Transformers (Armada PS2)

2011-07-24T02:02:23Z

74.106.24.164: /* Notes */

{{disambig3.5|the English PlayStation 2 game|the Japanese PlayStation 2 game|The Transformers (PS2)|Transformers}}
{{Nav-armada}}
{{videogame
|title=''Transformers''
|image=TF atari.jpg
|caption=[[The Transformers (PS2)|That]]'s not a game. ''shhhhhlink'' '''This''' is a game!
|developer=[[Melbourne House]]
|publisher=[[Atari]]
|date=[[April 7]], 2004 (EU)<br>[[April 11]], 2004 (NA)
|platform=PlayStation 2
|ratings=ESRB: T
}}
'''''Transformers''''' is a 2004 video game for Sony's PlayStation 2, developed by the Australian-based [[Melbourne House]], and published by [[Atari, Inc.|Atari]]. It is based on the ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' series, though it does not follow any pre-established storyline. It was released in the United States on [[April 11]], [[2004]], and in the European market on [[April 7]] of the same year. In September 2005, Atari released a "Director's Cut" of the game exclusively in the UK. The only difference between this and the original was a bonus DVD containing a "Making Of Documentary".

==Gameplay and cast==
In the game, players take control of one of three [[Autobot|Autobots]] ([[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] or [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]) to battle [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and his vast army of [[Decepticlone|Decepticlones]] over the recently-discovered [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]] on [[Earth]].

Decepticons who appear in the game include Megatron, [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] and [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]]. The Mini-Cons [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]] and [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] join their toy-partners after the player completes the first level, acting as support fighters. The Decepticons' Mini-Con partners [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]], [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]] and [[Crumplezone (Armada)|Crumplezone]] do not appear as individuals, but are seen attached to their partners. The final boss of the game is [[Unicron]] in planet mode; a colossal [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]] in "moon" mode can be seen attached to him.

As well as allowing players to transform into vehicles whenever they wish, the game uses Mini-Con collecting as a way to acquire new weapons and abilities, introducing multiple new (non-toy) Mini-Con characters. Some combinations of Mini-Cons also have additional synergistic effects, such as faster weapon recharging or a larger life meter. In addition, the main partner Mini-Cons follow the player, shooting at enemies. The player can also "Powerlinx" with their partner Mini-Con, allowing for a Max Payne-style "bullet time" mode, though this drains the player's health.

As well as Mini-Cons, players collect [[Data-Con|Data-Cons]] that unlock bonus features in the game's main menu, ranging from game artwork (development sketches, renders, and the like), toy instructions, toy prototype photos, the toy pack-in mini-comics, and five previously-unavailable-elsewhere [[Generation 1]]-era PSAs (in the same style as the old [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] cartoon PSAs).

Every level in the game is a very large, detailed environment which allows free exploration rather than short, linear maps. Players can leave levels without completing them through warp gates, and return to any previously-played level to discover more areas using their newly collected Mini-Cons. The game engine used is unknown, but appears to use technology similar to that of Croteam's Serious Engine to allow large, detailed outdoor levels with no slowdown. One part of the game is the fact that if one is hit hard enough, the character will be blown back and crumple, rag-doll-style.

The reasoning behind the inclusion of a small cast of playable characters was a simple matter of gameplay logistics. By having only three distinctly different characters, the game provides a different experience to players and forces them to adjust their strategy according to whomever they chose. A larger roster of characters would have made it difficult for Melbourne House to create different styles of gameplay, especially considering most of the Armada Autobots were cars and other land vehicles. The noticeable exclusion of [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was down to the fact his flight capability would negate much of the challenge in exploring each level whilst using different Mini-Con loadouts.

==Voice actors==
*[[Garry Chalk]] as [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Daran Norris]] as [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dublin James]] as [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]
*[[David Kaye]] as [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]
*[[Matt Hetherington]] as [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]
*[[Matthew King]] as [[Unicron]]

==Screenshots==
<gallery>
Image: Optimus_Truck_Form_Crash_Enemies.jpg|Sometimes, vehicles are the most effective weapon.
Image: Optimus_Prime_Destroyed_Bunker_Transformers_Screenshot.jpg|[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] destroyed one of the Decepticon Bunker in the Pacific Island.
Image: Transformers_2004_Video_Game_Slipstream_Released.jpg|"Finally, the egg cracks open!"
Image: Optimus_Prime_Ragdoll_Effect.jpg|Ouch.
Image: Transformers_2004_Tidal_Wave.jpg|Your biggest nightmare.. Literally.
Image: Tidal_Wave_Snipe_Head.jpg|GIVE ME YOUR FACE!
Image: Red_Alert_Deep_Amazon.jpg|Is that ship carrying.. Sun? [[The Fallen|It has claimed Earth's Sun!?]]
Image: Autobots_HQ_Iacon_City_Gate.jpg|"Home, finally!" The Autobots have been homesick.
Image: Mini_Con_Forming_Matrix_Cannon.jpg|All the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]] merge, to form the [[Matrix Cannon]].
Image: Matrix_Cannon_Versus_Unicron.jpg|So, this did not exist in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|past]], or no one knows? Things can go easier!
Image: Transformers_2004_Unicron_Core.jpg‎|So, this is how a planet-eater's stomach looks like.
Image: Transformers_2004_Unicron_Destroyed.jpg|[[Unicron]]'s final moment.
Image: Transformers_2004_Cybertron_Ending.jpg|[['Til all are one|'Til All Are One!]]
</gallery>

==Soundtrack==
Melbourne House's [[Gavin Parker]] composed much of the in-game music while [[Rick Formosa]] provided the music for the cinematic sequences. American band [[Dropbox]] and Australian band [[Regurgitator]] were recruited to create their versions of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]] to promote the game, while funk band [[The Brown Hornet]] sung over the end credits.

