GAME review - Devastation

[griffin]

Game - Devastation
Release date - October 8th (Australia) (October 6th America)
Platforms - PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox1, Xbox360
Theme/series - Generation One

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/2015dev1.jpg

7 Chapters plus individual challenges... 5 (main) playable characters.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/2015dev2.jpg

Bonus content - 3 character skins & 3 weapons (limited availability with game purchase - should be available for purchase online later)

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/2015dev3.jpg

This is a review topic, so don't be worried about posting spoilers.
If you have a problem with spoilers, don't read further until you finish the game.
If you need help with the game, start a question topic for the game in the Questions section.

[DELTAprime]

There's only 4 professional reviews on metacritic so that's a good indication Activision thought the game would not be well received because if a game is thought by the publisher to be bad you don't send out review copies. But surprisingly all the professional reviews so far seem to like the game with 3 scores of 80 and one of 70.

So far no reviewers I trust have given their thoughts, but I'm optimistic and the complaint that the game is short at around 6 hours doesn't bother me. I might grab the game next time I get free store credit from Microsoft.

[Facepunches]

So just finished the story mode in this little gem. As I am sure most of you are aware, it's quite short – but if you liked previous Plat games I am sure you will like it (especially if you are a TF fan – and given where you are reading this, I would think this is the case).

If you can pick it up for $44 from Big W or price match it, it may take a little bit of the sting out of the shortness, however as a package it's got everything a G1er could want.

There's not a whole lot of in game info about loadouts and weapon crafting (even though it's quite basic).

Overall had some fun with it, totally different style of game compared to WFC and FOC – would I buy it again? You know it!

[GoktimusPrime]

As someone who's really not much of a gamer, I find this rather long! :eek: I spent nearly 2 hours on it tonight, and I'm still on "Chapter 1" (just finished deactivating those three generators as Sideswipe). I'm playing it on Scout level of difficulty, and it's so far pretty good for me (cos I just suck at games :p). I personally like being able to bash 'bots about without getting killed all the time, although WFC and FOC did have a more epic story feel to it. Those games felt more like world builders, trying to expand on the G1 universe (despite Hasbro officially shoehorning it into the Aligned Continuity Family :p), whereas Devastation's more like, Ah ha! The Decepticons have unleashed a Deus ex machina upon the Earth! Autobots, roll to the rescue! :D It's nice and simple and pretty straightforward. And I don't mean this as a criticism, I don't think one style is better or worse than the other, they're just different.

Okay, so having easier game play for noobs like me makes it more fun because I don't have to keep re-attempting the same crap over and over and over and over and over and over again cos I keep failing/dying. :p However, Devastation does have noticeably more down time than WFC/FOC, which was better at keeping you at your toes. The deliberately cartoony graphics is visually fantastic, but not as jaw-droppingly incredible as the graphics on WFC/FOC. But again, this is a deliberate aesthetic style which makes you feel like you're in the G1 cartoon, and it does succeed in doing this. :) Devastation really does draw on the lighter, brighter and simpler world of the G1 cartoon series -- so if you're a fan of the G1 show, you're going to love the visual style of this game. :)

I like how the game quickly allows you to switch between characters too, so that you don't stagnate for too long as the same character and grow sick of them (again, cos it takes someone like me so long to get through stuff :p). The attacks are very much like a typical Japanese arcade game like Street Fighter, only that it incorporates the vehicle mode as a special attack. Sideswipe's vehicle attack is actually a 'jackknife' similar to Guile's somersault kick! This and other features in the game really do encourage the player to mix in robot and vehicle mode constantly throughout play, which I think is excellent. In other TF games, I feel that I sometimes spend too long without transforming, or rather, I only transform between modes when I want to use specific features from them. Here, you can quickly "jump" to robot mode while driving in order t dodge obstacles, or quickly convert to vehicle mode to assist in your robot attack or to perform a ground slam. I really do appreciate how this element of the game play helps to reinforce to players that these are Transformers. We're not just playing with a bunch of robots or cars who may transform once in a while -- they are regularly switching between car and robot! :D And I suspect that there may be more to this story than meets the eye. I've already been underground where they've noticed a different smaller caste of Insecticons. Intriguing!

I'm glad that Megatron is a tank, similar to his Combiner Wars toy. Cos he'd be a really lame game boss if he were just a small gun, unless there were another Decepticon to hold him and... nah, the tank is much more menacing/challenging as a boss character in his own right. :)

The only other gripe I have so far is that some of the environments can get repetitive at times, making it easier to get lost in the city. Although this is reminiscent of the 'repeating backgrounds' that we so often see in the G1 cartoon. ;)

A few 'Easter Eggs' that I've noticed so far:
* Some of the cars look like they're from the 80s. Could it be that this game is actually set in 1985? :o
* KREMZEEK! :D

But the one thing that I truly love about this game is how the screen characters look like the toys! This game makes really want to play with my toys! And indeed, after my first try, I just had to shut down my game so that I could do exactly that! :) I'm really loving how this game complements the toys so well. Even the Battlechargers are kinda Bumblebee-esque and the Seekers resemble the CHUGUR Seekers, most noticeably on the missile launchers. It's as if the game developers are dropping a less than subtle hint for Hasbro to retool these existing moulds in order to release them as toys. ;)

[BigTransformerTrev]

I'm going to hold off voting in the poll until I complete the game. I am up to chasing Megatron who has taken off in the back of Long Haul. Currently I am enjoying it though it's a tad hectic for my tastes, not that much of a gamer these days.

