E3 2015: Transformers Devastation looks to finally bring the cartoon to life

E3 2015: Transformers Devastation looks to finally bring the cartoon to life

The (non-movie) Transformers games have been enjoyable experiences. Activision has, for the most part, been pretty faithful to the series, never pushing too much to alienate fans. The games always looked great, carrying that metallic sheen that modern pop culture has placed on the giant sentient robots; they let the in game characters look like toys.

But nothing ever really captured the cartoon’s flavor; that is, nothing did it up until now.

Platinum Games, in cooperation with Activision, has been handed the reigns to develop the latest entry in the series, Transformers: Devastation. Coming off of the divisive — yet pretty — Avatar game last year, they’ve been tapped to add their familiar brand of fast action and visual mastery to the robot universe. What they’ve come up with is something that looks identical to the cartoon. Based on the current IDW comic series, Transformers Generations, the game features classic generation designs that pay homage to the history of the IP.

Platinum’s made everything bright and colorful, and put a lot of energy into making the transformations a part of the battle experience. Transformations can be used to dodge, to create speed in combos, and as combo finishers. The five playable characters include Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Wheeljack. The game’s title comes from the combined Constructicon Decepticons, which become a huge enemy known as Devastator. Many of the original character voices will return, like Peter Cullen’s Optimus Prime.

Transformers: Devastation will arrive later this year for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC.