Home Gaming SA Exclusive Review: We Play Transformers 2 Multiplayer With The Developers

SA Exclusive Review: We Play Transformers 2 Multiplayer With The Developers

7 min read
8

More Than Meets The Eye

MP2.jpg

But enough of that, these are Transformers, so let’s get onto the juicy bits.

Each bot obviously transforms into something different and it all depends on what you prefer. How it works is almost similar to the parkour systems used in games like Assassin’s Creed and Prototype. As you are moving you squeeze down the left trigger and the next thing you know, your bot is transforming into his vehicle (and the animations are really pretty).

For Bumble Bee, you transform into a Camaro and start speeding off straight away. Once the right trigger has been pressed, you can squeeze it more or less to adjust the speed of the vehicle, with buttons also assigned for braking and emergency brakes.

When you release the trigger, you pop straight back into robot mode. This system works the same for airborne and road going vehicles, but there is more to it than just plain transport.

When you are in vehicle mode, you also have weapons that can be fired and these can obviously come in handy with airborne vehicles, as well as car chases. From the vehicle mode, you are given a bunch of maneuvers that can be done as well. If you release the right trigger whilst still holding down the jump button, you will launch into the air whilst transforming back into your bot. Do the same thing with your attack button and you are able to launch an advanced melee attack, doing more damage to your opponent.

Roll Out

MP3.jpg

Besides normal and team deathmatch, Transformers 2 has quite a few different game modes, most of which you will be familiar with. There are modes that pretty much cover all the bases, such as a Capture The Flag mode, as well as Guardian (VIP) and Take and Hold modes.

These modes really shine when combined with Transformers, as the added mobility of transforming comes into play in a big way.

One thing that I found really scary about the multiplayer, was that the game was hosted in America and we all know how that usually turns out when it comes down to lag. I have a feeling that the guys who made this game sold their souls or used voodoo or something.

I was testing the multiplayer with a 512K ADSL line, tested with both shaped and unshaped accounts, and was completely amazed to find that there was almost no noticeable lag whatsoever, which means that even if your friends don’t have the game, you can always pop into a random game on Xbox Live or PSN (shouldn’t be too different) and just play away.

Conclusion:

I have to be perfectly honest when I say that I wasn’t expecting Transformers 2’s multiplayer to be any good at all. I expected the standard fare of last minute modes crammed in to try and enhance the games appeal.

But it isn’t, it is actually genuinely fun. I know this, because as I sit writing this review, I realise that I am really burning to play it some more. The multiplayer isn’t incredibly deep, so I can’t fully say how it will last in the long run, but they say that first impressions last, and I am impressed.

After playing, I realised that what I really want is for someone to take this license and multiplayer system, and then create a full blown multiplayer-only experience, with super-duper graphics, bigger maps and more support for more players. It really feels like there is some real potential here, and I can only hope that someone hears my plea and create the ultimate Transformers experience that we all dreamed about as kids.

For now, there is the multiplayer in Transformers 2, and I can’t yet say if I am going to care for the single player campaigns at all, but the multiplayer definitely came as a pleasant surprise.

Final Score (Multiplayer Only) : 8.0

[ The Transformers element works really well in a multiplayer setting with varied game modes and unique characters to choose from. ]

Last Updated: June 26, 2009

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8 Comments

  1. Being a thoroughbred geek, I’ve itching for some giant robot/mecha action done right, since back in the Mechwarrior/Heavy Gear days. Hopefully this is it!

    Reply

  2. darthdad

    June 26, 2009 at 12:59

    Great stuff! Did they mention co-op at all Nick?

    Reply

  3. Nick - Lazygamer

    June 26, 2009 at 13:46

    I have the retail copy now, and I didn’t see any sort of co-op options. Im pretty sure that there is none.

    Reply

  4. darthdad

    June 26, 2009 at 13:51

    🙁 bummer, would have been a great option.

    Reply

  5. Oisin

    July 24, 2009 at 18:12

    Can someone mail me a list or link to all the special abilites? I’m unsure about what some of them do.

    medelist03@hotmail.co.uk

    Thanks! Game is awesome!

    Reply

  6. Jacky

    September 23, 2009 at 19:23

    Graphically this is part of the series transformers are good. It is what you expect from the current technology in games and everything runs quite smoothly. Transforming robot to vehicle looks cool and the details are worked out well. What is a pitty that there is not much in terms of environment is designed and what it can dull eyes. The cars and people running around not really add anything, and it also seems to totally captivate when a colossal robot passing rent. They walk on quietly without looking up. See the video here – http://www.techarena.in/video/11573-transformers-2-revenge-fallen-final-hd-trailer.htm

    Reply

  7. Name (required)

    December 10, 2009 at 05:36

    ah crap!!!! i really wanted co op :cwy:

    Reply

  8. Dommark

    January 4, 2010 at 06:57

    This is really cool. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply

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