WFC2 - Fall of Cybertron game revealed

[kup]

Did anyone else notice Snarl in this image at that gameinformer link?
Just need visual proof of Sludge now... (sorry sleeve )

It's interesting to hear that they are still conceiving their WFC game ideas from Gen1, right down to their visual appearances (which we've seen are completely different to Prime & Movie aesthetics). It's like the gamers are long time fans and are doing this game for fellow Gen1 fans, but then the story these characters are in ends up being shoe-horned into what Hasbro currently wants as it's story universe to be. The game designers even had to work hard at convincing Hasbro to allow them to use the Dinobots because they don't fit within their "grand plan".
(it also sounds like they might actually call the five dinobots by their original Gen1 names, instead of the Hasbro "politically correct on every continent" names - but is still too early to tell, especially if toys are likely... it has been a while since Hasbro managed to give all 5 classic names out to the right dinosaur forms)

The concept of Grimlock transforming when he gets too mad reminds me of an old Hulk game, which you had to keep his rage down in stages he had to infiltrate (avoiding electric traps & troops). I can't remember if you also had to keep him raged when needing to use the Hulk... but I'm thinking that may be the case in this game when using Grimlock. If you need to use him in robot mode, he can't be allowed to overheat (physically, like with an onscreen rage/heat meter)... but then when you need to take on a difficult situation or opponent, you gotta get him worked up to make him change.
Ah, just got to the 13minute mark on the video, and they ended up saying something similar... he has a rage meter (like the special ability feature in Campaign & Escalation), but you still choose to activate it, it isn't automatic.

I wonder who the blue robot is that's on the far left of the wall in the first video. If they've redesigned the main characters like they did with Optimus, the colours look like Thundercracker, but looks a lot more impressive than the regular seeker design.
A closer look at it, I don't think it is Thundercracker... so looks like an interesting character.

Yep, (from my perception) they even hinted frustration at Hasbro's 'All in one' continuity idea for all their TF lines/products. To me, it is convoluted and nonsensical at best due to the fundamental differences of each franchise. Clearly someone not in the creative team at Hasbro came up with that totally impractical idea.

Well it seems that despite what Hasbro may tag on this game, it is being made with the same mentality as WFC which means another G1 inspired game and I am happy with that.

If only they would announce a PC release...

[kurdt_the_goat]

I read the article in the print Game Informer recently... they're running a big risk having levels tailored to character features.
This kind of thing always ends up with people ultimately preferring one style of play and wishing the rest of the game was similar, instead of a bunch of varying quality types of gameplay.

[SharkyMcShark]

The best bits of the first one were the bits in the Con campaign where you were invading Iacon (I think those were levels 3 and 4?)

We need less levels like the Seekers level, which was awful and made me put the game down for a few months.

[Hursticon]

Yep, they even hinted that Hasbro's 'All in one' continuity idea for all their TF lines/products is convoluted and nonsensical at best due to their fundamental differences.

I've watched the interviews and read the articles and I didn't get that impression at all from High Moon Studios with regards to the current undertaking of a Narrative Skeleton.
Those comments, I believe, were made in reference to the constant hash/re-hash patchwork quit that Hasbro was doing prior to this with the various cartoons and comics; both from Dreamwave and IDW.

Personally, I think it is quite clear that WFC/FOC, TF: Prime and Exodus/Exiles are all using the new Narrative Skeleton but are using it in their own ways in their own medium; i.e. it's interpretive and not the poorly executed rank and file, a-z/1-10 approach that had a Retcon every week due to bad memories and whole things being ignored.

The Narrative Skeleton is a unified point to move the franchise forward from with WFC/FOC, TF: Prime and Exodus/Exiles being 'soft linked' and not hard coded-directly linked prequels and sequels.

[Zippo]

All this info makes me wish I had a working console.
May just have to spend some of my sale money on a new Xbox 360 I think in preparation.

[kup]

I've watched the interviews and read the articles and I didn't get that impression at all from High Moon Studios with regards to the current undertaking of a Narrative Skeleton.
Those comments, I believe, were made in reference to the constant hash/re-hash patchwork quit that Hasbro was doing prior to this with the various cartoons and comics; both from Dreamwave and IDW.

Personally, I think it is quite clear that WFC/FOC, TF: Prime and Exodus/Exiles are all using the new Narrative Skeleton but are using it in their own ways in their own medium; i.e. it's interpretive and not the poorly executed rank and file, a-z/1-10 approach that had a Retcon every week due to bad memories and whole things being ignored.

The Narrative Skeleton is a unified point to move the franchise forward from with WFC/FOC, TF: Prime and Exodus/Exiles being 'soft linked' and not hard coded-directly linked prequels and sequels.

I took that in from the way they showed a bit of frustration at the Dinobots not being in the current 'Hasbro plan' and that they had to make a case for Hasbro to include them - He sounded and looked frustrated while explaining that as the 'All-in-one' Hasbro plan is a bit of a hinder on creativity as they expect everyone to conform to it which is difficult since several of the TF franchises are radically different from one another plus it sounds like it is also a bit restricted to what is already there.

