Transformers: War for Cybertron (Nintendo DS)

Transformers: War for Cybertron - Autobots and Transformers: War for Cybertron - Decepticons are the Nintendo DS iterations of Transformers: War for Cybertron These versions have different gameplay from the console versions but retain most of the features from previous Transformers DS games, such as Transformers: Autobots and Transformers: Decepticons.

Gameplay

There are two main features for this game. One new main feature is the weaknesses of different enemy types making the player watch the weakness indicator carefully in case the enemy changes its indicator. Another new feature is that the player can bring two different characters in one level and can switch freely between them during gameplay. Character transformations have improved, and weapons visually change when the player chooses either melee or long ranged attacks.

Synopsis

Characters

A total of thirty playable Transformers span the Autobots and Decepticons games, with fifteen per game.

Autobots

• Arcee (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) - A female Autobot that transforms into a Cybertronian car.^[3]
• Air Raid (voiced by Liam O'Brien) - Described as cocky and arrogant, Air Raid is a well rounded soldier who is as fast as he is strong. He transforms into a Cybertronian jet.^[4]
• Bumblebee (voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch^[5]) - Being one of the smallest of the Autobots, Bumblebee uses his size for espionage and reconnaissance. He transforms into a Cybertronian racer.^[6]
• Cliffjumper (voiced by Steven Blum) - A red redeco and reweapon of Bumblebee, unique to the Nintendo DS version of the game. Transforms into a small red Cybertronian car.^[7]
• Grimlock (voiced by Crispin Freeman) - Exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the game. He transforms into a Cybertronian tank.^[7]
• The High Council - The High Council bestows upon Optimus on the title of "Prime".
• Hot Shot (voiced by Travis Willingham) - Exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the game. He transforms into a Cybertronian car.^[8][9] Concept art of the character referred to him as Rodimus, the later name of the original character from the 80s TV series.^[10]
• Ironhide (voiced by Keith Szarabajka) - Ironhide is a battle hardened veteran Autobot on the team. He is Optimus's closest friend. He transforms into a Cybertronian truck.^[11]
• Jazz (voiced by Scott Whyte) - Jazz is an unlockable multiplayer exclusive for pre-ordering only a PS3 or Xbox 360 version at Best Buy and EB games in Australia and amazon.co.uk while unlockable for campaign for the DS version. He is also part of the first DLC pack. He transforms into a Cybertronian car.^[12]
• Jetfire (voiced by Troy Baker) - Jetfire is dedicated to the pursuit of science and believes technology will ultimately give the Autobots victory over the Decepticons. Jetfire became an Autobot after disagreeing with the methods used by the Decepticons. He transforms into a Cybertronian jet.^[13]
• Kup - When the player approaches the correct monitor in the opening of either the Autobot or Decepticon DS version of the game, Kup issues the Universal Greeting (a reference to The Transformers: The Movie) to them.
• Omega Supreme (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) - A giant Autobot who transforms into a giant spaceship who deploys the Aerialbots Silverbolt, Jetfire and Air Raid. Appears as the final boss of the Decepticon Campaign.^[14]
• Optimus/Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) - He is second in command, under Zeta Prime. Optimus wields an ion blaster and his double bladed energon axe. He becomes the leader of the Autobots after Zeta Prime falls in battle. He comes to realize that he is destined to become the next Autobot leader, and in so doing the High Council bestows upon him the title of "Prime". He transforms into a Cybertronian truck.^[6]
• Ratchet (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) - The Autobots' medical officer. Ratchet has a dry wit, often giving his wounded comrades a hard time for taking hits he somehow avoids. He transforms into a Cybertronian truck.^[6]
• Scattorshot - DLC character. He transforms into a cybertronian tank
• Sideswipe (voiced by Travis Willingham) - Sideswipe is built for speed, and enjoys battle solely for the sport and competitiveness of it. He transforms into a Cybertronian car.^[13]
• Silverbolt (voiced by Patrick Seitz) - Silverbolt is an anti-social transformer, and most Autobots prefer not to be around him. He transforms into a Cybertronian jet. Can be unlocked by entering 10141 for the DS version.^[15]
• Swoop (voiced by Eric Artell) - Exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the game. He transforms into an eagle-like jet.^[7]
• Ultra Magnus (voiced by Jamieson Price) - Exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the game. Transforms into a Cybertronian truck. Has a similar design to the animated series.^[7]
• Warpath (voiced by Jamieson Price) - Warpath is a weapon specialist who often creates and repairs weapons. He transforms into a Cybertronian tank.^[16]
• Zeta Prime (voiced by Troy Baker) - Leader of the Autobot faction prior to the rise of Optimus Prime. He is killed early in the Autobot campaign, but will be playable character on the second DLC.^[14][17]

