Transformers Legends (mobile game)
| The name or term "Legends" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Legends (disambiguation). |
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 All the grind and expense of shopping for toys, without any of the fun. (Or the toys.) | |||||||
| Developer | ngmoco | ||||||
| Publisher | Mobage | ||||||
| Platform | Android, iOS | ||||||
| Release date | December 13, 2012 | ||||||
Transformers Legends (parsed as "TRANSFORMERS Legends" on the Play Store) is a multiplayer card-based battle game published by Mobage for mobile devices. Released for Android devices on December 13, 2012 and iOS devices on April 25, 2013, the the game features much of the early Generation 1 cast, with the campaign including elements from many storylines.
Featured characters
| Autobots | Decepticons | ||||||
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Gameplay
The game functions as a simulation of a tabletop collectible card game. Players build a deck of Autobots and Decepticons to use in-game. New players are given a limited selection of "common" and "uncommon" cards, as well as a choice of six starting "Rare" cards (Ratchet, Wheeljack, and Mirage for Autobot fans, Ravage, Skywarp, and Thundercracker for Decepticons fans - the initial choice has no other effect on gameplay). More advanced cards are discovered in Mission mode, or via the Space Bridge feature (either by completing certain tasks or by paying for them). Complete decks are then used both in Battle mode and in Boss Battles during special in-game events.
Cards come in two types: character and weapon. Character cards are further subdivided into robot and alternate modes for each respective character. Each card may be leveled to a maximum point. Robot and alternate modes of the same character (e.g. "Common" Ratbat, "Ultra-Rare" Galvatron) may then be "Trans-Scanned" into a single, more powerful card that can then be leveled again to a maximum point ("MTM" in game terminology). Weapons may also be upgraded, and certain weapons are designated for specific characters (e.g. "Galvatron's Weapon"). While any character card may be paired with any weapon card, there are specific bonuses for matching weapons to characters of the same faction or other criteria, and a larger bonus for pairing named weapons with their specified character.
Missions
"Missions" are roughly equivalent to "story mode." Progress is made by clicking a "scan" button, which drains a little bit of Energon each time. A scan can have one of several results:
- The player is ambushed by an enemy (Swoop in the Decepticon campaign, Ramjet in the Autobot campaigns)
- The player receives a Common or Uncommon card
- The player is given an opportunity for a "free" PVP battle, or
- The player is given an opportunity to win a Rare card.
Each mission takes somewhere between 20 and 30 clicks to complete, and each click uses 10 points of Energon. The cards for each Mission are pre-determined by the game, and only a few Rare cards are available in Missions. Energon is refilled automatically when a player levels up, slowly over time, or can be refilled instantly via special items (i.e., by paying for it).
Battles
"Battles" are the game's version of player-versus-player combat. Combat is initated by clicking on another player's name (potential opponents are pre-selected by the game), at which point combat is managed entirely by the game. Each combat uses one Battle Cube, which refill automatically when a player levels up, slowly over time, or can be refilled instantly via special items (i.e., by paying for it.)
Both Missions and Battles generate XP and credits that serve in-game functions: XP is used to level up the player (and recharge Energon and Battle Cubes), while credits are used in the card upgrade process.
Events
Events modify gameplay in two primary ways: by adding special themed cards, and by offering "Boss Battles". "Episode" cards are rare 'hero' cards that players may use in Boss Battles. These cards may only be obtained via in-game purchases (usually costing somewhere between ten and fifteen dollars to get a "complete" robot/vehicle/weapon combo). "Event" cards represent the bosses, and are distributed after the event's conclusion as rewards for top players. Boss Battles work similarly to standard Battles, except that they are accessed through the Missions mode, as one of the possible outcomes. Boss Battles also add limited multiplayer action - if a Boss is too difficult for a single player, they can opt to invite other users (again, selected by the game) to assist, with all participants receiving rewards.
- Harvest of the Insecticons - (Initial run 12/21/12 - 12/22/12, relaunched 1/9/13 - 1/14/13) An Insecticon themed event featuring Kickback, Hardshell, and Sharpshot as bosses and Hound and Mirage as rare Autobots.
- Day of the Dinobots, Part 1 - (4/4/13 - 4/11/13) A Dinobot themed event featuring Sludge, Snarl, and Slug as bosses and Dirge and Thrust as rare Decepticons.
- Robots in the Sky - (4/18/13 - 4/24/13) A Seeker themed event featuring Acid Storm, Sunstorm, Skywarp, and Thundercracker as bosses and Cliffjumper and Jazz as rare Autobots.
- Fatal Furies - (4/29/13 - 5/6/13) A Female Autobots themed event featuring Firestar, Arcee, Chromia, and Elita One as bosses and Slipstream and Flamewar as rare Decepticons. The Decepticons win the day, stopping the Autobots.
- Unleash the Beast - (5/9/13 - 5/16/13) A Terrorcons themed event inspired loosely by the plot of Transformers: Beast Hunters. Shockwave clones the Terrorcons based on ancient CNA. When they prove uncontrollable he sends Predacons Razorclaw and Divebomb to capture them before Megatron finds out. In the end they recapture the Terrorcons and return them to Shockwave's control. For now. Featuring Rippersnapper, Blight, Twinstrike, and Hun-Gurrr as bosses and Razorclaw and Divebomb as rare Decepticons.
