The Transformers (G1 PS2): Difference between revisions
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{{bigquote|The invisible wall seems to have disappeared. Looks like we can't get rid of that wall unless we take care of all of them.|[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]}} | {{bigquote|The invisible wall seems to have disappeared. Looks like we can't get rid of that wall unless we take care of all of them.|[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]}} | ||
Gameplay consists of punching and kicking your way through canyons, hillsides, and roadways where legions of cloned opponents await you. There is very little in the way of creative gameplay and everything gets very repetitive very fast. The environments are very small and closed in, so don't expect to go roaming around on any wayward adventure. You're there to duke it out with the enemy, and that's it. However, some environmental objects such as windmills and power coils can be interacted with, with no other way but to hit the objects with fists and feet even though the players are only willing to turn them off. Also in some levels, there will be multiple roads that can be taken but thanks to the game's | Gameplay consists of punching and kicking your way through canyons, hillsides, and roadways where legions of cloned opponents await you. There is very little in the way of creative gameplay and everything gets very repetitive very fast. The environments are very small and closed in, so don't expect to go roaming around on any wayward adventure. You're there to duke it out with the enemy, and that's it. However, some environmental objects such as windmills and power coils can be interacted with, with no other way but to hit the objects with fists and feet even though the players are only willing to turn them off. Also in some levels, there will be multiple roads that can be taken but thanks to the game's repetitive nature, the player will end up in a very same situation no matter which road is taken. | ||
[[Image:Transformers_Tatakai_Optimus_Button_Sequence_Gameplay.jpg|left|thumb|200px]] | [[Image:Transformers_Tatakai_Optimus_Button_Sequence_Gameplay.jpg|left|thumb|200px]] | ||
Revision as of 13:04, 16 March 2011
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| This article is about the Japanese PlayStation 2 game. For the English PlayStation 2 game, see Transformers (PS2). For a list of other meanings, see Transformers (disambiguation). |
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 My CG cinematic sequences are only as good as your in-game graphics! | |||||||
トランスフォーマー
(Transformer) | |||||||
| Developer | Winkysoft | ||||||
| Publisher | Atlus | ||||||
| Platform | PlayStation 2 | ||||||
| Release date | 30 October 2003 | ||||||
The Transformers is a Japanese video game for the Sony PlayStation 2 based on the Generation 1 Transformers series. It was developed by Winkysoft and published by Atlus on October 30, 2003. After choosing a side, you can take a squad of three Transformers on action missions, gathering numerous new troops along the way.
Even though all of the dialog in the game is in English with an option to set all of the text in the game to English as well, this game was never released in America. The two most likely reasons are Hasbro's lack of involvement with the title, and the game's apparent unanimous panning by critics in Japan.
You know things are messed up when Megatron's voice actor pulls off a better Peter Cullen than the actor who plays Optimus Prime.
Gameplay
| “ | The invisible wall seems to have disappeared. Looks like we can't get rid of that wall unless we take care of all of them. | ” |
Gameplay consists of punching and kicking your way through canyons, hillsides, and roadways where legions of cloned opponents await you. There is very little in the way of creative gameplay and everything gets very repetitive very fast. The environments are very small and closed in, so don't expect to go roaming around on any wayward adventure. You're there to duke it out with the enemy, and that's it. However, some environmental objects such as windmills and power coils can be interacted with, with no other way but to hit the objects with fists and feet even though the players are only willing to turn them off. Also in some levels, there will be multiple roads that can be taken but thanks to the game's repetitive nature, the player will end up in a very same situation no matter which road is taken.
During battle, there are several combinations of the basic punch and kick buttons. Pushing both buttons in the same time will unleash a special attack, for example Optimus Prime will perform a three-hit slashes using his Energon Axe, while Soundwave will eject Laserbeak that will fly straight into enemies.
