So begins the newest chapter in the famous Transformer series. For those of you who grew up watching Transformers, this is similar in name and theme, but still quite different (despite many of the same names being used for the characters.) This third person shooter is the first released Transformers title and I would argue it was worth the wait. In this mission based game, you play a variety of Autobots in their efforts to collect the Mini-cons so that they can defeat the Decepticons. You get to choose to play the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime or two lesser Autobots, Red Alert or Hot Shot. Each of the Autobots have certain strengths that make them more suited for certain missions but if you really like Optimus Prime, you will still be able to get the job done. Each mission focuses on collecting Mini-cons in various Earth environments. You will fight a large amount of the lesser Decepticlones as well as more the notable Decepticons like Megatron and even the world eater, Unicron.

The game play is very solid as the battle modes are very intense and offer you many opportunities to blow up other robots. You are able to use a variety of laser and energy cannons. Adding up to four Mini-cons at any given time will give you additional weaponry or enhance what you already have. The aiming is not the easiest to pick up but once you do, you will find the action very enjoyable. The really cool part is that you can actually transform into a truck or car depending which character you are playing. It is also practical as when you are in the large environments, you can move through it much faster when in your vehicle mode.

The graphics are very good and the environments are detailed. Everything seemed to flow well together and you could tell the developers are fans of the Transformers series. The sound is also good using many of the traditional sounds you would expect from the Transformers. Cannon fire, the transforming of the machines, and the sound of the vehicle engines. The voice acting is very solid but nothing that would blow you away.

I really did enjoy the game although I am more of a traditional Transformers fan and did not care for the depiction of Megatron as a battle tank. That is really the worst I can say about the game. The storyline is tight and keeps you interested. The game play is fun and for a Transformers fan, extremely entertaining. I would strongly urge anyone that is a fan to play this game. If you aren’t a fan, you might find what you have been missing here in this lively shooter.