Activision can be a strange company. The organisation goes out of its way to ensure that the likes of Destiny and Call of Duty are covered correctly, but while it's seemingly happy to invest money into middle-tier titles like Transformers: Devastation and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5, it doesn't appear to have any faith in them at all. Perhaps in the case of the latter it had something to hide, but the word on the street is that Platinum Games' slick looking Generation 1 brawler is pretty bloody good. We've just popped to the shops to buy a copy, so we'll be blasting through it like Blurr to bring you our review as soon as possible.
Destructoid - 8.5/10
I'm not even sure if there are G1 fans out there anymore. It shouldn't be a deciding factor when picking up Transformers: Devastation though, as it's a great action romp by any right. Just be ready to deal with a few nitpicky issues.
Metro - 8/10
The best Transformers game so far but, more importantly, a hugely entertaining and original action game that is one of the most uniquely entertaining releases of the year.
Not many reviews to go on just yet, but this one's clearly got potential (lad). Are you hopeful that this title has the touch? Dare to be stupid in the comments section below.
Comments 44
I wouldn't exactly call it the best imo, high moon's games are more up my alley. But from what I've played this one is still highly entertaining and fun. A certain character makes for a nice collectible to find too!
@irken004 I very much enjoyed the High Moon games, but I vastly prefer the art direction in this one. I'm assuming it's 60 frames-per-second on PS4, right?
Why do you hate rodimus so much lads? 😀
If the game is fun I may get it closer to Christmas. Too busy studying and trying to Platinum Metal Gear.
I hate to defend Activision but I can see a kind of logic behind it. Most Transformers fans should be aware of this, at least the kind of Transformers fans that actually like the franchise and would buy games based on it, not just people ironically wearing "retro" Decepticon t-shirts. I'm not a fan myself but this is true of things I am a fan of, like One Piece. The kind of people who are going to be into a Japanese comic for teenage boys are going to be geeks, they're going to be knowledgeable and aware of what's going on with games and other spin-off stuff. People that buy Blops aren't. They buy it because of the hype, like how people go to see Summer blockbusters not because they deeply appreciate the director's style but because "everyone is going to see it", right? It's a big event, the hype compels them.
The more hardcore fans of this kind of thing will be on the internet a lot, reading news on gaming sites. The average guy who's going to buy Blops won't do that. He'll only go on the internet for Netflix, Facebook and Tinder. He needs to see it on the side of buses. He needs to see it advertised during a football match. For the more nerdy/dedicated fan, they'll find out from their forums, from sites like this, from their newsletters from fansites and so on. I'm not saying it's ideal, that it wouldn't be nice to see them putting more effort in, but I do totally understand it.
@belmont Arise, Rodimus Prime.
Etched in my mind forever!
@Matroska You're right, but it doesn't seem like they even sent this out to reviewers. I'm not saying they need to go on a marketing blitz, but at least do the basics.
Maybe they did send it out to reviewers and I'm wrong, but there certainly aren't as many reviews up as there should be. Which is a shame, because by all accounts it's a great game.
@get2sammyb But...the mix of realistic and retro elements in the art direction of the Cybertron games were so good. This one just...looks like the TV show. Still looks good though, I'll admit.
Anyway, not sure about what Metro said. High Moon Studios' Transformers games were criminally underrated (they made the best Transformers games), so I gotta test this one out for myself. I hope it's as good as reviews are letting on!
Great looking game but sorry metro, armada: prelude to energon is the greatest transformers game OF ALL TIME!
@get2sammyb Yeah, it's locked at 60 frames-per-second (unlike THPS5's erratic framerate from 60 to under 10 frames-per-second). Coupled with the terrific art-style, it's a really stunning game to see in action.
It sounds like it's on par with Metal Gear Rising for combat depth but worse than that game in all other aspects.
Still, MGR's a high bar to reach and I'm still looking forward to getting my preorder.
@DrJoeystein Think about what you just said, though: "This one just...looks like the TV show." That's amazing!
Again, I did very much enjoy the High Moon games, but they were a bit muddy looking for me. Probably didn't help that they were Unreal Engine 3 games on the PS3 - a combination that soured me on many a game's visuals last-gen.
I can't wait. Going to be picking up my copy on Friday when I get paid.
So what exactly is this? A fighting game? Action adventure? Just not sure what the genre is here, and maybe I missed it in the article, but didn't catch it there either. Thx
@viciousarcanum I completely agree with you. An underrated classic. I'm hoping Devastation is better, though.
@get2sammyb - Unreal Engine 3 games on the PS3
Oh let it go already, PS4 has been out for 2 years, you've written thr PS3 obituary several times, you need to move on.
@SonyInfinity
I believe they usually call it action- hack and slash, but that is to broad for my taste. It's a Platinum Games game, that's what it is.
