Review: Transformers: Fall of Cybertron

Posted on September 3, 2012 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)

Developer: High Moon Studios

Publisher: Activision

# of Players: 1 (Online 2 – 12)

ESRB Rating; T (Teen)

Score: B+ (85%)

High Moon Studios swings hard for the fences with Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, and while not quite a clean home run (it’s more of a hard rocket shot that clangs off the correct side of the foul pole into the stands), the game manages to be a fantastic follow up to Transformers: War on Cybertron, despite the loss of co-op play and the twin campaign structure. Previous experience with the last game isn’t really necessary for any player to hop in and have a blast, but A true Transformers fan will tell you that you’ll need to know where the story began before tackling what’s here. It’s definitely going to help in terms of understanding what’s going on in all the chaos, as the game assumes you’re playing it because you’ve been around for the first installment. FoC is also packed with fan service in the form of in-jokes, references to the cartoons and the animated movie and more hidden goodies than you can shake a Minicron at.

(Although, shaking a Minicron would probably not be a good thing to do unless you were really mad at it for knocking over a vase onto that napping cat by “accident” or something…)

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Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Launch Trailer: These ARE The Droids You’re Looking For!

Posted on August 20, 2012 by geelw

Tomorrow is the happy day for Activision and High Moon Studios as their big metal baby storms into retail before landing snugly in consoles all across North America. All that hard work they’ve put into what’s looking like the best Transformers game to date should make fans all to happy to snap this up like hotcakes. If War for Cybertron kept you busy for weeks, the new customization modes, addition of fan favorite characters, even more thrilling gameplay and what looks like some ridiculously fun multiplayer modes should have you practically living in front of your TV. Of course, you kids headed back to school had better get that gaming in before you have to hit the books hard. You don’t want to end up being a video games journalist or something equally low-rent (little in-joke there)…

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Multiplayer: Two (Or More) Can Play That Game!

Posted on July 27, 2012 by geelw

It’s pretty clear that Activision and High Moon Studios have a big hit here, so the game will practically sell itself without any trumpeting from me. My only issue with the game is there’s no portable version, specifically a Vita game that could be played cross platform or had content such as upgrades earned while playing that could be transferred to the PS3 version. Yeah, I know the game has been in development for a bit, but why not try to use features touted in Sony’s new portable in order to possibly generate a few sales for the unit? I know I’d buy a Vita version of this game for sure…

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Update: Peter Cullen IS Optimus Prime Again…

Posted on June 14, 2012 by geelw

And all is good in that way fans of the show would want it to be in the case of one of the key character voices. Frankly speaking, the game is looking so polished and excellent that they could have gotten Gilbert Gottfried to to ALL the voice work and it would still be worth paying full price for. Hmmm… that gives me an(other) crazy idea (dot, dot, dot).

Memo to Activision: maybe think about giving Gilbert a call and hell, get him to narrate the TV commercials while you’re at it. I know people who bought a Shoedini just because he was the voice talent in that infomercial. Or maybe not. Hey, I’m entitled to feeble attempts at both humor and dipping a toe into some PR person’s day to give them a chuckle from time to time…

E3 2012: Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Cinematic #2: It Just Keeps Getting Bigger & Better…

Posted on June 6, 2012 by geelw

Truth be told, this game REALLY doesn’t need any CG trailers at all, as the gameplay itself looks pretty amazing. That and the Megaplex reveal we all saw was more than enough to make plenty of people want to trow more money at Activision and keep High Moon Studios in business. City-sized robot? Oh yeah, that’s going to be a ton (or a few million tons) or awesome.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Gameplay: Grimlock Not Look So Dumb Now!

Posted on April 20, 2012 by geelw

Excellent. I’m liking High Moon Studios’ take on these characters more and more each time I see new screens or videos and it’s clear that this one is going to be a hit when it finally drops into stores. It’s too bad the movies aren’t as good as the non-movie based games, but then again, freed from that license and Michael Bay’s directorial efforts, there’s always room to breathe, I say…

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Gameplay Videos: Full Metal Everything (And Then Some)…

Posted on March 29, 2012 by geelw

While Transformers games have been hit or miss with the ones based outside the films being superior to the ones tied directly to them, it’s pretty clear that Fall of Cybertron will be the all-out killer app fans have been dreaming of (unless they’re still in cheesy 80’s Transformers mode, then they just need a cookie and a nap). High Moon is doing some pretty impressive work as you can see here and below, and with a Fall 2012 release creeping up, I’d say there’s not all that much to be worried about unless the game somehow misses its ship date and drops into 2013 (which shouldn’t happen, right Activision?). Back with more later…

Belated Valentine’s Day Game Greetings (Because I’m Lazy Like That)

Posted on February 21, 2012 by geelw

Well, OK. I’m not really THAT lazy, but I do have an overactive spam filter that occasionally eats stuff it shouldn’t. Hmm…. maybe I’ll start a trend here by publishing late holiday cards at random just for fun. Besides, if you’re happy and in loooove with whomever, every day should be Valentines Day is some way, shape or form. So I guess you can consider these cards a friendly reminder you need to remember every now and then. Er, except if you actually kiss like Grimlock. Then, you’d probably end up putting your sweetie in the hospital because you keep chomping his or her face off (ouch!)…

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Trailer: Grimlock Gets A Mean Makeover

Posted on October 15, 2011 by geelw

Like it or not, nostalgia is very often a hard horse-kick to the head disguised as a wake up call. I liked the toy designs, but actually hated those corny-ass 80’s kiddie cartoons and the awful 1986 animated Transformers movie to no end (“Dare to be Stupid” indeed), but thankfully, there have been a few very cool licensed games for assorted consoles over the years. Melbourne House’s excellent PS2 game from a few years back was my personal favorite until War for Cybertron hit and it looks as if Fall of Cybertron is set to bump things up more than a few notches. I’m hoping they give this version of Grimlock a fitting voice, as that goofball dopey metal Bizarro sounding junk from the old shows definitely wouldn’t fit the darker tone the trailer exudes. We shall see…