War for Cybertron DS: Autobots Review

Considering I've read in a few places people wondering about the DS version of the game, and how different it is from the console versions, I thought it was worth writing up a review after playing it for a few days.

In the leadup to it being released I was really excited- the option of playing so many different characters seemed really appealing, almost too good to be true. In some ways it was. I'll get back to this point later on though.

The night I got the Autobots version of the game, I read that one review out there for it was 38% and I was in disbelief about it. In the last couple of days though, I can see how it could have gotten that score, although I still think it's an unjustifiably harsh score.

Before I get into the bad though, the good.

The graphics on the game and video sequences are some of the best I have seen on the DS to date. It almost felt like I was playing a PS2 game on there. The rendering of characters and the designs of even characters like Barricade, is nothing short of superb. In the case of Barricade in particular, the design has a very War Within style G1 feel to it.

The controls are fairly well laid out too. Boosting and e-braking (handbraking) are controlled by the L and R buttons respectively in vehicle mode while in robot mode, the L button controls strafing and target lock when shooting and activates the character's shield in close combat. The shooting is done with the X button, while melee weapon strikes are done with the Y button. The B button controls jumping in robot mode and acceleration in vehicle mode, while character selection is handled with the A button.

While the B and L buttons don't quite hold at times during racing sections, and the movement can feel slightly wooden in a mech piloting simulator sense; overall the controls handle incredibly well.

Unlike the other console versions, there are only 3 character classes in this version of the game: Heavy, Light and Flyer. Characters can fire in both modes, but unlike the Heavy and Light character classes, the energy bar (which determines how many shots a character can fire) will not recharge while flyers are in vehicle mode.

However the character classes manage to overcome a problem which has plagued many prior Transformers games- namely the role of transforming in the game.

Throughout every level, there are sections which need to be traversed in vehicle mode by one of 3 methods- ramming through weakened walls (Heavy), driving through small gaps (Light) or flying through high alcoves (Flyers).

In addition, while the characters have a ranged and a melee attack, they can do 1 or more of 3 different types of damage- laser, plasma or solid. In addition, every enemy is weak to one kind of damage or another. To make things even more interesting, the more elite enemies, mini-bosses and level bosses all have the ability to change the type of damage they are vulnerable to. This can make boss battles require a fair degree of strategy.

In terms of graphics and these aspects of the gameplay, the game works incredibly well and sits head and shoulders above man other Transformers games in the past.

Now for the bad. As I said, the game features many different characters that aren't available in other versions, or rather character skins which is what they effectively are. Sure the weapon damage types get mixed up, and there are some special abilities that are unlocked, but we're not talking about things like Glass Gas or Null rays in the case of Cliffjumper or Starscream respectively. It honestly feels more like a skins mod than actually putting chatracter into the game properly from the ground up.

This carries through to the sound department. While the transformation sounds are spot on (even having the game make a transformation sound when the DS is closed mid game) and the melee and ranged weapon sounds are spot on, the voice soundtrack is a disaster.

I'm honestly having a hard time deciding who was the most inept in this side of game development- the casting director, writing director or Voice Director.

High Moon went to great pains to assure fans that they were hardcore fans, yet the voice track makes this clearly not hte case of Vicarious Visions. To begin with, the casting. The design of the characters was clearly G1 in nature (War Withinesque to be exact), and as such it's obvious that the characters were meant to be the G1 characters, even if in an alternate reality. Sadly the voice track completely fails to encapsulate this and it smacks of laziness.

Yes they got Peter Cullen in to play Optimus Prime, and there are going to be many Transformers fans out there who will love that.

Yet the reality is that not all Transformers fans with favorite characters they look up to have father abandonment issues (I'm not saying that all Prime fans fall into this category, but there are ALOT of fans in the fan community who do) and as such people care about other characters.

Yet when you look at the casting choices, this clearly went over Vicarious Visions' heads. Now I realise that voice actors such as Chris Latta are dead, but many such as Dan Gilvesan, Greg Berger, Frank Welker, Charles Alderson, Rob Paulsen, Jack Angel, just to name a few, are still alive and working so surely hiring them would have been the logical choice when it came to voice casting.