There is also a charge attack, which can be performed by holding the punch or kick button and fill up one charge meter. Releasing the press on the button in front of an enemy will send player into a button mashing sequence, requiring player to hit the punch or kick button repeatedly in order to deal more damage. The sequence will be ended with one final punch or kick depending on the button the player was pressing. This attack is probably most effective to be used against a boss, while when used on a goon is pretty much useless, as the goon will be taken down by the final attack, no matter if the player pressed the button repeatedly or not during the sequence.
The players are also able to transform the character at will during gameplay. While in their alternate modes, the characters basically have two attacks that will drain their energy points in use. While characters that transform into vehicles gain the advantage to move around faster, characters like Megatron and Soundwave instead move slower in their alternate modes, though are able to deal bigger damage in attacks.
Fallen opponents will drop power-ups; health power-ups are in red, and energy power-ups are blue, as well as tiny Energon cubes. These Energon cubes can be collected by the player, and in each end of level will be accumulated. Later on, the collected cubes can be spent in the Garage sub-menu in the intermission menu after each level is finished. Machine Production is to upgrade the characters' stats and Equipments is to upgrade the weapons wielded by the characters. However, the characters' stats will also be upgraded automatically when they earn a level-up on their own as the game progresses.
Setting
The game's story, titled The Transformers: Call of the Future, takes its cue from the Generation 1 cartoon continuity, even specifically referring to the events of several episodes, such as "Fire on the Mountain". It is (presumably) set in 2003, the year it was released, but, via time travel, also features characters from an alternate future which branched off from cartoon continuity in late 2010 (after the events of Webworld", but before "The Return of Optimus Prime"). It does not seem to be officially considered part of the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity, however; it features several anachronistic appearance by characters who are not time-travelling (the Headmasters, for instance, are shown to be working with their respective factions, when they will not leave their homeworld to do so until 2011), and its events were not included in the painfully comprehensive 2007 timeline.
Story
In the year 2010, Shockwave, who has grown disgruntled with Galvatron's abusive leadership, discovers the Zel Quartz on Zel Samine. Realizing that it is a power source even greater than the Heart of Cybertron, Shockwave implants the Quartz into himself. He stages a one-robot coup and becomes the leader of the Decepticons...until the surging power load fries his systems and he malfunctions, running amok. He destroys much of both the Autobot and Decepticon armies and eventually destroys Cybertron itself before setting out to raze many innocent planets.
Unable to stop Shockwave in the present, Rodimus Prime allies with the Quintessons to send an elite cadre back in time to destroy the Quartz before Shockwave discovers it.
In 2003, both the Autobots and Decepticons detect an explosion caused by the arrival of visitors from the future over Zel Samine and send teams to investigate. Both sides lose contact with their teams. The Autobots send another team consisting of Optimus Prime, Wheeljack and Jazz to investigate, but their shuttle crashes, and Wheeljack learns that an abnormality in Zel Samine's sun causes electromechanical systems to malfunction and drains them of their power. The Decepticons likewise send Soundwave and Starscream (with Megatron arriving later by Space Bridge, a very bumpy ride).
The Space Bridge malfunctions, causing significant damage to the Decepticon ship. The Decepticons lure the Autobots away from their own shuttle in order to steal their supply of energon and use it to repair their own shuttle. Afterwards, both sides skirmish over a series of local power sources, including the wind-power facility on Mount Jaad, the Ranpas geothermal plant, and the Mongan hydroelectric power station. Along the way, both sides encounter members of their missing reconnaissance teams.
Both sides also encounter their counterparts from the future: the Autobots Rodimus Prime, Kup, and Arcee; and the Decepticons Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge. Galvatron reveals his identity to Megatron, but lies to him about the Zel Quartz, claiming he rules the universe in the future and it is part of an Autobot doomsday weapon that must be destroyed.
Pursuing stories of items that may be the Zel Quartz, both sides clash over the Gem of Mystery at the Lazalt Ruins, a superhard mineral in a drill bit at Karzite mine, and a giant crystal formation at the Atalstan gem mine. None of those leads pay off, but the planet's central archive includes reference to a "Zel Stone" which is part of the ELTA power transmission array, matching descriptions of the Zel Quartz exactly.
