Review: Transformers: Battlegrounds

XCOM in disguise!

Title: Transformers: Battlegrounds
Platform: PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (reviewed)
Developer: Coatsink
Publisher: Outright Games
Release date: Out now.
Tl;dr: Transformers and XCOM had a baby and named it Transformers Battlegrounds
Price: Â£35/$40
Family Focus?: Click here for more information

For those who don’t know, Transformers started back in the 1980s as a cartoon series with various spin-offs including GI Joe crossover and Beast Wars and then Michael Bay came along and did Michael Bay things to the Transformers series. However, Transformers: Battlegrounds has gone back to the vibrant colours of the cartoon series, Transformers: Cyberverse instead of the dark grungy feel of the Michael Bay films. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I don’t really like his adaptations.

Transformers: Battlegrounds story is the classic Megatron and the Decepticons are wreaking havoc and causing all sorts of trouble and it’s up to Optimus Prime and the gang to stop them! Oh, and you! As you are literally a character who gets caught up in the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons. Bumblebee is fighting and notices you and asks Teletrann X to take you to safety but Teletrann X believes you’ll be vital in assisting them to fight and navigating the various battlefields.

Transformers: Battlegrounds is a real-time strategy game or RTS as I’ll be referring to it as the review goes forth. I’m not the biggest fan of the RTS genre as I lack the patience required for them, but I found myself enjoying the experience due to the how colourful the game is, from the characters to the literal vibrancy of each and every frame. The game is clearly aimed at the younger audience that might watch Transformers: Cyberverse and I’d say the game does a great job of introducing them to the genre.

Graphically, I mentioned that Transformers: Battlegrounds is incredibly colourful and for good reason, as it tries to emulate the look and feel of the currently ongoing animated series, Transformers: Cyberverse. Each character looks like their animated counterpart which gives the audience of the show something to relate to as they play through the game. Honestly, I can’t get over how vibrant the colours are, it reminds me of the first time, I played The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker as the cel-shading is so pleasing to look at in both games.

A cool thing about Transformers: Battlegrounds is that they managed to get the voice cast of Transformers: Cyberverse to reprise their roles for the game as some games usually just get soundalikes which for me in games they’ve done for has really ruined the immersion for me. For example, Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout back on the PlayStation did, they gave all the characters weird voices and made Goku sound like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Overall, Transformers: Battlegrounds is a fun little RTS but I feel the core demographic of Transformers: Cyberverse will get more out of the game than I would or a hardcore RTS player. It’s a great introduction for the younger gamers out there to try a new genre of game with some their favourite characters from one their favourite cartoons and with the voice actors of the show reprising their roles in Battlegrounds, the familiarity should pull in the fanbase.

The Good

A vibrant graphical style that mimics the look and feels of Transformers: Cyberverse.
A great introduction for younger games to the RTS genre.
The original cast reprises their roles.