Since their creation in the mid-1980s, the Transformers have enjoyed great success in multiple iterations and mediums. Hasbro has released endless variations on the toy line and introduced those characters to wider audiences through a variety of animated shows and comic book series. Whether you’re a fan of Generation One, Beast Wars, Robots in Disguise or the live-action films, there’s a Transformers series out there for everyone.
Hasbro is casting as wide a net as possible with Combiner Wars, their recent event that spans the Transformers toys, comics, video games and animation. The series harkens back to the Generation One designs, bringing them into a modern era with new abilities and transformations. One entry in the Combiner Wars event is the upcoming game Transformers: Devastation, coming by way of developer Platinum Games (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance) and publisher Activision (Call of Duty).
At San Diego Comic-Con, video game publisher Activision and developer Platinum Games released a new trailer for the upcoming game, focusing on the gameplay. You can check out that video at the top of the page. The trailer also highlights four of the five playable characters, including Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Wheeljack, as well as foes Megatron and Starscream. All of the characters are rendered in beautiful cel-shading, calling to mind the classic Transformers animated series.
Activision also released the official box art for the upcoming game:
The game is a third-person action brawler, with some shooter and exploration elements. The focus, however, is on the combat. Platinum Games has a reputation for creating complex, over-the-top 3rd person action games and the Devastation trailer oozes with their special brand of craziness. Whether you’re fighting hand-to-hand or transforming into a car to run down your opponents, there will be plenty to enjoy for fans of the developer as well as Transformers fans.
Transformers: Devastation focuses on the battles between the Autobots and Decepticons that take place during the Combiner Wars event in the IDW comic series. The conceit of the series is that groups of Transformers can combine into a single giant robot. One of these combinations, Devastator, appears in this trailer and completely dwarfs Optimus Prime. Its unclear at this point how closely the game is tied to events in the comics, but the game will likely be accessible for anyone who hasn’t read the series.
Considering Platinum’s previous games, it’s likely that the overarching story won’t be their top priority. The developer has a reputation for putting style over substance, delivering spectacular moments rather than a compelling story. It’s hard to be certain, with only this trailer and the short launch trailer to go by, but it would seem that this game will follow that trend. That doesn’t mean the game won’t be enjoyable for fans of the franchise, but those looking for compelling Transformers‘ stories might want to check out the upcoming Machinima animated series set in the same universe.
Transformers: Devastation is expected to launch later this year for Playstation 4, Xbox One, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
