Wikipedia

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Sparkis a video game based on theTransformersfranchise, developed byEdge of RealityandWayForward,and published byActivision.It is the third and final entry in theCybertronseries, followingWar for CybertronandFall of Cybertron,and acts as aspin-offandcrossoverwith the live-actionTransformersfilms.[1]One portion of the game takes place in the timeline divergent from the one where the films take place, serving as an alternative to the events ofAge of Extinction,and follows theAutobotsas they try to retrieve a Cybertronian artifact called the Dark Spark from the mercenaryLockdown.The other portion, set between the first twoCybertrongames,[2]depicts theDecepticons' attempts to use the Dark Spark to win the war against the Autobots, and the latter's efforts to stop them.

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark
Developer(s)Edge of Reality
(PC, consoles)
WayForward Technologies(3DS)
Publisher(s)Activision
Director(s)Brody Brooks
Adam Tierney(3DS)
Producer(s)Andy Owen(PC, consoles)
Shannon Hatakeda(3DS)
Designer(s)Dominic Craig
(PC, consoles)
Brody Brooks
Adam Tierney
Barrett Velia(3DS)
Programmer(s)Emanuel Masciarelli
(PC, consoles)
Daniel Yoon(3DS)
Artist(s)Ewan Wan Woo Lee
William M. Sullivan
(PC, consoles)
Paul Castillo(3DS)
Writer(s)Andy Schmidt
(PC, consoles)
Adam Tierney(3DS)
Composer(s)Jeff Broadbent
Steve Jablonsky
Bobby Tahouri
Troels Brun Folmann
SeriesTransformers
EngineUnreal Engine 3
(PC, consoles)
Platform(s)
Release
  • NA:June 24, 2014
  • AU:June 25, 2014
  • EU:June 27, 2014
Genre(s)Third-person shooter,Strategy,role-playing(3DS)
Mode(s)Single-player,multiplayer

The game was developed primarily byEdge of Reality,with theNintendo 3DSversion developed byWayForward Technologies.It was published byActivisionand released worldwide in June 2014 forMicrosoft Windows,Nintendo 3DS,PlayStation 3,PlayStation 4,Wii U,Xbox 360,andXbox One.Rise of the Dark Sparkreceived mixed-to-negative reviews.

Gameplay

edit

The console and Microsoft Windows versions ofTransformers: Rise of the Dark Sparkare athird-person shooter,much like its predecessors:Transformers: War for Cybertron,Transformers: Fall of Cybertron,andTransformers: Dark of the Moon.Players can control each transformer in both its robot and vehicle forms. Instead of a traditionalhealthsystem, the game features a system similar to theHaloseriesof video games. The player character has both a regenerating shield and health, the latter of which can be replenished by ahealth pack.The game features various challenges which reward the players with weapon upgrades, characters for the multiplayer component, and other bonuses. Upgrades for weapons can be purchased throughTeletran 1kiosks found throughout the game. Every character has their own unique ability. For example, Soundwave can summon his minions, Optimus Prime has a shield to block incoming fire, Sharpshot can turn invisible for a few seconds, and the Combaticons have the ability to combine into the massive DecepticonBruticus.The Autobot Grimlock, who transforms into a dinosaur, is controlled differently from other characters: he carries only melee weapons (though he can shoot fire out of his mouth when in dinosaur form), and is much larger than other characters, in addition to having more health points.

The 3DS version of the game is astrategy gamerole-playing video game.[3]Melee combat is turn-based. The player is given three rounds to deplete their opponent's health. If successful, the enemy is removed from theoverworldmap. The player can choose from seven different attacks, each with their own recharge time after each use.[3]

Multiplayer

edit

Transformers: Rise of The Dark Sparkhas an extra mode called "Escalation". It is an online multiplayer mode where four players fend off waves of increasingly tough enemies, returned with the addition of upgradable defenses. The mode features over forty playable characters, and has levels based on both Cybertron and Earth.[4]Experience points collected by players are shared between the single-player and multiplayer modes.[2]The Escalation mode is absent in the Wii U and 3DS versions of the game.[5]

Synopsis

edit

Setting

edit

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Sparkis acrossoverwith theTransformersfilm franchise and theCybertronvideo game series, the latter consisting ofTransformers: War for CybertronandTransformers: Fall of Cybertron.[6]The eponymous Dark Spark is a powerful artifact that is capable of ripping holes in dimensions, which brings twoTransformersuniverses together. TheCybertronuniverse component of the game takes place before the events ofFall of Cybertron,while its film series universe component takes place on Earth in 2014, continuingTransformers: Dark of the Moonand ignoringTransformers: Age of Extinction.The story consists of fourteen chapters, six of which are set on Earth and eight on Cybertron.

