Transformers

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: May 11, 2004
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 51
  3. Negative: 0 out of 51
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  1. GameZone
    74
    A decent title that proves to be fun for a while. Unfortunately, it does get repetitive and there probably won’t be much replayability.
  2. Next Level Gaming
    73
    While it was fun to relive my youth, the game did get repetitive rather quickly.
  3. Gamezilla!
    73
    Follows a very traditional gameplay formula, and even though it features it as a gimmick, transforming doesn’t give you much in the way of strategy, but it does deliver on action blastey goodness.
  5. Game Informer
    70
    This title has plenty of flaws, but the main issue is that it's simply too typical and too clunky. [June 2004, p.128]
  6. GamerArchive
    70
    To actually control your Transformer, you’ll be feeling a very sluggish and irritating way of moving your character around. Some seem to think this is intentional in order to portray the image that your in control of a huge machine. I on the other hand see it more as a purely poorly implemented part of the game.
  7. DarkStation
    70
    For anyone out there who are in dire need of a pure action Mech title for your PS2 you really can't go wrong with Transformers.
  8. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    While encounters with the underling Decepticlones are somewhat dull, Decepticon boss fights are actually quite intense and difficult - at least until a weakness is revealed. [June 2004, p.92]
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  9. GameShark
    70
    Playing multiplayer against other players that could transform into vehicles would have been something that could be expanded on quite considerably but unfortunately there is nothing at all.
  10. GamePro
    70
    It just doesn't feel like the Transformers. There's no character to the characters, no real reason to transform except to find a better battleground during a boss fight. [June 2004, p.69]
  11. netjak
    70
    While Transformers is a great game, the replay value is surprisingly low. This is mostly because it consists of just a single player campaign mode. While increasing the difficulty level will bring different and more challenging combinations of enemies, the strategies remain the same.
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  12. Gamer's Hell
    69
    Honestly, if this weren’t attached to such a fanatically nostalgic license and fan base, it would be just another vanilla robot action game.
  13. Gaming Age
    67
    A bit of affection for the characters certainly helps, and being at least a little entertained by the idea of robots turning into cars is almost a requirement. It's too bad the option isn't there to go online and duke it out with other players and their Minibot-enhanced Autobots or Decepticons.
  14. Play.tm
    66
    If you're not fussed either way or Transformers don't especially tickle your fancy, then you'll still find a competent action adventure that whilst incredibly linear and lacking variation, is still essentially sound.
  15. Gamer.tv
    60
    Very impressive power-ups...There's a lot of joy to be had by simply transforming and riding about.
  16. games(TM)
    60
    Fun, but too annoying and limited to be anything more. It's technically impressive, but that's not all you pay for and, sadly, the gameplay can't cash the cheques that the visuals write. [May 2004, p.100]
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  17. GMR Magazine
    50
    The controls are where the game falls apart: Movement is imprecise, with every jump a disaster waiting to happen; targeting an enemy with any degree of accuracy is simply impossible. [June 2004, p.81]
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  18. PSX Extreme
    50
    Unfortunately, it’s near impossible to look past getting stuck in canyons with seemingly no way out, missing a jump and having to backtrack for five minutes, and endless load times to simply refill your health.
  19. Electric Playground
    50
    For fans of the Transformers license, this game has lots of cool extras to help disguise the fact that it’s really just an average action game.
  20. GameCritics
    50
    Transformers might be a good purchase for crazy, obsessive fans of the license (like me), but for anyone who demands rich play experiences and balanced design, this is one of the few times that Optimus Prime has failed to complete his mission.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best PS2 Game of 2004
73
#73 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
40
#40 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. The_D4RknesS
    Aug 9, 2023
    8
    The animations of destruction and robot movements are very fluid and cool to watch. If this game didn't have an infinite life code, I wouldThe animations of destruction and robot movements are very fluid and cool to watch. If this game didn't have an infinite life code, I would definitely rate it 0 because the game is extremely difficult without use codes… Full Review »
  2. Tokyodriftstyle
    Nov 14, 2020
    10
    The best Transformers game on any system, it's big, it's epic and it's fun from beggining to end. A ps2 hidden gem.
  3. TFProtoform157
    Jun 21, 2020
    9
    This is a gem of a game, and one of the best Transformers games ever made. The environments are interesting, and the gameplay is engaging andThis is a gem of a game, and one of the best Transformers games ever made. The environments are interesting, and the gameplay is engaging and fun. The exploration aspect is very nice and allows the player to have different options when facing enemies. The controls can feel a little clunky or slow at times, and the physics are a bit wonky (you'll know what I mean if you get blasted by a powerful gun), but its acceptable and part of its charm. This game can get pretty challenging on the harder difficulties; the AI is pretty smart and can overwhelm you if you aren't careful. The story and characters are great, its faithful to the show, and the boss battles are pretty epic (especially Tidal Wave). I would have taken Demolisher over having to fight Starscream again, but it still good. The Unicron fight was a bit disappointing though. The variety of Mini-Cons is great and adds to strategy, though they can be difficult to find, but that is part of the fun. I wish you could play as Smokescreen or as another Autobot. Also wish you can replay boss battles, because you basically have to start a new save to do that, and also in order to unlock all the extras and such you need to beat the game on easy, medium, and hard, which takes up all of you save slots. Transformers (Armada) is a definite must for any Transformers fan that has a PS2.… Full Review »
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