Decepticons

• Barricade (voiced by Steven Blum) - Barricade has the ability to reach speeds faster than some transformer jets. He often uses this to his advantage by luring Autobots into transforming and chasing him, then taking fatal routes that only he can navigate. He transforms into a Cybertronian car.^[16]
• Brawl (voiced by Nolan North) - Brawl loves nothing more than explosions and chaotic, unending combat. He does not care whether he lives or dies if an Autobot goes down with him. He transforms into a Cybertronian tank.^[15]
• Breakdown (voiced by Crispin Freeman) - Breakdown is an extremely paranoid young Decepticon that thinks everyone and everything is out to get him - especially Megatron, who refers to him as suicidal. He prefers to do his duties in anonymity. He transforms into a Cybertronian car.^[4]
• Cyclonus - (voiced by Liam O'Brien) Exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the game. He is described in the Autobots Campaign as a coward - although that does not fit the original description of the character. Transforms into a jet.^[7]
• Dead End. He transforms into a Cybertronian car and will be playable character on the second DLC.^[17]
• Demolishor - Demolishor is an unlockable multiplayer exclusive for pre-ordering the game from Amazon.com and play.com in the UK. He is part of the first DLC pack. He transforms into a Cybertronian tank.^[18]
• Dirge (voiced by Brad Davidorf) - A Decepticon who transforms into a cybertronian Jet. He is unique to the DS version of the game.^[7]
• Dragstrip (voiced by Eric Artell) - Exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the game.
• Frenzy (voiced by Keith Silverstein). One of the 4 Enemies in the Soundwave boss Battle
• Megatron (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) - Megatron is the powerful and ruthless leader of the Decepticons. In battle he carries a large purple energy mace and is equipped with a very large fusion cannon mounted to his forearm. He transforms into a Cybertronian tank.^[6]
• Motormaster (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) - Exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the game. He is a near repaint of Optimus Prime excluding his Melee weapon. He transforms into a Cybertronian truck.^[19]
• Onslaught (voiced by Brad Davidorf)- A DLC character but also playable in the DS Version. He transforms into a Cybertronian truck
• Ramjet (voiced by Steven Blum) - Unlockable character unique to the Nintendo DS version of the game. To unlock him a player must input the code 99871.
• Rumble (voiced by Keith Silverstein). One of Soundwave's minions. He always rhymes when he speaks.
• Shockwave (voiced by Steven Blum) - Can be unlocked in multiplayer mode only on the PS3 or Xbox 360 with a unique code from GameStop and Blockbusters in the UK while also an unlockable character for the Nintendo DS version. He is part of the DLC pack 1. He's best known as the Decepticon Megatron left in command of the Decepticons on Cybertron after leaving to pursue the Autobots to Earth. He transforms into a Cybertronian Jet.^[18]
• Skywarp (voiced by Richard Epcar) - Skywarp possesses cloaking technology which he uses to achieve his goal with quiet, ruthless efficiency. He transforms into a Cybertronian jet.^[20]
• Slipstream (voiced by Jessica Straus) - A female Decepticon that transforms into a Cybertronian jet.^[3]
• Soundwave (voiced by Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.) - Soundwave is part of Megatron's upper command structure, operating as the Decepticons' communications officer. He transforms into a Cybertronian truck.^[6]
• Starscream (voiced by Sam Riegel) - Starscream makes no secret of his ambition to overthrow Megatron as the Decepticon leader. He is more intelligent than the average Decepticon, and believes that both Optimus and Megatron have lost sight of what is best for the Cybertron. He transforms into a Cybertronian jet.^[6]
• Thundercracker (voiced by Graham McTavish) - Serving alongside Starscream and Skywarp, Thundercracker is a part of the Decepticons' flying squad known as the "Seekers". Thundercracker despises those that cannot take flight and views himself as being superior to those that cannot. He sometimes questions the Decepticon cause, but a fear of Megaton's wrath quiets his discontent. He transforms into a Cybertronian jet.^[13]
• Trypticon (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) - A giant Transformer whose two forms include a dinosaur and an orbital space station. Trypticon appears as the final boss of the Autobot Campaign and chronologically the final boss of the whole game.

Other Characters

• Cybertron (voiced by Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.) - The Core of Cybertron, homage to Primus.
• Narrator (voiced by Steven Blum) - Aside from voicing various characters, Steven Blum is the game's narrator.

Development

The soundtrack for the Nintendo DS version was composed by Jason Willey, Chris D'Ambrosio, and Adam Schneider. D'ambrosio and Schneider both play in the electronic rock band Sentient Machine.

Reception

The DS versions have received fairly positive reviews with IGN stating that "War for Cybertron definitely isn't the worst of the bunch, and at the very least it's clear that this wasn't done as a quick cash-in." with a score of 6.5 in IGN. Digital Chumps reported that "I think Vicarious Visions did a respectable job with the DS version of War For Cybertron. It's not a great game, but at the same time it's far from bad, and Transformers fans with a DS should give this some consideration." giving it a score of 6.4/10.

A common complaint was that many of the game cartridges seem to have a defect. During the final boss battle, the screen goes black. If you try turning the game back on, it takes you back to your last save point.

References

External links

• Official website
• Transformers: War for Cybertron (Nintendo DS) at the Internet Movie Database