Transformers: Armada
Gamer Jason Moll
Platform PS2

I was a bit skeptical when I first played Transformers: Armada. I expected nothing more than mediocre gameplay and sub-par graphics. The first few minutes of playing Armada confirmed my expectations until I played for a few more hours. My expectations grew into an addiction and before I knew it, I was playing for five hours in one sitting. Read on and find out more about this unexpected craving.

Armada isn't a story-driven game so there is nothing spectacular about the plot. What Armada doesn't deliver in story, it delivers in gameplay. There are three Autobots to choose from. One of them is obviously Optimus Prime, so things can get a little bit nostalgic the moment you hear his voice again.

The missions are very simple; all you have to do is go from one point to the next. Getting to these points is what makes this game interesting and enjoyable. The levels are huge and very open-ended so it is definitely a must to do a lot of trekking to look for secrets or to simply enjoy the scenery. Hidden in every level are minicons, and there are more than thirty of them to look for in the entire game. Finding these guys doesn't require much effort, but getting them requires a lot of patience and a few minicons from the later levels.

What makes Armada a joy to play is its approach to the gameplay. Since the levels are huge you can see wandering enemies from the distance. This allows you to plan a more strategic attack than a reckless one. With strategy in mind, it would be fruitless to take on a group of enemies all at once. There are some levels that makes you do so which can be considered as a cheap tactic to heighten its difficulty, but there is always a solution at hand.

This is where the minicons enter the fray. You can equip up to four minicons to gain their special abilities. Some minicons provide support skills like enhancing your armor or providing you a personal shield. Other minicons are more offense-oriented by giving you a much-needed boost in your arsenal. Missiles, mines, and even a portable tornado-making device will make this gaming experience an entertaining rather than a frustrating one.

Armada is possibly one of the best-looking PS2 games to date. You will be awed by how polished the Autobots and the Decepticons are rendered. There are hardly any pixels to look out for in the character designs, they are only made present by the environment. But these nuisances are quickly overshadowed by the sublime ambience that is well-fitted to each location. The glow of the sun reflecting on the metal of your Autobot, the wind blowing against your screen in the arctic environment, and a whole lot more subliminal touches produce a very engaging and beautiful atmosphere.

You may need some time to get used to the gameplay and gaming environment of Transformers: Armada. The first few weapons you get may stir some negative conceptions that this is nothing more than a mediocre title. This is true given that your weapon is just a laser rifle, but wait until you get the more devastating weapons and watch those Decepticons fly with finesse. There is a lot to keep you occupied with this game. A lot of secrets and minicons await in every level to keep you coming back for more Armada action.