Welcome to the review of yet another Activision title, this time it’s not a Call of Duty. It’s beyond that. This time we are travelling to Cybertron to take part in WAR!

Transformers: War for Cybertron takes place just before the 1980′s cartoons when the Autobots & Decepticons were still living on Cybertron this also means that the game takes place before the latest films. One thing you instantly notice, other than the brilliant storyline, great graphics and that it’s a 3rd person shooter is that High Moon Studios have recreated the Transformers that we saw back in the 80′s and non of the “Hollywood” looking trash we see now.

The game has two distinct campaigns, one for each faction. The story of the Decepticon campaign is a prelude to the Autobot campaign’s story. Both campaigns can be played in single-player or cooperatively via online multiplayer, and can drop in or out of the game at any time. Each campaign level features three playable Transformers. If fewer than three players are present, the game’s AI controls the remaining playable characters. Co-operative and competitive modes of the game are limited to online play, with no split screen features available. People who pre-ordered can play as extra characters such as Jazz, and the codes have – as with most games – appeared online at a famous auction sites.

You can choose who you wish to play 1st whether that be Autobot or Decepticon and the storyline will flow the same. I really did think that this game was great and really cannot see how the Transformers games could progress from this, I am sure that they’ll make some DLC but I don’t think it’s needed.

I took the game online and did not expect to get the ass-kicking that I did get. The reason is I thought that online would be empty – I would sit in a game lobby waiting for other players but it really was not like that at all.

Once I had created my purple transformer who changes into a car using that familiar sound I went online. There are several modes available to you online these are:

“Escalation” is a mode for exclusive pre-order characters and characters unlocked during the campaign. Non-stop waves of robots attack until the player(s) are defeated. Players are also able to spend points earned from defeated enemies on health, ammo, new weapons and unlocking new areas in the map.
“Deathmatch” is a free-for-all game type where the player with the most kills at the end of the game is the winner.
“Team Deathmatch” as you would exect divides players into Autobot and Decepticon teams. The winning team is the one who earns the most kills.
“Conquest” is a capture-and-hold style game.
“Countdown to Extinction” players have to take an active bomb and place it at an enemy base.
“Power Struggle” is the game’s equivalent to the common Capture the Flag game type.
“Code of Power” is a highly frantic mode consisting of two and a half minute rounds where teams fight for a giant melee weapon.

The multiplayer is very competitive and you will find the easiest thing is the creation of your character, second to actually dying. Well thats how it works for me anyway

When you choose to play online you create your own Transformer based on the class you wish to play which also determines your vehicle form. You can then choose a specific look for that form, and customize the color scheme, weaponry and abilities you want to take into battle. The 4 classes to choose are:
“Leader” – Truck
“Soldier” – Tanks
“Scientist” – Jets
“Scout” – Cars
Each with unique abilities, vehicular transformation, and weapon loadouts. Also all are totally different too, so experiment with one until you get the one that helps you gain that upper hand…or cog.

I am also sure that even though this game is a 3rd person shooter, one of many out there, it still feels like it’s on it’s own and not like a clone of some sort but with different maps. This game is fun to play whether you are with mates or not and should be tried by everyone. Even my kids enjoyed staring at the great graphics and the campaigns seem to last a good few hours which I feel is missing in most games.

The score for this game is high and these are the main reasons why.

I liked loved the G1 Transformers as a kid so a game that brings them back into a new light is brilliant, and also shows us what life was like on Cybertron before the cartoons is great.

The online mode is constantly buzzing and even the new kids who have never seen Transformers like this, you can tell they have a great time on this game.

Well done to all involved with making this, now if you don’t mind I got some Autobots to slaughter