"Transformers" game on the PS2. I got it when I came out just for another
game I could play in front of my son (5 years old).
However it's turned out to be an exceedingly well done game. The CGI
sequences are jaw dropping and well shot. In other words not only do the
characters look good, but the camera angles and settings used are also well
chosen and leveraged.
The settings seem a tad redundant (there are two "jungle" levels, two "ice"
levels, etc) but very well constructed and extremely large (with no load
times after the initial load... yet another game finally putting the PS2's
DVD streaming capabilities to great use). The levels tend to allow for
multiple gameplay types: you can hidei n the jungle (or rocks or ice floes)
and snipe from afar, follow the obvious path and slam into the enemy or play
cat-and-mouse.
Power-ups in the game take the form of "Mini-cons" - small robots introduced
in the latest cartoon show. They really work in the context of the game and
mini-con management adds a cool strategic element. You can only outfit four
mini-cons at a time and only in certain configurations. Combining multiple
mini-cons from the same "teams" will increase your health and stamina as
well.
There are dozens of mini-cons and each adds some unique power. For example
one mini-con gives you an "Energon Sight" ability which lets you see bad
guys anyplace on the screen, regardless of stealth or cover. Another gives
you the ability to glide short distances, another offers you a sniper rifle
and another a loadout of missles. Unfortunately many of the best sounding
mini-cons just don't work very well. For example one supposedly gives you
the ability to turn enemies on one another: however this effect is
exceedingly temporary and enemies simply seem able to do more damage to you
than to each other.
Also if you equip an "experimental" mini-con you end up depriving yourself
of something important (defense or a heavy weapon). Having the ability to
equip more than four mini-cons would have been very nice, or having certain
mini-cons permanently equipped once found (especially the "high jump" and
"glider" ones) would have freed up a slot for experimentation.
Still, you can reenter any level whenever you like and at multiple points so
you can experiment pretty freely. However the terrain and enemy type may
change so much during a level than you can rarely get away with
experimentation where it counts.
In addition you can also find "datacons" - which are simply keys to
unlocking media extras. However unlike most games this is actually worth
it: each datacon (not just ALL of them) actually unlocks a sizable extra.
One might unlock a gallery of a dozen or so rendered plates, another might
unlock a generation one Transformers cartoon public service announcement.
You can also get music from the show, movies from the game, instructions and
background information on the Hasbro Toy line (including some interesting
prototype images) and so forth.
Since every Datacon unlocks something you never feel frustrated by missing
just one. There are literally hundreds of extra images, movies, clips,
audio, etc to unlock.
The enemies in the game are tough and numerous (in some places VERY
numerous). Health powerups are only found near fallen foes and disappear
after a short while. So you may often find yourself very low on health and
unable to power up (since you'll be sniping from afar to avoid losing your
last bit of health, but unable to reach the goodies in time once done).
Having free-standing health powerups would be very nice (this game has none
of the boxes or barrels that dominate other games).
(As a side point all of the combat is all robot-on-robot: there is a lot of
laser shooting, missile-flinging, giant-robot bashing violence, but no blood
at all. You don't "die" but rather become "Stasis Locked" from lack of
energon and start at your last save point.)
In fact, in general the environments, while great looking and well built are
almost entirely static. Nothing is breakable, movable or (except for a very
few elevators) controllable. The only real environmental hazard so far has
been deep water (which kills you almost instantly) and long falls.
The control scheme is solid and well-planned. The shoulder buttons
represent whatever mini-con loadout you currently sport so their functions
will vary, but only nominally (for example you can only equip "blaster"
mini-cons to the R1 button, so that's always your blaster). Transforming
can be done at any time in the game, but the only benefit to your vehicle
mode is speed as you can't fire at all in that form. You can ram enemies,
but this tends to be worth it only with Optimus Prime and then only when he
can drive downhill (since he's so slow).
The vehicle physics are VERY loose. You'll (unfortunately) often try to
dodge an enemy missle only to find yourself spinning out of control. In
general transforming seems an after thought as there are very few places (a
few ramps and jumps and some clear ground) where it's worth it. In most of
the levels there are simply too many trees to navigate well and in others
too many enemies to lose your weapon. It can, however, get you away quickly
if you're lucky enough not to hit a tree.
In robot mode the only continual physics issue is that giant robots jump
like bricks. You'll find yourself frustrated (momentarily) over and over as
you try to jump to a knee-high ledge.
Many of the battles seem utterly overwhelming at first (especially some of
the boss battles) but become simpler once you find the right
strategy/mini-con loadout. I've gotten past some points through what seems
like sheer luck so your mileage may vary - I can see how somebody could call
this a very difficult game and how others could say it wasn't difficult
enough.
Still, those are all minor points. The cinemas are gorgeous and the story
clean and straightforward (and, surprisingly for a video game these days,
doesn't feature either lost love or betrayal as a central theme). Combat is
a hoot and the numerous and well-planned saves points means you won't be
backtracking forever to move ahead.
The levels are huge but generally easy to navigate and your get periodic
objective updates from your allies. Boss fights are tough, but always the
first thing after the last save point (I hate a game that throws a hard boss
up then makes you retrace the entire, difficult level just to get back to
that point).
While the number of upgrades you can equip at once is (I think) a little
limiting the total number of upgrades is impressive and supports pretty much
any type of gameplay you could want.
The extras are relatively easy to gain and extremely numerous and pay homage
to both the onld "Classic" Transformers and the new generation.
All in all, especially if you're a fan or have a kid of the appropriate age,
it's a great way to spend a weekend. I'm not quite done with the game yet
but I expect total gameplay (from start to finish having found all the
mini-cons and datacons) to be in the eight-ten hour range at the outside
making it well-worth a rental.
Jim Davis
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