Both sides stage a climactic confrontation at ELTA (which is either destroyed or kept intact, depending on the winner) to capture the Quartz. After the battle is done, Starscream, who has overheard Galvatron and Cyclonus discussing the Quartz's true nature, rushes in to steal the Quartz for himself, jetting off into space with it.
Unbeknownst to Starscream, the physical structure of the quartz requires the atmospheric and electromagnetic properties of Zel Samine to maintain its integrity. Because he has fled into space rather than installing the Quartz on the planet as Shockwave had (and thus protecting it), the Quartz immediately degrades and becomes powerless. Outside of the atmosphere, exposed to the effects of Zel Samine's star without the Quartz's power to protect him, Starscream drifts powerless, left to contemplate his mistakes.
Their own timeline averted, the future Autobots and Decepticons vanish into sparkles of light, and Optimus Prime and Megatron are left to contemplate what they've learned from the experience.
Autobot Story
Decepticon Story
Starscream and Soundwave are in the shuttle, which has crash-landed in a cave on Zel. Megatron is absent, as he is on the Space Bridge. There were many instabilities in the route, but they believed it would work. However, when they tried it again, the Space Bridge was broken. Starscream, not wanting to wait for repairs, decides to go where Megatron was supposed to be and find him.
However, when they arrive at his estimated rendezvous point, there is no one there. They are a bit confused, but nevertheless, Starscream decides to pass the time and make himself new leader of the Decepticons. At that very moment, Megatron appears from out of nowhere. He announces that he went off-course, but found that the Autobots were here as well. Megatron then calls Optimus, Wheeljack, and Jazz, and announces that the Decepticons will arrive at their shuttle to destroy them once and for all. However, Wheeljack warns him that they will have to deal with him first. Starscream is confused as to why Megatron alerted the Autobots to their attack. Megatron just states that the Autobots won't try anything tricky if they fight fairly. He then asks if Starscream would like to become an Autobot, as he believes Starscream doesn't trust him. Starscream refuses, stating he'd "rather die". He also suggests that they pick a team and formation for the attack, and Megatron agrees.
Their initial progress across the planet is hindered by an invisible wall, however. Within its confines, they encounter Ironhide and two other Autobots. After the Autobots are defeated, the invisible wall disappears, and the Decepticons realize the direct causal connection: Defeat Autobots, and the invisible walls go away. Following more skirmishes, they encounter Wheeljack. After a long battle, he loses and withdraws, and the trio continue their route.
However, they see a mine field, possibly made by Wheeljack. They manage to get through it safely, scrap some Autobots and look good all at the same time.
After traveling a great distance, they encounter Optimus Prime. This leads to a long, tough brawl for the Decepticons, but they manage to defeat Prime and the Autobots. Megatron is on the verge of destroying Prime, but the Autobot retreats. Megatron is outraged, but decides to take the energon cubes instead.
Soundwave and Megatron later discuss their views on a U.F.O. Soundwave asks Megatron if he has felt something particularly odd since arriving on the planet. Megatron acknowledges he has, and Soundwave relates the unusual events that have occurred since arriving there. It's almost as if something was trying to cause them problems, so he made a study of the planet. According to his findings, the planet's sun is very dangerous to Transformers. It is constantly beaming electro-magnetic rays which can harm them greatly and cause their energon to evaporate when they are at high altitudes. To complete the repairs on the shuttle, they need to get some energy.
The Decepticons decide to go to the Jaad wind power plant. Starscream believes the mission to be absurd and a waste of time, but Soundwave explains it is not. He also notes the Autobots are already there, but Starscream says this will be no problem: He'll just blast them away. Soundwave, however, shows Starscream how a real subordinate should behave. Starscream eases off for now, believing he'll take care of Megatron soon enough. Soundwave suggests they select a team and formation for the mission.
