Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)

This article is about the PlayStation game. For the Nintendo 64 game, see Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64){{#switch:{{#sub:Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|-1}} != .= ?= .

}}

<imagemap>File:BWlogo.jpg|center|400px default {{#if:Beast Wars|Beast Wars|Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)}} desc none </imagemap>

{{#if:Generation 1 continuity family|{{#if:|[[Generation 1 continuity family|]]|Generation 1 continuity family}}|}}
{{#if:Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise) | «}} Beast Wars|Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)}} {{#if:Machine Wars: Transformers | »}}
{{#if: |[[|«]]}} {{#if: |[[|»]]}}
{{#if: |[[|«]]}} {{#if: |[[|»]]}}
{{#if: Beast Wars Transmetals PS.jpg | {{#if: | {{#if: WAVEDGE
GenAzea (NA) | {{#if: Takara (JP)
BAM! Entertainment (NA) | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: PlayStation | {{#if: | {{#if: December 9, 1999 (JP)
July 12, 2000 (NA) | {{#if: | {{#if: Beast Wars continuity | {{#if: | {{#if: ESRB: T | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)/credits |
{{#if: |[[|«]]}} Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals {{#if: |[[|»]]}}
{{#if: |[[|«]]}} {{#if: |[[|»]]}}
{{#if: |
}}}}
{{#if: トランスフォーマー　ビーストウォーズメタルス 激突！ガンガンバトル|
トランスフォーマー　ビーストウォーズメタルス 激突！ガンガンバトル {{#if: Transformers Beast Wars Metals:
Gekitotsu! Gangan Battle|
(Transformers Beast Wars Metals:
Gekitotsu! Gangan Battle)}} {{#if:Transformers: Beast Wars Metals:
Clash! Intense Battle|
"Transformers: Beast Wars Metals:
Clash! Intense Battle"}}
}}
Developer }}
Developers WAVEDGE
GenAzea (NA)}}
Publishers Takara (JP)
BAM! Entertainment (NA)}}
Publisher }}
Writer }}
Written by }}
Additional writing }}
Story }}
Platform PlayStation}}
Platforms }}
Release date December 9, 1999 (JP)
July 12, 2000 (NA)}}
End of service }}
Continuity Beast Wars continuity}}
Chronology }}
Rating ESRB: T}}
Ratings }}
Standard Retail Price }}
Credits}}

Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals is a PlayStation video game, released in 1999 in Japan and 2000 in North America. It and its Nintendo 64 counterpart share a primary theme—characters from the second season of the Beast Wars television series duking it out in one-on-one combat—but the games differ in their stories, gameplay styles, character selections, and bonus features.

Plot

[edit]

The game takes place in an alternate version of the cartoon's second season, largely identical aside from a few extra characters having gained Transmetal forms. Unlike the character-specific endings of the Nintendo 64 game, the PlayStation game features two separate stories, one for each faction, that generally leave things roughly back where they started by the time is all said and done.

Maximal story

[edit]

The Maximals are jostled as the Axalon comes under Predacon fire. As their shields begin failing, Cheetor is itching to take the attackers down, though Rattrap points out doing so alone will only lead to him getting scrapped. Optimus Primal, however, sees an opportunity and formulates a plan: he and a team of Maximals will defeat the attackers, pursue them back to their base, and take advantage of their weakened state to reclaim the Golden Disk. Cheetor, Silverbolt and a begrudging Rattrap join Primal's team while Rhinox stays behind to provide support and guard the ship.

Primal and his team then repel the four attacking Predacons, chasing them back to their ship. Defeating Megatron on the bridge of the Darkside, Primal waxes poetic about the nobility of their heroic motivations as Rattrap flaunts the Golden Disk now in their possession. With the other Predacons out of commission and the Predacon computer disabled, the battle seems won, but Megatron laughs and reveals the remaining Predacons have successfully infiltrated the Axalon during the Maximals' absence. As Megatron flies off, Optimus orders the others to hurry back to base.

Predacon story

[edit]

As Megatron greets "another glorious Predacon day", he confirms his latest plan with Tarantulas: lure the Maximals to the Darkside, beat them mercilessly until they're forced to retreat, then follow them back to their base to finish them. The rest of the Predacons are largely on board, but Rampage remains skeptical until being forcibly persuaded by Megatron. As a group of Maximals take the bait and arrive at the Darkside, Blackarachnia and Waspinator leave to lure the rest out of the Axalon.

