Transformers: Devastation is weeks away, and John and Brian have both pre-ordered it. The pair weigh the PlatinumGames brawler’s cel-shaded look, its arena beat-’em-up gameplay and its returning G1 voice cast. Then they run through Transformers video game history, from the Commodore 64 to War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron. Along the way they ask why nostalgia for the original voice actors still sells games to fans.
Transformers: Devastation Pre-Orders and First Impressions
Transformers: Devastation is due out for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Both hosts pre-ordered it. John had expected the cel shading and shadows to be rendered in real time, but says much of that detail is a static texture, which he calls a bummer. The crew compares the style to Jet Grind Radio and describes the game as an arena-style 3D beat-’em-up. One host worries it is a step down from War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron, since those games had a real story. The other admits he got excited by the G1 characters but doubts the voice cast alone makes it the definitive Transformers game. “I really sound like I hate this thing,” one says. “I really don’t. I’m just worried.” [Source: TFWiki]
Transformers Games From the Commodore 64 to the PlayStation 2
John walks through the history, starting with the Commodore 64 Transformers game from Denton Designs and Ocean. Next came The Battle to Save the Earth on the Commodore 64 and the Japan-only Mystery of Convoy. One host owns a physical copy of Mystery of Convoy and calls it one of the worst games ever, but says it is worth playing for how hilariously bad it is. The Japan-exclusive Headmasters game followed.
The Beast Wars era gets mixed marks. Both liked the Game Boy Color game, while the PC and PlayStation Beast Wars game is called “kind of crap.” The Transmetals game on the Nintendo 64 also gets a mention. The 2003 Japan-exclusive Transformers game for PlayStation 2 is remembered for invisible walls and endless Seekers. One host even modded his PlayStation 2 to play it and calls that a regret. Armada on PlayStation 2 holds up better. One host replayed it last year and enjoyed it, despite dated controls.
One host also notes a cancelled Transformers: Generation 2 game for the Super NES, built on the Super FX 2 chip. It is rumored to have become the game Vortex.
The Movie Era and the War for Cybertron Series
The 2007 movie tie-in game came out on PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, PC and Wii. John admits he never played it, and Brian says 2007 was a down period in his collecting after the Unicron Trilogy. Transformers Animated on the DS and a Transformers: Prime game are also noted. The focus lands on War for Cybertron from 2010. The verdict: they are OK video games, but masterful within Transformers, because they have a story, acceptable gameplay and the voice cast fans care about.
Why Fans Still Want the Original Voice Actors
One host says he loves Peter Cullen and Frank Welker as people, but wishes fandoms leaned less on nostalgia. He says Peter Cullen sounds like an aged Optimus Prime now and would be fine with Garry Chalk or someone else. The other answers that the voices are a critical piece of childhood memories. Both laugh that they are doing a nostalgia podcast themselves. John suggests a future in-depth series on every Transformers game, and a mini-cast on Dream Mix TV World Fighters, which features Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Contributors: John DeLuna, Brian
Your snack-size Transformers podcast every week. Get in-depth reviews, commentary and more in 30 minutes or less!
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