Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

With two hit movies under its belt, the Transformer franchise has definitely proven that it can expand past the cheesy cartoons and plastic toys that used to encompass its former glory. With the arrival of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game (see Gamespot review), they try to conquer the video game arena as well – with some considerable success, as it turns out.

Loosely following the plot of the summer blockbuster, the game offers two different campaigns, each with their own set of maps and missions. The graphics are detailed enough to let the Transformers really shine and bonus challenges and unlockable goodies keep things interesting where the gameplay could otherwise give you a distinct sense of déjà vu. Admittedly, the voice acting is a bit of a turn off, but then again, who really buys these sort of games for the plot line? The online multiplayer function offers some great chances for strategizing with other gamers on how best to coordinate your special abilities to defeat your enemies.

Unfortunately, the game controls can be a bit unwieldy and hard to manage, especially when switching between your three forms: robot, weapon, and vehicle. Don’t expect the smooth transitions that wow us in the movies, because until you get the hang of switching back and forth it’s more likely that you’ll be careening into a building than striking a cool pose as you transform. Of course, once you manage to get the hang of it, there are some truly awesome moves you can use to devastate your enemies.

Really, this game just lets you imagine what it would be like to be a transformer, and the awesome abilities eventually outweigh the irritating adjustment period. In the long run, it manages to be fun for both the old school fan and the newcomer while offering some pretty dun features and gameplay.