Transformers (PS2)

Reviewed by JON MINIFIE

Herald rating: * * * * *

Developed in Australia by Atari Melbourne House, Transformers is a third-person, mission-
based, action shooter. This PlayStation 2 exclusive evolved from the more recent, slightly more Manga-like Transformers Armada series.

In the plot, Optimus Prime and his Autobot friends race Decepticon boss Megatron and his android army to Earth. Both are searching for the Minicons, a long-lost, third race of teeny Transformers that unlock new abilities once combined with larger Autobots or Decepticons.

Once you have selected from the trio of available Autobots (Optimus Prime, Red Alert or Hot Shot), players are dropped into the middle of a lush jungle, complete with Aztec-like ruins, thick vegetation and rolling rivers. The game's storyline eventually takes you around the globe, to frozen Antarctica, the mid-Atlantic, and even the planet Cybertron.

The game reminded me of MechAssault, a simplified version of Mech Warrior released for the Xbox a year or more ago, but the magnitude of the Transformers' licence, plus the larger, more beautiful 3D environments and the added ability of being able to transform, make it hard to compare the two further.

The eight vast, beautifully sculptured levels are designed to feel almost limitless, with player access restricted only by steep ranges or waterways rather than invisible barriers. It is a good idea to have a look around for valuable Minicons, as well as data pickups that unlock artwork, movies and other such goodies.

Most of the game is spent blasting Decepticons into oblivion and, while the default laser cannon is quite adequate for the task, adding Mini-Cons lets players turn their Autobots into a more menacing weapon.

Don't worry if you're not familiar with the Armada storyline, just about every baddie from the classic cartoon series makes an appearance, including Megatron, Cyclonus and Demolisher, the planet-eating Unicron.

Transformers is a hugely impressive title with a legendary licence and solid action-based gameplay. Graphically it is the best-looking shooter on the system.

$99.95

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