===Tracks===
*1. Amazon Theme 1
*2. Amazon Theme 2
*3. Antarctica Theme
*4. Starscream Fight Theme 1
*5. Deep Amazon Theme 1
*6. Deep Amazon Theme 2
*7. Cyclonus Fight Theme (by Regurgitator)
*8. Mid-Atlantic Theme
*9. Tidal Wave Fight Theme
*10. Alaska Theme 1
*11. Alaska Theme 2
*12. Starship Theme 1
*13. Starship Theme 2
*14. Starscream Fight Theme 2
*15 Pacific Island Theme
*15. Megatron Fight Theme
*13. Cybertron 1
*14. Cybertron 2

===Themes===
*1. ''Transformers: Armada'' television theme
*2. ''Transformers'' theme 1 arranged by Ric Formosa
*3. ''Transformers'' theme 2 by Dropbox
*4. ''Transformers'' theme 3 by The Brown Hornet
*5. ''Transformers'' theme 4 by Regurgitator
*6. ''Wishbone'' by Dropbox

==Impressions & sales==
The game was well-received by critics and fans alike, and at the time was often considered to be the best of all ''Transformers'' video games, despite this being damning with faint praise. Some review sites and magazines [[Ruined Forever|seemed to reject the game outright]] for [[GEEWUN|not being based]] on the [[Generation 1]] series, though some seemed to begrudgingly accept it due to the gameplay and graphic flair.

The most common actual ''gameplay-related'' complaints are the disappointingly small roster of characters, sometimes stiff control, high difficulty level (not born of bad design, the game is just set too ''tough''), and a lack of a "directional" guide resulting in players getting lost in the vast environments.

''Transformers'' was the #7 top-selling game across all consoles for the month of May 2004... and that's only because the incredibly popular "Red Dead Revolver" was on two different consoles. On the Playstation 2 alone, ''Transformers'' ranked #6. It sold over 600,000 copies by the time the "Directors Cut" was released, although the total was ultimately less than what Atari had hoped for.

In 2010, ''Transformers'' was ranked #83 in the Top 100 Playstation 2 Games list by IGN. <ref>[http://www.ign.com/top-ps2-games/83 Transformers - #83 Top PS2 Games - IGN]</ref>

==Sequel status==
Melbourne House had begun work on a sequel based in part upon the ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series. However, according to a member of the Melbourne House team, the ''Cybertron'' game was a few months into development but Atari moved the studio onto a different project, effectively nixing the sequel.

Dang.

==Errors==
* Somehow Starscream is able to use his wing-sword with both wings still attached.

==Notes==
[[Image:Mini-con drinks.JPG|right|180px|thumb|Drunk with power]]
* At the game's launch party, Atari's venue served several [[Mini-Con Madness|signature drinks]] named for the game-exclusive Mini-Cons.

* One of the game's working titles was ''Transformers Armada: Prelude to [[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''. Another one, used in pack-in [[catalog]]s during the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' line, was ''Transformers Armada: Battle for Energon''.

* Development sketches unlocked in the game show that several characters were ultimately dropped from the original plans. [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] was to be a level-boss in the caves, and [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]]'s partner Mini-Con [[Ramjet (Armada)|Ramjet]] was going to harass players before they could board the Decepticon battleship.

* These same sketches also show that the levels Amazon and Deep Amazon were a single level at one stage, as were Antarctic, Alaska and Starship, and Pacific Island and Mid Atlantic. This is why the latter levels start in areas very similar to the ends of the preceding ones; for example, Amazon ends with a hike up a mountain, while Deep Amazon begins with a trip ''down'' the side of a mountain.

* It is possible to get an alternate 'Bad Ending'. This ending can be achieved if Cybertron's health meter gets to zero. The full motion video of this ending will be unlocked (as well in the gallery), showing Cybertron's destruction by [[Unicron]].

*At the end credits of the game, Tidal Wave is doing push-ups while the Decepticlones are all doing jumping jacks and side-bends. So that's how Decepticons keep in shape.

*Much of the dialog used in cutscenes is recycled from [[The Transformers: The Movie]].

*In the 'Recruit' difficulty, you need to collect 30 Mini-Cons to form the Matrix Cannon, 35 in the 'Veteran' difficulty, and 40 in the 'Commander' difficulty.. Which means all of them. All hail the cheats.

*Suprisingly, Only two Decepticons, remaind alive and an Earth with the decepticon drones: Starsceam (known as fact after being knocked out cold by Optimus Prime) and Tidal Wave (as seen after the game credits).

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.atari.com/transformers/ Official ''Transformers'' game page at Atari.com]
*[http://www.gamespot.com/news/6101516.html?q=chartspot%202004 ''Transformers'' game rankings for May 2004 at Gamespot]
*[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-ps2-soundtrack-news/2441/ News post from Seibertron.com for Atari's announcement of Regurgitator's involvement]

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Transformers (Armada PS2)