Review: Transformers – Fall Of Cybertron / Developer: High Moon Studios / Publisher: Activision / Platform: Xbox, PS3, PC / Release Date: Out Now
The need to fight has never been so urgent in High Moon’s Cybertronian sequel. The homeworld of the warring factions has been torn asunder, there are casualties on both sides and all hope seems lost…
Scale has been upped in every aspect of this game, with the ever-present feeling that an entire planet is at war. Almost every chapter of the story takes place in, around or above a battlefield with danger lurking around every corner. Compared to the previous game, the threat level has been increased tenfold and if you don’t keep your wits about you, death is inevitable. This will happen many times, but the checkpoints in the game have been handled very well. The player is faced with plenty of challenges throughout, but the game will always pick you up, brush away the dirt and throw you back in the fray to finish the fight. However, the fight never does truly finish as there is an extensive multiplayer option which allows for many hours of extra gameplay. You are able to craft, customise and prepare your robot for some great team-based mayhem. As your level increases so does your ability to stare death in the face and overcome it.
The developers have achieved a good balance between the difficulty and how enjoyable the game is. The controls of the game help with this. The standout moments are the ability to transform at will and the pulling of levers. The terminal literally transforms out of the floor. The size of what the lever is activating determines the speed with which the lever is pulled. There is nothing more satisfying than taking 20 seconds to pull a lever by holding down the thumb stick and watching the mechanisms shift into a weapon or change the layout of a structure. The world changes before your eyes and it is a sight to behold.
The visuals of this game are also very impressive, adopting their own unique style which lies between photorealism and cell shaded animation. This look allows for some truly spectacular set pieces, gripping battles and high speed aircraft chases. When these visuals are combined with the soundtrack this game becomes truly epic.
Very rarely does a game meet, exceed then blow expectations into an inter-dimensional rift in time and space! Transformers: Fall of Cybertron has achieved this with its fantastic story, top notch voice acting and addictive gameplay. This is a game not to be missed.