They head for the power plant. Along the way, they encounter the Autobot Headmaster Brainstorm. Brainstorm retreats after they defeat him and a lot of other Autobots, but once the Decepticons arrive at the main station, they also encounter Hound. They then defeat him and take all the energy. While leaving with it, they encounter the Decepticon Headmaster Snapdragon, part of the exploration team. He joins the team, much to Megatron's enthusiasm. If the player goes through a second time, however, they encounter Weirdwolf, instead.
Soundwave suggests using the energy to repair the shuttle, while Starscream is still thinking about the mission. Megatron is somehow aware of his thoughts, but not their exact content. He notes that Starscream will never catch him sleeping and begins assigning the Decepticons to their next destination—a geothermal power plant. Starscream complains that it's primitive and, because it's underground, he can't fly within the facility. Then, Laserbeak returns and Soundwave reports that the Autobots are taking up defensive positions around the plant. Megatron decided to select the team and stop the idle chit-chat.
When they arrive, Megatron is surprised at the power. Unfortunately, the door up ahead is locked. They have to destroy the Autobots and blast the generator. They finally do so, but after a while, they encounter Grotusque. They defeat him, he retreats, and they move on, after Megatron insults him as ugly. Hey, who can blame him?
The more they continue fighting the Autobots, the closer they get to the main generator. And the closer they get, the more damage they take due to the magma. They finally makee it to the generator, but then encounter the Monsterbot, Doublecross. They defeat him and began to take the energy from the generator. Then, Blitzwing arrives, scoffing at them that it took them too long to get here, and joins the party. If the player is here a second time, they find Skullcruncher, instead.
They manage to draw out all the energon cubes, but are unable to program as much energy as planned. Soundwave apologizes; Megatron tells him that it was Starscream's fault, as he was doing something with the energon cubes, but Starscream denies it. Then, Laserbeak returns and Megatron notices the resemblance between him and Starscream, such as the ability to fly and the colors. He also points out that Laserbeak is very loyal. It was also Laserbeak who informed to Megatron about Starscream's activities. Starscream dismisses this and goes to get the energon cubes and repair the ship for a while. Megatron also warns him that his temper is the shortest in the universe. Megatron thinks to himself that he might have Starscream destroy Optimus Prime.
Their next objective is to go to a hydroelectric power station. Now it's Soundwave's turn to complain. He, knowing that the Autobots have taken defensive positions around the plant, asks for a less well-guarded person for the job. Megatron is dismayed, believing that he's afraid. He orders to send the troops out and never hear anything like this again. He then calls back to the time they arrived on Earth. Starscream remembers this and decides to teach those tin-minnows another lesson. They choose their team and formation.
They have to get through the forest first, though. And the fog is very dense. Nevertheless, they make their way through and, on the way, defeat Highbrow. They finally arrive at the power plant and defeat some Autobots. It takes a long time, but they reach the main power station, where they are stopped by Bumblebee. They easily defeat him and take most of the energy. Then, they find Astrotrain and he joins the team. If the player goes a second time, they will find Mindwipe, instead.
Later, Soundwave admits he was wrong to criticize the plans and Megatron suggests he shut up and listen to him, from now on.
Later, Laserbeak reports that the Autobots have made contact with the UFO. The Decepticons are in trouble now, but Megatron doesn't realize this. They send a team to their rendezvous point to stop them!
Unfortunately, when they arrive, no one is there. Just then, Rodimus Prime appears. Rodimus is surprised, but remembers it was from this era. Megatron recognizes him as Hot Rod, but then realizes he isn't. Rodimus remembers that he doesn't know him yet and introduces himself, explaining that he is from the future. He warns that if he destroys all the Autobots in this era, he won't be parting on friendly terms. He defeats him and asked some questions. But at that moment, a figure which looks like Megatron in a few ways appears and blasted Rodimus. It is revealed to be Galvatron. He notices the face resemblance. Galvatron is about to explain, but Rodimus escapes. Galvatron and Megatron are furious, as Megatron needed information. Galvatron knows it was the UFO. He asks him to take him and his companions to the Decepticon Headquarters and then, they can talk.