I will give a MASSIVE positive to this game though - my young lad LOVES watching me play it! I thought I would only get to play it after he goes to bed. I thought he would yell because I switched off his cartoons, or would be trying to drag me outside or would keep trying to grab the controller. Nope - he plunked himself in my lap in the beanbag - yelled "Yay - Transformers!" and proceeded to watch away, with the odd exclaimation of "Car! Dinosaur! Robot! Hi Bumblebee!".

This gives the game a big tick from me! :D

[kup]

Although the visuals are awesome and chances are that I will buy this game, my concerns about it appear to have been warranted. This is just a button mashing japanese bet'emup game where you run around pressing buttons that do flashy moves then it's 'rinse and repeat' for the next level.

I am dissapointed as I would have wanting something more epic but to each their own.

[FruitBuyer]

Although the visuals are awesome and chances are that I will buy this game, my concerns about it appear to have been warranted. This is just a button mashing japanese bet'emup game where you run around pressing buttons that do flashy moves then it's 'rinse and repeat' for the next level.

I am dissapointed as I would have wanting something more epic but to each their own.

You really live up to your avatar's old-timer thinking and ignorance. You probably think games like Street Fight is just 'button-mashing' as well.

[CBratron]

But the one thing that I truly love about this game is how the screen characters look like the toys! This game makes really want to play with my toys! And indeed, after my first try, I just had to shut down my game so that I could do exactly that! :) I'm really loving how this game complements the toys so well. Even the Battlechargers are kinda Bumblebee-esque and the Seekers resemble the CHUGUR Seekers, most noticeably on the missile launchers. It's as if the game developers are dropping a less than subtle hint for Hasbro to retool these existing moulds in order to release them as toys. ;)

I might just steal that idea for a few custom jobs.

[kup]

You really live up to your avatar's old-timer thinking and ignorance. You probably think games like Street Fight is just 'button-mashing' as well.

You are calling me ignorant about games? You are the one comfusing a fighting game to a beat'em up :p

[FruitBuyer]

That's not the point I'm making with my analogy at all.

[kup]

That's not the point I'm making with my analogy at all.

Well I just showed you that I clearly know the difference so what's your point?

[FruitBuyer]

My point is that to call Devastation "just a button-mashing" isn't fair. If you've played Platinum's other games then you would know that they're not "just button-mashing".

To call it button-mashing is to call games like God of War and Shadow of Mordor "button-mashing".

[kurdt_the_goat]

Old school game design for older school characters! So much of the simpler days of gaming is now lost (entire genres even). Not every game has to be a massive epic to be good fun and worth buying.

[DELTAprime]

You can bash buttons in fighting games like Mortal Kombat X, Ultra Street Fighter IV, Killer Instinct and beat em ups like DMC, Bayonetta and this game. But you really shouldn't, you should learn the combos and play like a real man. :p;)

[GoktimusPrime]

Then again, I'm not much of a gamer. ;)
Gaaah... the part in the Proudstar where Optimus Prime has to jump over retracting platforms was soooo annoying! Only took me 1264895622616874565 attempts to get through! :rolleyes:

Challenge Mode is fun. Doesn't look like this game has any form of multiplayer. :(

P.S.: This game inspired me to make this action post pic (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=493736&postcount=2872) :D

[griffin]

It took me 2 hours 48 minutes to complete chapter 1, but I spent time exploring the entire map... and I still missed a number of the "collectable" items.
I think the "6 hours" gameplay is probably from hardcore gamers who just raced through the game doing the bare minimum, so it might sound quick, but if you play out the game fairly thoroughly, it should take at least 15 hours. And more if you go back hunting down the hidden items, or chase trophies.
Speaking of trophies, the smaller number on offer with this game has meant that finishing one of the seven chapters hasn't earned me any trophies yet... when previous games would have had 4 or 5 that far into the game.
The hassle I see will be having to play the game a minimum of five complete times if you want all the trophies (one trophy is awarded for each character that plays out the whole game... but I don't know if that means no swapping characters at all).

It's not as nostalgic as I had hoped (so far), but fighting the individual Constructicons was fun for the fact that they rarely got any individual action or characterisation in the original cartoon, so this gave a unique focus to them that made it worth focussing on them.

