Transformers Energon: Battle for Megatron

Transformers Energon: Battle for Megatron is a small Shockwave game released on Cartoon Network's website prior to the launch of Transformers: Energon.

Plot

Scorponok and the Terrorcons must invade Unicron and fight through the Chaos-Bringer's internal defenses (and Optimus Prime) to rescue their leader, Megatron.

Gameplay

The Terrorcons (Scorponok, Battle Ravage, Divebomb, Cruellock, and Insecticon) play against computer-controlled enemies in a series of levels, with increasing difficulty. Each level has a set number of enemies which must be defeated before proceeding. The levels are set up for grid-based combat, with players and characters able to move a set number of squares each turn.

Each Terrorcon has three bars for Health, Armor, and Energy per level:

• Health is the amount of damage a Terrorcon can take from attacks. If the Health bar drops to '0', the Terrorcon is defeated for that round. Health is the same in any mode.
• Armor absorbs damage from attacks, decreasing the Armor bar instead of the Health bar. Each mode has a different Armor bar.
• Energy is used to activate weapons and abilities. Energy is the same in any mode.

Energon cubes can be picked up to improve Health and Energy, but not Armor. Most Terrorcons have one or more "boost" abilities that can regenerate the Health, Armor, or Energy of their comrades in range. The Armor boosting ability, called "Repair", only refills the Armor bar for the current mode the Terrorcon is in.

Each Terrorcon has a unique set of weapons, abilities, and range of movement that distinguishes them from each other. The variety of attacks and moves is increased due to the fact that the Terrorcons can transform as well (Scorponok has all three modes available, each with different moves). Attacks and abilities vary based on damage, range, and cost.

At some point, the Terrorcons also fight Optimus Prime.

Terrorcons

• Scorponok
  • Robot mode - Scorponok uses a cost-free Scorp Punch for close range, and a Morale Boost to improve allies' Health.
  • Scorpion mode - The Scorpion Sting is the strongest attack in the game for single enemies.
  • Jet mode - Barrage is a multiple laser strike, short range but Scorponok's only attack that can hit more than one enemy. Repair allows him to regenerate Armor.

• Battle Ravage
  • Robot mode - Laser Cannon is a ranged, cost-free attack striking a single square. Grenade uses Energy, but can strike multiple squares for greater damage.
  • Cougar mode - Cougar Bite is a short range, cost-free attack. Tail Mace takes Energy, but can sweep over more than one square.

• Divebomb
  • Robot mode - Blade Strike is a strong, single enemy attack.
  • Eagle mode - Eagle Strike is a cost-free attack with minor damage. Battlecry allows Divebomb to refill Energy bars, making him a good partner for Insecticon.

• Cruellock
  • Robot mode - Cruel Slash and Cruel Stab are both single square attacks, with the latter costing more and dealing more damage than the former.
  • Raptor mode - Raptor Claw is a low damage, cost-free attack. Turbocharge provides a speed boost, letting an ally move further in a single round.

• Insecticon
  • Robot mode - Energy Blaster is a ranged, cost-free attack. Sniper is Energy expensive, but has the best range out of any weapon and ignores enemy Armor for good damage.
  • Beetle mode - Acid Splash reduces enemy Armor in the splash zone. Insecticon can also Repair allies' Armor.

Codes

The codes that were aired on Cartoon Network and obtained at Walmart (as stated in the game) are:

• Hot Shot
• Inferno
• Scorponok
• Cybertron

The codes could be used to unlock new areas in the game.

Notes

• Unlike many online games for the Transformers franchise, this game has apparently not been successfully preserved after the shutdown of the original version on Cartoonnetwork.com. The site LMPD Arcade has it under their game selection, but it will not load properly.

External link

• Battle for Megatron online (apparently defunct)