robots in disguise!

The recently launched Transformers games released by Activision Inc, is now gaining popularity. In fact, one of these Transformers games, the Transformers: Autobots for the Nintendo DS has been rated by IGN, one of the leading news and reviews website for the gaming industry. And the results? Well, just check out below.

IGN Ratings for Transformers: Autobots (for Nintendo DS game platform). Ratings are based on a 1- 10 scale.

Presentation - 9.0
“If anything, it’s a console level production on the Nintendo DS. Full voice-over to tell the story, and tons of little nods and nuances.”

Graphics - 6.5
“Smooth 3D engine and decent character models at the cost of low detail and not-very-populated environments.”

Sound - 8.0
“Though the music score isn’t very memorable, the fact that the game has kick-ass voice-over makes up for it.”

Gameplay - 6.0
“You can run, you can drive, you can climb, and you can fly. Cool. But the action is clunky and unfair to the point of frustration.”

Lasting Appeal - 6.5
“Online support is a little bit of a tease, limiting multiplayer to local access and only enabling mission downloads via Wi-Fi Connection.”

OVERALL - 6.8 (out of 10)
(Passable)

In addition, here are some comments from IGN reviewers about the Transformers: Autobots.

“It’s definitely fun to romp around a city as a robot, to zoom around as a car, and to fly around as a plane…with the ability to switch it up on the fly. The addition of extensive voice over gives both games’ a good amount of emotion. At the very least, the DS version gets these right. But when it comes to fighting as the robot or the vehicle, Transformers DS falls flat. The action and its technique really needs a bit of a tune-up, especially in the “defense” department, and the glitches that pop up from time to time are really hard to ignore. It’s ultimately a better experience on the DS than Traveller’s Tales games are on the console, but that doesn’t entirely excuse the problems.”

Right. You better get your mouse/keyboards and joy pads ready!

In conjunction with the upcoming Transformers live action movie that will be released in theaters this coming July, HPG, the licensing division of Hasbro Inc., has commissioned Activision Inc to develop and release the Transformers game. The game is already out in retail stores nationwide so go to your nearest game shops and place your orders.

According to Will Kassoy, senior vice president of global brand management, Activision, Inc.
“TRANSFORMERS: The Game lets you choose your side – Autobots or Decepticons – to either protect or destroy Earth. The game features fully destructible environments, an army of playable characters, split second changes from robot to vehicle form and a storyline that goes beyond the film to include some elements from the property’s long history that will also appeal to Generation 1 fans.”

“The Activision team has done an outstanding job of replicating the live-action movie scale and realism into TRANSFORMERS: The Game. Across the current and next-generation platforms, gamers will have an awesome TRANSFORMERS experience from the amazing vehicle-to-robot changes to the heart-pounding action.” said Jeff Burdeen, Vice President of Digital Media for HPG

The TRANSFORMERS: The Game is made compatible with PC and some of the well-known console and hand held gaming units like Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable (PSP). Each gaming platform feature different game plays. All Transformers characters featured in the movie are in the game. The players must join the Decepticons to destroy the earth, or play with the Autobots to protect the earth. These two machine rivals will beat the hell out of each other just like in the movie. By firing missiles, shooting heavy ammunitions and ballistics, and with the crushing power of these vehicle robots, they can really damage their metal bodies and auto parts like catalytic converters. LOL!

Anyway, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) gave the TRANSFORMERS: The Game a “T” (Teen) rating for the PC, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 versions, while the PSP version is rated “E 10+” (Everyone 10 and older – Violence).

There is only one thing that comes in my mind when talking about the Transformers TV series. Hmmm… let me see. If you’re thinking that I am talking about the 1980s Transformers TV series, well you’re wrong.

I’m talking about the 3D and animalistic version of Transformers series - the Beast Wars. You wont see any vehicles in this series like Acura models with quality Acura parts. The only characters in the film are robots that transform themselves into animals. I like the theme of this series because it’s quite unique and of course, power-packed. I like it when the Maximals and Predacons members beat the hell out of each other, crashing their metal armors by firing missiles, lasers, machine guns, and other ballistics. These metal beasts also engaged in a hand to hand combat with melee weapons.

Anyway, check out the characters of the Beast Wars: Transformers TV series. Hope you’ll enjoy reading their bio. LOL!

