Now that most of the characters have been announced (we think) for High Moon Studios’ Transformers: War for Cybertron video game, let’s take a look at how these new designs compare to how they looked originally. Most characters are based off of their G1 (Generation 1… as in original 80’s cartoon) counterparts. The only exceptions (so far?) are Demolishor (based off of Transformers: Armada), Barricade (based off of the 2007 Transformers Live Action Movie), and Slipstream (based off of Transformers: Animated). The following is a visual display of how the characters look in the new video game compared to what they used to look like. Larger versions of each image can be viewed by clicking on the picture.
Autobots
Optimus Prime
Bumblebee
Ratchet
Ironhide
Jetfire (known as Skyfire in the 80’s cartoon)
Silverbolt
Air Raid
Sideswipe
Warpath
Arcee (female character)
Jazz (*available from Best-Buy pre-order)
Omega Supreme (one of the “big boss” battles)
Decepticons
Megatron
Starscream
Soundwave
Skywarp
Thundercracker
Brawl
Breakdown
Barricade
Slipstream (female character)
Shockwave (*available from Gamestop pre-order)
Demolishor (*available from Amazon.com pre-order)
Trypticon (one of the "big boss" battles)
Items of note: *pre-order characters Jazz, Shockwave, and Demolishor are only playable in Escalaton Mode. Omega Supreme and Trypticon are not playable characters. You play against them — against Omega Supreme in the decepticon story and against Trypticon in the autobot story. Silverbolt and Air Raid were Aerialbots in the original cartoon. Brawl was a Combaticon and Breakdown was a Stunticon.
So, what do you think? Did High Moon Studios do a good job on their character designs or are some disappointing in your mind? Sound off in the comments section below.
Update (3): To see better images of ALL characters in the game, go to this newer blog post.
More and more info has been coming out each month on the upcoming Transformers video game, War for Cybertron. For starters, the game is set to come out in May of 2010. As said before, the game centers on the autobot vs. decepticon war on cybertron BEFORE they ever went to earth. Therefore the characters will not resemble earth vehicles, but rather cybertronian modes. The characters are greatly inspired by Generation 1 (G1), the original transformers from the 1980’s. The game will include a separate autobot campaign and decepticon campaign. Also in the game is multiplayer and online co-op. It sounds to be the best Transformers game yet (but we’ve heard that before — we’ll see).
The following list of characters is confirmed (and some rumored) to be in the game:
Autobots: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide, Jetfire, Air Raid, Silverbolt, Warpath, Sideswipe, and Arcee. Omega Supreme is in the game, but not playable. Jazz is available for Escalation mode by pre-ordering the game from Best Buy. Zeta Prime will be another non-playable character in the game.
Decepticons: Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Brawl, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Breakdown, Barricade, and Slipstream. Trypticon (the big dinosaur bot you see in the trailer) is in it but non-playable. [Update 4] Laserbeak, Rumble, and Frenzy show up too, but not playable. You play against them. Shockwave will be playable in Escalation mode to those who pre-order the game from Gamestop, and same goes for Demolishor when pre-ordering from Amazon.com.
Below you’ll find pictures of many of these characters as they’ll be seen in the game:
(but you can find pictures of every character at this newer blog post)
Optimus Prime (about to unleash his axe)
Megatron (with his mace)
Bumblebee
Starscream (concept drawing)
Soundwave
Shockwave
Ironhide
Ratchet
Omega Supreme
Trypticon
Brawl
A Toyline has been confirmed to go along with the game. Toy pictures for Optimus Prime and Megatron can be viewed here and Bumblebee on the cover of Transformers Collectors Club can be viewed here.
The most recent trailer for the game can be viewed below.
Do you feel a must-have classic Transformers character is missing from the above list? Are you happy with the current list of names? Surprised by any? Sound off in the comments section below.
