Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

 Xbox 360
Metascore
44

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 3 out of 7
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  1. Cheat Code Central
    Jun 25, 2014
    54
    This is just another movie tie in title, and nothing much more. It tries to tie in the original cartoons, the movies, and the video games, but it fails. It just feels like a corny fanfiction crossover plot painted over a mediocre third person shooter.
  2. LevelUp
    Jul 2, 2014
    53
    Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark main problems are that High Moon Studios didn't developed it and that the terrible Michael Bay's movie, Transformers: Age of Extinction, was merged with the marvelous universe of War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron.
  3. Multiplayer.it
    Jul 2, 2014
    50
    Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark isn't nearly as good as the previous two episodes.
  5. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jun 30, 2014
    50
    Activision's Transformers adaptations shed a little more charm and fascination each time they transform. This super-lean take feels like the last OK offering before the rot truly sets in.
  6. GameOver.gr
    Jul 12, 2014
    40
    Rise of the Dark Spark is the definition of a movie tie-in. It contains all the ingredients of uninspired levels, nonsensical story and dull, repetitive gameplay.
  7. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Aug 18, 2014
    30
    It is at least mercifully short. [Issue#114, p.82]
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  8. COGconnected
    Jul 1, 2014
    30
    There is no question Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark plays and feels like your typical movie tie-in game. Everything about it screams ‘rushed out the door’ to satisfy the needs of all those poor suckers who wasted money watching the big screen stinker.

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2014
31
#31 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2014
15
#15 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 15 out of 31
  1. Breadn
    Apr 26, 2022
    3
    Oh boy, this game was and still is a disappointment. Where to start?

    The story makes no attempts to make any amount of sense, and it would    Oh boy, this game was and still is a disappointment. Where to start?

    The story makes no attempts to make any amount of sense, and it would take a whole essay to list the amount and severity of plotholes.

    So many of the game's assets were directly recycled from Fall of Cybertron. Enemies? Yup. Guns? All of them, down to item descriptions and damage numbers. Entire map sections were reused, many voicelines were reused to annoying amounts, and it feels more like an asset flip than a fully-fledged game.

    And with this in mind, you'd think it would keep the same fun gameplay from Fall of Cybertron, right? Nope. You can't accelerate while transforming which makes the whole mechanic feel awful, they added lootboxes for some god forsaken reason, and in order to upgrade weapons you must open those lootboxes for minutes on end. Although despite all of this, Fall of Cybertron's brilliant gameplay does shine through a bit and is the only thing keeping this game from being completely horrible.

    Aswell as that, reflections and entire textures were messed up which leaves the game looking much worse than Fall of Cybertron. Levels also feel very uninspired and are mostly gray.

    I was hoping that the escalation mode would be the saving grace, but it wasn't. It made the same mistakes as Fall of Cybertron, and cranked them up ten fold. There were a few fun mechanics in escalation, such as permanent upgrades and being able to choose from over half a dozen (though most of them reused) maps, but the bad definitely outweighed the good. Doors and weapon pickups were completely removed, replaced instead with traps and a permanent progress weapon locker. This removed almost all tactics from escalation, and made it feel more like a grind.

    You're probably wondering why I'm stating this all in past tense, and that's because the servers have since been shut down. The little bit of remaining value given to the game from escalation has since been taken due to a server shutdown in 2020. All you're left with is a buggy, awkward, horrible campaign that makes less sense than a Michael Bay film.

    Shame on you, Edge of Reality. Shame on you.    … Full Review »
  2. Termin8ter
    Apr 22, 2018
    4
    This game is a below average effort. All the issues from the DOTM tie in game have been carried into this one only with a fresh 2014 coat ofThis game is a below average effort. All the issues from the DOTM tie in game have been carried into this one only with a fresh 2014 coat of paint. The story is a confused, convoluted mess that only the developers would appreciate. The visuals aren't terrible, i'll admit, but they are still underwhelming. Also, this game features some of the most extensive and aggressive stealing of assets from a game I've ever seen, having heaps of audio lines and animations ripped straight from Fall of Cybertron, with zero changes. Very lazy, guys. Don't buy this game, or rent it, or get it for free. It's not worth a minute of your time.… Full Review »
  3. PyongyangMayor
    Aug 17, 2014
    0
    9 positive reviews? Really this game has more positive reviews than negative ones with 9 POSITIVE REVIEWS? 6.6 is just **** insane. This is9 positive reviews? Really this game has more positive reviews than negative ones with 9 POSITIVE REVIEWS? 6.6 is just **** insane. This is the highest rated version, which is funny considering IMO this the worst version. The graphics are atrocious, the gameplay is boring as hell and honestly, $50 or $60 is WAY too much! $20? Maybe, but not $60. I have a feeling the reason why this has a positive rating is because fanboys of the movie just rated it without playing it. Is it better than the last 2 games? Maybe, but it still sucks.… Full Review »
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