Megatron then leads a team consisting of Rampage, Tarantulas, Quickstrike and himself, beating back Optimus Primal's team across the planet, all the way back to their ship. After taking down Primal on the Axalon's bridge, Megatron and his team gloat, mocking Primal's claims that he's not done yet. Before they can finish him, Rhinox appears and activates Sentinel's auto-guns, catching the Predacons off guard. Their advantage having been lost, Megatron swears vengeance as Rampage blows a hole in the wall and they make their escape.

Characters

[edit]

{{#if:true ||(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)}}

{{#if:* Optimus Primal (Garry Chalk)
Hidden characters
Non-playable characters
{{#if:* Optimus Primal (Garry Chalk)
Hidden characters
Non-playable characters
Hidden characters
Non-playable characters
Hidden characters
Non-playable characters
Maximals }}{{#if:* Megatron (David Kaye)
Hidden characters
Non-playable characters
 Predacons }}{{#if:| Humans }}{{#if:| Others }}{{#if:| Misc }}{{#if:| Misc }}
Hidden characters
Non-playable characters
 
}}{{#if:|

}}{{#if:|

}}{{#if:|

}}

* Playable only in the North American release.

Secret characters

[edit]

The North American release of Transmetals includes a handful of secret playable characters, each of which is a palette-swapped and slightly re-meshed variant of an existing character with their own unique voice lines. Each hidden character requires a variation on the same code: Select "VS Battle Mode", highlight "VS Computer" or "VS Player", then press X. Continue holding X and immediately hold L1, L2, R1, R2, and one of the four directional pad buttons. Each direction will unlock a different character: Up for Tigatron (based on Cheetor), Down for Ravage (also based on Cheetor), Left for Blackarachnia (based on Tarantulas), and Right for Windrazor (based on Silverbolt). These characters cannot be used outside of VS Battle Mode.

Quotes

[edit]

"We'll attack the Predacons, then follow them back to their base when they pull back."
"Yes, agreed."
"A great plan! Then we'll strike them with all our might!"

—Rhinox, Optimus Primal and Silverbolt come up with a brilliant strategy.


"Don't even talk if you don't understand the plan, crab!"
"What?! That I cannot forgive! Are you listening, spider-brains?"
"Ooh, 'spider-brains', that's original. Shall we proceed?"

—Tarantulas and Rampage exchange rather on-the-nose insults. Blackarachnia is unamused.


"My plan is to lure the Maximals to our stronghold, the Darkside. Then, we beat them mercilessly! We crush! We smash! They'll be forced to retreat! And we follow them all the way to their base. Hahahahahahaha, yessss, hahahahahahaha! Get it?"

—Megatron, also a master strategist.


"The flame of justice cannot be extinguished!"
"Are those your last words, Primal? I'll be sure to put them in my diary."

—Optimus Primal is mocked by a seemingly-triumphant Megatron.


"I am Tarantulas, agent of the Predacon Secret Police! ...Oh, but don't tell anyone else that."

—Tarantulas can't keep a secret.


"I use deception for the purpose of good! ...I use it a lot."

—Blackarachnia gives her elevator pitch.


"I've got an idea: let's beat him within an inch of his spark then experiment on him!"

—Megatron has an idea.


"Cold doesn't affect me; I just put more oil in the heater, if you know what I mean."

—We...have no idea what you mean, Tarantulas.

Gameplay

[edit]
Anyway, I started blasting. POW! POW!