Even Peter Cullen is an issue in this regard. You would have thought that that the Casting director would either have known, or would have been told that for a G1 game, if you have Peter Cullen for Optimus Prime, you've also got your voice actor for Ironhide. Yet they hired a completely different voice actor. Even using different voice actors, the characters sound completely different to how they should for a War Within (ie G1) styled game.

Then there's the dialogue. Jazz for example has been made completely "ghetto". Now I completely recognise that Scatman Crothers was African American, but he was "Bebop" in style rather than "Gangster Rap". Yet Jazz has clearly been scripted with a mentality of "he's 'black' so we'll make him 'from the hood'". This is just one example of how ill fitting most of the dialogue is. Another flaw with the dialogue is that while the intro sections to each level have voiceovers and text; the in game dialogue and end of level dialogue are text only. This makes absolutely no sense.

In terms of Longevity, the game also suffers. With only 8 story levels, 30 arena levels, and 4 bonus missions, the game is rather short, with minimal in the way of multiplayer compared ot other console versions.

Overall this game is really hard to recommend to either buy or avoid. On one hand, as a general Transformers-style 3rd person shooter game, WFC on DS performs fairly adequately compared to prior offerings on the DS.

However if you're looking for a great G1 transformers portable gaming experience, prepare to be dissappointed. The characters specifically just aren't there with any more substance or playability than player skins on a Quake or Doom mod.

In short, if you can get it on sale, it's worth checking out- but otherwise don't rush out and buy it.

5.5/10

Interesting rule situation

Just wondering what the deal is when staff members are guilty of trolling on here in terms of disciplinary actions. I ask this because in a very recent thread I was the victim of multiple instances of trolling by multiple members- one of whom was a member of staff. Yet when the thread was closed it was made quite clear by the mod making that action that I was being blamed for it, even though my actions amounted to making an in depth and informed post which I then found myself defending against outright trolling and even an instance of blatant racism. I have contacted the mod who made the ruling within the past hour via pm and have yet to hear a response. So that noone can accuse me of attacking specific members of staff, the names of those involved will not be mentioned by me publicly.

Is there one rule for staff members and another rule for members. Considering this recent mod ruling which suggests two different sets of rules on the forums (one for staff and one for members), it is an entirely fair question to ask in a public setting. Is there meant to be one set of rules which everyone is meant to follow or is it a case of there being one rule for staff and another rule for regular members? How staff members respond to this thread (as in addressing the issue at hand or simply locking the thread and warning me) will in itself answer that question to an extent.

EDIT: To be clear, this is not an attempt to discuss this specific situation in detail mentioning names (ie airing dirty laundry), in public. However when instances like this happen, where staff members engage in blatant trolling and the person on the receiving end of it is blamed by other staff members for it, then it is a serious issue which needs addressing publicly as a general issue regarding the forum.

Bowspearer's humble TF Collection

Currently my collection is alot smaller than what it was as I'm in the process of refocusing it towards completism within a few years of G1 and some G2, with the odd misc figure from other lines which I like thrown in for good measure.

Missing from it are my comics, letters page paste-up board, G1 trading cards, 1986 combiner teams, RiD Combaticons, Transformers Classics, Alternators and PVCs:

Pre-Transformers

(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/Pre-TF/microchangeblaster.jpg)

Mint in box Microman Blaster

(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/Pre-TF/Microchangeperceptor.jpg)

Mint in box Microman Perceptor

(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/Pre-TF/Powerdashers.jpg)

Sealed set of Diaclone Powerdashers.

G1

Seems the small handguns for the Stunticons, Aerialbots and Protectobots accidentally got given away to charity by someone so I'll hold off on displaying them until I can replace them. In the meantime, here's my original US G1 stuff (not including reissues which I'll get to later).