The game play gets a bit repetitive with 3-4 land vehicle bots, but Grimlock hasn't been unlocked yet, so maybe that might make it a little more interesting having a dino running around.
For a basic bash-n-shoot game, with no problem-solving element, I think the controls could have been a bit simpler. With just shooting and hitting things, there seems to be some controller functions that could have been left out (like having two buttons for melee attack)... and some controller functions had multiple uses (R1 does two different things - transform and slowmo - and it can be annoying when it does one when you want the other to happen).

No instructions booklet or in-game guide, so a lot of things were very confusing to try to figure out, and there are some things that still don't make sense (like syncing weapons and the tech devices).

Good so far, but not excellent.

I would have liked a multiplayer element, running around as Gen1-styled Generic Bots & Cons, with Gen1 sound effects, shooting up the cannon-fodder troops or each other. A shame though.

[doublespy]

Finished chapter one so far so maybe too early to comment. The one thing I like is that the enemy bots actually know to utilize their alt mode strategically as opposed to being stuck in one form all the time. Both the individual Constructions fights and Devastator fights are really enjoyable. And I gotta say I really like the bgm so far. Particularly the main menu music, which takes cue from the classic Tf theme, and the bgm played when you're in the ark, which has such a heroic guitar motif.

[GoktimusPrime]

Shockwave!

As frustrating as it was, I like his ample use of his ray gun mode. He also has this weird ability to generate doppelgängers of himself to attack you, which feels more like something that Sixshot would do in the Japanese cartoon continuity rather than something that Shockwave ever did in the G1 'toon. So canonically it doesn't seem to make much sense... but damn do I love the fact that the doppelgängers are all coloured like Astro Magnum/Galactic Man! (a.k.a. "Shackwave"). :D This has a special meaning for me (as it would for many other Aussie fans) since G1 Shockwave was never released here, but "Shackwave" was, and many of us grew up playing with a "Shackwave." :) I did appreciate the fact that - so far - they haven't resorted to portraying Shockwave as the logic-driven fiend, as that was really G1 comic Shockwave's persona, not G1 cartoon Shockwave's. I was kinda afraid that he might start quoting some crap about logic at me during the fight, but thankfully he did not. The only thing that bugs me is the voice -- sounds nothing like G1 Shockwave. It's a shame that they didn't get Corey Burton to reprise Shockwave's voice, and alright, I can understand that it might not be possible to get every G1 voice actor to reprise their old roles in this game, but surely the voice actor (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Darryl_Kurylo) could have at least tried to approximate G1 Shockwave's voice (as all of us do when we play with the toy! :D). That's my only gripe about Devastation Shockers.

I also really liked how Thundercracker quickly ratted out on the Decepticons after being defeated, but also refused to accept the Autobots' offer to join them. Very in character! Also... the Seeker's mouths look like they've got some kind of "mushmouth," as if they were drawn by Andrew Griffith (http://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m99vw9us121qgokzao1_500.jpg). :eek:

Fighting in the Space Bridge vortex was also pretty cool. I like how you can fight in three dimensions; i.e. gravity doesn't exist... sorta. Although it kinda contradicts how the G1 cartoon established that space bridge travel is perilous, and that travellers must remain focused or risk oblivion; surely being distracted by a fight would...^just shut up and enjoy the game, Goki! :p

[griffin]

One of the funniest things from this game is the transform-n-ground-slam move... which has you jump into the air and transform as you come down, and if you land on the opponent, you end up grinding your tyres into them.

[GoktimusPrime]

Just finished the game. :) I like how the ending theme is, much like the rest of the soundtrack, reminiscent of G1, but is actually an original song. It's much more refreshing than the hundredth uninspiring rendition of the G1 theme song.

Oh, be sure to stick around to end of the credits. ;)

[5FDP]

For those that have bought the game, can you please tell me if it comes with a printed instruction booklet? I bought mine (PS3) from Big W only because it was cheaper than most, but I have a feeling they didn't give me the instructions.

[griffin]

For those that have bought the game, can you please tell me if it comes with a printed instruction booklet? I bought mine (PS3) from Big W only because it was cheaper than most, but I have a feeling they didn't give me the instructions.

No.
(See post #16 - and that included a sealed copy I got by mistake)

[5FDP]

Thanks griffin. It's very strange that they didn't include one. It's actually the first PS3 game that I've bought that doesn't come with a booklet.

[G1Optimal]

These are the online manuals that is only accessable online

PS3: https://support.activision.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?retURL=%2Fapex%2Flicense&file=00PU000000Q2SL1MAN

PS4: https://support.activision.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?retURL=%2Fapex%2Flicense&file=00PU000000Q2SLkMAN

360: https://support.activision.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?retURL=%2Fapex%2Flicense&file=00PU000000Q2SEwMAN

Xbox One: https://support.activision.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?retURL=%2Fapex%2Flicense&file=00PU000000Q2SH9MAN

FAQ
https://support.activision.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/Transformers-Devastation-Gameplay-FAQ/?c=Game_Title%3ATransformers_Devastation

[griffin]

Talk about cheap... :mad:

And I looked at what did come with my copy of the game, and I couldn't see anything telling us to go online to a particular address for the instruction manual. :mad:

It's like Activision just gave up on this game at the end, with minimal marketing, no in-store marketing, and no instruction manual.