MAXIMALS

Optimus Primal/Optimal Optimus - Leader of the Maximals whose beast mode is a silverback gorilla. Primal is a compassionate and charismatic commander who shares much concern for his friends and comrades.

Rhinox - Subcommander and mechanic robot who is proficient in technological creation; beast form is a rhinoceros.

Rattrap - Subcommander (and a somewhat pessimistic smart-aleck) whose beast mode is a rat.

Cheetor - Cheetor functions as jungle patrol, acts immaturely and has the beast mode of a cheetah.

Dinobot - A seemingly merciless combat specialist, who lives by a strict yet complex code of honor and has the beast mode of a velociraptor.

Tigatron - The first Maximal protoform to be awakened from an Earth-fallen stasis pod,
Tigatron served as the team’s recon unit. His beast mode was a white tiger.

Airazor - The second Maximal protoform, her beast mode was a large peregrine falcon.

Silverbolt - Silverbolt is the Maximal equivalent to a “knight in shining armor”. His beast mode is a Fuzor, a combination of two animals: an eagle and a grey timber wolf.

Depth Charge - Marine Commander and former Maximal Security Officer. His beast mode was a transmetal manta ray with a third flight mode.

PREDACONS

Megatron - Devious leader of the Predacons, and part-time inventor; whose beast mode was a purple Tyrannosaurus rex.

Scorponok - Unmoving loyal second-in-command to Megatron (after Dinobot’s departure from the Predacon ranks) as well as a Predacon engineer; beast form was a scorpion.

Tarantulas- Mad scientist, weapons inventor, and, unknown to Megatron. Always putting himself first, his beast form is a Tarantula.

Terrorsaur - Usurper, technical advisor and aerial combatant; his beast form is a red pteranodon.

Waspinator - A not-very-bright and easily intimidated flyer; his beast form is a wasp.

Blackarachnia - Saboteur, spy, and master of techno-gadgets, originally a Maximal protoform, Blackarachnia’s alliance was switched to the side of the Predacons by Tarantulas. She is a black widow spider.

Inferno - Maximal protoform converted by Tarantulas and later second-in-command after Scorponok’s death; his beast form was a fire ant.

Quickstrike - A Maximal protoform, he joined the Predacons due to his more violent nature. He is a giant scorpion with a cobra acting as his tail.

Rampage - A Maximal experiment that gone horribly wrong. He has a beast form that of a transmetal crab with a third form that resembles a tank.

Dinobot Clone - A clone of the original Dinobot, created by Megatron and enhanced with transmetal II technology.

Every film or any other story becomes dull with the absence of the protagonists. In the much-awaited Transformers live action film this 2007, the story will be spiced up with the destruction team and the main rivals of the Autobots called the Decepticons!

Check out the featured Decepticons in the film.

• Megatron (Cybertronian jet, featuring the voice of Hugo Weaving): The missing Decepticon leader held hostage by Sector 7, Megatron desires power over the Allspark and hates organic lifeforms.
• Starscream (F-22 Raptor): Megatron’s second-in-command, Starscream actually desires to overthrow Megatron and take the Allspark for himself.
• Blackout (MH-53 Pave Low): The largest Decepticon, Blackout is fiercely loyal to Megatron and can fire electromagnetic pulses, making Decepticon attacks easier.
• Barricade (Saleen-modified Ford Mustang police car, featuring the voice of Keith David): The Decepticon hunter who masquerades in society as a symbol of the law.
• Frenzy (2-speaker CD player): The smallest of the Decepticons, Frenzy attaches to Barricade. His main purpose is spying on humans, but he is still a ferocious fighter, shooting blades disguised as CDs from his chest.
• Scorponok (mechanical scorpion): He has a symbiotic relationship with Blackout, hiding within him until he is commanded to go and kill.
• Brawl (Modified M1 Abrams): A moody warrior, armed to the teeth.
• Bonecrusher (Buffalo H Mine-Protected vehicle): Another piece of Decepticon muscle, Bonecrusher has a hatred for all others and is only subservient to Megatron, whom he fears.

These Decepticons will destroy everything that comes on their way like the Autobots, which include Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ratchet, Bumblebee, and Ironhide the GMC Topkick truck equipped with GMC spark plug wire.