Army of Two: The 40th Day

A sequel to an EA title selling less than 250,000 copies in its first month isn’t ideal, which is a shame because Army of Two: The 40^th Day was a genuinely fun game. It leaned even more into the original’s Michael Bay-style of explosive action, added new heavy enemies that further reinforced co-op tactics and even had morality-based decisions. Though not the most trail-blazing title, it was still a nice time-waster with friends.

If you haven’t already bought some licensed games by Activision on PSN or other digital platforms, time has run out for you. Without any warning, a dozen Activision games, including Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, have been delisted from the PSN Store, presumably because Activision’s license has run out, as noticed by the astute folks on ResetEra.

Other games in this batch include Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5, Deadpool, Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Transformers Devastation, and The Legend of Korra. The good news? If you purchased the games already, you can re-download them at any time. If you have them downloaded, you can play them without issue.

Sadly this is the kind of thing that happens with licensed games all too often. If the games were still in print, Activision would have been forced to recall any copies still in inventory; that said, these games are too old for that to be a consideration.

At least for Marvel fans, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is due out exclusively on the Nintendo Switch later this year. You can see the full list of delisted games below:

• Angry Birds Star Wars
• Chivalry: Medieval Warfare
• Deadpool
• Ghostbusters
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2
• The Legend of Korra
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5
• Transformers Devastation
• Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
• Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark
• White Night

Activision announced that DLC for the Platinum Games developed Transformers Devastation (that incidentally kicks off a new story canon for the Transformers media franchise) is now available. The DLC bundle contains three dazzling character skins of Hasbro’s iconic robots including Nemesis Prime, Red Alert, and Goldfire.

The bundle can be downloaded from Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and over Steam. In addition to the three new skins, it also comes with three new weapons of destruction:

• The Dark Star Saber, a fearsome blade which radiates waves of dark energy with every swing.

• The Photon Disruptor cannon, dealing massive damage at short range.
• The twin Golden Hunter blaster pistols, which cause enemies to drop credits when attacked.

Transformers Devastation is available now on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. It is the second game that Platinum have made with Activision, after last year’s inauspicious start with The Legend of Korra. Stay tuned to GamingBolt for more coverage.

PlatinumGames proved an excellent choice of developer from Activision. They are that rare development team that can bring their visions to fruition without sacrificing too much of anything in the process. And Devastation proves that by making this game one of the most fun, exciting, and exhilarating experiences I’ve ever played in my life.
I never watched the ’80s cartoon series, nor did I play with the toy line. So starting this game out, I had very little knowledge of what to expect. I only understood that PlatinumGames knows how to harness their team energy into making dreams come true. By the time I finished Devastation a dream I didn’t even know existed came completely true.

Devastation begins with playing as Optimus Prime (the Autobots’ leader and star of the recent movies) and going through tutorials and missions that are brilliantly mixed together as one and the same. From about five minutes into Devastation, I gave off a big smile just after the first mission.

"By the time I finished Devastation a dream I didn’t even know existed came completely true."

Controls are solid and fluid. Attacks are mixed between simple, one button presses repeated over and over, or combining two buttons building on different combinations. Building upon combos eventually leads to ‘Vehicle Attack.’ By quickly pressing [R1] when prompted, this allows the combo to continue by transforming the Transformer characters (one of many to choose from) into their respective vehicles and attacking the enemy with a barrage of specialty vehicle attacks. This may sound like a hack-and-slash beat-em-up game, which it is; but it holds so much more like leveling up and racing elements; it feels more like a hack-and-slash-beat-em-up-RPG-arcade-racer.

Special green icon locations scattered throughout the city of Devastation (usually at the beginning and end of each chapter) can be opened. This leads to Ark access: a command center (or menu system) where it becomes possible to upgrade, purchase and create several different items. And where most of the non-action time should be spent.

Weapons are plentiful and varied throughout. They can be collected through battles, loot boxes or purchased from the Ark. There are long distance (missal launchers, machine guns, etc.) and melee (swords, axes, etc) weapons to choose from. Every character is require to have at least one long distance and one melee equipped at all times.

Nearly every weapon can be upgraded to at least level 10. Upgrades come by accessing the Synthesize menu within the Ark. Combining one or more weapons together, then adding in a few cash credits will form a more stronger base weapon. Some weapons have abilities — such as extra attack strength, or more XP earned — that can be carried over through synthesizing.

"This may sound like a hack-and-slash beat-em-up game, which it is; but it holds so much more like leveling up and racing elements; it feels more like a hack-and-slash-beat-em-up-RPG-arcade-racer."