[G1Optimal]

On my ps4 cover it under instruction for the game on the back of the case cover.

Accoding to that it looks like it on the game as well so it not online only sorry about that if it is not online only.:o

[Paulbot]

Isn't it pretty standard these days for no instruction books? Sure the last few games I've bought have just had a slip of paper directing me to go online

[Gehirn]

^yup, or if does have one it is just health warnings mainly.

[primetime]

This is just a button mashing japanese bet'emup game where you run around pressing buttons that do flashy moves then it's 'rinse and repeat' for the next level.

I'm with Kup - I came to the same conclusion within just a few minutes of playing the game. This game is definitely NOT in the same league as the previous War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron!

Ah well too bad at least we get a G1 Transformers game on PC in these modern times anyway ...

[griffin]

Isn't it pretty standard these days for no instruction books? Sure the last few games I've bought have just had a slip of paper directing me to go online

Well that sucks.
When I'm playing the game and want to look up what certain elements mean (like the Ark fit-out options), I want to have the booklet handy to flick through quickly or refer to while I'm playing... I don't want to be turning on my computer to do a search for the manual then read through that. (or have it saved on the computer that still needs to be accessed, when I usually turn off when playing a console as it wastes power leaving devices running)

Was it really a cost cutting measure to print out a cover (and in some versions an enclosed slip of paper with the warnings and fineprint), but not an extra two sheets of paper for the instructions.
Or was there a demand by hardcore gamers to not have a physical copy because it is "so 2000s" to not have it replaced by a digital copy? :p :rolleyes:

I think if people prefer everything digital, they should purchase a downloadable copy of the game which needs online instructions... but if you purchase a physical version of the game because of preference, then it should come with a physical copy of the instructions. Not half and half.

(besides, I like the art in the instructions, and would have liked to have a physical, glossy copy)


Okay, ranting over.... did anyone accessing the online (PDF) version of the instructions have parts of the text obscured by lines or blocks when you have it viewed at different magnifications?
I had to keep changing the magnification to read it all because different lines were being obscured by lines and blocks of white at various magnifications.

[kurdt_the_goat]

I believe the lack of manuals these days is due to companies penny pinching under the guise of being "better for the environment".

[kup]

I believe the lack of manuals these days is due to companies penny pinching under the guise of being "better for the environment".

Yep - I can't remember the last time I had a games manual for a newer game from the last 3 years. Mario Maker is the only exception but their ideas hardcover book is not exactly a manual although very nice.

[Super Nintendo]

Anyone know which version is best? As in PS4 vs XB1 or PS3 vs X360.

Screen tearing, Load times, etc.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I just realised... :eek:

The previous Transformers game made by Activision was Rise of the Dark Spark. At the end of the credits you see a G1 Optimus on Earth watching something fly across the sky. That must have been their little teaser that this game was in the works :D

About two thirds of the way through the game now. Just fought Shockwave. Considering all the other G1 voice actors they got in surprised that they didn't get his since he came back for Animated. Really enjoying the game, it's just like playing a lost episode of the G1 cartoon :)

[MayzaPrime]

I am also enjoying the game, I have just defeated Scrapper and Hook. I am enjoying every second of it... :D

So much better than rise of the dark spark

[GoktimusPrime]

Anyone know which version is best? As in PS4 vs XB1 or PS3 vs X360.

Screen tearing, Load times, etc.
多数のゲーム機で同じゲームを遊んだ経験がある人があんまりいないと思います。個人意見によるとプレステ3 版は丁度いいと思うけど、拙者は他のゲーム機が持っていないので、比較するための基準がありま せん。

先ず我らの豪州トラフォ研究掲示板にようこそ！(^^)
Translation: I don't think that there would be too many people who've played this game across multiple consoles. I personally find the PS3 version to be fine, but of course I don't have any other consoles, so I have no basis of comparison. At any rate, welcome to our Australian TF board! (:

[DaptoDog]

多数のゲーム機で同じゲームを遊んだ経験がある人があんまりいないと思います。個人意見によるとプレステ3 版は丁度いいと思うけど、拙者は他のゲーム機が持っていないので、比較するための基準がありま せん。

先ず我らの豪州トラフォ研究掲示板にようこそ！(^^)
Translation: I don't think that there would be too many people who've played this game across multiple consoles. I personally find the PS3 version to be fine, but of course I don't have any other consoles, so I have no basis of comparison. At any rate, welcome to our Australian TF board! (:

The answer is always PS4. Always:)

