Transformers: Fall of Cybertron

The Autobots are rolling back into action in their latest installment on home consoles. And kicking the Decepticons tail pipes is their number one priority. Who will win the Energon War? And who will be condemned to the sea of rust?

Fall of Cybertron is the second installment in the Transformers series from High Moon Studios. Well, technically it is the third Transformers game from the developer but I think we could all happily forget any and all movie tie-in games ever made. The game continues in the midst of the civil war on Cybertron. It is the dying days of the once glorious robotic habitat of both the Autobots and Decepticons. Although with the planet void of resources there isn’t much left on Cybertron to stay for. Both sides engage in war for the last remaining resources and a means of escape. Massive set pieces and awesome plot twists make for an invigorating experience with a very real underlying message. You even get to play as both sides of the war with a whole load of famous Transformers including the Dinobots.

Cybertron looks great for a city blown apart by massive robots fighting in the streets, skies and every other space you could park a SUV in. The scenery is uniquely futuristic with metallic walls and bright lights decorating the energon pulsing planet. Each level has a different feel that progresses the story while setting itself apart from being just another metal laden landscape. Each level captures the feel of the side you chose; while you are the Autobots there is almost an honorable aesthetic where their world is bright and glowing but when playing as the Decipticons you are confronted with a much darker atmosphere that feels genuinely evil with a large emphasis on the iconic purple that makes Megatron stand out amongst others.

There is a massive cast of famous well known Transformers actors reprising their role in the game including Nolan North, who plays numerous roles throughout the campaign. It takes a very passionate cast of voice actors to provide such believable and playful dialogue while immersing you in the story. Some of the best one liners segue into conversations naturally and provide some great laughs amidst the chaos of a dying civilisation.

Much like the first game Transformers is a fun and fast FPS. There are a lot of tweaks and adjustments that do make it feel just that bit smoother. Even the cars handle slightly better from what I can remember. Although that isn’t to say it feels like a racing game. Far from it. I often found myself in a state that felt like I was sliding across an icy plane on my way towards the next objective. So I usually avoided the majority of the driving sections and ran for my dear life, boosting as much as possible to avoid numerous danger zones and more notably the edge of the platform. I did, however, love being able to fly, be that online or offline, I was always way above my enemy at every given opportunity.

Fall of Cybertron also sees the return of both Escalation and Online game modes. The online modes are very similar to that of the first game and I’d swear there are a few reused levels. That’s not to say you can’t have fun online, though. You can still rampage through the battlezone as one of the many classes on offer, each with their own level of customisation. I would advise that you play with friends as the class-based system truly benefits from a good bit of teamwork. Although if you can’t find an Autobot or Decepticon to transform your online experience nothing can beat flying around as the scientist class, destroying everyone from above.

The Escalation game type is one that happens to appear in every game nowadays. That’s right, another “horde” mode. Here you are tasked with destroying 15 waves of increasingly dangerous and heated waves. There are gates you can open and weapons to purchase. Overall Escalation feels an awful lot like CoD:WaW’s zombie mode but with robots, obviously.

Some of the levels house the best in game easter eggs you could dream of. I swear you can find a breakdancing minicon amidst the rubble of a destroyed wall. And that’s not all. Throughout each level there are audio logs and blueprints for new weapons, meaning that not only can you go through the game again to find Starscream’s golden crown but if you find enough blueprints you can have the most destructive arsenal Cybertron has ever seen.

Transformer is a great game for singleplayer. The story is compelling and has some truly epic moments. I loved playing as all the different transformers and it was a real nostalgia kick. The only thing that lets the game down is a rather short story and not much has been done to improve the multiplayer. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Transformers. Hell I was more than willing to roll out and support Optimus like every one should. Let’s hope that there is still a lot more to come from such a unique and fun series.