Transformers: Decepticons

Obviously, this is a game targeted to a specific audience, and while non-Transformers fans will find plenty to like it might be best as a rental. But for those who thrive in the world of high-tech morphing robots, the Battle for the AllSpark is a most tempting gameplay feature that will have thousands of gamers making daily contributions to the ongoing war.

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.

Transformers on DS is a good if unremarkable robot game. The gameplay is enjoyable though a touch too repetitive, but the game does have likeable characters and solid production values.

Whereas the console versions faltered with a repetitive experience, the DS version fares much better with competent online gameplay.

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

For a licensed game, I think the developers have done a very good job of creating a unique game experience that lets you experience the source material in two completely different ways. With an innovative multiplayer function, unique story mode, and good technical specs, Transformers: Decepticons looks like it may be so good it's evil.

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.

Like its Autobots kin, Transformers: Decepticons is limited by the capabilities of the DS hardware, which hinders the console-like gameplay experience the developers were hoping to create.

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.

Transformers: Decepticons feels exactly like what it is – a handheld multi-platform game that was rushed out to meet the deadline the film’s release date.

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]

This game has so many features. It gives you over 30 vehicles to unlock, sub-missions, the Allspark Wars on Wi-Fi, and a solid multiplayer mode. However, the game is extremely short, seemingly rushed, not that nice to look at, and finding a glitch or five is not hard in the least.

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.

The best video game adaptation to date of the live action Transformers movie. The bad news is that it’s still not saying much.

Transformers: Decepticons is a very entertaining mid-summer treat for DS fans everywhere, especially for those who tire of always having to save the day.

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

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.

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?

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

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.