Plesantly surprising
This is what the PSP game SHOULD have been. If you combined the PSP graphics with the DS game, it would have been the ULTIMATE movie tie-in. The control scheme works, the characters move along at a good pace, and there is even more character animation when they transform than the PSP version. I'm no fanboy of either system since I own both, but considering the lack of decent titles on the DS in comparison to the PSP, I'm really excited to see the DS outshine the PSP for once. Now if only we could get a FEW things cleaned up. The control scheme is as simple as can be (directional button for movement, L and R to rotate camera, jump, fire weapon, punch/kick) with minimal touch screen support (scanner, map, and transformation) make it easy for anyone to pick up and start playing, but there was one control that was missing...WHY CAN'T I LOOK UP AND DOWN ON MY OWN??? The semi-automatic targeting can make it difficult to lock on to exactly what you're looking for if you're trying to scan a new vehicle at your feet or that enemy that's flying above. I can get past the fact that the game has terrible graphics since there are large, free-roam maps to explore, GTA-style missions to accomplish, and the animations are more fluid than the PSP version by far. Add in downloadable content like unlockable characters from Best Buy and Target download stations and WiFi missions to participate in the global "Allspark War", this game has tons of replay value without even mentioning the multiplayer mode. But now that I do mention it, they could have benefited from an 8 player support instead of only 4 player. As far as the difference between Autobots and Decepticons, there's not much except the story. With the time I've put into each version, they both start with the same general tutorial and available vehicles to scan and transform into. And it looks as if both versions have the exact same list of vehicles UNLESS I just haven't scanned the right ones yet. (There were some in the Autobot version I scanned that were not added to my inventory...they may be usable in the Decepticon version and I just haven't tried yet.) As I mentioned, the story line is where the changes are made. The Autobots version will naturally follow the path of the movie's story line where as the Decepticons will have an alternate story. So for those looking to enjoy the game without too many movie spoilers, grab up the Decepticon edition first. But I do reccomend BOTH versions equally. And you really should get them both for the sake of enjoying all aspects of the game experience. With the ease of gameplay and variety of single-player, multi-player, and downloadable mission content, this should appeal to most DS owners, not just Transformers fans.