Transformers: Devastation
Transformers: Devastation | |
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Single-player |
Transformers: Devastation is an action hack and slash video game based on the Transformers franchise developed by PlatinumGames and published by Activision. In the game, players control five Autobots as they battle to stop a Decepticon plot to turn the Earth to metal. Several creatives who worked on past Transformers media, including writers, actors, and musicians, contributed to the game's development.
Devastation was released on
in October 2015, and was the final Transformers game released by Activision. Critics praised the gameplay and faithfulness to its source material, but criticized its short length.Gameplay
Transformers: Devastation is an action game similar to
The game consists of seven chapters, which are each split up into several missions, including some optional side-missions. Players are ranked on each mission based on their overall performance. Players can earn credits and gain new weapons by defeating enemies, destroying certain objects, and solving puzzles hidden across each chapter. Credits can be used to purchase new items, moves, and weapons, forge T.E.C.H. to grant passive stat boosts, synthesize weapons to make them stronger, or increase the stats of each Autobot. Special collectibles can also be found in each chapter that unlock character and concept artwork. The game features multiple levels of difficulty, with more unlocked upon clearing the game multiple times. An additional Challenge Mode offers 50 stand-alone missions.
Plot
In
The Autobots follow the Decepticons through the Space Bridge, but are delayed by Starscream and
As he is defeated, Megatron fires the Ferrotaxis from his cannon into orbit and a swarm of Insecticons chase it. Optimus rides on one of the Insecticons into space after it, with Megatron in pursuit. The two engage in a final battle above the Earth, with Optimus emerging victorious, but cannot shut down the Insecticons due to Megatron's tampering. Left with no choice, Optimus destroys the Ferrotaxis, stopping the cyberforming and preventing the plasma core's detonation. As he falls back to Earth, Optimus declares Earth is now their true home, and they must protect it at all costs. Later, with
In a post-credits scene, aboard the Proudstar, Nova Prime is seen awakening from stasis.
Development
The game is part of the Transformers: Generations line, though its visual design is most strongly inspired by the original
A
Devastation was released on October 6, 2015, in the United States and October 9 in Europe, and was the final game released under Activision's 2006 licensing agreement with Hasbro.[6] Following the deal's expiration, the game and its DLC were removed from sale via digital storefronts in December 2017, alongside other Transformers games published by Activision.[7]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | (PS4) 77/100[8] (XONE) 75/100[9] (PC) 74/100[10] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Destructoid | 8.5/10[11] |
Edge | 8/10 |
Eurogamer | 8/10 |
Game Informer | 8/10 |
GamesMaster | 82% |
GameSpot | 7/10[12] |
GamesRadar+ | |
GamesTM | 60% |
GameTrailers | 7/10 |
IGN | 7.7/10[13] |
PlayStation Official Magazine – Australia | 80% |
PlayStation Official Magazine – UK | 70% |
Official Xbox Magazine (UK) | 80% |
PCMag | [4] |
Play | 80% |
Polygon | 6.5/10[14] |
VideoGamer.com | 70% |
Transformers: Devastation received "generally favorable" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[8][9][10] Critics praised the game's nostalgia, graphics, and gameplay, while criticisms were directed towards the repetition, frustrating camera controls, and the game's short length.
GameSpot's Scott Butterworth stated that "Devastation recaptures [the Transformers franchise's] spirit and presents it anew."[12]
Mike Fahey of Kotaku considers the game to be an answer to his 14-year-old inner child's Christmas list, saying that he "downloaded the game, started it up and spent several hours grinning like an idiot." He praises the gameplay as "brutal, lightning-fast war" in a "beautiful symphony of destruction" across a secret-packed "sprawling city map", with a "satisfying combat system that rewards timing and tenacity" based upon "silky-smooth melee combos". However, he found the camera system to be "a mess" and the gameplay to be repetitive. He summarized it as "the closest gaming has come to a playable Generation One Transformers cartoon".[15]
Giving a score of 6.5 out of 10, Justin McElroy of Polygon called PlatinumGames "one of the industry’s best action developers" and called the game "Platinum’s love letter to old school Transformers". He said the game's "numerous shortcomings will likely warn away all but the most diehard G1 fans", who are nonetheless "in for a treat". He found frustration in the camera manipulation, the melee button-mashing, and the boss battles, concluding that the player's "only meaningful interaction with the world of Transformers Devastation is beating the living hell out of a whole lot of robots in disguise."[14]
Giving a 7.7 out of 10, Jose Otero of IGN stated that the "high-octane action is a rad, over-the-top direction".[13]
Destructoid awarded the game a score of 8.5 out of 10 and called it "charming", saying that it is "[n]ot perfect, but it's easy to ignore the rough spots when faced with so many engaging design decisions and entertaining moments. A memorable game that's hard not to like and recommend to others."[11]
References
- ^ Saito, Kenji (June 16, 2015). "Transformers: Devastation Details Revealed". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ^ Dyer, Mitch (June 15, 2015). "E3 2015: Transformers: Devastation announced". IGN. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ^ Sillious, Cain (June 15, 2015). "Exclusive Hands-On With Platinum's Nostalgic New Title - Transformers: Devastation - PlayStation 4". www.GameInformer.com. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ a b Zamora, Gabriel (October 28, 2015). "Transformers: Devastation (for PC) Review". PCMag. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ "The Insane Combos of Transformers: Devastation on PS4, PS3". PlayStation.Blog. August 26, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ Tach, Dave (June 17, 2015). "Transformers: Devastation looks too good and might be true". Polygon. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ^ Fahey, Mike (December 22, 2017). "Activision Pulls Transformers Games From Steam And PlayStation Store". Kotaku. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
- ^ CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Carter, Chris (October 6, 2015). "Review: Transformers Devastation". Destructoid. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
- ^ a b Butterworth, Scott (October 10, 2015). "Transformers: Devastation Review". GameSpot. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ a b Otero, Jose (October 8, 2015). "Transformers Devastation Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
- ^ a b McElroy, Justin (October 8, 2015). "Transformers: Devastation review". Polygon. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ Fahey, Mike (October 12, 2015). "Transformers: Devastation: The Kotaku Review". Retrieved October 12, 2015.