A solid combat system and faithfulness to the source material are sure to make this a blast for the Transformers faithful. Especially for the ones who can tap into nostalgia for the original animated show. Despite having some great mechanics the package as a whole does fall short though thanks to some licensed game trappings.
Developer PlatinumGames seems to take just the right elementsA solid combat system and faithfulness to the source material are sure to make this a blast for the Transformers faithful. Especially for the ones who can tap into nostalgia for the original animated show. Despite having some great mechanics the package as a whole does fall short though thanks to some licensed game trappings.
Developer PlatinumGames seems to take just the right elements from their acclaimed Bayonetta series here. Combat is fast and furious, and dodging at the right second will trigger a brief slowdown of time adding to the ferocity of your beat down. Combat is definitely the focus here, and it can be very satisfying. It's just unfortunate the rest of the game wasn't given the same flair. Combat against regular enemies is pretty entertaining, but the real fun comes when you are up against the bosses.
Several Autobots are available to be played as. Each with their own style. The differences aren't drastic, but there is enough to distinguish them to make it worth giving them all a shot. A loot and upgrade system are available which make for a way to experiment with different loadouts. Ultimately though it's rather dull to dive into and I found myself just ignoring it all together.
The story mode is a brief, but fun affair. It's about 4 hours long. It's not really a bad thing as it prevents the games flaws from becoming too noticeable. The main issue is simply repetition. It doesn't take long for the combat to settle into a predictable pace. You spend the majority of the game crossing the same territory again and again on your way to the next objective. It's over just before things start to get monotonous, but it's not hard to wish there was a little more going both in length and overall variety.
Outside of the story mode you get challenge maps. They allow you to further enjoy the game's exciting combat system, even if you are just fighting the same enemies you just got done killing over and over again in the campaign. This mode, along with some collectibles to hunt down in the story, add some hidden depth and extra life to this brief experience.
Whether or not the game actually has replay value just comes down to just how much of a Transformers fan you are. Even with multiple difficultly levels, several different Autobots to play as, and some extra tidbits to hunt down, action game fans might find themselves hard-pressed to find real reasons to give the game a second go.
That's not to say this is a bad game though. On the contrary it can be quite fun. It's just that the lack of content and overall budget feel make it feel more suited for a weekend rental as opposed to an action game worth obsessing over. That's not necessarily a bad thing.
The experience is designed to push you from fight to fight as quickly as possible to show off it's strength; an enjoyable combat system. It makes for one of those licensed games that feels created for the sole purpose of just giving fans a quick thrill. It succeeds. The results are a fun, but flawed action game with a lot of Transformers nostalgia to be had. It might not live up to PlatinumGames other titles, but it will make for a solid romp for hardcore fans, and an enjoyable rental for everyone else. Sometimes, that's really all you can ask for.
I give "Transformers: Devastation" a 7.5/10… Expand