Characters

edit
Autobots
Decepticons

^aPlayable in campaign
^bPlayable in escalation
^dAppears in campaign, but is non-playable
^eSlag was renamed Slug in the game due toSlagbeing a derogatory term in some cultures
^fOriginally available via pre-order, later downloadable content

Plot

edit

On Earth, in the film continuity, theAutobotsOptimus Prime,Bumblebee,and Drift investigate the site of a mysterious crash in an abandoned city, encountering a large group of Cybertronian mercenaries led byLockdown.At the crash site, they find a Cybertronian relic known as the Dark Spark, but before they can retrieve it, Lockdown takes it for himself and uses it to temporarily freeze them in time. As Lockdown makes his escape, Optimus says "I thought this day would never come..." and proceeds explain what the Dark Spark is: a powerful relic of unknown origins, believed to be the antithesis of the AutobotMatrix of Leadership.Whereas the Matrix grants wisdom, the Dark Spark gives the user the power to bend the universe and its inhabitants to their own will.

In theCybertroncontinuity,Megatronannounces that theDecepticonsare close to defeating the Autobots and conquering Cybertron, and dispatchesStarscream,Soundwave,andShockwaveto find the Dark Spark in the abandoned Crystal City. During their search, the Decepticons are attacked by a swarm ofInsecticonsled byHardshell,KickbackandSharpshot.Shockwave defeats the trio, earning theirfealtyand control of the Insecticons. With their help, the Decepticons find the Dark Spark, but before they can retrieve it, the AutobotsSideswipeandIronhidegrab it and run away. Pursued by Insecticons, they regroup with Optimus and Bumblebee at a train station, where they must fight off hordes of Insecticons and Starscream until the next train arrives. The Autobots manage to escape, but Shockwave destroys the train using hidden explosives.

Shockwave and Sharpshot defeat Ironhide to reclaim the Dark Spark, but while attempting to reunite with the other Decepticons, they are ambushed by the Autobots. After escaping from them, the pair meet up with theCombaticonsOnslaught,Vortex,andSwindle,the latter of whom helps them safely deliver the Dark Spark to Kaon, the Decepticons' capital city. Along the way, they are again ambushed by the Autobots, includingCliffjumper,but manage to defeat them.Jazzsubsequently leads an Autobot siege on the gates of Kaon, but the Combaticons combine to formBruticusand repel the attack. Cliffjumper is taken prisoner after unsuccessfully trying to destroy Bruticus with an explosive.

Optimus and Jazz lead a secret mission to retrieve the Dark Spark and rescue Cliffjumper, but after finding the latter, all three become caught in a virtually inescapable trap. Optimus contactsPerceptor,who sendsJetfireto infiltrate the ruins of the massive DecepticonTrypticon.Despite an encounter with a Decepticon salvage team led by Starscream, Jetfire is able to use Trypticon's laser array to free Optimus, Jazz, and Cliffjumper, and then escape. While Jazz escorts the wounded Cliffjumper to safety, Optimus confronts Megatron, who uses the Dark Spark in combination withDark Energonto revive several dead Autobots as mindless drones. Optimus defeats Megatron and uses the Matrix of Leadership to send the Dark Spark into deep space, but this injures both of them. While Shockwave carries Megatron away to safety, Optimus contacts Jazz to tell him that the Dark Spark is gone and theycan advance with their plan to leave Cybertronvia theArk.

Back in the film continuity, the Autobots track Lockdown to a jungle, with Bumblebee and Drift being sent to scout ahead and find the mercenaries' stronghold. After Drift is captured, Bumblebee rescues him, but the pair are soon overwhelmed by enemy forces. They are saved by the sudden appearance ofGrimlock,who helps them defeat the mercenaries, though Lockdown escapes once again. After learning Lockdown is heading to an underground military base in another abandoned city, the Autobots go there to confront him, but only Optimus, Bumblebee, and Drift enter the bunker, as Grimlock is forced to stay behind to defend the entrance. The trio discover Lockdown is building a Time Bridge to bring the Autobot-Decepticon war into the present for personal gain, but the Autobots destroy it while Optimus confronts Lockdown. With Drift's help, Optimus separates Lockdown from the Dark Spark and throws the latter into the Time Bridge, sending it to an unknown point in time. The Autobots and Lockdown escape moments before the Time Bridge explodes, vowing to meet again.

In an epilogue scene, theG1continuity Optimus sees the Dark Spark crashing on Earth and also says "I thought this day would never come..."

Development

edit

The Windows and console versions ofTransformers: Rise of the Dark Sparkare powered byEpic Games'Unreal Engine 3and utilize theHavokphysics engine. UnlikeFall of CybertronandWar for Cybertron,which were developed byHigh Moon Studios,primary development forRise of the Dark Sparkwas handled byEdge of Reality.WayForward Technologiesdeveloped the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, which unlike its counterparts is a strategy RPG. It is the first PlayStation 4 game to use its Pre-Load feature, which allows players to download a game before its release date and have it ready to play the day it is released.[7]Owing to the nature of the game's narrative several characters have multiple models to choose from, each related to a given continuity. For example, Autobots Bumblebee and Grimlock feature two separate playable character models, one from theWar for Cybertroncontinuity, and one from the cinematic universe.[8][9]Optimus Prime features two separate character models from these continuities, plus aTransformers: Generation 1model.[10]