[GoktimusPrime]

The answer is always PS4. Always:)
If I were a more serious gamer perhaps. Before Devastation, the last game I bought was 3 years ago! Also the same time that I got my PS3, which gets used more often as a Blu Ray player. Yeah... I really don't game enough to justify buying another console. I much prefer playing with toys. :)

[UltimateGalvatron]

If I were a more serious gamer perhaps. Before Devastation, the last game I bought was 3 years ago! Also the same time that I got my PS3, which gets used more often as a Blu Ray player. Yeah... I really don't game enough to justify buying another console. I much prefer playing with toys. :)

I don't even have a games console, and I'm a teenager! But yeah I prefer as my dad calls it 'pew-pew-ing'.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Well I just finished the game on easy mode

You know what? I really like it! Sure, its no 'Fall of Cybertron' but that set the benchmark pretty damn high and if we had had no WFC or WFC I reckon the TF community would be appreciating this game a lot better.

This really feels to me like it could be some lost episodes out of Season 2. We have:

On the Autobot Side:
Optimus Prime, Sideswipe , Wheeljack, Bumblebee, Grimlock

On the Decepticon Side:
Megatron, Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Blitzwing, Shockwave, Soundwave, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Ravage, Rumble, Frenzy, Bombshell, Kickback, Shrapnel
Long Haul, Scavenger, Scrapper, Mixmaster, Bonecrusher, Hook, Motormaster, Breakdown, Drag Strip, Wildrider, Dead End, Devastator, Menasor

Sure the Sunticon limb characters you dont see in their robot modes and you don't see Soundwave in his alt-mode and some characters like Megs and MMaster are in their CW forms but that's still a bloody good impressive line-up from Season 2!

Voices
Megs, Optimus, Bbee, Grimlock & Soundwave all have their original voice actors 30 years later - freakin awesome!

Graphics
Not stelar and not the greatest amount of variety but with the exception of subtle changes to take into account CW it's very G1 cartoon accurate and it's not like the cartoon had the best animation either

Gameplay
Yeah - it's a lot of hack & slash and combos. Not nearly as in-depth as FOC I'll grant you. But I didn't really want another FOC, I wanted something different and this fits the bill nicely as I haven't really played this sort of game before. I thought they did a very good job of putting transformation into the game both in use of travel and combat - I found myself transforming constantly throughout all of the levels for strategic purposes. THe only thing I found was that the ranged weapons packed a bit of punch and had very limited ammo - I only really used them when there were fliers I couldn't reach or to take out enemies like the exploding Bombshell drones.

Overall
Good on'em for making this game I say! I love it and my son loves to watch me play it and even picks which character I will play each chapter for me. Yes a lot of hardcore gamers will find this game wanting and when you compare it to a lot of other games out there in terms of both visuals and breadth of scope they are right. But you know what - lighten the hell up! We just got a game thats a lot of fun (which games are SUPPOSED to be) and is closer to playing like you are in the old G1 cartoon more than anything we have ever experienced before. Just appreciate it for a bit of fun and nostalgia - it aint expensive and is a nice little diversion to play for an hour here and there.

A big thumbs up from Big Happy Trev! :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Devastation characters played by their original G1 voice actors:
* Bumblebee (Dan Gilvezan)
* Grimlock (Gregg Berger)
* Long Haul (Gregg Berger)
* Megatron (Frank Welker)
* Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen)
* Scrapper (Michael Bell)
* Sideswipe (Michael Bell)
* Soundwave (Frank Welker)

[i_amtrunks]

Played the first chapter with some mates. Took us about 90 minutes but we somehow missed two missions. It's an odd map with all those tunnels and what not.

Game made much more sense once we found those green circles that allow for character changes and weapon upgrading. I'm guessing that weapon upgrading only gets you so far and that we end to play on hard to get better base weapons.

[GoktimusPrime]

You can also upgrade (purchase) additional moves as well as develop and equip technology. But these upgrades do significantly improve your performance/ability in the game. I finished the game on Scout level which I found challenging (cos I is gaming noobz), but I'm currently playing on the next level up and I'm actually finding it easier because of the more upgraded weapons, tech & skill sets that I'm packing which I didn't have the first time round.

The jumping levels are still annoying as hell. If only there were a jetpack (surely Sideswipe should have it!). :rolleyes:

[Jenko21]

I just liked watching grimlock run at the start! Nearly woke my kids up I was laughing that hard hahahaha

[GoktimusPrime]

Either Grimlock is one damn fast Dinobot, or those other Autobots were stuck in 2nd gear, cos the top speed of a T-Rex is about 30km/h. ;)

[griffin]

Either Grimlock is one damn fast Dinobot, or those other Autobots were stuck in 2nd gear, cos the top speed of a T-Rex is about 30km/h. ;)

As you say, he's a Dinobot, not a T-rex... so just like other Transformers from the futuristic alien world of Cybertron, the alt-mode "disguise" doesn't dictate the performance of the bot inside.
The alt-mode may provide some improved or reduced performance because of its size and external parts (rockets, wheels, limbs, etc), but it's replicating the visual characteristics of the object, not replicating its strength or speed.

