How is that possible? Besides knowing all the spawn points, quality players will use character boons and special powers to their advantage. For example, taking out successive foes will fill an Overload meter. Once filled and activated, your Autobot or Decepticon will be much stronger in terms of both durability and offensive might. Needless to say, getting Overload kills was quite a treat – I can definitely see how a continuously optimized character could really cleanup.

In another scenario I was playing as a Decepticon, destroying buildings and collecting humans for experimentation. Every time I completed an objective I was awarded with Energon drops I could pick up for use in upgrading my characters. While I didn’t make use of the Energon during my hands-on time, the developers at Luxoflux made it clear that power-leveling and upgrading will be vital yet very user-friendly.

As one last treat, I was given a demo of one of the massive boss battles. If you’ve watched any network TV or gone to an action movie lately, chances are you’ve seen a preview for Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen. In the preview, a massive, sand-sucking Decepticon called Devastator is wreaking havoc upon the world and the Autobots. In RotF, you’ll get to take on this gigantic beast of a bot. In addition to mission-based levels, players will also be treated to larger-than-life, story-driven boss encounters.

As interesting as RotF is shaping up for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, I also got a chance to play around with the Wii/PS2 and DS versions. The Wii title is an entirely different game from that already mentioned. Players will use the Wii Remote’s IR Camera for a lot of fun shooting segments with very little if any motion control. We played two levels: one in a tunnel with Bumblebee and another taking out aircraft carriers with Starscream. From the looks of things, the Wii game controls very nicely and is a lot of fun – the sense of speed is nicely conveyed. However, the visual presentation simply can’t compare to the other home consoles – no newsflash there. While we didn’t get to play a PS2 version, we were told that it will be nearly identical to that of the Wii, as it will be a straight port.

Like last time, the DS will feature two SKUs – much like many Pokémon titles. Players will be able to pick up either SKU depending on whether they want to play as Autobots or Decepticons. What’s really neat about this idea is that it will allow for a lot of unlockables between SKUs as well as some awesome Wi-Fi features. Players can connect to servers via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and download daily missions. Completing these missions with a high score and then uploading them back to the servers will allow players to see which side of the conflict is winning. In other words, DS players will get a chance to play for Autobot/Decepticon bragging rights long after the single-player campaign is over. Winning territory for fellow SKU holders should be an intriguing feature. Also, whereas the last entries on the DS were open-world affairs that weren’t particularly cohesive, RotF for DS is much more streamlined and linear, which the developers at Vicarious Visions feel makes the game far more engaging.

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Disappointingly, there weren’t enough available PSPs or time to get an extensive look at the PSP version. However, we do know that PSP players will get a top-down, arcade-like brawler featuring a number of Transformers not featured in any other version of the game.

All in all, it looks like the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video games are much improved over the first film’s tie-ins. In fact, the games seem to feature quality modes and gameplay that should set them apart from the film. We’re anxious to get a whole lot more time with the finished products before their release on June 23rd. Stay tuned to CheatCC for the complete lowdown in just a few weeks time.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director

Game Features:

The Choice Is Yours: Players can take on the role of their favorite Autobots and Decepticons such as Optimus Prime, Starscream, Bumblebee, and Ironhide, along with new characters making their first appearance in a game. With two distinct campaigns that allow players to save or destroy the human race, players can unlock and play missions in any order and with different characters for a whole new experience.

Outmaneuver Your Opponents: Instantaneously convert from a colossal robot to a dynamic land or air vehicle such as a diesel truck, sports car, military chopper or fighter jet. New, ultra-fluid transformations can be performed in-motion anytime and anywhere, allowing players to strategically propel through and decimate hordes of enemies with incredible agility.

Take the Battle Online with Friends: For the first time ever in the Transformers universe, players can engage in full, multiplayer action, taking the epic war between the Autobots and Decepticons online to play with friends in a multitude of competitive game modes as they utilize their characters' unique weapons and abilities to lead their teams to victory.

Demolish Your Enemies: Each Transformer can unleash a unique array of assaults on its enemies – ranging from powerful missile attacks and rapid-fire chain guns to explosive energy blasts and visceral melee strikes – allowing players to pick from a variety of weapons and moves in their character’s arsenal and experience diverse gameplay in every brutal encounter.

Intense, Heroic Missions: Every second counts as players drive, fly, fight and blast their way through gripping, pulse-pounding levels straight from the film and beyond to determine the ultimate fate of the world.