1984

Minicars
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/BumblebeeCliffjumperBrawnWindcharge.jpg)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/BumblebeeCliffjumperBrawnWindcha-1.jpg)

Argentinean Windcharger (Camaro) and Cliffjumper (Carrera)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/ArgentineanWindchargerCliffjumper.jpg)

Autobot Cars
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/RatchetMirageIronhideSideswipeSunst.jpg)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/RatchetMirageIronhideSideswipeSu-1.jpg)

Optimus Prime
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/OptimusPrimevehiclemode.jpg)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/OptimusPrimerobotmode.jpg)

Soundwave, Ravage and Laserbeak
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/SoundwaveLaserbeakRavagealtmode.jpg)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/SoundwaveLaserbeakRavagerobotmode.jpg)

1985

Minicars
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/85minicarsvehiclemode.jpg)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/85Minicarsrobotmode.jpg)

Blaster, Overdrive and Twin-Twist
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/85botsvehiclemode.jpg)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/85botsrobotmode.jpg)

Longhaul, Bombshell and Kickback
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/85consvehiclemode.jpg)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Transformers%20Collection/US%20G1/85consrobotmode.jpg)

Bowspearer's Non-TF Toy collection

Figured there was too much here to slot in the general non-tf pictures thread. Here's all my non-Transformers figures minus Captain Power Power Base NMWB, Captain Power Powerjet XT-7 MISB, M.A.S.K. Daredevil motorised car racing set, loose mint M.A.S.K. Bulldog, Robotech 12" Lisa Hayes MISB, Robotech 12" Dana Sterling MISB, Robotech 12" Lynn Minmei MISB, Sky Commanders Rollerball MOSC.

Visionaries
Dagger Assault w/- Reekon MISB
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Visionaries/DaggerAssault.jpg)

Capture Chariot w/- Feryl MISB
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Visionaries/CaptureChariot.jpg)

Sky Claw MISB w/- Mortred
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Visionaries/SkyClaw.jpg)

Lancer Cycle MISB w/- Ectar
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Visionaries/LancerCycle.jpg)

Leoric & Darkstorm MOSC
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Visionaries/LeoricandDarkstormMOSC.jpg)

Cryotek & Cindar MOSC
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Visionaries/CryotekandCindarMOSC.jpg)

Witterquick& Lexor MOSC
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Visionaries/WitterquickandLexor.jpg)

Arzon MOSC
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Visionaries/Arzon.jpg)

Centurions
Jake Rockwell w/- Fireforce, Powerpack, Hornet & Detonator MISB
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Centurions/JakeRockwellwithFireforcePowerPackH.jpg)

Max Ray w/- Cruiser, Tidal Blast & Depth Charger MISB
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Centurions/MaxRaywithCruiserTidalBlastandDepth.jpg)

Ace McCloud w/-Skyknight
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Centurions/AceMcCloud.jpg)

Dr Terror w/- Syntax MISB & Doom Drones Strafer MIB
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Centurions/DocTerrorandDoomDroneStrafer.jpg)

Hacker w/- Lesion MISB & Doom Drones Strafer MIB
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Centurions/HackerwithDoomDroneStraferMISB.jpg)

Doc Terror Flashlight MISB
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/Action%20Figure%20Collection/Centurions/MISBDocTerrorFlashlight.jpg)

Bowspearer's medical expenses fund-raising sale thread

Often it comes up that one plus with collecting is that albeit reluctantly sometimes, it can be a mountain of gold when you need a rainy day fund for those really bad times in you life. A while back I started downsizing my collection to refocus it- well that was the plan anyway. Now however it seems that it's turned into a rainy day fund.

7 months ago I was nearly beaten to death coming off a train in a random attack by a violent drunk with a history of savage violence. Doctors said that if it wasn't for my having a thick skull, I'd be dead or a vegetable. As it was, he fractured my left eye socket in 2 places (I still have partial facial numbness from it, fractured my jaw and snapped 3 of my lower tooth sockets from my jaw. While 1 of the teeth was able to be saved, there's still about $14,000 worth of dental work that I require. On top of that bills for dealing with the psychological scars from it (which as my great uncle who's a WW2 veteran pointed out, I may never truly get over) have currently mounted up to $2000.

With the way the legal system in Australia works, I can't sue him directly but instead have to go through a govt tribunal. The upshot of it all is that while I should get the majority of my expenses covered, they only compensate you for upto $10,000 worth of medical expenses, and you have to wait 12-18 months to receive compensation.

