking.

MP is pretty meh. 3 modes and 5 maps with no DLC on the way, (confirmed by High Moon). It's fun for about an hour and that's it. It did bring me back to my days of deathmatch carnage playing UT which was cool. And for some really odd reason I can't kill anybody with Megatron or Shockwave's weapons in MP. I do great with the Autobots. My kill/death ratio is over 2.00 and I usually go negative when playing as a Decepticon which should tell you just how much of a difference there is.

Cool, the game was suppose to be a pre-lude to the movie. I've wanted to get a complete set of TF games on the PC but it sounds like DOTM is just as hard to control as ROTF was. ROTF, on one hand was easy to play in the training mission, but once I got the first mission as Ironhide the game kept lagging my computer. My computer was built to handle WFC!! It should have no problem w/ ROTF or DOTM. I may end up not bothering w/ DOTM then.

I agree with this review.... it had it's moments but overarching poor control issues killed it for me. (and I've completed the game by the way). the laserbeak level? why the heck do we even have a forward thrust mode in that claustrophobic area? it was impossible for me to navigate the tunnels without crashing into the sides constantly. He even has a cool jet type mode where his thrusters turn backwards when you're jetting forward but you almost can't get enough room to even see it! It's possible I suck at it but I found it frustrating anyway

one good thing about it is that it reinvigorated my transformers game lust and I have dusted off WFC again.

I simply enjoy playing wfc, I didn't enjoy playing DOTM. Personal preference.

I have to agree with the review, but in a different way, and disagree strongly with anyone who thinks DOTM was like WFC, or anywhere near as good. It used the same Engine, and vaguely uses similar things, but WFC and DOTM are night and day when you get down to actual gameplay, and the nuts and bolts of everything. WFC being the victor, and the far superior game in pretty much every way.

The DOTM menu's from the get-go are sticky and stuttery - There's little to no fluidity to them, when you click something: it should go. With DOTM menu's, they don't. You have to stop and wait for everything to rez, or click something a couple times until it goes.

The load screens are just as long as WFC, despite being a significantly smaller everything. Smaller maps, smaller levels, lesser graphics, etc. I don't have any issue with a load screen that's only like 10-20 seconds, but when you get unrezzed textures and tiny levels? Not worth it.

The two Jet options are awful. Flying is extremely slow and really screwy controls that don't work anywhere near as well as WFC.

Character movement speed is cut in two - Falsely extending the length of the game by who know's how long - The actual story mode is only 3-4 hours worth of gameplay. And you can max out all your characters in multiplayer in another 3-4 hours easily.

Character variety is nil. And no initial DLC either, so you're stuck with (more or less) one option per class per side. Even WFC gave like 2 options per class, but DOTM throws those models out the window and leaves you with one.

The HUD is ruined. You can't see it half the time, and abilities take 30-120 seconds to be useable - Which is nearly impossible in Multiplayer for most people. The HUD doesn't make much sense either, and the way it's so tiny and out of the way is eye-straining and irritating.

Movement speed, aarrrg @_x All modes are slow as heck for almost every class, except warrior? The giant tank moves REALLY fast, for some reason. Jets are the slowest to move, for some reason.

The weapons suck now. They're all weakened, and horribly inaccurate now. The crosshairs are inaccurate as well, they don't reflect the actual shooting at all.

Weapon-specific weaponry is bull, and character-specific abilities are stupid, when you give nearly no options for character variety. You can't pick up weapons, so you're stuck with one specific weapon for every character, and can't change that main weapon - Only the secondary, but those options are just as bad. Soundwave's soundgun thing does almost no damage, starscream's generic rocket launcher is barely worthwhile.

The "upgrade" system was dumbed down completely to the point it doesn't even make sense. Your FIRST upgrade is "Roll out" which increases Ram damage...This is your first option when you are A JET. Jet's DON'T DO DAMAGE when ramming AT ALL. WFC you had class-specific abilities, but apparently that was "too complex" so we're going to give everyone generic upgrades that barely help? Anyone can get a character to max level in an hour easily, so they're even more meaningless.

DOTM has degraded graphics, noticeable amount of buggy things, a weak and insultingly short campaign, compacted with a dumbed-down multiplayer mode that lacks fun or intensity. The transformations are sluggish, action is stiff and confusing (giving no sense of impact when you attack), and weapons are boring/lowered in damage.
Movement is very slow, which drags the whole game down, and combined with the poorly constructed HUD.
Tiny maps with lots of high places that are often ground-floor, but too high for any character to jump on, leaving almost everyone stuck on the ground. The maps are also boring and not rounded out fairly for both sides. You also can't double jump, which is an important factor when you realize you don't have it

I'd give DOTM a 4 or 5 out of 10, at best. Nothing is satisfactory, no sense of accomplishment, or "umf" to it. It doesn't feel all that polished. The whole package poorly structured - Yet it still costs 60$ when it's barely 30$ worth of gameplay/value.

FflawSuperior wrote:I have to agree with the review, but in a different way, and disagree strongly with anyone who thinks DOTM was like WFC, or anywhere near as good. It used the same Engine, and vaguely uses similar things, but WFC and DOTM are night and day when you get down to actual gameplay, and the nuts and bolts of everything. WFC being the victor, and the far superior game in pretty much every way.

The DOTM menu's from the get-go are sticky and stuttery - There's little to no fluidity to them, when you click something: it should go. With DOTM menu's, they don't. You have to stop and wait for everything to rez, or click something a couple times until it goes.