Later, they are talking about the events of the future. He lies about most of it, but revealed that Galvatron is really Megatron's future self. Starscream is very surprised, but Megatron can feel that he's right. Before Galvatron continues, he says to send Shockwave outside, if he's here. Then, they continue.
Meanwhile, at the Autobot Shuttle, Rodimus and his crew are talking of the events of the future. It was revealed that Shockwave, Megatron's faithful servant, turns traitor. He examines Galvatron and his changes in personality very carefully and becomes a one-robot mutiny, as Galvatron started to lose his authority. Rodimus tells Optimus about the story of Shockwave and an item known as Zel Quartz.
Shockwave discovered that a being born on Cybertron would gain an extra power boost if the Quartz was installed in their body. So, he pulls a "Starscream Move" and makes himself leader of the Decepticons. However, his circuits could not stand the extra power loads and it malfunctioned. He ran amok and was unstoppable! Even the Autobots and Decepticons tried to stop him, but most of them were killed and Cybertron, along with other planets, were destroyed. He would not stop until all the planets were bathed in fire. So the elite of the survivors sought help from the Quintessons. They provided them a shuttle with a TransWarp signature, where they planned on keeping Shockwave from ever finding the Quartz and defeat him, once and for all!
Unfortunately, a disruption in space-time occurred, as a result, and the forces were scattered. They have been unable to contact their comrades. The Autobots have to destroy the Quartz before the Decepticons do. When Optimus asks where it was.....well, that's the problem.
They don't know. It is called Zel Quartz in the future, but the name in this era is unknown. They tell them that it's material for an Autobot Doomsday Weapon. The Decepticons have to get the Quartz before they do. Galvatron agrees and decidedsto keep quiet about Shockwave and the Quartz's real power for a while, or it will be harder to get the Quartz for himself when the time is right.
Later, Cyclonus coordinates with Soundwave's information and determines three possible locations and tells Galvatron of this. He decides to search them one by one. Cyclonus wonders why they just go through the trouble of finding the Quartz. Galvatron tells him that if the truth was told, Megatron would try to take the Quartz for himself and might be able to defeat Unicron, thus erasing Galvatron, Scourge, and Cyclonus from existence. With that, they leave to tell Megatron of the possible locations. Unfortunately, Starscream overheard the entire conversation. As he suspected, the future Decepticons are up to no good. However, he decides to keep it a secret, as he will get the Quartz for himself!
The first location is the Lazalt Ruins. Starscream suspects that looters probably stole it years ago, even if it was here. However, Cyclonus notes that they were recently discovered. The structures are thought to be built by intelligent life forms from another planet (not unlike the Vok in Beast Wars and Transformers Animated). There are also rumors that local archaeologists unearthed an unknown crystal known as the "Gem of Mystery". It is a high possibility that it is the Zel Quartz. Confirmation of what Cyclonus says are recent human research. Megatron saw it very familiar to items found in the Andes Mountains in South America. It would not surprise him if such a thing also exists here. The Autobots, however, anticipated them and posted guards. Galvatron suggests a good team, but Megatron notes that this is his era and Galvatron will not give orders. They have a little argument about the team selection until Soundwave and Cyclonus are selected.
Characters
Below is a list of some of the characters that appear in the game:
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
- The characters that are Triple-changers or having more than one alternate modes (such as Sixshot) in the game are presented as multiple characters, each having different alternate modes.
Notes
- Those who pre-ordered this game received a special "Matrix Disc" DVD containing all the Japanese Generation 1 toy commercials up to Headmasters.
External links
- The Transformers game page at Atlus.co.jp
- Gameplay videos on YouTube
- Video game site IGN did a humorous comparison between the Atlus-developed Generation 1 game and the later Melbourne House-developed Armada game as a "battle between Japan and Australia". Australia won.
- GameFAQs' overview of the game
