The
Transformers are basically a race of robots that live somewhere out in
space on a huge metal planet called - ready for this? - Cybertron.
These giant robots are about two stories tall and able to change shape
into a vehicle at will. Cybertron is not a peaceful place; there are
good robots called Autobots, and bad robots called Decepticons. They
hate each other's guts, basically because the Decepticons are evil and
want to take control of the planet. Therefore, they are fighting each
other in a war, and have been for a very long time (at least a couple
thousand years). This storyline was the basis for a children's cartoon
from the 80's, so I don't think anyone can blame it for its simplicity.
Anyway, you don't play War for Cybertron for its story. It's played for
the fantastic visuals, the intense gameplay, and the nostalgic
throwbacks to one of the best shows of its era. You play it for the
ridiculously awesome ability to be a robot and a truck at the same time.
Megatron; full-time evil overlord, part-time battle tank, badass at all times
War
for Cybertron is a third person action game - it focuses on running and
shooting. To mix up this time-tested design for a game, it also
features melee attacks, special abilities, and the ability to become a
vehicle at any time. Each robot only gets one vehicle form at a time,
but they all have their unique uses. Need to get to an area across the
arena quickly? Within a second, you're a car and zipping there at
100km/h. Need to get to a platform way up high? Just press a button,
become a jet, and hit your afterburners. Out of ammo and the enemy's
still alive? Turn into a tank and... well, I don't even need to explain
the rest. What I want to drive home is that transforming is incredibly
rewarding and elevates this game to a whole new level of fun. It gives
you, at any time, possibilities and options that completely alter how
you play. It also looks really cool, which is reason alone to transform
from time to time.
Optimus, before he was Prime. Did I mention you can transform in this game?
Transforming
to and from vehicles is backed up by a solid stable of weapons, which
vary a lot and are pretty well-executed as a whole. You know, your
standard stuff: assault rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, plasma
cannons. There are also several different varieties of grenades you can
throw or mines to place. Although you can only carry two weapons at a
time, and ammo is somewhat limited, you've always got your vehicle form
to back you up or a melee attack (Call of Duty, middle mouse button
style) to smack opponents around. Finally, there are special abilities.
These vary from robot to robot, but they include basic - but useful -
things like barriers, turrets, hovering, and cloaking, among others.
Everyone gets two different abilities at a time and they manage to
intensify the already heated battles you'll be waging across the
campaigns or online.
Optimus Prime - character robot and vehicle forms are all intricately detailed
The
single player campaigns are basic, but generally pretty fun. It starts
off with the Decepticons (evil) and progresses eventually to the
Autobots (good), although you can just start with either one at any time
if you wish. The missions are pretty linear, room-to-room affairs where
you get to blow a ton of enemy robots to bits and fly through some
amazing scenery in between. I'd like to take some time to stress this;
War for Cybertron is a great looking game. It's the best looking Unreal 3
engine game to date, in my humble opinion. The animations are fantastic
and the environments nothing short of breathtaking. Effects are flashy
and vibrant, perfect for this sort of game, and it's all backed up by a
suitably science-fiction soundtrack and sound effects. The voice acting
is intentionally cheesy, just like the old cartoon this is all based on,
and that's what makes it so great. I think the actual guy who does
Optimus Prime's voice (from the original series) is in this game, so you
know it's legit.
Scouts are fast; Scientists fly; Leaders are versatile; and Soldiers are literally tanks
The
single player is a wild, roller-coaster style affair that'll last
around seven to eight hours. It's not really groundbreaking or terribly
innovative. Still, the super-solid gameplay, graphics, and pacing make
it fun as hell and the fact you can select different characters for
every mission means there are multiple ways to play through the game.
This ties into another great feature of War for Cybertron; it has up to
3-player online co-op for both the Decepticon and Autobot missions.
Although I did not try this out personally, I can plainly see (having
finished the game myself) how it could be a truly enjoyable experience.
Another co-op mode included is a wave-battle horde mode style of game
where you and your allies try to defeat as many enemy transformers as
possible.
The real multiplayer mode, however, is the online team
deathmatch. Here you can create and customize your robots for battle,
and bring them into surprisingly intense 5v5 games. There are four basic
classes; scouts are cars, low on health but high on speed ( LOL)
and featuring cloaking abilities. Scientists are planes, having the
most mobility and able to give repairs but have very little health.
Leaders are trucks with good health, firepower, and group-boosting
abilities. Soldiers are tanks, slow but packing a lot of firepower and
the most overall health. These classes can all be leveled up and given
custom weapons, abilities, and passive traits to improve your combat
style. It's actually a lot of fun and at any time I had no trouble
finding matches online, even though I was inexperienced and new at the
game.
Gonna take it riiiiiight innnnntooooo the danger zonnneeeee
If
I had to find some negatives about War for Cybertron, I'd have to say
that at it's core, it's a very basic game. This doesn't have fancy
strategy, statistics, or anything really very deep about it at all. If
you absolutely need that kind of thing to enjoy your games, you might be
a bit disappointed with this title. It's a throwback to many of the
simpler games from one or two generations ago, but with an excellent
implementation of its Transformers license and a lot of smart design
decisions to keep it feeling fresh and updated for modern audiences.
Still, if you don't care for the license and can't find any love for
third person action games, then I can't say this will be worth your time
or money. Mind you, it's worth at least a try - even I was skeptical at
first but after the first five minutes I was hooked.
That aside,
if you are willing to give this game a chance and/or you just love
Transformers, War for Cybertron is an absolute joy. It's smartly
designed, simple but intense, and it's got outstanding visuals to back
it all up. This game would have been worth $40, easy, but it's regular
price on Steam is only $30. Considering it's got a good campaign, full
co-op, and fully-featured online play, it's value is pretty self
evident. To sum it up; unless you hate 3rd person games or Transformers, War for Cybertron is not to be missed.
