Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Average game for die-hard fans or strategy newcomers only.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
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Transformers: Battlegrounds
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
The Transformers are back, and this time you're their new commander in TRANSFORMERS: BATTLEGROUNDS, a tactical strategy game that pits a squad of Autobots against the malevolent Decepticons. In the single-player campaign, your goal is to protect the world from the evil invaders, led by Megatron, by choosing a team of fighters who can take turns on large outdoor maps to defeat these transforming foes once and for all. You can play as Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Grimlock, and others, each with their own abilities (and transformation into a vehicle). Across Earth-based locations -- like cities, forests and deserts -- and even on the planet Cybertron, you'll spend your limited moves per turn by selecting offensive and defensive maneuvers, such as moving to a new area (limited by a specific number of spaces), transforming into a vehicle and attacking enemy units -- until you're the last squad standing at the end of the mission. As with many other tactical turn-based games, you'll also need to use the grid-based environment to your advantage, such as taking cover, while also filling up your Energon meter to unleash powerful Ultimate Abilities. Along with the story-based solo campaign, Transformers: Battlegrounds supports some local multiplayer modes, including Capture the Flag, Horde, Last Stand, and more.
Is It Any Good?
This turn-based strategy game isn't a mess, but it isn't a "must-play" adventure. In fact, only Transformers fans who enjoy turn-based tactics will get more from Transformers: Battlegrounds than the average gamer. In case you haven't played a tactical strategy game before, you'll exploit your character's strengths, your enemy's weaknesses, and the map you're on to successfully complete the round. The strategy comes in by deciding how many Action Points to spend for special attacks, as well as when and whom you use them, or if you should spend the time defensively. You can also calculate how much Energon you'll gain -- with every move and attack -- in which you'll have to spend.
The system works well for the most part, but the gameplay isn't anywhere near as sticky as other tactical games, perhaps because it's nowhere near as challenging (along with its questionable enemy artificial intelligence). Plus, as you evolve from one location to another, not much changes in your strategy (it's more of a visual rather than tactical difference). At least it's great to earn Spark Points after completing missions, which you can spend in-game on unlocking and equipping new abilities. like Fire Breath or Stormfall (windblade attacks). Unfortunately, the game also suffers from some technical issues (frame rate issues), as well as poor writing and voice acting. Hovering just above mediocrity, Transformers: Battlegrounds may be ok for younger or more novice gamers who love the franchise, but everyone else shouldn't expect much depth and replayability here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about marketing. Does Transformers: Battlegrounds have any merit on its own -- without the Transformers franchise behind it -- or does it rely too heavily on the brand to carry it? Are games like this made to exploit the popularity of the franchise, and designed to support other products, like films and books, or does it deserve to be taken seriously for it's gameplay?
Is it ok to be the bad guys in a video game when you play multiplayer? Do you like the idea of playing the Decepticons in the multiplayer mode? If so, why?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Outright Games
- Release date : October 23, 2020
- Genre : Strategy
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Animals ( Dinosaurs ) , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Robots
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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