RotF on PS2

[Mako Crab]

I am so glad I rented this game first.

1. You CANNOt transform at will except for one highway level. Very annoying in a game called "TRANSFORMERS" but it helps if you keep reminding yourself it's really just a brawler in disguise. Gasp! Robots in disguise? However, most levels are designed so that transforming would be pointless.

2. I beat the game in just under 6 hours my first time through and found most all the bonus material too. Replay value? What replay value.

3. No exploration. The levels are painfully linear. Although, I guess you could say you'll never wander aimlessly.

4. It should be a rule that no one can quote the '86 movie anymore. Or at the very least, stop using the same 3 lines over and over. They're even rehashing lines from the '07 movie too.
"You fight for the weak. That is why you lose."
"One shall stand, one shall fall."
Etc, etc, add naseum.
As it turns out, my favorite line in the game is a completely original line spoken by Sideways. "I wonder if Bumblebee bleeds honey?"

5. Targetting isn't bad but it's not great.

6. I hope you like the Decepticon base, because there are TWO, TWO levels of seemingly never-ending elevators and corridors back-to-back in this place. Just in case you didn't have enough fun walking through the loooong halls as Bumblebee, you get to walk through the same loooong halls as Megatron. I would've killed to have a vehicle mode in this place.

On the positive side, I really like the generic enemies in this one. They actually transform and have a cool look to them. So much better than the generic drones in the Armada game.

The mini-game puzzles were probably the most difficult part of the game. Had to stop and think about a few of those for a few minutes. Too bad there was only one type of mini-game. Would've been nice if they mixed it up.

Graphically, I was impressed by the robot models. Surprised they were able to get that much detail onto them. The levels are nice too but nothing too spectacular.

The music is good but the sounds of battle drown it out most of the time.

Overall, the Armada game still stands as the best TF game on the PS2. More weapon variety, the ability to transform at will (Mandatory in a TF game as far as I'm concerned), more memorable boss-fights (Tidal Wave is bigger than Devastator), the ability to roam and explore vast areas, and overall more polish on the levels.

However, the RoTF game does rise above Armada in one key area; you can replay any level and still have the boss-fights in there! I hate that I have to either replay the entire game or enter a code to get right to the boss-fights in Armada.

Anyway, there you have it. Mediocre at best. No need to add it to my PS2 library.

[Onslaught Six]

What did you expect from a PS2 game in 2009, really? They put more effort into Nintendo DS affairs than these. The PS2 hasn't been the least bit relevant in terms of new content since the PS3 and its ilk hit several years ago.

I mean, it exists, but it was guaranteed to suck--it's a PS2 game released in 2009.

[Mako Crab]

I know. But the PS2 is all I have, so I gotta' make due, you know.

[BWprowl]

Anyone played the ROTF DS games yet? I was actually pretty impressed by the first movie's "Transformers: Decepticons" AKA Grand Theft Autobots. Took the base concept of 'Sandbox TF game' and REALLY made it work. Plus, your robot was voiced by Steve Blum. Bonus points!

[Onslaught Six]

I haven't, because I lost my DS promptly a month after getting it. I did have TF: Autobots, though, and that was pretty good.

And Mako, I'm not saying it's a bad thing to have a PS2 as your most recent console (I only own a GameCube from that console generation. And, well, a Dreamcast, but.), but when you do, your expectations must be lowered to a degree. Hell, the PS2 version of Spiderman: Web of Shadows was a 'sidescroller.'

[Mako Crab]

Sometimes you end up with interesting trade-offs though. Sonic Unleashed on the PS2 had more Werehog levels than the PS3 version, for example. And... that's all I can think of.

[BWprowl]

Sometimes you end up with interesting trade-offs though. Sonic Unleashed on the PS2 had more Werehog levels than the PS3 version, for example.

This is a good thing?

[Onslaught Six]

Yeah seriously.

[Mako Crab]

An interesting trade-off, not necessarily a good one.