Several veteran voice actors voice multiple characters.Peter Cullenreprises his long-time role asOptimus Prime.[11]Of his experience provided voice work for the game, Cullen said "there was a such a respect for the character from the beginning. I wasn’t used to that, it’s something that’s transformed—pardon the pun—over the years."[12]Fred Tatasciorealso returns to voice Megatron.Jim Wardvoices Perceptor,Scott Whytevoices Hardshell, andTravis Willinghamvoices Onslaught and Sideswipe.Troy Bakervoices Jazz, Jetfire, and Kickback.Gregg Bergervoices Grimlock and Lockdown.Steve Blumprovides the voices for Sharpshot, Shockwave, and Swindle.Nolan Northvoices Bruticus and Cliffjumper.Keith Silversteinvoices Blast Off and Rumble. Soundwave is voiced byIsaac C. Singleton Jr.Vortex is voiced byDave Boat.Sam Riegelreprises his role ofStarscreamfromTransformers: War for Cybertron.Keith Szarabajkavoices Ironhide.

A trailer forRise of the Dark Sparkfeatured American rock bandLinkin Park's single "Until It's Gone".

The game was released in 2014 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in North America on June 24, in Australia on June 25, and in Europe on June 27.[13][14]

Reception

edit

The console and Windows versions ofTransformers: Rise of the Dark Spark,developed by Edge of Reality, received unfavourable reviews from critics. Approval ratings for this version averaged between 60.00% and 30.00% atGameRankings,whileMetacriticreports scores in the 40s. IGN gave it a "bad" rating of 4.0 out of 10.0, due to "dull" and "bland" design, a "complex" story, and the total absence of multiplayer support on Wii U.[28]The Nintendo 3DS version, developed by WayForward Technologies, received better reviews with a GameRankings score of 60.00% and no Metacritic score reported.[18]

References

edit
  1. ^Schulenberg, Thomas (February 15, 2014)."Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark revealed at NYC Toy Fair".Joystiq.Archivedfrom the original on July 5, 2014.RetrievedJune 16,2014.
  2. ^abMaiberg, Emanuel (February 16, 2014)."Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark confirmed, merges with Michael Bay's Age of Extinction".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on February 16, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 16,2014.
  3. ^abIshaan (June 6, 2014)."First Look At WayForward's Transformers RPG For The Nintendo 3DS".Siliconera.Archivedfrom the original on June 11, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  4. ^Sheridan, Connor (June 18, 2014)."Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark trailer escalates co-op".Computer and Video Games.Archivedfrom the original on June 22, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  5. ^Stainrook, Wayne (June 18, 2014)."Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".Game Informer.Archived fromthe originalon June 21, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  6. ^Langshaw, Mark (February 16, 2014)."Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark announced by Activision".Digital Spy.Archivedfrom the original on May 22, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 16,2014.
  7. ^Sinha, Robin (June 19, 2014)."Sony PS4 Pre-Load Feature Debuts With Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".NDTV.Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  8. ^Fahey, Mike (April 12, 2014)."Double Bumblebee Is The Best Thing About Rise Of The Dark Spark".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on June 5, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  9. ^Gordon, Rob (June 12, 2014)."'Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark' Grimlock Reveal Trailer ".Game Rant.Archivedfrom the original on June 16, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  10. ^Fahey, Mike (March 26, 2014)."Rise Of The Dark Spark Is A Tale Of Three Optimus Primes".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on June 5, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  11. ^McMillan, Graeme (June 5, 2014)."'Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark' Mixes Game and Movie Universes ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on June 7, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  12. ^Semel, Paul (June 20, 2014)."Peter Cullen, the Voice of Optimus Prime, Talks" Transformers ", Video Games, and Working With Michael Bay".complex.com.Archivedfrom the original on June 26, 2014.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  13. ^Van Der Byl, Tarryn (2014-05-06)."Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark release date announced".IGN Africa.Retrieved2023-02-03.
  14. ^"Transformers Rise of Dark Spark out in June".Digital Spy.2014-05-05.Retrieved2023-02-03.
  15. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".GameRankings.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-19.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  16. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".GameRankings.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-21.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  17. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".GameRankings.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-24.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  18. ^ab"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".GameRankings.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-27.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  19. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".GameRankings.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-23.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  20. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".GameRankings.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-28.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  21. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-02.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  22. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-08-03.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  23. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-02.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  24. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-02.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  25. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark review".Eurogamer.30 June 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-06.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  26. ^"A Slapdash Insult To Fans — Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".Game Informer.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-07-08.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  27. ^"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark Review".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-15.Retrieved2014-07-17.
  28. ^ab"Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark — The Dimmest Spark".IGN.July 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-12-05.Retrieved2014-11-02.
  29. ^"Review: Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark".Official Xbox Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-07-17.Retrieved2014-07-17.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Transformers:_Rise_of_the_Dark_Spark&oldid=1275007148"