I got it for quite a low price at a small, independent games & collectables store. Picking up the XBOX 360 version was always going to be cheap, but that didn’t really matter. I can’t remember what the decision process was- 11-12 year old me figured a cover of Optimus Prime staring down Megatron and Devastator (a massive Transformer) was enough to convince me to try it.
Loading it up, and being hit by the amazing soundtrack of VinceDeCola; the composer for the original Transformers cartoon movie, with roaring and powerful guitars and synths just hooked me from thereon. The game’s development team was actually filled with many creatives who’d worked on the original series - including surviving original voice actors! Not to mention the art style being a 3D rendition of the original designs- the entire game felt like an episode of the cartoons with you at the steering wheel.
The story follows Optimus Prime and the Autobots on a mission to prevent the Decepticons from “Cyberforming” the earth; facing off against Megatron and his henchmen. Simple enough. Except this time, you’re the one kicking Decepticon tailpipe. And boy was it fun.
Combat had similarities to that of the Bayonetta franchise (like mentioned before, another PlatinumGames product); incorporating a dodging mechanic to reward timing with opportunities to unleash a devastating counterattack. You can swap between ranged and melee on the fly- and of course, you can transform. Swapping between robot and vehicle mode and chaining combos really gave an ‘omph’ to the combat, and still just gives me a rush of satisfaction. Partner that with the incredible soundtrack, every combat had a feel to it I still haven’t found in any other game I’ve played since.
The soundtrack was the bow which tied the entire package together. The game has no qualms about throwing you into the grinder; the first boss fight being against the massive Decepticon, Devastator. Absolutely towering over you; it’s a hell of a way to kick the game off, putting everything you learned in the tutorial to a baptism of fire. Amplify that with the soundtrack, and you had the perfect way for me to spend my day after school. I cannot recommend the boss themes enough, give em' a listen!
I invested hours into this game, and after my XBOX 360 kicked the bucket, the first thing I did on my new console was get a copy of Devastation. It never fails to make me grin like a kid again, just absolutely plowing through Decepticons and feeling like a cartoon action hero. It’s such a shame it ended up being delisted and there’s been no plans for a sequel since. Still, it never fails to draw me back for some good old robot violence.