Stats for each character — like strength and defense — can be raised naturally through battle or purchased within the Ark as well. What else does this Ark contain? T.E.C.H. upgrades which add special abilities, weapons purchases in the Lab, character selection, and much more. The Ark is like a dream when you realize how much can really be accomplished within the subset menu. And it’s all disguised to looks like the Transformers’ command center.

Gameplay is not only varied and completely different from mission to mission, it’s exciting, unique, and greatly challenging. After the very short tutorial missions — which don’t feel like tutorials but more along the lines of just playing the game — missions begin to blossom. Many different elements were implemented into Devastation. From fighting waves of enemies, to jumping through platform puzzles, and of course, racing against time or Decepticons.

Never for a second did it feel repetitive. There was always something new to experience. Even boss battles were varied throughout. Soundwave — one of the many Decepticon bosses — stood in the middle of a stage. Running up to him and bashing his chrome brains in seemed the only solution. But then it became apparent that was not the case. Even getting close to Soundwave, he has the ability to use his sound waves (go figure) and distorts the stage with massive ripples and fluctuations in sight perception. It was astonishing and beyond words. Every boss was an absolute joy to face off against and unique in their own way. Never overly powerful or too easy.

The real thing this games gives you from from all that nonstop action is it really is a lot of fun. It could have been twice as long and still held on to its depth and feel of how complete this game really is. Devastation achieved an unparalleled level of fun I haven’t experienced in a long time in gaming.

"Never for a second did it feel repetitive. There was always something new to experience. Even boss battles were varied throughout."

Transforming into each Transformers’ respective vehicle type was simple with the press of [R1]. Driving may feel shaky and a little too loose at first, but that’s simply do to that specific transformer’s driving stats. Though driving (or running around as a T-Rex can’t be adjusted for steering, wheels, handling, etc. there is no need for it to be. Each character’s driving style is a bit different from the others’. So if one Transformer feels too unstable, switch to another. The best part is you can play with any Transformer as long as you’d like — and as long as they’ve been found/unlocked –, or switch at any time by heading over to the Ark. This makes focusing on fully upgrading one specific Transformer to your play style much easier in the long run.

Certain areas can be replayed as challenges in Challenge Mode. The only stipulation is each one must be found and unlocked within single player first. Challenges are often centered around waves of enemies that must be destroyed within a certain time limit to achieve an ‘S’ ranking. These challenges heavily extend an otherwise short game, adding to the replay value exponentially.

Devastation has an abundance of collectables that can be found through defeating enemies, opening loot boxes, or completing mini challenges. Intel items are also lying around. These items unlock features in the Collection menu; Files: of art and logs, and a Gallery: containing art and character models can be opened with intel items. There is so much to find and collect it could take hours.

"The best part is you can play with any Transformer as long as you’d like — and as long as they’ve been found/unlocked –, or switch at any time by heading over to the Ark. This makes focusing on fully upgrading one specific Transformer to your play style much easier in the long run."

Transformer fans are in for an even bigger treat when it comes to the voices. Several voice actors reprise their roles from the 1980s show. Peter Cullen plays Optimus Prime (also from the recent film series as well), Dan Gilvezan as Bunblebee, Frank Welker as Megatron and many more. A collection of well known voice actors reprising their roles from 30 years ago really brought out the authenticity PlatinumGames didn’t just aim for, but fully achieved.

Devastation’s art style and level design are reminiscent of that found in the original cartoon (I started watching it after I played the game!). The cel-shaded graphics match the cartoon and toy line uncannily. Breaching the television screen with a rainbow of bright, Saturday-morning-cartoon style vibes that never let up. Bleeding with a pleasing sense of simplicity and beauty never looked so authentic.

Again, I cannot emphasize enough how much this game truly meant to me by the end. And even after the end I found so much more I didn’t even know the game implemented. There’s so much more to this game than meets the eye (sorry I had to). After I cracked that first smile, it never let up. Not a single element in the game was frustrating. Not a single moment felt unfair. Item menus kept my health up if it got too tough, but never overly challenging. Its only shortcoming would be a game that’s too short but covered up with a variety of collectables and challenges and an asking price $10 cheaper than a regular retail game. I feel an overwhelming sense to jump up and scream “Get this game!” I highly recommend anyone who wants to reach out and try something that is truly a shining example of what fun really is.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 3.

Transformers: Devastation features 50 challenge mode missions and we have a complete guide for the same. All of these missions have been completed on prime difficulty. For more on the game, you can check out our complete guide of the game or the main mission walkthrough over here.

Transformers: Devastation is now available for the PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC and PlayStation 3. The game is developed by PlatinumGames and published by Activision. Check out the video walkthrough of Transformers: Devastation Challenge Mode Missions below and let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below. For video game guides, tips and wikis, check out our gaming portal here.

