Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is an upcoming third-person shooter video game being developed by High Moon Studios and published by Activision. It is the direct sequel to the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron. The game follows the events of War for Cybertron as the Autobots struggle to defeat their Decepticon foes in battle for their home planet of Cybertron. The game is scheduled to release on August 21, 2012 in North America and August 24, 2012 in Europe for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. High Moon Studios originally announced that they would not be porting the game to the PC, however plans were changed. The first official cinematic trailer for the game was shown off at the 2011 Spike TV Video Game Awards on December 10, 2011.
Plot
Fall of Cybertron immediately continuesthe story from Transformers: War for Cybertron with the civil war between the Autobots and the Decepticons over control of their home world, Cybertron. The developer, High Moon Studios, hopes to show a darker tone than the original game; as Game Informer states, this game “changes and improves upon so many of the fundamental ideas that the developer considers the game a natural successor rather than a true sequel.” Fall of Cybertron depicts the final battle between the two robot factions which results in the destruction of their home world, forcing the Autobots to seek refuge in our galaxy, the Milky Way.
Characters expected to appear in the game include: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz, Cliffjumper, Ironhide, Sideswipe, Ratchet, Perceptor, Warpath, Wheeljack, Jetfire, Air Raid, Metroplex, the Dinobots (Grimlock, Sludge, Slug, Snarl and Swoop), and Megatron, Shockwave, Starscream, Soundwave, the Combaticons (Onslaught, Blast Off, Brawl, Swindle and Vortex) and their combined form of Bruticus, and an Insecticon swarm, including Hardshell, Sharpshot and Kickback.
Gameplay
Like its predecessor, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is played from a third-person perspective. The weapon selection in Fall of Cybertron is upgraded, with new weapons that can take on very significant upgrades, including an upgrade that allows a weapon to fire 75 percent faster. The Autobot, Grimlock (a Transformer who transforms into a dinosaur) is controlled differently than other characters. Not having long range weapons (only a sword and a shield) Grimlock cannot transform at will, instead accumulating “rage” as he battles opponents. When he gains enough “rage” Grimlock is able to transform and perform massive damage. Every character will have their own special and unique ability, such as the Autobot Jazz acquiring a grappling hook, Optimus Prime’s control of the massive Metroplex and the Combaticons ability to transform into the Decepticon combiner, Bruticus. Bruticus will be playable only in a level where the players will feel “the most powerful.” The online co-op campaign play feature in the first game has been dropped. The “Escalation” horde type game-mode from War for Cybertron has also returned. There will be multiple waves of enemies as the game mode progresses, also opening up upgrades in weaponry. Instead of a health system the game will feature a regenerative system. The player will also be able to buy and upgrade their gear. The character creation for online multiplayer has been retooled and will feature more “variety.” For online multiplayer, players are able to create their own Autobots and Decepticons from scratch, with hundreds of pieces and thousands of paint job options. Scientist, Infiltrator, Destroyer and Titan are confirmed to be the four “character classes.”