[UltimateGalvatron]

If only there were a jetpack (surely Sideswipe should have it!). :rolleyes:

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Crowe9/CaptainAmerica1_zps8c295f96.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/Crowe9/media/CaptainAmerica1_zps8c295f96.jpg.html)

[i_amtrunks]

Can anyone who has played on multiple difficulty settings confirm or deny that the weapon drops are better are harder difficulties?

It's report writing time which means that I am unlikely to get more an 2 hours on a Saturday evening to play games for the next few weeks. :rolleyes:

[BigTransformerTrev]

Good Game on the ABC did a review of the game last night. Bajo gave it a 3.5/5 and Hex gave it a 3/5.

Their main criticism of the game seemed to be that it was too easy on Easy and too hard on Medium. I've found it much harder on Medium and am using a lot of my med packs but don't think it's that bad considering a casual gamer like me is rocking along ok through it. But Bajo said that it's a must play for G1 fans and have to say that I agree :)

[5FDP]

Good Game on the ABC did a review of the game last night. Bajo gave it a 3.5/5 and Hex gave it a 3/5.

That show is still going :eek:

[BigTransformerTrev]

That show is still going :eek:

I don't watch it anymore but yeah. Here is their review of TF Devastation http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/video/default.htm?src=/tv/goodgame/video/xml/20151027_2030.xml&item=02

For a game they seem to love they only gave it slightly above average scores

[griffin]

I caught the last five minutes of the show last night and they made a mention of the game, so I had guessed that they might have reviewed it.
I was trying to see if they had a repeat in the next day but couldn't find anything, so I'll just watch Trev's link.

[griffin]

Posts about Vintage/retro games consoles and computers have been moved to here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=21806).

[doublespy]

Came across this combo video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMRiz06JcJY). It's nice to see people coming up with decent combos.

[griffin]

I finished the game tonight (yeah... it took a while), after doing a chapter at a time every so often.
It certainly felt quicker than previous Transformers games, but not quick enough to feel cheated at paying forty-something dollars for it. And there are still the individual missions and replaying sections I rushed or skipped, still to do, so still plenty of play time left in it.

I played it on the easy setting first, to get a more fun initial run-through, and will try harder settings later to see just how hard it can be.

I found that it took until about the 3rd chapter for it to get interesting enough to want to keep playing it through to see where the story goes, so it was a bit "slow" to captivate me. Which I think was because the cannon fodder Decepticons in the first couple of chapters were not existing Gen1 characters. They look Gen1-ish, but it isn't until the Insecticons become the cannon-fodder opponents a few chapters in, that I really got drawn into it completely.

I liked the game, but felt it wanted you to rely on melee fighting... even though I found it a lot easier to take down most of the bosses and opponents with the sniper rifle and other guns when that one ran out of ammo. You basically start the game with a gun that has like 5 rounds, and it takes a couple of chapters to acquire decent weapons, forcing you to get into the habit of melee combat and not instinctively reach for your gun.
I think Devastator & Menasor were the only bosses I took out with melee attacks.
I'm more of a fan of shooting games, particularly for Transformers, who are supposed to be an advanced alien race who are known for their powerful weapons... why would they resort to close quarter contact and risk being blasted by their opponent.

I thought it was awesome that Rumble was the red one, just like the original toy that the Gen1 cartoon was supposed to be based on, but mistakenly got the colours mixed up with Frenzy. I saw on the credits that most of the creators behind the game were Japanese, and the Japanese market followed the original toy colours (only the recent Hasbro toy designers have been giving us blue Rumble to match the Gen1 cartoon).
I saw that the plot of the game was written by veteran Transformers writer Andy Schmit, but Hasbro America must have done the final approval, allowing Rumble to be red again.

Fingers crossed that there is another one.
At least all but Devastator & Menasor are still likely to be alive, as no one seemed to stay down after they were defeated, but those two combiners fell off the platform and there was a big explosion... which probably means they are still alive as well, as you don't see them exploding or dying.

As a fan, I give it about 8 out of 10.... but if I wasn't a fan I'd probably only give it a 6.

[CBratron]

One thing to realise about Platinum Games games is that they are time attack games where the WFC/FOC are narrative sagas. Devastation is meant to be played quickly and multiple times, improving your score with bigger combos and shorter completion times.

[griffin]

The trophies suck.
I think it was chapter 5 of the 7 chapters before I got my first trophy, and then got 2 or 3 when I finished the game.

