Video games based on big budget Hollywood movies are by past example usually much worse than an original IP, and most of the time take a great series and ruin it via the interactive experience. Proof of this theory can be shown in games based off great movies such as The Matrix, 300, Spider-Man, X-Men, Lord of the Rings; I could go on and on giving examples of triple A movies turned into triple D video games. Every now and then there are exemptions to the rule, but 9 times out of 10 you will come away sorely disappointed. To say I was a tad bit excited about the upcoming Transformers movie would be a massive understatement. Produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Michael Bay the movie was set to break all summer box office records, unfortunately this is not a review of the movie but a review of the sub-par side project for the Xbox 360. Transformers: The Game was developed by the fine folks over at Traveller's Tales (Lego Star Wars) and published by one of the best firms out there, Activision. While the game definitely had it's "oh my god" moments that left me wanting more; it did not completely break out of the "terrible movie game" mold – that said, it did come pretty close.
The storyline of Transformers: The Game runs parallel to that of the movie (released July 3rd) which involves the main character (Shia LeBoeuf) having possession of a very important artifact. The evil robots (Decepticons) are trying to retrieve this artifact while the good robots (Autobots) are trying to protect it. While not one of the most interesting plots on the face of the earth I did find myself involved in the characters and finishing the game just to find out what happens in the story. The developers decided to make Transformers a mix between a classic linear title and a new-age open world (sandbox) style game. Although it is nice to see a game try something new it is evident throughout that this is their first try at this style of gameplay and everything just does not flow/mesh correctly.
From the start you can choose to take on the role of the Autobots or Decepticons; each class having their own unique missions and plot line. Basically the entire game puts you in control of one of a dozen different vehicles including everything from your basic automobiles to sweet fighter jets. The controls are very basic (split into driving or fighting) and easy to master: the left analog stick controls your robot/vehicle, one button jumps/accelerates, one does your turbo, one button transforms you, one button does melee attack, and the others control your transformer's weapons (primary and secondary attacks). The unfortunate thing about the weapons system in Transformers: The Game is that many of the weapons, while very cool, are pretty useless. After the wow factor wore off I found myself beating the crap out of my enemies (boss battles as well) using only my fists or melee weapons.
Taking a cue from games like Hulk, most of the universe in Transformers is completely destructible (buildings, cars, etc.). You can also use items scattered around the world as melee (or tossing) weapons; there is nothing better than overheating your machine gun, picking up the nearest object (which happens to be the local high-school football team's goalpost) and tossing it at a menacing transformer as he is about to cut you into pieces. This is just one example but there are countless other options. Speaking of traditional weapons each transformer has it's own unique set of weapons at your disposal; including rockets, machine guns, etc. Every Transformers fan knows that for a video game based on their beloved series to be successful the actual process of transforming has to be easy, seamless, and look badass. If this game does one thing perfect it is the transformation process. All you have to do is tap the Y button once and your robot immediately switches from normal looking vehicle to out of this world looking, ass-kicking transformer.
