 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Transformers: War for Cybertron
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
- Price: $39.99 to $59.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Toy-based sci-fi robotic brawler gets repetitive.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while Transformers: War for Cybertron is violent, it is a sci-fi brawler between robots. In this war between machines, you can shoot at or whack enemies and watch as they explode, but there is no blood or gore. However, there is plenty of weapons -- including huge machine guns -- and frenetic battle scenes. The game allows players to be a "bad guy" (Decepticons) for half of the single-player game and in many multiplayer modes. Plus, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gamers can talk with other players online, if desired, via a headset microphone.
What's it about?
While the next Transformers film won't hit the big screen until 2011, fans of the blockbuster series can now get their hands on a new small screen adventure. TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON is a third-person shooter that lets you engage in epic battles as both the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, as these robotic soldiers fight for control of their home planet, Cybertron. As you'd expect from a videogame based on Hasbro's popular toy line, there's plenty of frenetic action, high-tech weaponry, and the ability to convert from robot to vehicle, on demand. For the first time in Activision's Transformers game series, there's a good number of online multiplayer modes, including head-to-head matches, team-based games, and a drop-in/drop-out co-op option.
Is it any good?
Transformers: War For Cybertron has its good points, but it isn't perfect. While the multiplayer modes are a blast, and the ability to create your own fighter is a good idea, the game has its share of problems. The install time is long (we had to sit through the 20-odd minute installation process on the PS3 version tested for this review), and the gameplay in the solo campaign proved to be overly repetitive. That is, you merely take down groups of enemies, move onto the next area and repeat the process again. Sure, there are a couple of big moments, like facing big bosses with limited ammo, but it seems most of the attention when making this game was put on the myriad of multiplayer options instead of infusing innovation into the story mode. What's more, Cybertron's metallic environments lack visual variety and the enemy A.I. (artificial intelligence) is less-than-intelligent. Unless you're wild about multiplayer, fans of Transformers movies or toys might opt for renting this game over a weekend instead of dropping up to $60 on this disc.
Note: the Nintendo Wii version is a different game altogether, called Transformers: Cybertron Adventures, and was not tested for this review.
Online interaction: The game focuses heavily on multiplayer modes -- in the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions -- and this includes head-to-head and co-op options. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 players can talk via a headset microphone in online games, if desired, and this option opens up kids to hearing profanity and other unpredictable language.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether or not video games should allow players to assume the role of the enemy, such as the evil Decepticons bent on destruction. If games do allow players to be a malevolent fighter, should there be consequences and repercussions? What can kids learn by playing as the bad guy?
This game is based on Hasbro's toys and movies. Did you buy the game because you like these toys or movies?
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AGE
Good game for 9+
The violence in the game is not strong and doesn,t have any blood or gore but the guns sound very real
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AGE
I bought this game right when it came out. Ya, there is violence like shooting. Role models that are good are the Autobots for protecting cybertron and bad role models are the Decepticons for trying to take over cybertron and killing anything in site. So, its on for 11+
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AGE
It's ok
This game has nothing wrong with it. I don't have much to say. It's a prequel to the movies... fine game but nothing amazing
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AGE
On the fence first
If your child is really wanting to get this game let him/her cause i let my 10 year old play this and watched him play it because there's nothing good these days and a little violent but not really and more story and it turned out that i bought it for him and i play it with him good role models especially Optimus prime he was very heroic and always looking out for his teammates. Over all really good for kids 8 and up. And i even called common sense media headquarters to see if the 13 and up was true and it was a mistake and they said they were going to fix that.
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AGE
Great for kids 9 and under
Great!! my two kids played it at age 7 and 10 and they loved it i sat there and watched them and watched them play and it is definitely age appropriate in the review it says lots of guns and all that jazz but really there is not allot of violence more story how the auto bots began and how megatron wanted power really good for kids 9 and under and over only under till 6 though. Overall really good
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Kid, 12 years old
July 7, 2011
AGE
great game with the only issue being violence
This is a great game! You shouldn't judge it by it's teen rating because the only issue this game has is that it has moderate violence but your kids have seen more than that in racing games.You should definatly let your 9 and up year old kid play it.
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AGE
Best Online
This game is best played online so you'll really like it
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AGE
Game transformers deserves.
Im glad this stuck to the transformers show instead of the micheal bay movies. It has good gameplay and an entertaining with plenty of modes to keep you busy.
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Activision |
| Release date: | June 29, 2010 |
| Price: | $39.99 to $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Violence |
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