There's about 30 trophies for this game, and other games have given me at least half of the non-multiplayer trophies during the first complete (non-multiplayer) play through it. And I like the reward of the occasional trophy popping up on the screen, and seeing the total number grow as you go through the game... it's another incentive to keep playing the game.
I'm just not excited about being forced to replay the entire game several times just to increase the number of trophies in the account... it reminds me of the game Shadows of the Colossus (I haven't played it, but read up that you have to play it about 8 times to get all the trophies).

[5FDP]

Reading all the reviews is making me want to play this. Only 5 weeks 'till Xmas (yep, I'm a big kid :D)

[DaptoDog]

Reading all the reviews is making me want to play this. Only 5 weeks 'till Xmas (yep, I'm a big kid :D)

Yeh I couldn't wait till Christmas so picked it up early. You won't be disappointed.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I liked the game, but felt it wanted you to rely on melee fighting... even though I found it a lot easier to take down most of the bosses and opponents with the sniper rifle and other guns when that one ran out of ammo. You basically start the game with a gun that has like 5 rounds, and it takes a couple of chapters to acquire decent weapons, forcing you to get into the habit of melee combat and not instinctively reach for your gun.
I think Devastator & Menasor were the only bosses I took out with melee attacks.
I'm more of a fan of shooting games, particularly for Transformers, who are supposed to be an advanced alien race who are known for their powerful weapons... why would they resort to close quarter contact and risk being blasted by their opponent.



It's part of the reason I actually like this game. While I don't like it as much as WFC/FOC I think it's a change of pace and it's interesting to do the TF's as a mellee game. And I'm finding on my 3rd runthrough I'm using more involved combos which is unleashing moves I didn't even know I had before! It's not the same old same old.




I played it on the easy setting first, to get a more fun initial run-through, and will try harder settings later to see just how hard it can be.

One of the criticisms of the game is that easy is too easy and medium and hard are way too hard. I polished off Megs at the end of the game without even paying attention on easy, when I fought him on medium I used up every health pack I had and only barely scraped through. Right now I'm playing on hard and I've had to use a half-energy pack on each fight when fighting the Constructicon pairs because my hardest hitting combos do negligible damage yet if I get a single kick in the guts from Bonecrusher it takes off a 3rd of my energy :eek:

I'm mainly still playing just because my son loves to watch me play and nags me to do so so he can sit in my lap and pick the characters. In fact he likes watching me play the game more than watching TF cartoons!

[CBratron]

Just finished this and this is most definitely a Platinum Games game. Hair trigger reflexes are needed in order to dodge at the last moment, not only dodging the enemy but also turning the tables by entering some kind of bullet time.

The G1 aesthetics are welcome and the tight gameplay is a challenge. I don't know how anyone can finish this game with a button mashing mindset though.

edit: if you do play this prepare to hear "I F*#%ING DODGED THAT!" A lot.

[DaptoDog]

Finally got around to finishing the game. I played on the medium difficulty and couldn't believe how tough it was to beat the Devastator & Menasor combo. I can't imagine beating that boss fight on hard. The Devastation theme song in the closing credits was so full of 80's G1 goodness.

I certainly hope they make another. Though I think I would have preferred a G1 version of the High Moon style better, I preferred FOC/WFC from a gameplay perspective, particularly the inclusion of online multiplayer.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I've beaten the game on easy and medium but only the first two chapters on hard. I'm going back to play some of the other levels on medium to build up credits to upgrade my weapons before tackling chapter 3, it certainly does make a difference. I've got my A-grade twin bolt swords up to level 20 with 5 different buffs on them to give me more focus time and repair drops and they are fricken killers now!

[Lint]

Picked this up from JB Hifi as it is now $30 bucks (PS3). Despite initial misgivings last year from watching the game trailers I actually like this game.

I played the game on 'normal' difficulty and found it to be an adequate enough challenge for a casual gamer like myself. While the game is very easy to cheese (especially with rush attacks and super especially in the early-mid game) I found myself tending towards trying to 'win with style' rather than simply 'win as quickly as possible'. To me, nothing was more satisfying than (as Grimlock) smacking Starscream around with your fists, doing a dino roll as to dodge his snarky bladed counterattack, having his missiles explode harmlessly in your breath of fire when he transforms and strafes you and then knocking him out of his alt mode with a body slam before finishing with a shotgun to the face. This practice of course involves a good amount of dying but its so satisfying when you win on your own terms.

The creativity of some of the story levels was a surprise to me as well, a few car chase levels, a turret level, a couple of weird space brawls and a bizarrely pseudo 2D platform level. I love the cartoon cel-shaded visual aesthetic, only the environment comes off a bit bland.

I didn't play with the weapon crafting system until I was well halfway through the game (noticed I was doing next to no damage to some of the higher level mooks). While not especially deep, it did suck me in wholesale and I found myself equipping TECH that boosted weapon drops and rarity and weapons became those things I sold for money, to that thing I pay close attention to between levels. The TECH 'research' system was fun, but I found it kind of random. I frequently obtained TECH from 'red zones' that were inferior to those obtained from 'blue zones' and spending 5000 credits vs 1000 credits only seemed to stop you from obtaining bad TECH, rather than enhancing the quality of good TECH.

