Old enough to remember when Transformers came on the scene 20 years ago, too old to have played with them (and the wrong gender demographic), I was surprised to find myself interested in trying the new Transformers PlayStation 2 game from Atari. You have to understand, I don't play shooters. Well, let me qualify — I never play those with blood and gore but make a very rare exception for mechanical shooters. You know — robots!
So, not knowing how much of the story of the game is old or new, I'll give you a brief rundown.
It's 1 million years ago, and the planet Cybertron is gripped in an endless battle of the Autobots (good guys) and Decepticons (bad guys). Optimus Prime, leader of said good guys, us locked in mortal combat with his arch-nemesis, Megatron, when the "people" of the planet — the Mini-Cons — leave through a hole in space to who knows where. Apparently, these Mini-Cons are what the battle is about as they greatly increase the abilities of their larger brethren. So, the Decepticons end their battle to chase after them. A million years pass …
Through some quirky fate (or developer design) the Mini-Con escape pod ends up in our solar system, collides with the Earth's moon and breaks into pieces. Some pieces land on Earth leaving Mini-Cons and Data-Cons (the ship's computer) in pieces and in stasis throughout the Earth. And, of course, both Megatron and Optimus Prime know they're here and have come to Earth to retrieve them. OK. Got all that? Now to play.
For reasons that have never been explained but are apparently the definition of good versus evil, the Decepticons have arrived with their entire army, drop ships and all. Megatron gets all the toys. The Autobots arrive number three — against oh ... a few hundred thousand. But, good shall triumph!
First, you must pick the Autobot you wish to play: the quick Hot Shot and his little sports car; the highly defensible Red Alert with his hill-climbing SUV; or, the hero Optimus Prime with his "mow 'em down" semi truck. While all here feel different in their maneuverability, its unfortunate that you find yourself using Optimus Prime most, if not all, if the time. He simply does more damage both as robot and truck. And well, running over the Decepticons with the truck is just FUN.
The maneuverability of the Autobots is deceptively fluid. You can feel a difference in weight and speed between each character. Strafing backwards and to the left or right is while shooting in an opposite direction is fluid and looks natural. (Though L1 for jump I will never get used to) There is a stealth mode that allows you to zoom in first-person mode to see your enemies very closely. From this vantage, you can pick off one or two before they come storming after you in a group. And, they are Transformers! To transform from robot to vehicle is one button either direction and fast. I didn't find a lot of use for vehicle mode unless I needed very fast travel or was in the beginnings of the game and just wanted to mow down groups of Decepticons.
While on Earth, you'll receive missions from your two friends in space — yes, you fight the Decepticons one versus MANY — that help you locate the Mini-cons and Data-Cons. Once found, you can equip up to four Mini-Cons to change/increase your offensive or defensive capabilities. Certain combinations are more powerful than others but occasionally, this leaves you with the right combination of Mini-Cons to survive and encounter but not enough power to equip them all. There is a powerlinx mode that allows you to draw upon singular Mini-Cons for extra abilities. Unfortunately, I was usually dead before getting to this point.
Should you find enough Data-Cons, the movie that develops regarding the past 1 million years is beautifully done and well worth the watch. Finding them? That could take some time.
The environment is richly drawn and takes advantage of light and shadow at all possible moments. There's nothing more dangerous than that thickly forested area blocking your way. But, the forest is lush and rich and varied. And, the first time you crest a hill into indirect sunlight and the subtle shift in color in the landscape, you'll be suitably rewarded with its beauty — if you're not being shot at. The music never distracts from the game and adds just the right touch to remind you of impending danger — just as it should.
My one complaint, and I've voiced it before, is that throughout the game, it's one Autobot versus all Depticons. So, as the game progresses and your enemies become more difficult, you have only your Mini-Cons to add to your arsenal and nothing more. Your abilities don't increase — just the type of attacks/defenses you can use. The story is straightforward: get the Mini-Cons and Data-Cons. And, in truth, not much more is needed. But, there was just a little something missing — perhaps the chance to help young Hot Shot grow in ability or a reason to not always choose Optimus Prime.
Taking into account my horrid skills with mutlikeyed console games — there's three sets of keyed modes! — and my anti-predilection for shooters, I find myself in the odd predicament of recommending this game. It's really is a lot of fun, if awfully hard. If you're like me, go rent it. If you can manage all 14 buttons and two joysticks at one time and even remotely like Transformers, this is a must have.
I'm a mother of two boys, ages 11 and 13 and live in the chaos that ensues. I've a permanent disability that keeps me homebound, so books, kids, games and books are my constant companions. Oh, and books, too. *grins*
My children both play games so I often play them first, getting to know exactly how something may effect my sensitive and easily stimulated older child vs. my stoic and imperturbable younger.
I like games for games; for the pure enjoyment of them and believe that no game is wholly bad, though some are real stinkers.
I also have the dexterity of a camel in mittens so find playing FPSs difficult (and I also don't like the gore) and RTSs at times can stump me. I just can't seem to move quickly enough to keep up with them. Some of my favorite games are arcade games and I'll spend 3-5 years on the same 5-6 levels because I just never get any better. But, I have fun.
