Transformers: Heavy Metal
| The name or term "Heavy Metal" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Heavy Metal (disambiguation). |
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| Developer | Niantic | ||||||
| Publisher | Niantic | ||||||
| Platform | Android, iOS | ||||||
| Release date | June 24, 2021 (New Zealand)
July 15, 2021 (Philippines) | ||||||
Transformers: Heavy Metal is a location-based augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic, who are best known for the global phenomenon of Pokémon GO. It is currently set for general release on Android and iOS devices later in 2021.
Plot
At the brink of a looming Decepticon invasion on Earth, Bumblebee and Hound launch the Guardian Program, a network of human allies working with the Autobots to keep the planet safe. With Starscream hot on their trail, Bumblebee brings you into the program. As Guardian, you must scan for threats and supplies, take control of Decepticon-occupied regions, and amplify the Autobots' signal to Cybertron.
Gameplay
Transformers: Heavy Metal uses similar location based mechanics to Niantic's other AR games, such as Pokémon Go. As players move around the real world, they will come across Decepticons, whom they can confront in turn-based battle with the help of their Autobot companions. If multiple players are in the vicinity, they can join the battle and help take on stronger Decepticon opponents.[1]
Combat operates via a turn-based system. Each combatant has a health gauge and an energy pool, as well as, potentially, armor. At the beginning of combat, the combatant's moves are shuffled and only the top two are visible. The player can chose to either use the top move, which costs a certain amount from the bot's energy pool, or discard the move to increase the bot's available energy. Moves can do damage, increase armor, induce status effects, and are generally tailored to match the bot's style. A Decepticon Shield will have many moves centered around increasing armor, while a Decepticon Hacker's moves may insert useless "glitch" moves into the Autobot's move pool. Once a bot's health gauge is reduced to zero, they lose the match.
In addition to Decepticons, players will also encounter Mini-Cons, which can be collected in exchange for Energon. Autobots can equip Mini-Cons to replace their default moves in battle. Equipped Mini-Cons will also follow their Autobot around on the map, which is very cute.
Featured characters
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Mini-Cons |
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