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Developer: Melbourne House
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Action
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 05 May 04
User Rating
10 (2 votes) -
- The first videogame based on the famed cartoon series is here, and its a joy to play, albeit with some shortcomings.
More Screens (15 total)
Overview
I'm sure everyone remembered Transformers, the hit cartoon series that arguably hit its peak in the 80s. The whole concept of 'robots in disguise' was a surefire hit with the audience, and now in line with the series' 20th anniversary, Atari's Melbourne House developed the very first videogame on Transformers. So how did this game turn out, read through and find out!
Gameplay
Like I mentioned earlier, a video game based on the Transformer's license would be more than welcome by gamers. On paper it has the potential to be a very special and memorable game. This is a lot of hype and pressure for the game and to some extent it does hold up its end of the bargain; but unfortunately not all of it.
One of the immediate problems with Transformers is the lack of story right from the get go. How can you make a game based on a single player mode with absolutely no story? There are the mini-cons, which are a lost race. Big deal, besides this we are left with zero sense of why we're on the battlefield. If you're going to make a single player mode you really have the obligation to at least attempt to create a story to go along with it.
Ok so Transformers has a little more to the story then that, but let's just say there's really not much to offer. We find that Transformers really isn't about the story but all about the action, and let me tell you this game starts off fast and furious. Right from the beginning of the action you are thrown into some heated battles. They don't just throw one or two enemies at you, they throw five or six, and these aren't the weakly armed types either.
As you start going farther and farther into the game the better the weapons become and this is where the fun increases even more. With these weapons the battles become even more intense. The one downside to all of this action is that really aren't places to take cover or hide. Once you're in a battle you are committed till you're the last one standing (hopefully). The variety of weapons helps make up for the lack of story to give you a reason to play through the game.
Of course the game is called Transformers and it's called that for a reason. Each robot by the single click of a button can change forms. All three of the robots turn into different vehicles that get you from point A to point B a lot quicker then it would by running. Although I had my doubts at first on this feature I must say that the transforming feature worked out quite nicely.
But probably the best part of all is the boss fights; these could be some of the best boss fights ever created for a video game. Although the bosses can be quite challenging they are so complex and so well drawn out that it's hard not to just sit back and look in amazement with how great these bosses were created.
Now I know I have been giving a lot of positives but there are a few minor downsides that hold it back from being a great game. To start with the controls feel a little clunky and sometimes can be hard to get the hang of. The lack of a true storyline also kind of makes a slight drawback for the story mode which kind of drags on without having a true reason of playing.
Overall the action of Transformers is very impressive, and is smooth from start to finish. It doesn't have the fine tuning and polishing that it needs to make it over the bump and become a great game.
Graphics
Graphically Transformers was going to have to perform in this department or the game would have failed miserably. Something about Mech titles; they just demand a much higher need for good graphics then any other genre I can think of.
So how does Transformers do in the graphics department? Well let's just say it is the most impressive part of the game. The textures of each robot have so much detail, and such rich colors that it's hard not to just stare and bring it all in. The one downside to the graphics is that the environments really aren't up to par with the robot models.
Overall the graphics of Transformers are really good, they have plenty of color, some is lacking detail, but overall you are looking at a pretty game.
Fun Factor
With Transformers you are provided with non-stop action, one thing gamers seem to be looking for these days! Now the gameplay itself works quite well but it does seem to drag on a lot more then it probably needed to. Without a storyline it was really hard to find interest in any of the scenarios or any of the environments. You really never get that feeling like the game is coming alive.
Overall
For anyone out there who are in dire need of a pure action Mech title for your PS2 you really can't go wrong with Transformers. It's a solid game that has plenty to offer, but at the same token plenty of areas that could be cleared up.
- Gameplay
7.0 - Graphics
8.0 - Fun Factor
7.0 - Overall
7.0
