7 Things You Should Know About Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Number 1: The Plot

A unique movie-based videogame adaptation, Dark of the Moon is not a tedious retelling of the events of the third film. Instead, it is a prequel detailing the events that occurred between the second and third film.

As such, the game takes place three years after Megatron and the evil Decepticons last threatened Earth. During this time, Earth's leaders believed that their enemies had fled the planet in defeat. However, Optimus Prime and his Autobots have intercepted an alien transmission. Exposing Megatron's plan, he is back to spread devastation and unleash his powerful minion Shockwave, who has been lost for centuries.

Number 2: Gameplay

Taking many of its mechanics directly from “Transformers: War for Cybertron”, this action packed adventure is a similarly constructed third-person adventure. However, Dark of the Moon is a strictly single player outing, as it does not feature cooperative play.

Number 3: The Campaign

Abandoning the previous use of two separate faction campaigns, Dark of the Moon has been built on the concept of a single interweaving story. This means that you will alternate between the different factions as the narrative progresses through 18 missions, spread across seven large chapters.

And rather than traverse the metallic surface of Cybertron, players will now get to travel around the world and fight above and through unique locations, such as South America, Siberia and Detroit.

Number 4: Stealth Force

Introducing a new hybrid play mechanic within the Michael Bay Transformers' universe, players have been given a third transformation option called “stealth force.” This design change enables Transformers to partially transform into vehicle mode. As a result, when selected robot mode weapons will protrude from their vehicle forms, giving them the ability to fire on enemies and strafe through obstacles.

Number 5: Character Traits and Level Design

Focused on accessibility for players of all skills, players can transform between the various modes with a simple click of a button. At the same time, the game is designed to exploit individual character traits. As a result, levels have been built to maximize the strengths of the character that you control.

For example, Bumblebee’s levels are designed around hit and run assaults, which have you weaving between your enemies. Meanwhile, Mirage employs stealth, and Ironhide fights as a heavy weapon soldier, complete with levels based on surviving direct frontal assaults.

On the other hand, Decepticons such as Starscream will fly and fight through the stratosphere, while Soundwave deploys his minion Lazerbeak to help him complete objectives.

Number 6: Online Multiplayer

Playing as all of your favorite characters, the multiplayer incorporates fast-paced online battles. Similar to that included within “War for Cybertron”, players will fight in several team-based Unreal Tournament-like combat scenarios.

Within these, you’ll be able to choose different vehicle types, ranging from cars to jets, each has its strengths and weaknesses. While being a jet transformers is great for zipping around wide-open maps like Chicago, its combat abilities make it better suited for the game‘s Conquest mode, in which you're trying to take over capture points.

Meanwhile, cars are all-purpose for the game’s many death match and free for all modes, and tanks are best used in smaller maps like South America.

Sadly, as of its retail release, it is absent of Horde-like escalation mode, with its focus set squarely on community battles.

Number 7: Multiplayer Customization and Experience Points

An exciting feature of the game is your ability to customize your character by selecting from distinct class chassis and weapon load-outs to create your own cybertronian warrior. You can also level up by earning experience points in every match to unlock new character skills and abilities, such as being able to drain Energon from opponents.

Conclusion:

Dark of the Moon is available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Built by the same team that crafted the greatest Transformers game ever made, it features a more refined focus, and is one of the few movie-based games that should not be missed.