Game Review: Transformers Devastation

“Autobots, roll out!”

It’s here. It’s been a long time coming for Transformers fans everywhere and Hasbro has delivered with its newest next-gen video game installment – Transformers Devastation.

A lot of skepticism and doubt has fallen into the Transformers universe since the Michael Bay films according to its series wide low ratings from various entertainment reviewers. The reviewers say this is because of its lack of detail and surplus of explosions but this next step backwards is the right step forwards.

The game, developed by PlatinumGames (Bayonetta) and published by Activision brings gamers to a world familiar to those growing up with the original Generation 1 Transformers. With its cell-shaded art design, a very comic book feeling dialogue and original voice acting complete with Peter Cullen who has been voicing Optimus Prime since the 80s.

Gamers can play as Optimus, Sideswipe, Bumblebee, Wheeljack or Grimlock to save the human world from being turned into a Transformers-based planet like Cybertron, the Transformers’ home world.

The beat-‘em-up style game throws players right into the mix from the beginning facing them off against legendary villains Devastator and Megatron within the first 20 minutes of the game. With unique button mashing combos, and the throw in of a vehicle-mode combat mechanic, players are facing off against the best of them from the start.

Other classic characters you face off against include Starscream, Blitzwing, Motomaster and Menasor.

One of the biggest and most appealing features of the game is the combat. With fluid motion, the “turn-into-a-vehicle-and-bash-into-robot” mechanic and combos you won’t figure out until your second play through, the fighting in the game is not shallow as most beat ‘em ups are.

Although it is awesome to hear Peter Cullen as the leader of the Autobots the game would not feel complete without the rest of the cast as well. Original voice actors from The Transformers series include Dan Gilvezan (Bumblebee), Michael Bell (Sideswipe and Scrapper), Gregg Berger (Grimlock and Long Haul) and Frank Welker (Megatron and Soundwave) reprising their roles in this G1 game.

Aside from the nostalgia, the original story created for this game fits perfectly with the G1 feel and has a unique setting. That being said, the setting is also one of its weak points.

The cell-shaded design is beautiful but the very apparent ‘copy and paste’ settings takes away from the idea of exploring the different levels. From Earth’s streets to the world of Cybertron, all settings are unique but the same because of the repetitive looking environments in each world. It’s nice to use a comic book art technique but cheating with setting takes away from the game.

Overall the game was a success with many online review sites claiming it to be “the best Transformers game ever.” Like the famous slogan would suggest, in this game there “is more than meets the eye.”

I would say the game is flawless for what it was meant to be aside from the ‘copy and paste’ settings and would give this game an 8.3/10 and the “Classic Game” seal of approval.