Thank you Activision for sending us this game to review!

My husband and son like Transformers and I have sat through the movies and have seen as many of the classic and modern TV shows based on the popular franchise.  While I’m not a huge fan of the series, I do appreciate it and was pleasantly surprised by this title.  Transformers: Devastation features first generation characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Wheeljack, Grimlock, and their nemesis, Megatron.

As usual, the Autobots are trying to live peacefully on earth with the humans, but the Insecticons and Decepticons have other plans.  They want to cyberform the planet to their liking without considering the devastating impact on the pre-existing lifeforms (us!).     Optimus Prime (who is still voiced by Peter Cullen!) will not let Megatron harm the planet or the organic lifeforms inhabiting it.  The Autobots will take on any Insecticon, Constructicon, or Decepticon that thinks otherwise.  

The story has seven chapters and after completing them, challenges unlock as well as other playable robots including Grimlock and Wheeljack.  The story mode is pretty short and can be completed in four hours.  The amount of gameplay can be extended by completing the game as different Autobots, completing or by doing all of the side quests and unlocked challenges.  

Despite the game being short, I still highly recommend it because it’s so fun!  I’m not much of a fighting game person, but the variety in the gameplay, fast paced action, and fluid visuals got me hooked.  Most of the game revolves around beating down opposing robots and their leaders with as much eye candy and over-the-top attack moves as possible.  You can slow down time to block enemy attacks (Matrix style) and charge up your Autobot’s power move to do devastating damage to the enemy robots stupid enough to stand in your way.  

The Autobot’s ability to turn into vehicles is not neglected in this game.  Ramming your opposition in vehicular form is encouraged and essential to break through their energy shields if equipped.  There are several chasing scenes with speed boosts and ramps to jump from roof top to roof top.  When the robots are not fighting or racing they’ll be jumping or shooting down Insecticons with turrets Galaga style.  

Most of the game is in a third person perspective, but some of the missions have a top down vantage point.   The city backdrop isn’t very detailed, but the cel-shaded robots and epic battle maneuvers make up for it.  I like the retro animated look of the robots.

That game wouldn’t be the same if the original voice actors didn’t reprise their roles. Fortunately, that’s not an issue here.  Optimus Prime is voiced by Peter Cullen, and Dan Gilvezan does Bumblebee.  I kept thinking of the Smurfs whenever I heard Megatron/Soundwave speak because the voice actor, Frank Welker, did the voice for Azrael too.  The background music is very fitting and is sure to keep your adrenaline pumping for the intense battle sequences.

It should be considered a given that a fighting game involving giant robots will inevitably be violent.  Since there is no blood or gore involved I was surprised to see that this game was given a Teen rating.  My eight-year-old son took an interest in this game and I would have no problems with him playing it.

Other than two issues, I highly recommend this game to anyone who likes brawler games.  The first issue happened while I was recording my youtube gameplay video; for some reason one of the enemies was nowhere to be found and caused me to not complete that challenge.  Even if the enemy did appear I lost enough time trying to find him to lower my final score since it’s based on time spent and damage dealt.  Other than that glitch, the game ran fine for me.

This bigger issue is the price which is currently $49.99.  I have a hard time recommending a four-hour game for $50.  While there is some re-playability, I still recommend holding off for a sale before adding it to your game collection.  I have seen it half off on Steam and it’s well worth it at that price point or lower.