The Transformers series has been around since 1984 and it has a huge following. Numerous adaptations of the original children’s toys have been created including highly explosive films, immersive cartoons, and a long list of video games. This list will look at the top 5 best Transformers games of all time.
5. Transformers: The Game
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Optimus Prime about to deliver a beat down
This game with its incredibly straightforward title came out in 2007, and it was based on the hugely popular live action Transformers film that came out the same year. Michael Bay had audiences captivated with his giant robots and massive explosions. Unfortunately for Traveller’s Tales (the game developers), the game did not receive the same kind of reception.
The game follows the movie’s storyline pretty closely with Bumblebee coming to earth and getting purchased by Sam as a used yellow Camaro. Later they meet up with the other Transformers, also in vehicle disguises, and learn that the AllSpark is on Earth. The main objective of the game is to secure the AllSpark while avoiding the Decepticons. However, the player can choose to play the campaign on the Decepticons side instead. This will result in a much darker ending for the Transformers and human kind, but it is nice that players have the option.
The game is a third-person shooter in which you control the Transformers. It is open world and the Transformers have the ability to transform into vehicles. Thus exploration becomes an important aspect as well as several racing elements. As far as combat goes, all Transformers are outfitted with different attack types, and they also have the ability to throw environmental objects like cars or trees at the enemy.
All in all, the game was fun and worth playing if you can get it on a cheap sale. Otherwise it was pretty lack luster.
Rating: 2/5 Stars
4. Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark
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Optimus Prime delivering the final blow
Rise of the Dark Spark is one of the most recent Transformers games as it was released just last summer on June 24, 2014. The game was developed as a third person shooter like its predecessors. This Activision game picked up the story where it had left off in the previous installment.
The story begins with a massive comet smashing into the earth and revealing the Dark Spark. Optimus Prime informs us that the Dark Spark has power opposite to the Matrix of Leadership, and whoever wields it has the power to bend the entire universe to their will. As the game is a cross-hybrid between the game series continuation and the film adaptation, the player’s perspective switches back and forth between Cybetron and Earth. The main conflict of the game involves trying to secure the Dark Spark while keeping it out of the hands of the Decepticons.
This game featured only one campaign mode and a large multiplayer online mode which involved fending off waves of continuously tougher enemies. Unfortunately the game earned unfavorable reviews and we agree with that verdict. The dynamic combat and exciting setting of the world was not enough to lift this game up above average.
Rating: 2/5 stars
3. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
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Chaos in the city!
This is the sequel to Transformers: The Game, and is again loosely based off of the Michael Bay film. Several different studios were involved in the creation of this game, and the final product was published by Activision.
As with its predecessor you can choose to play for either the Autobots or the Decepticons. The choice is yours whether you want to save the world or light everything on fire. From the Autobot perspective you need to protect the fragments of the Allspark that were hidden away at the end of the first game. Then later when an even greater weapon appears that could blot out the sun, the Autobots have to fight for humankind’s survival. On the other hand, the Decepticons campaign focuses on Megatrons desire for Prime-hood and his quest to get it. The Fallen promises him that he will become a prime if he follows his orders. However, towards the end this turns out to be false and Megatron has to think quick about what to do next.
The gameplay is very similar to the first game, but it also contains a multiplayer death match arena that reminds a lot of the Star Wars Battle Front series. The game was enjoyable and much better than the previous ones on the list. The reviews were mostly favorable.
Rating: 3/5 stars
2. Transformers: War for Cybertron
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Defend your homeworld of Cybertron
This game takes place well before any Transformer sets foot on Earth and acts as a prequel to both the games and the movies. Like the other games of the franchise, it was published by Activision and was released on multiple platforms. This is one of the first Transformers games that actually netted strong positive reviews from critics in general.
While War for Cybertron also has two campaigns like most of the previous games, the two campaigns are not simply two perspectives of the same story. The two stories told are chronological and needs to be played in order. The story starts with the Decepticon campaign and revolves around Megatrons quest to return Cybertron to the golden age. He is convinced that he can achieve his goals if only he is able to get his robot hands on something called the Dark Energon. Towards the end of the story he succeeds and infects the core of Cybertron with the dark relic, and the darkness begins to spread across the entire planet. The Autobot campaign picks up where the Decepticon one left off. The Transformers have to stop the spread of the Dark Energon as well as Megatron before it is too late.
The gameplay again resembles Star Wars Battlefront in that it is a third person shooter with 4 different classes to select from: Soldier, Scientist, Scout, and Leader. Vehicle mode is available for faster movement in game, and co-op play is available online. The story was fantastic and the voice acting was very strong. Additionally, the length of the story allowed for a lot of fun gameplay and exciting Transformer action. Overall, this was a very fun game.
Rating: 4/5 stars
1. Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
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Will you run or stay, which side will you choose?
Fall of Cybertron is the direct sequel to the War of Cybertron game and is by far the best transformers game on the market. The gameplay has evolved from its predecessors to involve much more dynamic combat and exciting choices for the player. Each individual Transformer has unique abilities that make the selection process much more important. This allows for some really neat co-op play since certain character abilities synergize very well.
The story picks up after the whole Dark Energon ordeal, and takes place on a dying Cybertron. The whole game essentially revolves around the civil war between the Autobots and Decepticons, and their efforts in trying to save or escape the dying world. The story was yet again fantastic, and the voice acting was tremendous for creating believable and emotional story telling.
Critics rated this game very highly compared to previous installments in the franchise and we do so as well.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Which Transformers game is your favorite? Or are they all equally awful? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
