Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

 PC
Metascore
49

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
  1. Softpedia
    Aug 6, 2014
    70
    Its design is uninspired and it feels pretty repetitive, like it was rushed instead of given time to grow into something good, but if you’re a big fan of the Autobots versus Decepticons conflict, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy it.
  2. GameStar
    Jun 27, 2014
    56
    To mix the first generation robots with the ones from the Bay universe was a bad idea.
  3. Merlin'in Kazanı (Turkey)
    Jul 8, 2014
    51
    The game has a few good spots like a successful story and variety of weapons. The Escalation mode is enjoyable but gameplay lacks of innovation and new content. Probably only the fans of the series will like Rise of The Dark Spark.
  5. CD-Action
    Oct 22, 2014
    50
    What killed Rise of the Dark Spark is its repetitiveness. Variety of combat is illusory, because it actually doesn’t matter what weapons you use or how you move around the map. Every enemy is going down anyway and your only task is to proceed from one checkpoint to another. This game is simply boring. [Sept 2014, p.58]
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  6. XGN
    Jul 28, 2014
    50
    The only thing really enjoyable in Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is the Escalation Mode. The story is very bland and never manages to impress just like the dull missions.
  7. Eurogamer
    Jun 30, 2014
    50
    It is, at best, a functional shooter that asks little of the player and offers the bare minimum in return.
  8. Meristation
    Jun 27, 2014
    50
    It's strange that Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark does not appear in the Edge of Reality Studios website. It's not a good game. The player shoots and drives like he should not. Autobots deserve better graphics than these. High Moon Studios, come back!
  9. IGN
    Jun 27, 2014
    49
    A Transformers game really only has to deliver on two simple things: make it fun to transform, and make it fun to destroy robots. Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is a dud on both of those fronts, and it throws in a confusing story to boot.
  10. The Escapist
    Jun 28, 2014
    40
    Replay one of the previous games. This one is dull as ditch water and half as tasty.
  11. GameSpot
    Jun 27, 2014
    40
    The Transformers are a great property, one that seems like it should lend itself to the creation of great games, but Rise of the Dark Spark is so sloppy and incoherent that it feels more like a cheap knockoff than a proper Transformers game. Optimus Prime deserves better, and so do you.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 75
  3. Negative: 42 out of 75
  1. HiGPS
    Jun 25, 2014
    3
    Do not buy this game

    This game is nowhere near as good as the first one. This game on PC is a poor console port. Where most of the promts    Do not buy this game

    This game is nowhere near as good as the first one. This game on PC is a poor console port. Where most of the promts showing as Xbox 360 buttons and not as keys. Options menu is poor, no customizable keys, so pretty lackluster in that regard.

    The good:
    The game models looks as expected from a title like this

    The bad:
    On hard difficulty the game is nearly unplayable, Poor design choice when it comes to map and enemies can make it hard to spot enemies, even at longer range there is pop-in of enemies of the smaller variety, as you will often find yourself dying to seemingly nothing a bunch of times, without any warning or ability to tell where the damage came from as the enemies spawn behind you and give you no indication of them doing so. This is the only game I have ever quit out of frustration, as the harder difficulty can not have been playtested at all. This seems rushed and there was no reason for the game to come out in this state. Some animations in-game are at what looks like 30 fps. So you will be following a AI companion and they will jitterly move forward as a result of only running at a peasant frame rate while as you run as a masterrace frame rate.

    The game overall feels rushed and unfinnished, some cutscenes are in nice ingame render while others are in what looks like 2002 video renders of the game in terrible low quality all pixelated and grainy. It has some charm, but previous titles in the series were better. This is not one of Edge of Reality's stronger titles unfortunately.

    I would suggest Edge of Reality stick to what they know best and that is growing potatoes for peasants.    … Full Review »
  2. hboscoe
    Jul 11, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I'm somewhat of an immense Transformers geek, and lover, so the idea of playing in both Cybertronian and Earth forms made this a must buy for me. The story is strong, (yet admittedly somewhat not expressed that way in the cutscenes) and moments such as playing as an almost youthful Jetfire and seeing the evolution of Prime throughout the ages (not to mention playing as Grimlock, that was very cool)

    This game sits nicely in style half way between War for Cybertron and Dark of the Moon, yet does feel significantly more like a shooting gallery than previous Transformers titles by the same company. But still, I believe this is a must buy for any Transformers fan, young or old.    … Full Review »
  3. hein
    Jun 29, 2014
    3
    This particular franchise was doing amazing. I still get goosebumps watching Transformers: Fall of Cybertron E3 trailer (Developed by HighThis particular franchise was doing amazing. I still get goosebumps watching Transformers: Fall of Cybertron E3 trailer (Developed by High Moon Studios). And then there is this game. Activision most likely thought that this series was doing to well. Must make it crap...and make it crap they did. Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is nothing like its predecessors. The game itself for a lack of a better word is crap...and the PC port is even worse. This game feels like the type that gets tacked onto a movie released. Everyone knows it will be bad but they just tack it on to make more money. Consider Fall of Cybertron the last good game and just assume this POS never got made. Avoid like the PLAGUE!… Full Review »
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