Transmetals is a 1-on-1 3D arena fighting game, similar to the [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Power Stone|{{#if:||Power Stone}}]] series. Battles consist of two opponents in an open arena attacking one another, with the match ending when time runs out or either character's life is depleted and they enter stasis lock. Characters can move using the left stick or directional buttons, and will automatically block when completely stationary, reducing damage taken. In robot mode, players can use two different types of weaponfire: pressing Triangle fires "High Impact Shots" that do less damage but are capable of knocking down opponents, while Circle fires stronger "Energon Draining Shots" that automatically aim at the enemy but do not inflict knockdown. Pressing either button when close to an opponent will perform a hand-to-hand attack, expanded to a combo when pressed repeatedly. Pressing X will cause the character to jump, and pressing it again in midair will cause them to immediately drop to the ground. Players can transform to and from beast mode with Square, which is more powerful but limited to close-range melee attacks. Holding either attack button for three seconds before releasing will activate one of two character-specific special moves, depending on which mode the character is in. While holding the button to charge a special, players are still able to use their other attack button to defend themselves. Pressing R1 or both attack buttons at once in either mode will perform a rushing Tackle Crusher attack, capable of breaking an opponent's guard when blocking. Players can also switch to vehicle mode by pressing L1, L3, or Square and X simultaneously, which prevents them from attacking but allows them to move much faster.

Players will also gain super attack gauge when they deal damage, indicated by a blue bar overlaying their life gauge, and slightly less gauge when they take damage. When the super gauge charges beyond the player's current life, they will be given access to a powerful super attack in place of their Tackle Crusher. As a result, characters with lower life will gain super attacks more quickly. Super attacks differ depending on whether the character is in robot mode or beast mode, and the Tackle Crusher will be performed instead if used at the incorrect range; robot mode supers must be used at a distance and typically involve powerful projectile attacks, while beast mode supers are all close-range grab attacks. The player can accumulate and store up to three super attacks at a time, with faction symbols in the lower corner of the screen indicating how many they have available. By launching multiple super attacks in quick succession, some characters in effect have unblockable instant-kill combos; this is most easily achieved with Cheetor and his redecos.

Battles take place on one of ten stages, based on the different environments featured in the show: Maximal Base, Predacon Base, Grasslands, Snow Field, Forest, Cliffs, Desert, Wasteland, Mountains, and Volcanic Cave. Each stage features a different layout with varying verticality, with some also containing objects for players to interact with or throw at their opponents, such as large rocks and energon crystals. Many of the stages also include additional hazards that can damage players, such as lava, harsh winds, and the bases' automatic defenses.

The game's main single player component is "Story Mode", divided into Maximal and Predacon campaigns with three available difficulty levels. Each faction's story puts the player in control of a team of four Transformers, and they must travel from their base at one side of a world map to the opposing faction's base at the other side, battling an opponent at each location along the way. The game offers branching paths, allowing the player to take different routes to the end or even claim all points of territory along the way. Characters function as "lives" of sorts; if a character is defeated, they'll be sent back to the CR chambers for healing and the player will have to try again with whoever they have left. Losing all four characters results in a Game Over, though the player can choose to immediately continue where they left off. The game also offers a "TV Mode" that functions identically to Story Mode, but all characters are AI-controlled, so you can watch as the game literally plays itself, complete with dynamic camera angles. It's an easy enough way to unlock all the extra content if you don't want to, y'know...actually play the game you spent money on. Players can switch back and forth between Story Mode and TV Mode at any time during a playthrough.

Other modes include "VS Battle Mode", a standard multiplayer mode where players can battle a human or AI opponent; "Survival Mode", in which players must defeat eight opponents as quickly as possible; and "Training Mode", which allows players to practice with each of the characters against an AI training dummy, which can optionally be controlled by a second player. The game does not support auto-saving and must be manually saved and loaded via the Options menu; save files take up only one block of space on the PlayStation memory card. The Options menu also contains the "Extras" gallery: as players progress through Story Mode and use different character match-ups in Vs Battle Mode, gallery content will be unlocked for viewing, including the game's music, cutscenes, voice samples, and CG artwork, as well as images of real-life Beast Wars toys.

