General Information
Genre: Third Person shooter
Developers: High Moon Studios (360, PS3) Mercenary Technology (PC)
Publisher: Activision
Release: August 21st 2012 (US) and August 24th (EU)
Plot
This is it: the civil war is taking its toll on Cybertron, the homeworld of the Transformers. After the events of War of Cybertron the planet is dying and Optimus Prime takes drastic measures: he orders all Autobots to flee the planet. However, Megatron and the Decepticons will not allow their mortal enemies to escape. They unleash all their might on the fleeing Autobot forces including a new “combiner” technology. Optimus and his bots make one final stand… with Optimus calling upon one of the most powerful weapons in Autobot history.
Elsewhere, the Decepticon Shockwave always took the role as “caretaker” of the Transformer home planet; he’s searching for ways to save his world. He stumbled upon the ancient Spacebridge technology which can cross time and space. In his search for new worlds thanks to the Spacebridge, he finds energy to restore his world and new life forms. Deadly life forms. Intrigued by his new discovery, he starts experimenting on captured Cybertronians. Some of them are turned into “Insecticons”, but another beast caught his eye: reptiles from a small blue world. These reptile forms could work well on certain captives…
Gameplay and modes
Like its predecessor, Fall of Cybertron (FoC) is a third person shooter and at times a vehicle combat-like game. You will play Autobot and Decepticon missions. All the Autobots and Decepticons can easily switch between their robot and vehicle modes on the battlefield. It makes for interesting combat. This time around, the weapons the Transformers wield can be modified with upgrades for longer range, more firepower or better firing speed. Also new to FoC are unique character abilities. Autobot Jazz for instance uses a grappling hook to reach high places. There are more unique abilities to see and use, but you’ll find out about those when you play the game. Another big difference with its predecessor is that High Moon wanted to spice up the game with different gameplay. For the first time the Dinobots make their debut in a Transformers game. Fan favourite Grimlock doesn´t have a gun, but he can use a shield and sword. These parts of the game focus on melee combat and building up the rage meter. If it´s full, Grimlock transforms into his T-Rex mode and causes some real destruction. And last but not least; for the first time ever, players get to control a combiner. The Decepticon group called the Combaticons will merge into Bruticus; his objective? Destroy all Autobots.
As for the modes available, everyone who loved the co-op campaign will be disappointed because High Moon dropped that feature. Escalation mode (horde mode) returns and as for the multiplayer, there are far more customisation options available while creating your own Autobot or Decepticon. Now you can change the head, arms, torso, legs and wheels. You can still choose from four classes, but three of them have a different name now: Titans (soldiers), Infiltrators (scouts), Destroyers (leaders) and the Scientist.
Characters
While some characters make their return from War of Cybertron, Fall of Cybertron introduces new robots to play as. There are more characters set to appear during the game, but these are the ones confirmed by High Moon Studios:
Decepticons:
- Megatron: The maniacal and ruthless leader of the Decepticons. Free will is just a nuisance.
- Shockwave: Top Decepticon scientist. Cold, cunning and according to him logic is everything.
- Soundwave: Megatron’s most loyal soldier. Great communications expert.
- Starscream: Seeker commander. Wants to overthrow Megatron and become the Decepticon leader.
- Brawl: Loves to shoot at everything that moves. Member of the Combaticons.
- Swindle: Wants to make a profit out of everything. Wartime might be his best friend. Also a member of the Combaticons.
- Vortex: Despicable interrogator. Even fellow Decepticons hate his methods. Combaticon member.
- Bruticus: When the five Combaticons merge they form Bruticus, a machine of pure destruction. One of Megatron’s biggest weapons.
Autobots:
- Optimus Prime: Leader of the Autobots. A bit new to the job, but they trust him. Strong, capable and caring. “Freedom is the right of every sentient being.”
- Grimlock: Strong, pigheaded and proud; wants his revenge on Shockwave because he transformed him into a monster.
- Bumblebee: Young Autobot with a lot of potential; reliable and fantastic scout.
- Cliffjumper: Laughs in the face of danger. Will fight Decepticons no matter what, even with his bare fists.
- Jazz: One of Prime’s most trusted lieutenants. Keeps his cool during battle and overall a nice bot to hang with.
- Jetfire: More of a scientist than a fighter. He hates Megatron for what he’s done to their homeplanet.
- Perceptor: Top Autobot scientist. Nobody knows about one of his special abilities: he’s an excellent sniper.
- Metroplex: Ancient Cybertronian who hides in the streets of Iacon. Heeds the call of the last Prime.
Media
VGA Cinematic Reveal
E3 2012 trailer
Multiplayer trailer
Launchtrailer
Metroplex Interview
Grimlock Gameplay
Links
Official site
Transforming Grimlock: how High Moon saved the Dinobots <<< Awesome read!
Reviews
GameInformer - 9/10
Polygon - 8.5/10
IGN - 8.5
Official Xbox Magazine - 8.5
Gametrailers - 8.4/10
EGM NOW - 8/10
Gamespot - 7/10
Destructoid - 7/10
Gamesradar - 3.5/10
GiantBomb - 3/5
