Here is my review of the game that I posted on another site.
"Ok, i'm gonna keep this review somewhat basic but as informing as I can. There are good things and bad things about this game that I think people need to know about.
First off, graphics:
Cinematics are very nicely done much like Armada's was. Visually, the cinematics I can't complain about.
In-game graphics are again pretty good all around. Again, nothing to complain about.
Gameplay itself:
Ok, gonna do this in a pros/cons fasion.
Pros:
-one-button transformation is well done. You can transform while driving which is pretty funky.
-Attacks and firing weapons are simple to do
-Driving/flying is pretty good
-fighting is also pretty good
-fully destructible environment.
-free roaming inbetween missions
-Throw stuff at bots. So many things to pick up.
Cons:
-destructible environment can sometimes interfer with driving. For example, small debry on the ground can make the car not go anywhere. You may say "so what?" to that but con 2 is why.
-TIME LEVELS. That's right. Most of the game is a "beat them to it" deal. Sometimes you defeat enemies and have to quickly get to the next stop to fight again. Not so bad but WAY too much of it kills the fun of the game imo.
-speaking of levels (a.k.a chapters really) VERY short overall. Each level is a few chapters but the chapters themselves are short.
-Blocking. TOO MUCH AI BLOCKING. WTF is the point of shooting if drones can block them?
That's pretty much it really in terms of gamplay pros/cons. The game itself IS fun, I like it, but I despise timed missions A LOT. Think somewhat Batmobile for Batman Begins but with having a robot mode and better graphics and steering capabilites.
The bots:
Ok, so i've played as most bots so here's the scoop.
Autobots:
Bumblebee: major player in the game. Not much to say other than he's at least fun to play. Driving is fairly nicely done, great speed and cornering and stuff.
Jazz: Also a lot of fun to play. His strength is his armed-combat fighting and not really his weapons. Also, I like the voice they used. Driving is the same as BB. Both are built for speed and agility.
Ironhide: Man he's a tough MOFO. Combat and weapons are his thing. Driving on the other hand is a bit tricky since he's a truck. Also has a pretty good voice.
Prime: Great for armed-combat, not bad for weapons and very similar to driving as Ironhide. Great to hear Cullen again.
Ratchet I still have not played but I heard his voice. Pretty good.
Decepticons:
Blackout: RRRRIN ROCKS! Love playing as his robot mode and copter mode. Overall a fun bot to be. Sort of Sounds like Keith David as well but i'm not sure. I think it's someone else but a GREAT voice none the less.
Scorponok (yes, seriously): Is actually pretty decent for a bot. He doesn't have an alt mode. His transform button actually makes him dive into the sand (at sand locations). His weapons are pretty tough and he was fun to be.
Barricade: Also pretty darn good. Driving is very much like BB and Jazz and his bot mode is stronger for armed-combatand not weaponry.
Also, definetly Keith, great voice and great choice for Barricade.
Starscream: not bad, not great. His jumping is slowed down on decent by his jets which I find a bit annoying. Jet mode is pretty nice. SS is all weapons, RRRR armed-combat, blow shit up!
That's all i've played so far.
I think this game could have been better if they had less irritating timed missions. With scorponok, I literally finished his timed level at 0 seconds, no exageration. There really isn't enough time sometimes. Without the timed crap i'd probably enjoy the game a lot more.
I think it's something people NEED to think about before buying the game. 80% is timed missions, short, but timed. Sometimes they don't bother me, like beat enemies drive to this location and do the same, no biggy, but the "your bleeped if you don't finish this in time" annoys me. Plus it takes away from enjoying your surroundings and venturing the maps.
Sound: I REALLY dig the music. I think the movie music itself is pretty epic and very nice to listen to which makes the gameplay more fun. Why? Because it's not irritating music while you play
What else to cover. Secrets. Each free-roaming level (before going to the mission marker like Spiderman games) has allsparks around the map. I think about 100 per level. They unlock special stuff but I haven't gone through it.
Also, you collect Autobot/Decepticon insignia to unlock other stuff as well.
I haven't tried the cheat codes yet either so I don't know. I hope they have a "no time limit" code
I also want to stress the difficulty of the game. Overall, it's not. The difficulty comes with the timed missions and the restarting each time you mess up but overall, not very difficult.
I think that's all I got for now. I'd still give this game an 8/10
It's downfall is the timed missions but the overall game is still pretty fun.
Hope this review helps.
Oh, forgot to mention. I forgot to mention the Sixaxis feature while flying. I think I am doing it wrong because it doesn't seem to be working. I can still fly fine but i'm not noticing anything"
p.s. the battle versus SHOCKWAVE was great. He has a very g1ish head, copter mode and tankturret mode.
