The Paw Print

By Cameron Smith, Staff Writer

About Transformers: Devastation

Transformers: Devastation is a hack-and-slash action game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Activision and Hasbro. As one of the most recent game adaptations of Hasbro’s world-popular Transformers franchise, this is the last game by Activision before the end of the game studio’s contract with Hasbro and the discontinuation of Transformers games by Activision in digital storefronts. It was released on the Xbox One, Playstation 4 and PC platforms on October 6, 2015. In this game, watch the Autobots embark on a mission to stop another threat from the Decepticons–a powerful throwback to the very first Transformers cartoon from 1984!

Gameplay: A

Optimus Prime attacking a Decepticon ground soldier in the game

Play through a seven-chapter storyline as you control the Autobots–Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Wheeljack and Grimlock–through a difficult quest to stop Megatron’s latest plot that could threaten Earth–and possibly Cybertron as well! Fight through hordes of enemies as you punch, slash, dodge and shoot your way through these skilled fighters and discover boundless secrets and extras. After beating the game, unlock a powerful challenge mode that gives you 50 stand-alone missions to complete.

Downloadable Content: B-

DLC for Transformers: Devastation includes new character skins for Optimus, Bumblebee and Sideswipe, as well as three new weapons. Though it was available as a pre-order bonus, the DLC was then made available to purchase separately.

Reception: A

Transformers: Devastation received positive feedback from critics. Metacritic gave the PS4 version a 77/100 rating. The game also earned a 7.7/10 from IGN, 8/10 from GameInformer, three-and-a-half stars from GamesRadar+, and a 6.5/10 from Polygon. The game was praised for its nostalgic callback to the ‘80s cartoon, graphics and gameplay. However, some criticism was pointed at its short plot length, repetitiveness, and frustrating camera controls. A reviewer from Polygon called this game “Platinum’s love letter to old-school Transformers”. The reviewer also stated that the game’s numerous shortcomings will scare away all but die-hard fans of the Generation 1 Transformers. Another Polygon reviewer gave this statement: “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.”

Check out this gameplay trailer of Transformers: Devastation!