Collectibles:

There are several different collectibles to be found in Transformers Devastation such as Kremzeek, Decepticon Flag. Decepticon Spy Ops,  ‘A’ letter Mystery Object,  ‘N’ letter Mystery Object,  ‘S’ letter Mystery Object,  ‘F’ letter Mystery Object, ‘O’ letter Mystery Object,  ‘R’ letter Mystery Object, ‘E’ letter Mystery Object, ‘R’ letter Mystery Object and ‘S’ letter Mystery Object.

All Info Logs:

Weapons Synthesis Upgrade Guide:

Achievements and Trophies:

Till All Are One

Complete all chapters on any difficulty. Refer the videos below.

Supreme Commander

Complete all chapters on any difficulty using Optimus Prime.

Sting Like a Bee

Complete all chapters on any difficulty using Bumblebee.

The Wizard of Iacon

Complete all chapters on any difficulty using Wheeljack.

Raging Bull

Complete all chapters on any difficulty using Sideswipe.

The King

Complete all chapters on any difficulty using Grimlock.

All Clear

Complete all Challenge Mode missions on any difficulty.

Halfway There

Complete half of all Challenge Mode missions on any difficulty.

No Stone Unturned

Collect all collectible items. Refer guide above.

Avid Collector

Collect half of all collectible items. Refer guide above.

Synthesis 101

Synthesize 10 weapons.

Full Throttle

Defeat 100 enemies with Vehicle/Dino Attacks.

(Don’t) Hit the Brakes!

Defeat 100 enemies with Rush Attacks.

Platinum

Complete all chapters, earning the highest rank, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater.

Catch this!

Use parrying to catch the following from an enemy: a boulder, a missile, and both drill types.

Pedal to the Metal

Use Focus 100 times.

Quick Reflexes

After dodging, quickly counter with a melee attack 100 times.

Bullet Storm

After dodging, quickly counter with a ranged attack 100 times.

Hawkeyed

Perform 100 successful head shots.

Flyswatter

Finish the lift battle in Chapter 2 without taking damage from Insecticons.

Urban Landscaping

In chapter 1, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater, knock Devastator into a building 3 times.

Roadblock

In chapter 4, defeat Motormaster while racing him.

Surround Sound

In chapter 6, on diff. COMMANDER or greater, defeat Soundwave without defeating any cassettes.

Wrecking Crew

In chapter 1, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater, defeat Devastator without taking damage.

HARD-Core

In chapter 2, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater, destroy the shielding without taking damage.

Triple Changer

In chapter 3, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater, defeat Blitzwing without taking damage.

Destruction Derby

In chapter 4, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater, defeat Menasor without taking damage.

Don’t Look Him in the Eye

In chapter 5, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater, defeat Shockwave without taking damage.

Broken Radio

In chapter 6, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater, defeat Soundwave without taking damage.

Emperor of Destruction

In chapter 7, on difficulty COMMANDER or greater, defeat Megatron without taking damage.

Transformers Devastation runs at a full 1920 X 1080 native resolution on the Xbox One and PS4, along with an almost locked 60 frames per second during gameplay. We spent a couple of hours with the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game and noticed drops during some of the action heavy sequences such as the Megatron boss battle.  The PC on other hand sports a locked 60 frames per second experience throughout and we did not witness any drops.

Head to head comparison between the PS4, Xbox One and PC versions of the game. Select 1080p and 60fps option for the best possible video playback.

The PC graphic options aren’t exactly barebone and it has a fair amount of settings including anti-aliasing, texture filtering, blur and shadow quality. It must be noted that the PC version sports slightly better quality shadows and texture filtering compared to the console versions along with full 4K support. Furthermore, all versions use a custom AA solution resembling closely to MSAA, resulting into crispher and sharper per-pixel smoothening of edges.

In the end, Transformers Devastation is a game that is more about style and substance rather than pushing the hardware and setting new visual benchmarks. Its cel-shaded visuals along with some quick and slick physics dependent combat and on screen action are the highlights of what is actually a very good game. If we have to recommend a version for you, we would go for the PC version primarily due to the reasons we mentioned above followed by the current gen consoles.

Complete Transformers: Devastation with the help of this HD video walkthrough and game guide. Transformers: Devastation features cel-shaded visuals and five playable characters which includes OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, SIDESWIPE, WHEELJACK and GRIMLOCK. The game consists of seven chapters along with a hardcore challenge mode with 50 bonus missions.

Transformers: Devastation is now available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms. The game is published by Activision and developed by Platinum Games. Check out the video walkthrough of Transformers: Devastation below and let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

For video game guides, tips and wikis, check out our gaming portal here.

