Big robuts...little fun.
Screw that.
Transformers: Autobots on the DS seems to have trouble capturing what should already be a perfect video game formula. Let me explain why.
First of all, it does a couple of things well. Transformers:Autobots is one of three different sku's on the DS. The others are Transformers:Decepticons, and Transformers: Republicans. This one focuses on the good guys. Robots like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Bloodfart all make an appearance. And you get to play as all of them...but mostly you'll be playing as a robot you make up. That's right. You get to create your own transformer! And it's pretty cool.
You can name him, and you can pick what he looks like and what he transforms into as you roam the game. You'll stumble around scanning all manner of vehicle. You can even pick the color of your new mechy man.
Also, some of the animation and the bells and whistles really stand out. It feels good to transform....to change....into something good and pure, instead of the miserable drunk you've become after 30 years of absolute failure and disgrace...................why? Why did I kill that man?
Where was I? Oh....bells and whistles. Right. Some other nice touches are the sound effects. There are a lot of cool sounds like the classic transforming noise and the laser gun sounds that sound like they were from the original cartoon. If that doesn't give you a nostalgic geekgasm nothing will. Plus, other sounds include the original Optimus Prime and Megatron voices. Very awesome.
So that's what this game did right...what did it do wrong you may ask?
Everything else....though maybe that's not fair to say. It's not that it's bad. It's just...mediocre. Gameplay is tiring and repetitive. You go over here, do this, run back, try not to die, die, and do the whole thing over again. And none of it really makes sense to the story. The levels, while impressive on the DS, still seem a little dead. Combat can be boring and frustrating at times. And there is just a general sense of unexcitingness around the whole game. Which is a shame. Because it actually has a lot of potential. It just feels generally unfinished.
But I forgive the developers. It's a movie tie in game. And it's a movie tie in game from "director" Michael Bay. He was probably at the office blowing things up and telling the women of the company to look hotter.
That has to be distracting.