Left screen is a Decepticon Mission – Right is BumbleBee in an Autobot Mission

Let’s start off by mentioning that this is a Nintendo 3DS title which implies that the game is in 3D.  Now some either cannot or prefer not to play in 3D because of various issues from dizziness to headaches, but I am not one of those people.  Unfortunately as hard as it may be to make a game in 3D and have it look good the 3DS version of Transformers: Dark of the Moon [Stealth Force Edition] fails to make it look good or even in 3D for that matter as at points no matter the angle it is held at you cannot see it in 3D, but rather just overlay after overlay.  Now having seen 3D trailers and playing other games in 3D on the portable console, it was clear that the game was not made to integrate well with the 3D features.  This was a huge disappointment as I was waiting to play the 3DS version of the game, while have the 3D setting off will give you a much more pleasurable experience.  The DS versions of the game prove to be more fun at any rate, however the graphics of the game are not too bad compared to your average DS game.

Even the cut scenes although original do not prove in anyway to take advantage of the system graphically being in non 3D cartoon drawn style.  Aside from the graphics the gameplay is extremely repetitive with each mission not changing much as far as objectives go other than what character you play as and the location you play in, which was one upside bringing you to different places to play each level.  Another aspect of the gameplay is the each level seems to be borderline between being very difficult to passable, but it certainly hurt my hands as I clenched the 3DS in fear of failing the level, trying my best.  All in all though once you get the hang of the controls it is not all that difficult.  The biggest throw off about the game was right there in the title, and call it myself to blame but ‘Stealth Force Edition‘ simply means that you cannot change into a Transformers.  You have two modes, the non-threatening vehicle mode and yet another vehicle mode that allows you to use missiles as well as a machine gun while still in vehicle mode and controls are now switched around.  You will have to get used to it as you will need to collect enough energon to be in attack mode while if you run out, you are forced to your defenseless driving mode, (thankfully ramming enemies at high speed can eliminate them) but energon re-spawns after time as well as appearing in dead enemies places as well as missile or other special gun refills which each Transformer can hold more or less of their specific special weapon.

Graphics are not all that bad while it’s the 3D that suffers

It is nice to see that you get to play as many of the different Autobots as well as Decepticons as their missions are split up nearly equally.  This is different from the DS versions of the game where two separate game are sold with one where you play as all Autobots and the other as all Decepticons.  Still there is only a mere 18 missions with some so short that once you get the hang of the game, it should not be hard to complete the whole game in less than two hours.  There is no multiplayer in the game either, no matter which way you have, which might have been a good choice considering the outcome of the game.  Each mission can be accessed individually as long as you have completed it.  The story is bare bones as it leads up to the movie or along with it as it is hard to tell as the scattered missions come about.  Sound of the game goes up and down especially during cut scenes where headphones are nearly required.

The title may come down to a love/hate sort of thing considering the controls can be mastered.  You will want to strafe from left to right using your special (until it runs out) and you infinite ammo machine gun, then switching to vehicle mode to zoom away looking for energon as well as special weapon ammo.  There are also power ups places through out maps from infinite ammo for a short time to a shield that also refills your health proving very helpful.  It still boils down to a very short game that could have been made with much better quality.  My suggestion would be to stay clear of this one unless you are a die hard Transformers fan, while you must keep in mind you are not getting any real 3D quality out of the game.  But although disappointing for me, you might find that being in a vehicle mode the entire game is an intrigue for you so I would throw this title in the never check out ever category, but at any rate it could have been developed better as you might find the DS versions more suitable.  It would be nice if you could demo the game if not from a download maybe from someone else who owns it similar to the Street Fighter 3DS game feature, but I would be careful with this title as the console game War for Cybertron is absolutely AMAZING compared to Stealth Force Edition for 3DS regardless of console differences.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo 3DS.

The latest game is actually a prequel to the movie and sees the good old Autobots trying to rid the earth of those pesky Decepticons. Standard fare really. For those of you keen on the 26-year-old cartoons or the latest Hollywood blockbuster, witnessing some of your favourite characters mutate from a car or plane to a powerful robot that’s armed to the teeth is a fantastic experience. There are loads of our favourite characters in there, with the likes of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide and Sideswipe taking on the evil Megatron et al. It’s just a shame that there’s very little difference between each Transformer gameplay-wise.

Many favourite characters make an appearance, including Bumblebee

The animations for the split-second transformations are really great to watch and you’ll no doubt find yourself switching between their various guises just for the hell of it. Besides the fact it looks cool, I really love the great noise it makes!