Chapter 1: City of Steel

Chapter 2: The Proudstar

Chapter 3: The Core

Chapter 4: Possession

Chapter 5: To Cybertron

Chapter 6: Ferrotaxis

Chapter 7: Legacy

Ever since Transformers: Devastation was announced at this year’s E3, there has been quite a bit of excitement surrounding the game. On Tuesday, the game was officially released. Available on PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4 and Xbox One the game’s story is part of the ongoing Combiner Wars arc and it was developed by Platinum Games. There are five famous Autobots that players can take control of as they battle Decepticons such as Megatron, the constructobots and of course the giant robot they can combine into in Devastator.

Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Wheeljack and Grimlock can all be used in the game and they can also be upgraded while using more than 150 upgradeable weapons. One of the things that has fueled excitement over this game is the fact that the graphics style is nearly identical to the one used in the old 1980’s cartoon. Those who are fans of the Transformers movies of the last few years (assuming there are some out there) won’t be finding the Autobots and Decepticons they know. Those who are fans of the animated film from over a decade ago will be plenty happy though.

The biggest question the game is going to have to answer is whether nostalgia will make the title worth the $49.99 price tag it comes along with. It certainly looks pretty, as the developers have stated it will run at a consistent 1080p/60 FPS on PS4 and Xbox One. Check out the launch trailer for Transformers: Devastation and decide for yourself whether you’re going to purchase it for either the PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Transformers: Devastation

Why are we looking forward to a Transformers title, especially when Activision’s Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark was a mess? Simply because Platinum Games is developing it. Featuring many of the same beat ’em up mechanics we’ve come to expect from the studio’s titles, Transformers: Devastation will heed the Transformers: Generations story and include many signature actors reprising their roles. This includes Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron among others. Gameplay will look to mix vehicle and robot modes and the visuals seem pretty solid at this stage.

Transformers: Devastation is out on October 6th for Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection

With all the remasters arriving on PS4 and Xbox One since both platforms launched, we can’t say we aren’t happy to see Nathan Drake make his return. Bluepoint Games, which handled Titanfall on Xbox 360 and God of War HD Collection, is in charge of remastering Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and has done a fantastic job. All three games are rendered at 1080p resolution and 60 FPS with extensive work done to rework the textures and lighting. Of course, it also helps that fans are getting not one, not two but three excellent third person shooters for the price of one. Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will also include a number of new difficulty options for veterans and multiplayer beta access for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End when it goes live in December.

If you need any more convincing, check out the free demo for Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection today. The full collection is out on October 7th for PS4.

Halo 5: Guardians

To say tensions aren’t high for 343 Industries’ biggest game till date would be a lie. Halo 5: Guardians is not only the first truly current gen Halo title but also releases on the heels of the disastrous Halo: The Master Chief Collection. It brings about a brand new storyline which promises to explore Master Chief’s origins in more detail than ever while also adding a bunch of new multiplayer modes like Warzone and features like the REQ System. There’s no denying it looks great, even if 343 Industries had to take steps to ensure a constant 60 FPS performance (sorry, split-screen co-op fans) but will the studio live up to the hype? Can it deliver the best Halo game we’ve seen thus far?

Time will tell and we can’t wait to find out when Halo 5: Guardians releases on October 27th for Xbox One.

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

If Halo 5: Guardians has its hands full after The Master Chief Collection debacle, we can only imagine the stress Ubisoft must be facing with Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate. Remember when Assassin’s Creed: Unity launched and was hailed as one of the most broken game launches of all time? It seems Ubisoft is actively working to ensure quality control on Syndicate, but it remains to be seen as to whether it can break free from the monotony that’s begun to plague the series as of late. Hopefully along with the new setting of Industrial Revolution London and dual protagonists in the form of Jacob and Evie Frye, there will be fun quests and story missions to explore.

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate is out on October 23rd for Xbox One and PS4. The PC version will be released on November 19th and we can only hope the delay isn’t indicative of its current state.

Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut

If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing inXile Entertainment’s Wasteland 2, then you’re in for a treat when the Director’s Cut arrives for PS4 and Xbox One (those who purchased the PC version will receive it as a free update).

Along with the jump to Unity 5 resulting in vastly improved visuals, inXile has optimized the interface and controls for consoles. A new Precision Strike system has been added to allow for more freedom in encounters as you can now target individual limbs or armour to gain a leg-up on your foes. New perks, quirks and reworked encounters have also been promised along with over 8000 additional lines of dialog recorded. We’re not saying Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition should be worried but if it doesn’t receive a release date soon, then through Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut will be on the cards instead when it releases on October 13th in North America and October 16th worldwide.

Which games are you looking forward to the most in October? Let us know in the comments below.