Finally, transformation. I love it. I found myself doing it more often than I ever did in the WFC/FOC games. It was quick, easy and gameplay relevant.

Onto what I didn't like:
The camera, while able to be manually controlled, it frequently defaulted to looking at the underside of my car whenever I got to the edge of the map. This did get me killed on multiple occasions.

Ammo on ranged weapons vs level design. While I understand some of the ranged weapons were supremely powerful and needed to be kept in check, if you made the mistake of only having a short ranged shotgun at your disposal, some of the aerial mooks simply became annoying to fight. I feel like every character needed a regular ranged 'blaster' with regenerating ammo equipped as a minimum. Or at least a tooltip recommending that you equip an appropriate ranged weapon when starting a level that has heavy aerial presence.

Devastator. While a visually imposing boss he's actually pretty easy to beat. You fight him way too many times and he doesn't really get that much harder to beat each time you saw him. Considering most would get in close to his feet for that fight, you don't really even get the field of view to appreciate his full majesty most of the time anyway.

The final boss battle. I wasn't a fan of the 'space' levels. While it was somewhat visually nostalgic, the lack of spatial reference and horrible camera made it more irritating that enjoyable, especially since the battle is 'just because'.

Overall I guess you could say the game was pleasantly "more than meets the eye" (ho ho ho). I was expecting a dumb boring beat-em-up but the creators have injected enough fan service, level creativity and gameplay mechanics to make it an enjoyable game. It's not a 'epic blockbuster' game but at $30 it is now more than worth the price.

[Paulbot]

Put this in to give it a first play and I'm not particualy loving it.

The G1 fan in me is loving playing as G1 Autobots and battling G1 Decepticons. They do a great job capturing the look and feel of the cartoon and animation models.

The gaymer in me is not loving how chaotic and confusing the battles are. Fighting Devastator the first time should be more fun than just jumping in the air and hitting buttons until you can't do that anymore. Maybe I'm missing something. I've played many a game where fighting is the pressing the attack button into a set of combos (AC, Arkham, GOW) but despite the long list of "combo moves" in the help screen, they just seem to be all the same.

It also took like 20 attempts to defeat Megatron as Sideswipe the first time (as Megatron kept hitting Sideswipe with moves that took out 60-70 of his energon in one go) - and the last time I tried was actually quite easy although my tactics didn't really change.

And for some reason I keep glitching on the transform control (sometimes the 'bot transformers only for a second, often it doesn't do the vehicle mode part of a combo).

Current judgement is the game is "okay".

[BigTransformerTrev]

Our PS3 copy went missing ages ago so when we upgraded to a PS4 I picked up a cheap copy for the new system.

I can't see any discernible difference between the two due to the relatively simplistic G1'esque graphics.

Good fun though - my 4 year old is on his 4th playthrough. He only needs me to help with those annoying jumping bits and the end fight with Megatron.

[Trent]

Finally picked up Devastation today as JB had it for $25. Spent about 2 hours on it tonight and while it looks pretty and is a good bit of fun, I'm glad I didn't pay any more for it. I started it on medium difficulty and have never played a Platinum game before so it took me a few goes to get the hang of it and beat Devastator. I can definitely see my son loving this game when he gets a bit older but realistically I can't see it getting a second play through from me.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Don't believe I haven't posted in this thread yet.

I bagged Devestation on PS4 and thought it was all right.

While nice messing about with G1 bots again, I found it lacking focus for my liking. For example, the fisticuffs seems pretty deep with dodging, slo mo and combos, and using transforming, but then they add in something a bit half baked, like weapons.

I always found the weapons a pain to use, they felt cumbersome and awkward and while games like Devil may Cry let you use guns while fisticuffin, there was non of that here. SO the fast pace of fighting was lost when you had to use a gun.

The weapon crafting and stuff never got me going either. I picked up so many as I went, that I'd be shown at the end of the level, and I don't care about, having to craft and equip etc, just took up time. I felt it distracted from the combat.

Speaking of which, while the combat was fun, some of the graphical bits were annoying. Example being this, I had a weapon with an ice element to it, which would make nice looking ice effects as I swooshed it about, however many times, the weapon effect would cover the animation of the dud I was fighting, so I couldn't see his attack. In some sections, this happened a lot and I found myself avoiding the weapons with some elemental attacks.

So while parts of it was fun, other parts were a little annoying. Many times I also felt like I was stuck with the same Autobot for a long time. In the end, I didn't find it terrible, but it wasn't as good as it could have been.

There were some damn cool fights in it! I really loved the Motormaster and Menasor section. But then there were damn annoying bits. Like one the insecticon sections where I just couldn't take him down.

I'd give the game a 7 outta 10.
Not terrible, not brilliant, but a bit above average