The biggest new addition to the game, however, is the “Stealth Force” mode, a sort of mid way point between transformations that sees your robot become a vehicle with high power weaponry and better defences. Problem is, it’s just too damn powerful, with almost unlimited ammunition and shields that withstand pretty much everything. It means that there’s very little incentive to actually become a robot

You’ll probably spend most of your time in Stealth Force mode

You may look great wandering around as one of the Autobots or Decepticons but your mobility is hugely restricted, the weaponry is less powerful with less ammo and you’re far less likely to survive an enemy onslaught. It’s the same story when you switch to vehicle form. Sure, it gives you the opportunity to get through some of the less thrilling levels a little more quickly but the lack of firepower and poor handling makes it an experience that should only be short lived. Racing through the levels is a perilous affair – the steering is shocking and brakes are poor at best. More often than not you will find yourself using a wall or some well-placed rocks to stem your speed.

As a result, I’d bet you’d stay in Stealth Force mode perhaps 90% of the game, transforming only when you need to move a little faster to beat a timed countdown section of a level or when you’re required to interact with some switch or door. And don’t even get me started on the weird, floaty sensation of this hybrid vehicle/robot mode, which is more than a little reminiscent of trying to walk on ice – you know the direction you want to move in but it’s a struggle getting there… and it’s not particularly pleasant at that.

The single player campaign mode is fairly shortlived, and it’s all very linear with no freedom to explore the levels. Some of the environments are interesting enough, with jungles, military bases and cities offering some variation.

Most of the robots are big and bold, and really look the part

Ultimately, the graphics fall a little short of what you’d expect from a current gen console. While the robots themselves are well defined and brightly coloured, the enemies you encounter tend to be so drab that they often blend in to the surroundings, and are almost indistinguishable from the debris or buildings that fill the rest of the screen. The sound effects are reasonable enough and the voice acting sounds suitably authoritative when spilling from the mouths of the giant mechanoids. Explosions and background music is just fine too, but nothing exceptional. And as mentioned above, the noise associated with transforming sounds just as it should.

To be fair, the multiplayer mode is far more enjoyable than the campaign, allowing you to create your own robot in one of four classes: Scout, Commander, Hunter or Warrior. There aren’t many game options available, however, just the standard Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch games (killing 20 or 40 enemies to win, respectively) or Conquest mode, where you have to capture and protect power nodes.

It’s not a bad game… just a little short and extremely repetitive

Set aside these niggles and it’s not a bad third-person shooter, there are just better alternatives available. Reprising the roles of many of your favourite characters will be an absolute blast for fans – for others, the repetitive, linear gameplay and short campaign mode make this tough to recommend too much.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 3.

Then there is the Vespula dual-sided gaming mouse pad with Optimus Prime on one side and Megatron on the other.  It has a comfortable wrist rest and although it has to be maybe the coolest looking out of all three items it’s priced at a hefty $45, it is one nice mouse pad.  That’s just the problem though… it’s a mouse pad.  Lastly is the Transformers 3 Collectors Edition Laptop Sleeve Case of course made by Razer.  They come in four colors as well for each of the same Transformers mention above in Yellow, Silver, Red and Purple.  I never really thought about owing a protective case for my laptop but they are made heady duty, tear-resistant and with a weather-proof weave.  They all sound and look like they are nice pieces of equipment, but I personally think that the theme of the whole set fits better with with old animated film with the solid colors as well as the sleek, yet not so fancy design.  Either way if you play game on the PC and you’re a big Transformers fan… well here is the link, more details on the whole Transformers 3 Collector’s Edition Gaming Suite items are through the link as well.

Activision have launch Transformers: Dark of the Moon today.

The game is a prequel to the upcoming film of the same name, and was developed by High Moon Studios who were responsible for last year’s Transformers: War for Cybertron.

According to the press release “the Transformers: Dark of the Moon game lets fans instantly convert to a third, hybrid state that combines the weapons and firepower of Robot mode with the agility and manoeuvrability of Vehicle mode.  Set in unique environments around the world such as the Jungles of Central America, Siberian military facilities, urban cityscapes and more, the game lets players assume the roles of a diverse roster of favourite TRANSFORMERS characters through a heart-pounding campaign to save mankind.  Additionally, fans can play the game with or against their friends around the world through intense, online multiplayer game modes as their favourite iconic characters with the ability to personalise their characters’ look with numerous appearance, weapons and skills customisation options.”

Fans of the Autobots and Decepticons won’t want to miss out.

transformers-dark-of-the-moon-ps3

Here is the reveal trailer for the multiplayer of the new Transformers: Dark of the Moon game coming out.  More will be revealed at E3 this year undoubtedly.  The game will be out on June 14th for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii and 3DS.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is officially under development by High Moon Studios, the guys behind last years War for Cybertron. The game will feature a story that sets up the upcoming Michael Bay movie. The game will contain a “diverse roster of everyone’s favourite Transformers” and use new “Stealth Force gameplay that lets players convert to a third form beyond robot and vehicle modes to defeat their enemies in more ways than ever before”.

You’ll “fight through the epic battles on Earth that will shape the events of the upcoming film” in locations such as the jungles of South America, Siberian military facilities and Detroit cityscapes.

The game will launch 360 and PS3 with alternative games for Wii, DS and 3DS being developed by Behaviour Interactive.

Thanks to CVG for the info.