UPDATE: According to this post on Seibertron.com, Jetfire, Silverbolt & Air Raid (aerialbots), and Breakdown (stunticon) are characters in the game. Omega Supreme is also confirmed.
Michael Bay’s website was recently updated with a blog post stating there’d be a meeting this week (9/14 to 9/18) between Bay, Spielberg, and Ehren Kruger to discuss ideas for Transformers 3. One of the things they’ll decide is if it will come out in the summer of 2011 or 2012.
Despite what critics said about Transformers 2 (properly called Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), it set records at the box office. The Blu Ray and DVD comes out October 20 according to a TV spot that was recently released (see below at the end of this blog post). Many things “worked” in this 2nd movie and other things were “controversial” or arguably not agreed upon by the millions of people who have watched it.
Everyone who enjoys action movies, and more specifically the first Transformers Movie (2007) and the second, hope the third one will keep what works and improve upon what didn’t. Here’s our humble suggestions.
Things that worked: Keep these for Movie #3
The CGI: The graphics were very impressive in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The people at ILM are amazing. Keep them for Transformers 3.
Optimus Prime: Optimus held nothing back in his fights in Transformers 2, and it was pretty cool to see the leader of the autobots take on 3 major decepticons (Megatron, Starscream, and Grindor [Blackout’s clone]) by himself, let alone Demolisher in the beginning of the movie.
Shia LaBeouf: Loved him in both movies. Good mix of humor and believable acting. He’s earned the respect of almost every fan of these films. Keep him in.
Megatron vs. Starscream: The second movie showed more of the relationship between Megatron and Starscream. Hardcore fans loved seeing it. We’ll be more than happy to see more of it in the new movie.
Michael Bay’s Strengths: This guy gets so much hate on the interwebs. The guy really does have talent with setting up his action scenes and filming them at great angles. He has the relationship with the US Military — which really is crucial for these films to have a sense of realism. Despite what you may think of him, he puts his heart and soul, and definitely his late hours of time into making these films.
Spielberg and the Writers: Yes, the plot of the second movie was criticized by many, but the writers of the Transformers Movie-Verse (Ehren Kruger, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci) are dedicated to this franchise. Changing the writers completely would be a big mistake. Kurtzman and Orci have specifically come out as admitting to being big fans of Transformers ever since being kids in the 80’s. Oh, by the way, you gotta keep Spielberg. He’s freaking Steven Spielberg for crying out loud.
Classic Characters: The hardcore fans really do appreciate it when they’re thrown a bone. Optimus, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Jazz, Jetfire, and Arcee are classic autobots. Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Ravage, Devastator, and the constructicons are classic decepticons. We appreciate it. We hope to be just as happy with the characters in Transformers 3.
Things to improve: What didn’t quite work in Movie #2
Humor is Good, but Too Much of a Good Thing is Not Good: Most critics and viewers alike found the first Transformers Movie (2007) to have a decent balance of action, story, and humor. Many even found it to be charming. Yes, there was a little sexual humor and what-not, but it wasn’t overboard. Unfortunately the same was not often said about Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009). Many feel that it had too much sexual humor and too much “ghetto” humor (with the twins, Mudflap & Skids). It’s not that people are demanding for no sexual humor or “ghetto” humor at all… just dial it down a notch or two and it will be better.
“New” Characters Were Just “Okay”: In the first Transformers film (2007), the “newer” characters to the transformers lore were Blackout (helicopter) and Barricade (Saleen Mustang Police Car). They were pleasant surprises. In the eyes of many fans, they were done well and added to the success of the movie. In the second Transformers film, the “newer” characters to the transformers lore were of the likes of The Fallen, Scapel (a.k.a. “The Doctor” — the little microscope dude), Alice, Mudflap & Skids, Demolisher, and Sideways. Wheelie was also in the new movie (although not new to TF lore). Sideways was barely in the new film before being sliced in two and Demolisher didn’t last much longer. Alice was okay, but how many “hot” girls with main roles are you going to put into these films? Scapel was loved by some and annoying to others — mixed reviews on him. Mudflap & Skids were funny at times… but their “ghetto” humor was a little too much. The Fallen was okay, but didn’t come across as big and bad as you’d expect. My point is they didn’t seem to add to the film in the same positive way that Barricade and Blackout did to the first film. Debatable, I know, but that’s how I feel.
