Transformers: Fall of Cybertron

"Robotic Carnage"

  


Developer: High Moon Studios
Publisher: Activision
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Platform(s): PS3, 360, PC
Genre: Third-person Shooter

It’s been two years since the war for Cybertron was lost. Megatron, leader of the Decepticons, infected the planets core with Dark Energon and now in order to repair itself the core must shutdown for millions of year causing Cybertron to become a barren wasteland unable to inhabit life. The inhabitants of Cybertron must now leave there dying planet in search of a new world, till the cleansing process is complete. The only hope for the inhabitants of Cybertron is an unknown portal.

In the first mission of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Optimus informs Bumblebee about the demise of their planet and how there last hope is a mystery portal that may close at anytime. It’s not long before Megatron shows up to destroy the Autobots Ark and stop them from reaching the portal. Bumblebee is hurt during the attack and is immediately repaired by Ratchet, but still unable to fix his voice module. More Decepticons show up only to fall at the might of the Autobots. Megatron messages the Autobots in his traditional overconfident and threatening way while more Decepticons swarm the engine room, focusing Optimus to leave. Bumblebee was placed in charged to keep the bridge safe but damages to the Plasma Defense Cannons have forced Bumblebee to abandon his post and repair the fuse. This leads Bumblebee throughout the Ark to aid the Autobots in repelling the attack as portions of the massive vessel burn and blow-up.

 

While attempting to complete his objective a large claw rips a portion of the ship, almost sucking Bumblebee through. Despite losing his comrades Bumblebee presses forward, witness fellow soldiers in all out battle between Megatron’s army and see’s Shockwave leading the attack. Bumblebee sprints towards his objective to aid Optimus while assisting a lone comrade. While Bumblebee gets the defense cannons online a massive claw almost crushes him, diving to a nearby hatch Bumblebee recovers and is given a new objective: help Optimus Prime. Unable to get to him on foot Bumblebee changes form and drives quickly towards Optimus’s location. Reaching his goal Bumblebee finds a large Autobot waiting for him and another solider leading him towards fresh supplies and a direct route to Optimus. With the aid of an Autobots Bumblebee leads the charge towards Optimus’s position. Finding his great leader Bumblebee is knocked down and attempts to get up. The mission ends with Bumblebee witnessing Optimus fighting Megatron.

Right from the start those who played Transformers: War for Cybertron will recognize the gameplay of its sequel. The voice-acting maintains the same authentic nature of the previous game, allowing those to immediately recognize characters by their voice alone. Players will still eliminate enemies from and third person perspective and be able to transform in vehicles and boost to objectives quickly. Both heavy and light weapons are shown with the ability to shoot from both your left and right hand. It’s clear that the developers at High Moon Studios want to build on what made the first title so great.
 

Although some elements are come from its predecessor new elements are shown during this mission. Two of the most striking elements is the new health system and the absent of companions. In War for Cybertron players had segments of their health displayed in the form of batteries and, depending on your class, a fixed amount. However in the Fall for Cybertron players have two bars of health, one displays a rechargeable shied and the other is the actual health. During this mission Bumblebee is alone, unlike in War for Cybertron where two other characters accompanied the player during each mission for cooperative play. Also shown is the ability to sprint, sprint melee, and dash through the air, but it isn’t shown if these abilities were class based or universal. Players will also notice that the icons displaying two special abilities are absent.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron looks like it is on the right path. Before Transformers: War for Cybertron a good game based on the series seemed to be impossible, but High Moon Studios proved that wrong. By staying true to what made these living cybernetic creatures so great and combining it with great gameplay this is one game that shouldn’t disappoint. 

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed (@youtube)