Transformers: The Game

Transformers: The Game on DS was split into two versions, Autobots and Decepticons, they're basically two sides of the same coin but each hits different in the best way. Instead of pulling a lazy Pokémon move, BLIZZARD actually crafted two completely separate campaigns, both games share the same core engine and open world structure, but everything else, the characters you play as, the mission objectives, the cutscenes and even the ending is totally unique. You start off controlling a custom bot instead of Optimus or Megatron, which may sound lame at first but it's really cool because you can scan like 40 different vehicles and switch between them whenever you want. The DS hardware struggles a bit with the 3D environments, so the cities look empty and blocky but the Transformer models themselves are well detailed and animate smoothly. The transformation animation is a little janky, your bot crumples into a ball and then suddenly it's a car, but jumping off a building and transforming mid air to drive away never gets old.

Transformers: The Game

The Autobots version puts you in the shoes of the good guys, taking orders from Optimus Prime as you try to protect Earth and find the AllSpark. Your missions are mostly defensive stuff, escorting human vehicles, gathering intel, protecting civilians and taking down Decepticons. The story tries to follow the first movie's plot with your custom bot learning not to be such a show off after getting Bumblebee captured by Sector 7. The voice acting is fantastic for a DS game with cutscenes that feel way higher quality than they have any right to be but gameplay-wise, it can get repetitive fast. You'll spend most of your time destroying a set number of objects within a time limit and the escort missions are about as fun as they sound, the combat is basic button mashing with melee and ranged attacks and the lock on system barely works, so you end up just standing still trading laser shots with enemies. There's no block or dodge mechanic either, so the game just throws health pickups everywhere to compensate.

Decepticons

The Decepticons version flips the script completely and honestly, it's the more entertaining of the two. Instead of protecting Earth, you're here to wreck it, smashing military bases, causing chaos and generally not caring about the squishy humans in your way. You take orders from Starscream and Megatron and the story diverges from the movie way more than the Autobots campaign does, which gives it a fresher feel. The missions are more aggressive and varied, you're breaking into places, causing destruction and fighting Autobots instead of playing defense. Both versions have a GTA-style wanted system where destroying too much property brings the police and military after you but as a Decepticon, that just feels right. The open world lets you climb buildings, leap between rooftops and just cause mayhem for fun. That said, both games share the same flaws. The combat is shallow, the camera is a pain to manage with the L and R buttons and the lack of any real defense makes fights feel unfair, but for a movie tie in game on the DS, this is way better than it had any business being. It's one of the few cases where the DS ports beats the console ones, even with bad graphics.

Downloads

This is Optimus Prime. To any Autobot receiving this frequency, your mission is clear. Hit your chosen language's download buttons and retrieve the Transformers: Autobots .RAR file containing our critical data. Once acquired, unzip the archive without delay, place its contents directly into your SD card's root directory, then install the .CIA file as you would any vital upgrade. Power up the system and prepare to roll out. The Earth needs our protection!

 

 

Pathetic, Prime. This is Megatron speaking and I'm taking over this blog. Ignore that rusted relic and get your hands on the Transformers: Decepticons .RAR file from the downloads below, unzip it, dump both folders straight into your SD card's root, then install the .CIA and fire it up. Now, let me tell you what you're really signing up for, you'll know the thrill of tearing through city streets, hurling cars like pebbles and reducing military convoys to scrap metal with a single punch. The Autobots will try to stop you but crushing them is half the fun. So stop overthinking and get moving, power is waiting and I don't offer it twice. The galaxy belongs to me, and this is just step one.