Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark feels like a game rushed just to coincide with the movie’s release, which ultimately led to a disappointing follow-up to a great game series.

To give credit where it’s due, Rise of the Dark Spark elicits some genuine emotion from this Transformers fan. Unfortunately, those emotions are anger and disappointment. Activision and Edge of Reality have squandered the good will established by High Moon Studios’ strong Transformers Cybertron games, releasing a product that fails on several fundamental levels. It isn’t entertaining, doesn’t remain true to either of the disparate storylines (which should never have been linked), and can’t overcome technical performance issues.

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark has a few bright spots; the co-op Escalation mode is enjoyable, and there are cool weapons befitting the bots. But the bland campaign is a slog with uneven difficulty, while vehicle transformations and combat are largely unsatisfying. Without nailing that, you’ve got a bad Transfomers game.   Editor's Note: We screwed up a little. In our haste to get this review out to you as soon as possible, we didn't notice that the Wii U version doesn't contain the best part of Rise of the Dark Spark: the mulitplayer Escalation mode. That version deserves a lower scor...

The absence of the practiced creative hands of previous Transformers developer, High Moon Studios, is keenly felt as Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark has sadly turned out to be both the weakest Transformers licensed title and the most uninspired third-person shooter in sometime.

You have neither the touch nor the power.

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Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark tries to coast on the goodwill established by the previous two games, but mishandles their gameplay concepts with a badly rushed execution. Boring level design, an awful framerate and a confusing story make this game a slog from start to finish.

Even the emotionless Galvatron would be saddened to see a generation of teenagers brought up on Michael Bay’s visually offensive and canon destroying Transformers flicks. Fortunately for veterans, there’s been a shining light among the countless explosions and Megan Fox pouting that has sought to preserve the authenticity of a brand that means so much to so many: High Moon Studios’ excellent Cybertron series.

“Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is an insultingly overt cross-marketing bid that isn't worth your time.”