Megan Fox: Get rid of this actress. That’s right — I said it. To her credit her acting in the second film was much better than the first — so I’m not going to say she was only there for sex appeal, but… She obviously doesn’t have any respect for Michael Bay, as shown by her comments in some interviews. How can you not respect the guy who gave you your first big break? Furthermore, she comes off as an ungrateful “airhead”. Yes, that seems harsh — it’s just how many feel she’s comes across. Perhaps she’s actually a nice person, but she’s not giving that impression. IF she really is as ungrateful as she’s come across, then why not give her what she deserves — a “thank you” for being in the first two films and then move on. Shia LeBeouf is essential to these films. Megan Fox (sorry) is not. Maybe it’s time to find someone else to co-star with Shia.
These are just some humble opinions. If you disagree (or agree), sound of with a comment below.
Also, check out the TV Spot ad for the Blu Ray and DVD of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, coming to the US on October 20, 2009.
Previously mentioned on this blog, new downloadable content is coming to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game in the form of G1 (original 80’s cartoon) characters.
Here are the details:
Release date: August 27, 2009
Cost of DLC: $10 via xboxlive marketplace (800 MS points) or playstation network
Characters:
G1 Optimus Prime
G1 Megatron
G1 Starscream
G1 Sunstorm (yellow/gold-ish jet similar to starscream)
RotF Movie Soundwave
RotF Movie Sideswipe
RotF Movie Jazz
RotF Movie Jetfire
New skins for characters: G1 colors for Movie Ratchet and Movie Sidewipe; Stealth colors for Movie Bumblebee
With the game going for $32-43 AFTER shipping on ebay (and even less if you don’t mind a used game), this might be the time to consider getting it. Every boy who watched this show as kid in the 80’s (and who played Atari or Nintendo back then) would have LOVED to play as G1 Optimus, Megatron, or Starscream. On August 27, you can (and this game has online multiplayer!). Check out the new DLC launch trailer below.
Remember in 1984-1985, how transformers toys were the enjoyment of tons of young boys. Many of you probably had a mother who sold them at a yardsale, or perhaps they were so beat up, they were thrown away. Who knew that ebay would come along for people to sell these toys for lots of money.
For any of you who wish you could get your hands on some of those toys but in good condition and without spending $70-200 a piece, here’s your chance. Hasbro is re-releasing reissues of Transformers G1 (Generation 1) toys of the Insecticons and Perceptor. They will both be Toys R Us exlcusives. We’re not aware of the price on them, guessing around $40-50. They should be available sometime in September of this year.
Reissue Perceptor
Reissue G1 Insecticons
One should note that the box shows Bombshell has been renamed Hardshell, and Shrapnel has been named Sharpshot. Perhaps due to war and battles in Iraq and Afghanistan, names like Shrapnel and anything with “bomb” aren’t quite so politically correct for kids toys.
Hasbro also re-released Soundwave with Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, Ravage, and Ratbat. This was sold at 2009’s San Diego ComicCon, but HasbroToyShop.com has put it up on their site. (Unfortunately as of the date this entry is posted, the item is out of stock.) It is/was $50.
SDCC Reissue Soundwave
On a side note…
If you’re lucky, you might still be able to find a reissue of G1 Optimus Prime in stores (not just Toys R Us). It went for $70, which is still much cheaper than what you’d have to pay for it on ebay. If you can find one, you’re fortunate.
25th Anniversary Optimus Prime (reissue)
Good luck convincing your wife in buying these for “the kids” or “the family”.
JeBr0nie: FYI 