- Cold Delivery - (5/17/13 - 5/23/13) An outer space themed event featuring Cosmos, Jetfire, Sky Lynx, and Omega Supreme as bosses and Cyclonus and Scourge as rare Decepticons. In the end Cyclonus and Scourge rebuff Omega's squad and prevent most supplies from making it through the Space Bridge, causing a major setback to Autobot plans.
- Countdown to Extinction - (5/24/13 - 5/31/13) An adaptation of the G1 episode. Starscream, Rumble, and Reflector are bosses, while Sideswipe and Red Alert are available for purchase. All Ironhide cards are upgrades to do x2 damage for the event. As in the original episode, the Decepticons are routed and the Autobots win the day.
Starting with Day of the Dinobots, Part 2, events run for six days, with one starting the day after the prior event concludes.
- Day of the Dinobots, Part 2 - (6/5/13 - 6/12/13) - A continuation of the earlier Dinobot event. The Dinobot squad is preparing to attack Decepticon headquarters, but Shockwave and his minions are preparing a counterstrike. All five Dinobots are bosses, with Shockwave, Ramjet, and Ratbat as event cards. This event also introduces "Ultra-Rare" cards, starting with Shockwave and Grimlock.
- Heavy Metal War, Part 1 - (6/13/13 - 6/20/13) - An adaptation of the G1 episode. The Constructicons attempt to break into Autobot headquarters and strike at Teletraan I, but a small Autobot force is in their way. Ironhide, Wheeljack, Ratchet, and Brawn are bosses, while Long Haul, Hook, and Bonecrusher are event cards. Ultra-Rare cards for this event include Ironhide and Long Haul.
- All Hail Galvatron - (6/21/13 - 6/27/13) - Loosely based on the plot of The Transformers: The Movie. Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and Kup are event cards, while Gnaw, Scourge, Cyclonus, and Galvatron are bosses. Galvatron and Rodimus were Ultra-Rare cards.
- The Bee Team - (6/28/13 - 7/5/13) - The first original storyline since Cold Delivery. Bumblebee has received significant upgrades and is preparing an elite strike force to attack the Decepticons. Venom and the Insecticons plan a counterattack. The Bee Team bosses are Bumblebee, Gears, Huffer, and Beachcomber. Event cards include Barrage, Chop Shop, and Venom. Despite a banner during All Hail Galvatron claiming that they were going away, Bumblebee is an Ultra-Rare.
- Nemesis Rising - (7/8/13 - 7/15/13) - Doctor Arkeville has created the monstrous Nemesis Prime. Can the Aerialbots stop him? Nemesis Prime, Doctor Arkeville, Onslaught, and Brawl are episode bosses. Silverbolt, Slingshot, and Air Raid are event cards. Of particular note is that Doctor Arkeville has two cards - a "robot mode" depicting his original human body, and an "alternate mode" featuring his cyborg form from "Countdown to Extinction".
- Road to Ruin - (7/16/13 - 7/23/13) - Jazz and his team attempt to make an energon delivery to a secret Autobot base, with Tantrum, Headstrong and Rampage trying to stop them.
- Full Assault - (7/24/13 - 7/31/13) - The Military Patrol—Bombshock, Dropshot, Tracer and Growl—are unleashed on New York City. Jetfire and his team must fight them off.
- Covert Operations - (7/31/13 - 8/07/13) - The Decepticons are somehow spying on the Autobots and foiling their plans. Can Blaster, Prowl and Nightbeat track down Soundwave? This episode introduced evolution cards, which combine into a new card, as well as episode campaigns.
Notes
- Although the designs of most characters are based on their original G1 or (where applicable) Classics/Universe/Generations appearances, Chromia and Arcee draw much more heavily from their Revenge of the Fallen and Prime incarnations, respectively. While Megatron's robot mode resembles his G1 self, his alternate mode is a tank.
- Slipstream is referred to in her biography as "the female Starscream", which also states that "like all of the clones, she represents an aspect of the original Starscream's personality", meaning that she shares an origin with Animated Slipstream.
- The Ultra-Rare Rodimus card art clearly depicts Rodimus Prime, but the card biography is based on Hot Rod, describing him as "young and bold" and "inexperienced."
- Barrage, Scrapper, Tantrum, Swindle, and Windrazor are all mysteriously absent from the Decepticon roster, despite the remainder of their respective teams appearing. Their absence can likely be explained by the absence of a gestalt mechanic in the game (which could be added in a future update).
- Frenzy is blue, Rumble is red.
- Essentially the only way to get the most popular characters (and the only way to get some of the strongest cards) is via the in-game "Premium Space Bridge", which costs at least $1 USD per use, with reports of users spending anywhere from $50-$150 USD in hopes of landing the Ultra-Rare cards.[1][2] The Rare cards (IE Optimus Prime and Megatron) are a bit more easy to obtain:
- While on missions, there is a chance you'll encounter a Combat Cache. One card is a Rare, while the others are Commons or Uncommons. The cards are shuffled, and placed face-down. Getting a rare is all up to luck.
- Gold Warrior Medals (regular and Episode) are your best bet for getting Rares. At least one Rare always shows up.
- Sometimes, Rares can be gotten with Silver Warrior Medals (and on occassion, a Super Rare might even pop up).
- There is a SMALL chance of a Rare showing up with a Bronze Warrior Medal, Free Space Bridge, and Ally Points Space Bridge.
- The biography for Dr. Arkeville's card is lifted verbatim from the TFWiki article.