The load screens are just as long as WFC, despite being a significantly smaller everything. Smaller maps, smaller levels, lesser graphics, etc. I don't have any issue with a load screen that's only like 10-20 seconds, but when you get unrezzed textures and tiny levels? Not worth it.

The two Jet options are awful. Flying is extremely slow and really screwy controls that don't work anywhere near as well as WFC.

Character movement speed is cut in two - Falsely extending the length of the game by who know's how long - The actual story mode is only 3-4 hours worth of gameplay. And you can max out all your characters in multiplayer in another 3-4 hours easily.

Character variety is nil. And no initial DLC either, so you're stuck with (more or less) one option per class per side. Even WFC gave like 2 options per class, but DOTM throws those models out the window and leaves you with one.

The HUD is ruined. You can't see it half the time, and abilities take 30-120 seconds to be useable - Which is nearly impossible in Multiplayer for most people. The HUD doesn't make much sense either, and the way it's so tiny and out of the way is eye-straining and irritating.

Movement speed, aarrrg @_x All modes are slow as heck for almost every class, except warrior? The giant tank moves REALLY fast, for some reason. Jets are the slowest to move, for some reason.

The weapons suck now. They're all weakened, and horribly inaccurate now. The crosshairs are inaccurate as well, they don't reflect the actual shooting at all.

Weapon-specific weaponry is bull, and character-specific abilities are stupid, when you give nearly no options for character variety. You can't pick up weapons, so you're stuck with one specific weapon for every character, and can't change that main weapon - Only the secondary, but those options are just as bad. Soundwave's soundgun thing does almost no damage, starscream's generic rocket launcher is barely worthwhile.

The "upgrade" system was dumbed down completely to the point it doesn't even make sense. Your FIRST upgrade is "Roll out" which increases Ram damage...This is your first option when you are A JET. Jet's DON'T DO DAMAGE when ramming AT ALL. WFC you had class-specific abilities, but apparently that was "too complex" so we're going to give everyone generic upgrades that barely help? Anyone can get a character to max level in an hour easily, so they're even more meaningless.

DOTM has degraded graphics, noticeable amount of buggy things, a weak and insultingly short campaign, compacted with a dumbed-down multiplayer mode that lacks fun or intensity. The transformations are sluggish, action is stiff and confusing (giving no sense of impact when you attack), and weapons are boring/lowered in damage.
Movement is very slow, which drags the whole game down, and combined with the poorly constructed HUD.
Tiny maps with lots of high places that are often ground-floor, but too high for any character to jump on, leaving almost everyone stuck on the ground. The maps are also boring and not rounded out fairly for both sides. You also can't double jump, which is an important factor when you realize you don't have it

I'd give DOTM a 4 or 5 out of 10, at best. Nothing is satisfactory, no sense of accomplishment, or "umf" to it. It doesn't feel all that polished. The whole package poorly structured - Yet it still costs 60$ when it's barely 30$ worth of gameplay/value.

You know what man, If I were not to hold back, my review might have sounded a lot like yours
I agree with a ton of what you said, with the exception of Soundwaves gun. Its pretty much useless UNLESS you charge it up fully, then it can take them one hit away from death. And Starscreams rockets I have learnt to make use of. Anyway, since others are gonna read what you said, I just wanted to counter with even tho I completely agree with you, I still like playing it, just to "add" to WFC in my game collection variety (if that makes sense).

I just have one question. Why are most of the comments on this thread critiquing the reviewer instead of the game?

I think there is a point being missed, for a movie tie-in........its bloody great. the first game was poor (even though it had things all games since lack ie decent open cities with other things to do than follow the baddies, and the G1 skins which i still love lol). ROTF was ok, not great, and flawed massively but as a tf fan it was great to drive round as bb, prime etc. I love WFC, some problems but a solid start for a franchise, and DOTM is imo very similar to WFC, just dumbed down for non tf fans who want to play. But yes it is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too short.

As i said before though, it is fantastic compared to most other movie-tie in games

I bought the game and played DOTM recently. I didn't feel it was a rip off but I did feel it was a letdown from WFC. I had heard High Moon had actually been working on this before WFC was released but I find that doubtful based on the less than usual polish they put into WFC. WFC had a great campaign and story that left me wanting more and more. DOTM I was kinda going through the motions. The only part that I really remember and liked was Starscream's chase sequence on Stratosphere. Otherwise the end boss, Shockwave and the battle was total BS. Took forever and made me think Shockwave was better than Optimus and Megatron combined. I've been playing the multiplayer and while it's nice it is a watered down version of WFC multiplayer. Now I wish I had not traded in WFC and in fact want to get it back so I can play multiplayer again in that game as it had more ability and weapon customization. I find most of the reviews that hover around 7 out of 10 to be quite accurate. I'm more interested in a WFC 2 at this point.

DOTM was a let down for me...completed the campaign in less than a day and finished off the achievements for it in 3 days. (was playing COD more) The multiplayer was pretty laggy the last few times I played it and Shockwave doesn't even have an alt mode when you unlock him for MP. Also, there wasn't a whole lot of selection for certain classes.

MINDVVIPE wrote:Well, the campaign was definitely not somthing I'd bother ever playing again. The multiplayer is still fun though, and changing between all 3 forms definitely matters in multipalyer mode.

the onlything i like about tf games were multiplayer modes, however the WFC single player campaigns is the best