Think Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising, DmC with a hint of Vanquish. From what I've heard it isn't quite up to those standards, but for a game that had a supposedly small budget and short development cycle it's an outstanding product. I just played a small demo and I was hooked right away; not only did the action feel really fluid and exactly as I imagined Transformers to fight, the artstyle is gorgeous. They really pay homage to the source material and Platinum Games yet again shows that they are the best in the bizz when it comes to these type of games. MS/ Nintendo/ Sony should have bought this studio while they had the chance!
@Matroska
To sum it all up: we are nerds? jk, I know what you mean
I grew with Japanese transformers (i.e, Victory Leo and Star Saber) so I find hard to get into American transformers
I've never been a huge fan of Transformers in general, much less the original series stuff, but somehow I just couldn't take my eyes off the trailer in this article. Nice work, Platinum, you've made a strangely compelling game.
Cool. I've been on the fence about this game so far but good reviews could push me over.
@get2sammyb Well, if you want a visual style faithful to the original TV show, I would say this is pretty dang cool then! lol I just prefer more imaginative takes on Transformers, and HMS got that nice cross between the G1 and Michael Bay style that really caught my eye (no, I don't like the movies. Just think some of the Transformers' designs are pretty cool in them. )
Yeah, that muddy look was pretty common for a lot of games last-gen. I understand how that would turn you off in terms of the visuals. However, I thought it looked more metallic than muddy, and some of the bright neon colors helped offset the abundance of grays (especially with FoC).
Excited for this. I was never a huge Transformers fan but the fact this looks like a TVs show is awesome. Plus after Bayonetta 2, Platinum have a fan in me!
@Matroska What's wrong with a decepticons t shirt? I have one of them.
There was a good transformers game on the ps2. Last gen transformers were not for me at all and I cant see this being any different.
Didn't like Rising or Bayonetta. Loved Vanquish and Transformers.
"I'm not even sure if there are G1 fans out there anymore."
THERE ARE DOZENS OF US! DOZENS!
Platinum games are the best!
Really like the look of this. But I have so many games to even start. Can I justify the £40 odd and postage or will I wait till it's down to €10 in CEX next year, hmmm
@themcnoisy which game was good on the ps2?
This one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B001R127B6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1444206165&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=transformers+ps2&dpPl=1&dpID=51M4pDPBYRL&ref=plSrch
Or this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000O32Z5G/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1444206165&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=transformers+ps2&dpPl=1&dpID=51RFp267xNL&ref=plSrch ?
Might give it a look
@readyletsgo If Platinum games are the best don't buy it from CeX lol
But yeah, too much else to play at the mo, will get this (new!) for Christmas!
@kyleforrester87 lol yeah CEX is a bad idea. I'll just wait for the price to drop down a little bit for now.
Sure I still have to start the transformer game on the WiiU.
@readyletsgo CEX is okay, my store gets new games in still wrapped. Its good for ditching stuff and getting a few quid back, you would obviously get more on ebay nut I find this one stop shop convenient.
@themcnoisy It's when people that aren't fans wear it, not as a specific "I'm a fan of Transformers" thing but as a "REMEMBER THE 80s!?!?" thing. The kind of people that made Pixels. You get the same kind of thing with Superman t-shirts. 99% of the time the person wearing it has never read a comic in their life.
@Matroska hey I have a Superman t shirt and have read 3 whole comic books. Haha. I see your point.
@themcnoisy agreed... Also remember you pay ebay fees, paypal fees, packaging costs and postal costs - i used to sell everything via ebay but worked out i was only making a quid or so extra so now I just CEX everything instead.
If you sell for vouchers its usually £5 or so more and their prices arent that far off. I just got tearaway unfolded for £22 from them, perfect condition.
So, ps3 or ps4 version? Ps3 version is literally €30 cheaper on Friday at €29
I hope this game sells well cause I want a G.I. Joe or a Justice League Animated Series game by Platinum Games next.
Already made up my mind on buying this, if platinum handled this like bayo 2 and it seems like it I will be glad to empty the wallet for it.
The five hour campaign puts me off from buying it tbh, well at retail pricing anyway. Would be ok for say £20-25
@WanderingBullet I doubt Platinum would make a Justice League game since DC is owned by Warner Bros and they have their own studios to make said games.
Started playing yesterday.
Love it.
@Tasuki Ah, I didn't know that.
It takes all of my favorite Platinum Games game mechanics and paints it in the sweet colors of my childhood.. Yes. I love it.
@Cron_13 it's Platinum. Most of their games are on the shorter side... Besides, the whole point is to improve your skills and your bots stats so you can tackle the harder difficulties. The combos are also an absolute blast when you nail them perfectly.
On a side note, you can cancel into more combos.... Which is absolutely ace!! Love Platinum Games for everything they've done for me, and this is just more icing on the cake.
@Matroska I hate it most when people wear Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon shirts when they can't name their favorite song from the album.... Heck I've had someone tell me "Another Brick in the Wall" with absolute confidence. However in this game's case, I would definitely say as a G1 fan that this game... Certainly has the touch...
Is it just a fighting game??? Bahweepgrahnahweepneeneebong!
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