Transformers: War for Cybertron
Preview
Backstory to the crazy cars
by Ryan Cope
previewed on PS3
It Has To Start Somewhere
Finally our retro mode-morphing, wheel-screeching cybernetic pals, the transformers, are being given the biggest makeover their little robotic selves have ever had. Activision are hard at work with the aid of Hasbro to bring us a completely new look on the Transformers universe, telling the long awaited tale that we have all been anticipating: the war for Cybertron. Untold by any other medium before, we will at last experience a prequel to the enormously popular and long running Transformers series, that has captured the heart’s and imagination of generation’s of children and adults since its original release in 1984.
Long Ago On Cybertron...
We all know that the Autobots and Decepticons were in a devastating war for their home planet before their arrival on Earth (We do? -Ed). This backstory is canon for every different version of the Transformers narrative that has been released to date. The same basic facts reoccur in every account. Cybertron, the shape shifting Transformers' home world, was a peaceful planet for generations, before a power hungry faction called the Decepticons started a civil war against the Autobots. The fierce conflict that followed lasted for thousands of years and left Cybertron ravaged. A task force of Autobots led by Optimus Prime and a deadly team of Decepticons led by Megatron, left the planet. While the reason for their departure varies (most of the time it is because they destroyed their own home), they always find themselves crashing on planet Earth.
Based on the G1 universe (Generation 1, the very first television series) Transformers: War for Cybertron will reveal to us what actually happened during this devastating civil war, but with a darker and grittier twist that still pays homage to the original. There are two campaign modes with seven chapters in each. The first follows the heroic good guys, the Autobots, as they desperately fight for survival and freedom against the ever-growing oppression of their adversaries. The second puts you in the shoes of the evil deadly destructive Decepticons as they squeeze their metal fists around the heart of Cybertron, sucking out all of the juice to quench their thirst for power.
The Autobot campaign follows the rise of Optimus Prime, who is known throughout as only Optimus, having not yet earned his promotion to “Prime”. Optimus must first prove himself on the battlefield, gain the trust of his comrades and learn how to lead. On the flip side, in the Decepticon campaign we will see how Megatron leads his vicious conquest, his first encounter with Starscream and why he decides to keep his eventual usurper around. The Decepticon campaign is set before the events of the Autobot one, but you can play through them in any order you wish.
What Happens If I Press This Button?
Transformers: War for Cybertron is a unique third person shooter with the twist of giant vehicle changing robots. Like any shooter game, there are numerous weapons available for you to use and abuse. However, Transformers wouldn’t be Transformers if they didn’t have the ability to smash each other into tiny electronic pieces with their melee weapons and attacks. For example, Optimus has the option to wield a giant battleaxe and crush it through the metallic skulls of his enemies, while Bumblebee can slice and dice Decepticon scum with his cybernetic sword.
