Transformers: War for Cybertron
By Marc Saltzman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Toy-based sci-fi robotic brawler gets repetitive.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this game.
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Transformers: War for Cybertron
Community Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Imm
Report this review
This is an awesome game.
Report this review
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.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Activision
- Release date: June 29, 2010
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating: T for Violence
- Last updated: August 30, 2016
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Play
Our Editors Recommend
Best Action Games for Kids
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate