Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, the sequel to 2010's hit Transformers: War for Cybertron, sees the peaceful Autobots continuing its war against the savage Decepticons, but the outlook is bleak. The title ?provides plenty of third-person shooting action, a thrilling multiplayer mode that lets you take user-created robots into battle, and plenty of fan service. Fall of Cybertron isn't without faults; it features uneven combat, some weak mission objectives, and ho-hum voice acting, but Trans-fans will eat it up. I reviewed the PS3 version, but it's also available on PC and Xbox 360.

You Got the Touch!
Fall of Cybertron opens with an adrenaline-filled sequence worthy of a franchise that details brawls between giant robot factions. The benevolent Autobots have lost their long war with the Decepticons, and as such, use the last of their capabilities to flee their dying planet, Cybertron, in hopes of finding a new safe haven among the stars. It's not Shakespeare, but it sets the stage for plenty of pew-pew action.

The single-player campaign is an action-filled, multi-chapter story that puts you in control of several Transformers, ranging from heroic Autobot leader Optimus Prime to robo-dino Grimlock. Each Transformer has a different play style. Grimlock, who fights with a sword and shield and lacks long range weaponry, cannot transform at will. Instead, he must fill a rage meter that lets him turn into a mechanical T-Rex to unleash big damage. Optimus Prime, on the other hand, can use his leadership role to call in airstrikes in outdoor areas. You even get to see the internecine battle in the Decepticon ranks when you step into the metallic shoes of the perpetual Johnny Turncoat known as Starscream.?Continuing in this way, each chapter has its own feeling, which helps breaks potential tedium.

You Got the Power!
The third-person shooting is fast and satisfying?picking off enemy grunts from long range or bowling them over when you're in vehicle mode feels damned good. That said, it's unsatisfying to see Optimus Prime get slaughtered in a few shots by no-name Decepticons. He's the Autobots' tough-as-nails leader?he shouldn't be brought down so easily.

Another gripe: You're given missions to fetch this or repair that between explosions, which essentially boils down to simply pulling a lever or plugging in a computer part. It gets old fast.

There's no true cover mechanic?Gear of War this is not?but you get plenty of weaponry for transforming enemies into scrap. You can upgrade weapons by dropping a few shards (the game's currency) on supercomputer Teletraan 1. You can also use those shards to purchase perks that up your defense, offense, running speed, and more.

Fall of Cybertron's Unreal-powered visuals wonderfully capture the war's scope. Robots, both friend and foe, fill the screen as they fight, run, and jockey for position in a dark landscape that has seen far too many wars. There are the occasional graphics hiccups, but they're easily overlooked when you see one Transformer (no spoilers!) enter the fray for the first time. He's absolutely huge and serves as one of many fan service moments.

And speaking of fan service, nerd-god Peter Cullen returns to once again voice Optimus Prime, who is the easily the best-acted character in the game. Cullen's voice gives Prime the proper authority and regality one would expect from the Autobot leader. Unfortunately, some of the other voices are either too flat, or too human-like. Besides the single-player campaign, Fall of Cybertron also features Multiplayer and Escalation modes. Multiplayer mode lets you create your own Transformer from the Scientist, Infiltrator, Destroyer, and Titan classes (from there you can outfit weapons and choose an Autobot or Decepticon allegiance) and take it online to battle others in 12-person wars. Escalation is a multiplayer survival mode that pits you against increasingly difficult enemy waves. Both are fun diversions.

Yeah!
Transformers: The Fall of Cybertron isn't a revolutionary action game, but it's a very solid one designed to tickle TransFans' fancies. If you don't mind the rather simple gameplay mechanics, this game's a no-brainer purchase as it improves on War for Cybertron in nearly every way.

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