Transformers: Rise Of The Dark Spark (3DS) - no, this isn't a N64 game

Transformers: Rising Of The Dark Spark (3DS) – no, this isn't an N64 game

The 3DS version of Rise Of The Dark Spark is a strategy game by the creators of DuckTales Remastered, but is information technology any skillful?

We always causeless that Ascension Of The Dark Spark was going to be atrocious, but having that fact confirmed was however a very depressing experience. What helped keep our spirits upwards though was the hope that the 3DS version would be better, every bit we knew it to be a completely dissimilar release by the oft excellent WayForward. And indeed information technology is definitely a better game, it'southward just yet not a very good ane…

WayForward are best known for portable games such as Shantae and Mighty Switch Force, too as their general skill with retro 2nd graphics. Their licensed work, on everything from Risk Fourth dimension to The Smurfs, tends to exist of more than variable quality, but they're still a programmer whose work nosotros always wait forwards to.

Although it has the same name and plot this otherwise has no connection with Rise Of The Dark Spark on home consoles (you can read our review of the PlayStation 4 version here). The 3DS game is instead a turn-based strategy game similar to portable console classic Advance Wars (or more accurately Super Robot Wars, but we assume most people in the UK have never played that).

Nosotros would compare it to Burn Emblem, merely although the game clearly wants you to think of information technology as a strategy part-player it really doesn't authorize. Each characters has stats, simply there'southward no levelling upwardly and the only character customisation is choosing two special abilities before a boxing.

The game starts with a (very deadening-looking) 2D map in which are commonly deployed around three to six transformers. Every bit with the habitation console version the story starts off with the moving-picture show cast but the entire middle section of the game is a prequel to Autumn Of Cybertron, using more than familiar Generation 1 manner versions of the characters. You also constantly switch between controlling Autobots and Decepticons, which is slightly less disorientating than in the home version as all the characters are categorised as ane of three basic class types.

Whoever yous're in charge of y'all merely select who you want to move and bespeak where on the grid-based map yous want them to get. If they're standing next to an enemy they can and then fight them, which starts a little turn-based 3D fighting game, where you select different moves from a touchscreen menu.

The iii class types (heavy, recon, and assault – plus a leader type for Optimus Prime number and Megatron) have a rock, paper, scissors style relationship with each other and each of their dissimilar moves has a little light next to it indicating whether it'll be effective, not very effective, or neutral when used against your opponent. One time you make your choice a simple little QTE sequence plays out, which if you get right will increment the harm.

Transformers: Rise Of The Dark Spark (3DS) - there is no trailer, all we could find is a Let's Play

Transformers: Rise Of The Night Spark (3DS) – there is no trailer, all nosotros could find is a Permit'southward Play

Information technology's a groovy idea but let downwardly by the fact that the options are so basic, and that in that location's very little real strategy involved. More than powerful moves require multiple turns to power-upwards, which ways you have to go on some going across multiple fights, but only a modicum of attention will ensure that most fights are almost incommunicable to lose at.

The peak-level strategy when moving characters around the map is similarly simplistic, with no demand to worry about terrain types and no benefit in surrounding enemies with multiple characters. The classes have a special move that either lets them repair other units, take control of turrets and barracks, or use long-ranged shots but otherwise you just move towards enemies, initiate a fight, and that'southward it.

At that place's zip inventive or clever nearly any of the maps and no new features or options are added as the game progresses. After the showtime 30 minutes y'all've seen everything the game has to offer in terms of gameplay, with simply the introduction of new characters offer any kind of novelty. At that place's no multiplayer of any kind, and no other play modes beyond just replying campaign levels to get all the achievements.

The fact that the game is supposed to be about transforming robots is almost completely ignored. The simply time anyone transforms is when moving beyond the map, with the option to go a couple of extra spaces by transforming – if you take yous won't exist able to take whatever other deportment at the end of the move. You never see everyone'south transformation mode in the 3D fights and it makes no difference whether a character is a country or air vehicle.

We're sure a lot of these problems are due to a lack of fourth dimension and budget but it means that the game is really only of any involvement to someone curious to endeavour out the genre, simply wary of playing anything too complicated. In that sense information technology might be particularly suitable for children, just given how simplistic and repetitive the game is only very immature or easily distracted ones.

Fall Of Cybertron has already shown that you can make a good quality Transformers activity game, and although we're certain the aforementioned is also true for strategy games this 3DS championship does very little to prove the fact.

In Curt: A nice idea in theory merely the super shallow gameplay and micro-upkeep presentation make this portable strategy game only marginally better than its home panel namesake.

Pros: The controls and strategy elements work fine, and are very newbie friendly. The 3D fights are a prissy idea, even if they're very shallow

Cons: Extremely simplistic tactics require almost no thought and the game very apace becomes repetitive. Deal basement visuals and virtually zero utilize of anyone really transforming.

Score: 4/10

Formats: 3DS
Cost: £34.99
Publisher: Activision
Developer: WayForward
Release Date: 27th June 2014
Age Rating: vii

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