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Graphics are pretty solid. Transformations are fun.

Pretty simple concept so far: Just go into different zones to eliminate Decepticons/AutoBots in the area; occassional boss-battles occur. There are medals to discover in each zone. Goals to earn more Energon. I've only just started playing so I have no idea what other types of missions there are; I will post more on this later.

The controls --DEFINITELY DO-- take some getting used to, but they make sense. The right trigger is basically your Transform/Accelerator. Keep this pressed to stay transformed and drive/fly. It feels weird NOT having a Reverse, but you get used to it. L2 is power slide, Square is your primary vehicle weapon. Holding Square and releasing the Right trigger initiates a vehicle to robot melee attack. Holding 'X' and releasing R2 initiates a vehicle to robot power jump. Holding 'O' and releasing R2 does a ground slam move. I keep on releasing the button rather than the trigger and messing the move up, but it's nothing impossible to get used to.

While in robot mode. L2 Aims. R1 switches primary weapons. R2 fires. Triangle does your Special move. Square does your melee. 'O' grabs vehicles or the sides of buildings. 'X' jumps. You've got your basic Square, Square, Square Combo; hold Square to charge.

Both sides have ground vehicles. Both sides have Aircraft. Some 'bots have special functions like Repairing friendly units.

You Power-Up your entire team at once, using energon on things like Higher Hit Points, Quicker Weapon Cool Down and Faster Special Recharge.

There are Unlockables like the Generation 1 skins for your characters. You have a status screen to track how close you are to earning these rewards.

So far it seems pretty clear to me that this game is meant more for Online Play. The shooter structure of it. The fancy attacks. The roles of the different bots all seem to suggest team battle more than single play. The best time I've had in the game so far was rescuing IronHide with Ratchet, healing him and fighting by his side as we fled Shanghai. You got your bots for Air covergae, your Medics, your Scouts and Heavy Units. This lends wel to team play. I haven't gone online yet, though! If they do something with it like gauge which side is winning the 'War' like thet did with the last DS game, I could see it being pretty addicting and fun, but have NO IDEA if this is the case or not!

I will post more as I play!

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Initial Impressions: Transformers. A good game in disguise! Potentially, more than meets the eye! ;)

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