Review: Transformers the Game

Do you remember the 80's? Certain unique cartoons came out during that time and one particular one showed the possibilities of robots in disguise. These soldiers came to earth battling a long war that spread over the universe. Now the battle comes to Earth with the mission on destroying all things and others trying to save it. From Trucks to Boom Boxes even animals, these beings showed us that anything can transform into a Robotic warriors. Now a little over two decades later Transformers arrives to the big screen as a live action movie, however with a movie must come the movie game. Ladies and gentlemen I introduce to you Transformers the game for the Playstation Portable.

Let’s begin with the game modes. Not much too really talk about the modes you have the Single Player, Multiplayer and Rewards options. In single player you can play your current mission or relive an older mission you already accomplished. Multiplayers basically going head to head with up to four players in a shoot them up ad hoc style. List of Multiplayer games below:

* Deathmatch
* Team Deathmatch
* Capture the Allspark
* King of the hill

Now one thing I give them credit for is adding 25 playable characters for the PSP that is not added for the next gen console. However does that make the game anymore fun? Sorry I would have to say no. The famous big names are in the game from the Autobots Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide, BumbleBee, Rachet and Hound. For the Decepticons we have Shockwave, Blackout, Thundercracker, Megatron, and Starscream.

The button scheme is a bit annoying. You can change the controls in the in-game options. You can choose from Default, Basic, Advanced, or Retro. The conversion to Robot and Vehicle is fluid, but once in vehicle mode it is very hard to control. Now with the flying Decepticons was peaking some interest until I saw the limits of flight. This is still lacking in speed with combat as a vehicle.

Talking about the combat makes me move forward to graphics of the game. The environments look great in my opinion and nicely detailed for the handheld, however the detail clashes with the enemies. If the enemy doesn't have any color on them you will have a hard time seeing them until they start attacking or you see the blue Marker. If you didn't have the lock feature hitting the enemy with your weapon would be pretty darn annoying as well. With the triangle and X button to look up or down for targeting, just hit the down button for lock on and hope for the best. Another thing no real difficulty with the A.I. because your mostly fighting either autobot drones or Decepticon drones. They stand still shooting you can either strafe left or right while shooting at them but if you go off target the lock on turns off. So, with that being said you have a bad targeting system and the enemies clashing with the background, I mean honestly I hate the fact that I have to squint to see if that is the grass or the enemy.

You do get to customize your weapons before each of the nineteen missions through the game, but hardly anything that amazing. You have hand to hand combat but it is very repetitive and there is still no real challenge for a fight. When you hit the square button and left analog stick at the same time it does a different melee move.

I am trying to find the fun factor but you go around in empty environments driving or running whatever you prefer, when out of nowhere enemies pop up after about two minutes. Another note the environment is not destructive it would be nice to have destructive backgrounds, besides picking up trees and cars. I want to destroy a building which only happens unless that is an objective.

My final thoughts on this game, for one the story is pretty interesting and playing as the characters with some original voice acting brings back great memories from the old cartoon. Now I can understand some of the places in the game for example the desert and forest area being empty of civilization but when you’re in the city it would make sense to have traffic or people walking around at least. The controls are sluggish, especially when you have to aim at enemies or get through obstacles. Unlocking rewards during the game is great and finding secrets but not very difficult to do or find. There is a save point almost everywhere when you start a new objective which also is your re-spawn point when you are destroyed. Other than that the difficulty is the biggest problem with the game. It is just way too easy and leaves you in a horrid feel when you play. I doubt even the multiplayer will be used much.

Sorry to say but this Transformers installment is not even good for the fan boy within. It just fails at too many points to have greater potential. If anything get it for the little ones or rent it out to find out for yourself. I am giving Transformers the Game for the PSP a Computer Error of 1 out of 5 sparks. Enjoy the movie when it comes out folks.