Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons

Revenge of the Fallen games

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Autobots and Decepticons video games were developed by Vicarious Visions for Activision, in conjunction with the Revenge of the Fallen movie.

Gameplay

Like the DS games produced to tie in with the first live-action Transformers movie, the Nintendo DS incarnation of Revenge of the Fallen is divided into two separately-sold games, one for each of the two factions. The two games, however, are a lot less distinct from one another than the original movie games were: where those games featured unique levels and differing objectives, the Revenge of the Fallen games both feature the same basic goals, taking place over the same levels. Generally speaking, the games have little to actually do with the story of the film, simply depicting both factions hopping around the world, carrying out random acts of heroism or terrorism, occasionally visiting a significant location from the movie storyline (Shanghai, the Laurentian Abyss) before things culminate in a big fight in Cairo.

The player's hub is a two-dimensional world map, from which they select the mission they wish to play. Levels are presented in groups of three, and once each "mission" is completed, a secondary "challenge" objective is then unlocked in each level. Once these challenges are completed, the next chain of levels is unlocked, and thus the game continues. Completing both the "mission" and "challenge" from each level earns the player a bronze medal; each completed level can then be re-entered at the player's discretion, and both the "mission" and the "challenge" can be replayed, this time with an additional handicap (such as completing the level with the player's stats halved, or accomplishing an objective within a certain time limit). Completing one earns the player a silver medal, and completing both and thereby finishing the entire level gains you a gold medal.

Sadly, the games discard the two most enjoyable aspects of the original movie games: large, free-roaming environments, and the ability to scan ambient vehicles and change alternate mode at will. At the beginning of the game, the player's protoform character is given the option to choose which of three vehicle forms it will adopt ("light," weak but fast, "medium", balanced speed and strength, and "heavy", strong but slow), and retains this form for the entire game. Replacing this gameplay mechanic is the "Medical Bay," a new system which allows players to heavily customize their character. When enemies die, they drop energon cubes, which the player can spend to upgrade their stats (strength, speed, durability, marksmanship, etc). Additionally, each "mission" level includes several hidden bonus items, which, when found by the player, unlock new weapons and other items which provide various effects when equipped. For instance, a less powerful weapon may offer as a bonus "perfect aim", whereas a stronger gun may only be functional at short range. In addition to customary lasers and rockets, players will also get the chance to lob grenades and even wield a freeze-ray that immobilizes enemies. The other items players can acquire are "capacitors" and "nodes", which apply bonuses to player's stats; for example, boosting strength at the cost of speed. Two weapons and four capacitors and/or nodes can be equipped at once; several weapons and gadgets are only unlocked by playing the game online.