To clarify, that was my perception based on Matt Tieger's expression and tone of voice as he was describing how he had to 'pitch' the Dinobot idea to Hasbro.

I have also edited my original post to to be more clear that it is my own interpretation.

[Sleeve]

Did anyone else notice Snarl in this image at that gameinformer link?
Just need visual proof of Sludge now... (sorry sleeve )

All in due time, my good man. All in due time.

[Hursticon]

To clarify, that was my perception based on Matt Tieger's expression and tone of voice as he was describing how he had to 'pitch' the Dinobot idea to Hasbro.

I have also edited my original post to to be more clear that it is my own interpretation.

Oh yeah; Matt Tieger was definitely saying more than just words I agree , but if I remember correctly he also said that they (Hasbro) didn't have a way of including the Dinobots at all and chances are they would've just ignored them ; but due to Tieger's self described ability to sell and clearly demonstrated passion for the Dinobots and the Brand in general, we now have a very effective and deep piece of Origin story for the Dinobots that I think will work extremely well in this new Narrative Skeleton.

Either way, I think it's awesome that Matt Tieger was willing to put so much effort into pushing for & fleshing out the Dinobots with Hasbro; creating an effective story for them that benefits both the greater Narrative and we fans.
It is so awesome to see a Game Developer with a Team and Leader who are so clearly passionate about the license and who're willing to do their utmost to do the franchise justice in the process, I personally tip my hat to those at High Moon Studios for going that little extra mile for the fans (Themselves included).
(The only other Developer with such passion IMO is Rocksteady with Batman: Arkum Asylum/City )

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

@Paulbot: I seem to remember Matt Tieger saying in one of the interviews, not sure which one , that they were moving away from a 'choose one of three per level' system and going with a 'one per level' approach predominantly on a story delivery basis i.e. having each level focus on the character your playing as, rather than having a choice of character for a level; being a better way of delivering and participating in the story.
(Does that make sense? )

Yeh, he mentions with the Grimlock gameplay that the player discovers how to use Grimlock's skills, muach as grimlock does in the story, so I see first Grimbo level consisting of lab breakout.

That kind of sucks, as I liked the banter between the characters in WFC and love MP campaign modes. Always more fun with a friend! I was hoping that maybe they would have Grimlock busting the other Dinobots out at the same time, then as they joined, pals could join in too. But alas, this may not be the case.

DOTM suffered the playable character per level hitch. I really enoyed playing as Soundwave and Ironhide, but found Bumblebee extraodanarily dull (which is the first level, not a good start to the game...)

I also hope they make all the Dinobots playable somewhere in the campaign, not just Grimlock. Even as extras once you've finished, and you can select them when choosing a level (even though they weren't there originally). Again, DOTM let me down there. Optimus looked cool, but his level was ALL boss fight, it would have been nice to be able to play Bumblebee's level with him for a change.

Yep, (from my perception) they even hinted frustration at Hasbro's 'All in one' continuity idea for all their TF lines/products. To me, it is convoluted and nonsensical at best due to the fundamental differences of each franchise. Clearly someone not in the creative team at Hasbro came up with that totally impractical idea.

I think its a shame that High Moon had to work hard to pitch the Dinobots. Surely Hasbro know how popular the Dinobots are, you'd think they would try and find a way to fit them in somehow, aftreall recent bios have been pretty weakly written, so i can't see why they all of a suddenly think "No no no, Dinobots are too implausibale."

The math goes something like this:
Dinosaurs are cool, robots are cool, dinosaur robots are cool, robots that change into robot dinosaurs therefeore are FRIKKIN AWESOMESAUCE IN A KIKASS HOTDOG!

Implausible in Transformers? Bah! Dinobots for the movie :Grimlock crashes into a Museum, bangs his head on the way down, can't speak properly, little bit confused, sees a T-rex skeleton/model and scans it thinking thats the way to go. Sure it's a pretty bad disguise, but who cares, see above mathematical equation.

To summarise, I am chuffed they are there, they need some loving, just hope we can play as them all and not just in multiplayer.

[Bartrim]

That kind of sucks, as I liked the banter between the characters in WFC and love MP campaign modes. Always more fun with a friend! I was hoping that maybe they would have Grimlock busting the other Dinobots out at the same time, then as they joined, pals could join in too. But alas, this may not be the case.

DOTM suffered the playable character per level hitch. I really enoyed playing as Soundwave and Ironhide, but found Bumblebee extraodanarily dull (which is the first level, not a good start to the game...)

That's it! I was playing DOTM the other night after barely playing it when I initially first bought it and I was thinking "I'm bored. Why am I bored playing this game? It feels exactly like WFC but it features movie characters. No big deal. I like the movies and the characters so I should enjoy this game, but I am not. Why am I not enjoying this game?" I realise that the above quote is the reason... also maybe the setting has something to do with it. I loved WFC as it was played on Cybertron where we have never been before. But DOTM game is on Earth and... well Earth is Earth.