Transformers: Devastation

Transformers: Devastation is an action game similar to PlatinumGames' other titles such as Bayonetta (2009). Players control one of five Autobots—Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Wheeljack, and Grimlock—as they battle against Decepticons and Insecticons who stand in their way. Each of the Autobots fight using light and heavy melee attacks and ranged weapons, and are able to transform into vehicle mode at any time, including during attack combos. Similar to Bayonetta, dodging attacks with precise timing activates Focus, which slows down time around the player, allowing them to counterattack their opponents. Each Autobot also has a unique special ability, as well as a powerful Overdrive attack that can be performed after filling an energy meter by attacking enemies.

The game consists of seven chapters, which are each split up into several missions, including some optional side-missions. Players are ranked on each mission based on their overall performance. Players can earn credits and gain new weapons by defeating enemies, destroying certain objects, and solving puzzles hidden across each chapter. H.

A swarm of Insecticons and giant metal claws emerge from beneath a city, wreaking havoc. The Autobots arrive to investigate, battling Megatron and the Constructicons, who form Devastator. Megatron escapes into a hatch leading underground and reveals the attacks are the automatic defenses of the Proudstar, an Autobot ship which crashed on Earth millions of years ago that Megatron now controls, and announces his plans to use the Insecticons to cyberform the Earth, turning it into metal and creating a new Cybertron.

Optimus Prime explains that the Proudstar, captained by Nova Prime, was a ship meant to convert uninhabited planets into ones suitable to support Cybertronian life, and that its Ferrotaxis supercomputer contains a record of Cybertron's history and culture which had been lost during the Great War. Entering the ship, the Autobots fight off Soundwave and attempt to access the plasma core powering the Proudstar and the Insecticons, but the security system ejects the core from the ship. Emerging, the Autobots learn the core's location from Thundercracker and follow the trail. While they are distracted by fighting Blitzwing, Starscream arrives to take the core back to the Decepticons, but loses control of it due to a storm and crash-lands.

Devastation's visual design is most strongly inspired by the original The Transformers (1984–1987) animated series with elements from both the IDW Publishing comic series and the Combiner Wars toyline. The game's story is written by former IDW Transformers writer and editor Andy Schmidt, and features several of the surviving voice actors from the original show reprising their roles. The Transformers: The Movie (1986) composer Vince DiCola and Angry Birds Transformers (2014) co-composer Kenny Meriedeth contributed to the soundtrack.

Transformers: Devastation received "generally favorable" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. Critics praised the game's nostalgia, graphics, and gameplay, while criticisms were directed towards the repetition, frustrating camera controls, and the game's short length.

GameSpot's Scott Butterworth stated that "Devastation recaptures [the Transformers franchise's] spirit and presents it anew."