C&VG


The Transformers

Publisher: Ocean
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #52

The Transformers

Those robots in disguise finally make it to the screen of your computer thanks to Denton Designs. You have to help the five remaining Autobots - the goodies - battle the evil Decepticons - the baddies - in a do or die battle for the future of Earth.

The Autobots are suffering an energy crisis and have to fly around and run around a structure which looks a bit like an oil refinery in search of the four bits of the Autobot Energon Cube and transporting them back to Autobot Centre where they will end the crisis.

The Decepticons will try to steal these cubes which are scattered far and wide among the girders and walkways of the game.

The Transformers

You control five Autobots, Optimus Prime, Hound, Jazz, Mirage and Bumblebees. Each has varying energy, firepower and strength levels. You have to select the right Autobot to collect the various parts of the cube. It's no good sending the relatively weak Bumblebee off on a long search when you should really send tough old Optimus.

They either shoot at you or make kamikaze dives into your shields weakening them until your Autobot is destroyed. You can't rebuild your Autobots but the evil Decepticons have perfected the art of robo-cloning - so there's no end to them!

You can give your Autobots a zap of life-giving energy by dashing into the nearest Defence Pod. These pods zap your energy, firepower and shield levels back up to battle status and must be used if you are to succeed.

The Transformers

The Autobots can transform into their earthly disguise as trucks and sports cars etc - but this seems more of a frill than a real game tactic. The Decepticons still attack you whatever you look like! Also you can race along a girder and crash off the end before you've had a chance to change back to an Autobot all too easily.

Which brings us back to controlling the game. This is the most difficult part of the whole game. It'll take you some time to get used to the ultra-sensitive controls and become aware of what you can run/fly through without being destroyed.

Graphics aren't bad and the Transformers' theme tune is copied very neatly. Not a brilliant game - but not a terrible one either. Play a friend's copy first.