Now while the dental work hasn't started fully yet, meaning that I'm not up for any costs on that front just yet, the kinesiology treatments I've needed to undergo for the psychological injuries have mounted up to $2000 so far. In case anyone is wondering, there is a scheme where a victim of a crime can receive free counselling sessions, but the most you're allowed is 8 sessions on top of an evaluation session and the psychologist is not allowed under the scheme to deviate from the events of the crime itself, meaning that if the trauma of the crime has caused issues related to past traumas to flare up, they're not allowed to address that aspect of things at all- making the service effectively useless.

I'm sorry if this is sounding like a Nigerian Scam email guilt trip, but i guess I'm trying to head off questions at the pass with this because until you're in this kind of situation you just don't realise just how much the system fails in dealing with the victim in a just way- I sure didn't.

I guess what I'm hoping is that even though I'm more of a lurker with this place these days, that I'll see the positive side of the fandom and people will help me out by picking up something they're interested in.

I'm pretty flexible with payment arrangements is things go awry (that said, serious buyers only please), and I'll try to do what i can to minimise shipping costs without compromising on things like tracking to make sure what people buy actually gets to them.

Prices are in Australian Dollars ($1AUD is approximately equal to 90 US Cents) and are as listed. Happy buying and remember, even though it's not a fund raising exercise by a charity group, it is all going to a good cause.

CAPTAIN POWER

MIB Eden 2 Trans-Field Base
Was meant to be MISB but when it arrived, tape had been ripped off on one side (parts still in bag). Seller has since sent out a replacement for additional postage costs so I no longer require it.

MOSC Lord Dread
MOSC Cpl Pilot Chase
Bought both as part of a lot- already own them sealed already.
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/For%20Sale/CaptainpowerTransfieldBaseLordDread.jpg)

$60 for the lot

Also planning on selling off a sealed Skybike Launcher.

M.A.S.K.

Scott & T-Bob (minor paint wear on Scott's feet) $25

Iguana (minor paint wear to dirt bike seat and figure) $25

Jungle Challenge (missing binoculars, grappling hook and crossbow) $10

Rescue Mission (missing skis and belt) $10

(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/For%20Sale/IguanaDefensemode.jpg)
(IMG:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Bowspearer/For%20Sale/MASKJungleChallengeFloydMalloyScott.jpg)

TRANSFORMERS

LOOSE:

G2
Gobot Bumblebee- $10
Vehicle mode
Robot mode
Head

Windbreaker- $10
Vehicle mode
Robot mode
Weapon

Beast Wars
Waspinator $20
Beast mode
Robot mode
Mutant head
Robot head
Missiles

Beast Machines
Blastcharge- $20
Vehicle mode
Attack mode
Mech mode
Head
Robot mode
weapons

Buzzsaw- $10
Beast mode
Robot mode

Cheetor- $30
Beast mode
Robot mode
Weapon

Jetstorm(ultra) - $40
Attack mode
Hover mode
Drones

Nightscream- $40
Beast mode top view
Beast mode bottom view
Robot mode front view
Robot mode rear view
launcher
Spark chamber activated

Scavenger- $10
vehicle mode
Robot mode

Tankorr- $30
Vehicle mode rear view
Vehicle mode front view
Attack mode
Robot mode

Thrust
Vehicle mode
Mech mode
Robot mode

$220 total- $100 for the lot


BOXED:

MIB Encore Meister (opened once to inspect box) $30
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MISB Red BT Meister $160
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MISB 10th Anniversary Rhinox (US version, complete with DVD)- $35
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MIB Optimus Primal- $65
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MIB TM Scavenger(Inferno)- $30
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MISB BM Megatron- $40
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MISB BM Rattrap- $40
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MOSC RiD Bruticus $60
Front
Rear

MOSC Super Sideburn $25
Front
Rear

MOSC RiD Wedge $25
Front
Rear

MISB RID Galvatron $40
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MIB Micron Legend Ironhide $30
Front
Rear
top
base
Left side
Right side

MISB Ironhide with MOSC Energon Saber $50
Front
Rear
top
base
Right side

MOSC Razorclaw v s Steamhammer $8
Front
Rear
top
base

MOSC Kobushi vs Landslide $8
Front
Rear
base
Left side

MOSC Deluxe Concept Movie Bumblebee $30
Front
Rear

Depending on what people buy, I'm open to negotiable prices on the boxed figures.

My eBay feedback page can be found here: http://myworld.ebay.com/cutcoguru