By Boot Scraper

One of everyone’s favorite childhood memories has returned to pop culture in a big way with the recent Transformers movie directed by the master of bang, Michael Bay. Personally, I thought the movie was hilarious and action-packed, but no matter what you think of the movie, I think we can all agree that it is better than this game.
For those of you who do not know who the Transformers are (please leave the United States because you do not deserve freedom), they are giant sentient alien robots who have the ability to morph into inconspicuous motorized vehicles such as trucks, cars, planes, etc. As it sounds, you would think it would apply itself perfectly to the videogame medium. But, as with most movie tie-ins, this game feels rushed and under-polished.

The graphics and sound, however, are very polished. The size of scale is impressive as it actually feels like you are controlling a giant machine instead of an action figure. The screen shakes with each footstep that pounds the earth and buildings crumble as your immense weight smashes into them. Another high point in the visuals is the transforming. Not only is it easy to switch back and forth from devastating robot to a terror on wheels with only one button press, but the animation is so fluid and detailed that sometimes you’ll find yourself just transforming to see how awesome it looks. It also doesn’t hurt that that great sound effect we all know and love accompanies your metamorphosis. Also, most of the voices from the film return to add authenticity to the game, especially Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime.

The gameplay, as mentioned before, feels rushed. Most of the levels deal with moving from point A to point B, watch a cinematic, kill three guys, end of level. And those are the fun missions. Other times you have to run around to try and help a useless ally before his health depletes. You start to really feel like you are being rushed through these already short levels. You barely have time to have fun and blow stuff up. It also really affects the replayablilty. You might be able to go through the game again as the Decepticons, but it’s basically the same boring gameplay. It’s really a shame to have such a great license and game engine only to ruin it because they were rushed to get it out on the movie’s opening weekend.

It isn’t a horrible game, but it definitely isn’t good either. I would only recommend this to the hardcore groups of transformers fans, and even then, they would probably rather have one based on the original cartoon. For everybody else, however, this is nothing more than a good weekend rental and another sad story for movie-based games.

SCORE: 6 out of 10.