War for Cybertron video game finally does Transformers justice

Transformers: War for Cybertron (Activision; PS3, Xbox 360; rated teen)

I really didn’t expect to care, but now I’m wishing I could share the news with the 10-year-old version of myself: the Transformers game he always wanted is here.

Me, to my 10-year-old self: “You know, they’re making a Transformers video game that’s actually fun. And”¦ I know! Yes, I agree, that’s totally ”˜choice’”¦

“Now unfortunately it won’t be released for decades. But in the meanti”¦ What do you mean, I’m stupid? You know, Chris, with that attitude, your life is going to take some rather unpleasant turns. I’m just saying. Also, I don't care what Vuarnet says; hot pink T-shirts aren’t cool. You’ll regret that later.”

Ah, the impetuousness of youth. But whatevs; I can’t stay mad at me. For if it weren’t for that me, this me, who long ago stopped caring about Transformers, wouldn’t be nearly as stoked as I am now, at the release of Transformers: War for Cybertron.

Since gamers saw the WFC gameplay reveal trailer in February, they’ve wondered if High Moon Studios, starting with a proven engine (it’s built on the Unreal Engine, the tech which underpins Mass Effect 2, Gears of War 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Borderlands, and dozens of other successful games) and a beloved franchise, would be able to build the actual thing, under the scrutiny of gamers, who want fun and breadth and depth, and all Transformers fanboys great and small, who want to be properly serviced (sorry for that mental picture), but also demand hard evidence that these devs really “get it”.

So all BS-ing aside, what characteristics are absolutely vital to the success of a Transformers video game, and does War for Cybertron have them?

1. It needs to adequately personify the Transformers

Transformers needs dialogue to come to life. These are robots, after all—and sometimes they’re not even robots, they’re cars and jets. You can’t exactly empathize with their longing facial expressions as they twist their wedding rings, or relate to them through their taste in clothes or DVDs; from what I can tell, all they love is justice. It’s really only through dialogue that one gets any sort of a window into their souls.

Transformers needs those on-the-nose life lessons from a ludicrously noble and sincere Optimus Prime, instances of Megatron grunting dismissively at a shrieking Starscream, and a general air of the Autobots as a motley crew of hardworking, wisecracking do-gooders.

Check—War for Cybertron delivers. The campaign has lots of dialogue, in-action and in-transit (í  la GTA) conversation, as well as cut scenes. There’s just the right amount; not so much to bog it down as a game, but not so little as to short-change fanboys (í  la Megan Fox).

It’s not the best Transformers story ever, but it’s a perfectly serviceable one. Even if the dialogue isn’t especially clever and even if they never were particularly complex characters, they are characters, not just soldiers.

2. It needs to feel right

Autobots and Decepticons need to feel heavy and powerful, without being cumbersome and lame. And in WFC, it’s a joy to move around, and as either robot or car; you feel big and ominous, while staying every bit maneuverable as you are in other shooters. The physics and rumble are tuned just right. It’s actually pretty sweet. Damn, writing this is making me want to play it. So yeah, big check mark there.

3. Transforming must be integral to the experience, and highly awesome

Both modes—robots and vehicle—must be useful. Otherwise transforming would be mere eye candy and no respectable child of the ’80s will put up with that crap.

Big, big check. The increase in speed and firepower and subsequent trade-off in firing speed and agility when you’re a car is just right, and yes, being the right form at the right time is a strategic consideration, something I noticed even in the stripped-down demo for WFC.

On its own merits as a game, War for Cybertron is well-made, if a little generic. But obviously, if you experience any kind of nerdgasm for Transformers, it obviously helps, even if it’s only a little one. That said, I don’t have any Transformers stuff anymore, I’m not a fanboy or a collector. But I am a product of the ’80s, and for me this one was a “must have now”.

Chris Vandergaag is a Vancouver-based freelancer. When he's not gaming, writing, or forwarding links of questionable moral repute, he's asleep.