Notes

[edit]

Continuity notes

[edit]
  • Rhinox and Waspinator both appear in their Transmetal forms during the animated sequences, even though they retained their original bodies throughout the TV series, while Blackarachnia is shown to have achieved her Transmetal 2 form much earlier. The game itself offers no explanation for these differences in either language, simply treating them as having changed during the quantum surge like everyone else. The English manual suggests this as being a result of Megatron mucking with time travel, as is the case in the Nintendo 64 game; however, see Errors.
  • The Maximal story features Optimus and his team reclaiming the Vok Golden Disk; no mention is made of its Voyager counterpart. There's no point in the show at which this story could occur: by the time Silverbolt joins the Maximals, the Vok Disk remains in their possession until Megatron reclaims it in "Other Visits (Part 1)" and immediately uses it to control the Metal Hunter in "Other Visits (Part 2)", at which point it is destroyed.
  • When fighting in the Volcanic Cave, the Ark is visible in the background, similar to how it was found in "The Agenda (Part III)".
  • Many of the characters' battle and menu lines are direct quotes from episodes of the cartoon.
  • The English manual refers to the Forest arena as the spot where Rampage originally emerged as "Protoform X", referencing the events of "Bad Spark".

Errors

[edit]
  • The English manual duplicates the story text from its N64 counterpart, suggesting the differences in certain bots' appearances to be the result of Megatron contacting his past self to alter history. However, this explanation is not reflected anywhere in the game itself, and by copying the text word-for-word, it means the manual refers to characters that do not actually appear in the PlayStation version like Airazor and Terrorsaur.
  • As a result of the aforementioned duplication, it also carries over the N64 manual's erroneous claims the Autobots and Decepticons were in stasis for four billion years and that the Maximals and Predacons came from thousands of years after the Great War, rather than the four million and hundreds respectively depicted in the cartoon itself.

Real-world references

[edit]
  • Tarantulas's robot mode super attack, "Shadow Slash", strongly resembles the "Raging Demon" attack used by Street Fighter's [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Akuma (Street Fighter)|{{#if:Akuma|Akuma|Akuma (Street Fighter)}}]].

Trivia

[edit]
  • This game marks the first time the Predacon ship is referred to as the "Darkside", canonizing a popular piece of fanon rooted in a bit of dialogue from the episode "Equal Measures".
  • Sentinel and the Predacon computer narrate the in-game menus.
  • Inferno is mentioned in passing during the Maximal story, but does not otherwise appear.
  • In the Japanese release, all of the actors from the Japanese dub of the cartoon reprise their respective roles. In the English release, most of the cast similarly reprise, with the exceptions of Quickstrike, Rhinox, the Predacon computer and the secret characters. (Ian Corlett does a pretty good job as Quickstrike!)
  • Some of the player-accessible ledges in the Mountain stage are at such high elevation that they noticeably change the impact and use of characters' Super attacks. Megatron's robot mode super attack, "Storm of Vengeance", can wind up with such a long distance to travel before hitting a surface and exploding that it becomes almost unusable. Conversely, Rattrap's robot mode super, "Nuke Bombs", usually needs to travel in a full arc and hit the ground before exploding, but now with careful planning Rattrap can throw the bombs to directly hit a character standing above him, causing instant death.
  • The Japanese version actually alternates between two versions of the intro cinematic. The primary version is set to the first Beast Wars Metals opening theme song, "Tamashii no Evolution", and ends on a splash image of all eight fighters squaring off. An alternate version replaces the Metals theme with a generic rock instrumental and omits the ending image, but adds a monologue by Optimus Primal at the start that briefly summarizes the series premise and events up to the start of the second season. The English version, naturally, only uses the alternate intro.
  • The credits sequence features several stills from the first half of the show's third season, including images of characters that don't appear in the game itself like Depth Charge and Dinobot II. Notably, these episodes had not yet aired in Japan at the time of the game's release, acting as a sort of sneak peek (or massive spoiler, depending on your perspective) at things to come.
  • The inclusion of Windrazor as a secret character in the North American version was at the suggestion of GenAzea's Chris Tang, who had gotten his hands on the character's toy at BotCon 1999. According to Tang, had he been aware of Apelinq and Shokaract prior to their BotCon 2000 release, he would have tried to get them included as alternate color schemes or secret characters as well.
  • Yes, both Optimus's and Megatron's cunning battle strategies are as follows: bring the enemy into their base, beat the scrap out of them, chase them back to their own base, then beat them up some more. Why their respective teams treat these as "brilliant plans" (or even overcomplicated in Rampage's case) is beyond us.
Retrieved from "https://tfwiki.duckdns.org/index.php?title=Transformers:_Beast_Wars_Transmetals_(PS)&oldid=1899971"