Transformers: Battlegrounds

Transformers Battlegrounds is a decent game that is marred by being confused as to who it is aimed for. Diehard fans of the franchise like me won’t find much challenge or diversity here to enjoy. Kids jumping in might not share the same nostalgia for these characters. The game also carries a hefty price tag, doesn’t feature online play, and boasts a relatively short campaign. While Transformers could work well in the genre, I am not sure this one hits on all the right notes.

The part of me that was looking for an engaging turn based tactics experience is disappointed in what Transformers: Battlegrounds has on offer though. It’s too bad the game doesn’t deliver a moderately higher level of challenge or complexity, because it does have the basic elements in place that it needed to do just that. In its current state, it’s a moderately enjoyable but largely forgettable game.

Transformers Battlegrounds is well-crafted when it comes to being a fine gateway into the tactical RPG genre. It blends a legendary cast of characters with tried and true X-COM-style action in a user-friendly manner. It does an admirable job crafting a game and several modes around the concept of the Transformers doing battle in a new gaming style, but falters in several ways.

A more ambitious campaign experience, more playable characters, versus multiplayer modes, all these and more would have gone a great deal to making the game stand out better. Still as it is, it’s more than enough for any Transformers fan although others will probably just find the game lacking.

Transformers: Battlegrounds is far from the disaster you may expect; it delivers a fun, accessible turn-based tactical experience which is sadly a little too easy. It might make a good game for someone new to the genre, or kids looking to get involved, but we'd wager that even children might find this one a little too simple. It's a good effort and it does right by Cybertron's finest, but there's just not enough of it to justify the price.

And while its presentation isn’t the best, it’s bold and colourful enough to excite its target market. Add in the fact that it’s somewhat budget priced, and you have a game that should prove a hit with younger Transformers fans, and a good introduction to the turn-based strategy genre.