Transformers: Decepticons

It looks fairly nice, the city is big and there's plenty to do. [Sept 2007, p.64]

Transformers: Autobots and Decepticons are essentially one game split into two “campaigns” in a shameless grab for fans’ wallets. All of the fundamental game mechanics, including controls, combat, and mission structure, are exactly the same, and even the first few levels are near-mirrors of each other.

The definitive handheld version, Transformers DS boasts decent gameplay, good presentation and clever online features that go beyond traditional movie-licensed fare.

Sure, it's a bit simplistic, but the gameplay is solid and the odd online mode is strangely addicting.

Anyone concerned that this is a quick cash-in can leave those assumptions at the door as the game is actually a solid addition to anyone’s portable library.

When it comes to fighting as the robot or the vehicle, Transformers DS falls flat. The action and its technique really needs a bit of a tune-up, especially in the "defense" department, and the glitches that pop up from time to time are really hard to ignore.

By no means perfect, but it's certainly the best game off the back of hte movie. [Oct 2007, p.72]

Smashing other robots and transforming into different vehicles is generally fun, but the game is short and the missions are often uninspiring.

At the end of the day, Decepticons comes out feeling half-baked.

In general, Transformers for the DS is decent considering the scope of which the developers had to work, but still falls short in a few areas.

While I have serious issues with this game's graphics and gameplay, the numerous little innovations that are at its core force me to give it a stay of execution. While I think both versions of Transformers could have been great with more work, I wasn't expecting much from it in the first place, so I remain pleasantly surprised.

This is a game specifically for fans, and even then I'd mention specifically fans of the new Transformers... or Peter Cullen.

The Transformers may be vehicles only part of the time, but their DS games--Transformers: Autobots and Transformers" Decepticons--could have nonetheless used a bit more polish before pulling out of the garage. [Sept 2007, p.86]

At its basic level, Transformers on the DS is a pretty average game. But at least Vicarious Visions tried to bring something unique to the table. It's kind of lame that you have to purchase two full-priced games to experience the entire saga (each title is about four hours long), but these are still the best Transformers-movie games you're gonna find.

Unlike many games, Transformers is actually less than the sum of its parts. It may look and sound kind of nice, and give you all sorts of things to do, but who cares when it's just not any fun and you want it to transform into another game after 30 minutes of play time?