Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Well, we staggered out of the cinema wondering what else could possibly have been thrown at us. Same goes here insofar as Transformers games go we reckon.

With extensive online multiplayer modes and the choice between AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON allegiance, the latest Transformers videogame shouts value like Bumblebee’s ear-splitting EMP shock-wave. And we dare say you won’t see a more impressive game on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360; the shape-changing robots come dramatically close to mimicking their imposing big screen alter-egos.

Does the movie really need to be 150 minutes when 90mins is about right? No. But there’s bang for your buck. Clearly Activision took the same gangbusters approach to producing Revenge of the Fallen, the game. With 23 missions to complete shared between 14 zones around the world (starting in Shanghai then heading to the West Coast of America then Egypt as with the movie) it’s a long haul in the one-player story mode – which you’ll complete twice to experience both sides of the story.

You shouldn’t expect the AUTOBOT / DECEPTICON challenges to vary all that much, usually it’s the same map with similar objectives… broadly speaking Kill ‘Em All. But the boon is really enjoying control of such a wide range of Transformers, employing their individual speciality moves and altering your tactics accordingly.

Crucial to your enjoyment of ROTF on console is the control system, which is very successful. Your default form is robot, and shape-shifting to a vehicle is done at the press of a shoulder button. The decision has been made to have vehicles hit the ground running, in fact they don’t stop rolling / flying once engaged.

If you want to stop and shoot you’ll need the robot form – vehicles are used to cover distance and use velocity to launch into powerful jumps and strikes. Flying as Starscream feels cool, barrel rolling to confuse the enemy and banking sharply to clear obstacles at speed. Transforming mid-flight is simply awesome. Stomping around as Ironhide and laying down gun turrets as backup makes you feel mean and powerful. It’s only slightly deflating to realise that you can keep your distance and fire homing missiles. You’ll owe it to yourself to engage in noisy melee attacks.

It’s the tidy control scheme that bodes so well for a long stay across Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network multiplayer servers. As the movie box-office has proven since the opening weekend there are plenty of folks who love Transformers no matter what the stuffy reviewers might moan. If these shape-shifting aliens ever sparked your adventurous heart you’ll be looking to ROTF online as a dream come true.

In Story Mode we have to say that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen does become ‘samey’ and maybe the environments should’ve been more imaginatively integrated into the gameplay challenges. However as destructible playing fields for the Transformers to set about each other this is almost perfect.

Oh, and the unlockables are pretty fantastic too - wait and see.

4 out of 5