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When the first live-action Transformers movie burst on to the scene, it re-ignited a sheltered ember that would grow to a roaring fire of fanboyism. Out of the woodwork burst geeks in Autobot and Decepticon t-shirts, spouting epitaphs from the series and debating where Optimus Prime’s trailer goes when he transforms. Then something terrible happened, 2 really bad video games and an even worse film sequel came along and destroyed any hope the fans had for a true return of their beloved Transformers. Now, with the franchise about to fall back in to irrelevance High Moon Studios have come along and delivered a game that gives every Transformers fan something to get excited about.

When most studios start designing a licensed game like Transformers the game mechanics are usually based around a license-specific gimmick. In the case of the last two Transformers games it was a rather unfortunate emphasis on transforming back and forth between robot and car. It sound logical on paper, but in reality it leads to stilted gameplay that falls apart when players try and do anything else. Without focus on the mechanics that hold non-licensed games together you end up with an experience that always falls apart.

It’s obvious that during development High Moon was focused on building a good game first, and a good Transformers game second. Aiming is accurate, movement is well-paced, controls are simply laid out, and everything feels balanced. All the fundamentals of good game design have been covered, and that makes the game extremely comfortable to play. Transformers: War for Cybertron could be stripped of all it’s Transformers assets and still be a fun game to play, solid game mechanics are solid regardless of what things look like.

However, War for Cybertron works beyond the confines of licensed-game expectations. High Moon has paid an incredible amount of respect to the source material to deliver the ultimate Transformers fan experience. Everything from the audio cues to the detailed transforming animations are authentic to the original series and with Peter Cullen, and a few other G1 voice actors, performing their respective roles this is as close as anyone could get to recreating the magic of the cartoon.

A few creative liberties have been taken with the character design, but nothing that will upset fans. It’s a modernization of the characters that is both grittier and fantastical. Silhouettes remain the same, so everyone is instantly recognizable, but the new coat of paint makes all the characters seem more relevant than if concept artists had done a direct translation of the original animations.

The single player campaign is a divided affair, letting players take part in both the Decepticon, then Autobot sides of the conflict. Structuring the storyline in this way gives players a chance to revel in the unhindered evil powers of Megatron while still swinging in for a hero’s victory with Optimus Prime at the end of the game. Characters like Sideswipe and Breakdown are also available, but won’t see much play outside the game’s co-op campaign; no one wants to be the kid playing with bottom-of-the-box toys if they don’t have to.

The story follows Megatron on his quest to erradicate the free-thinking Autobots from Cybertron by infusing ‘dark energon’ in the core of the planet. Optimus and co. embark on a quest to stop him and as expected hit a few snags on the way. The plot carries a surprisingly environmental message considering every living thing in the game is made of metal. Cybertron is imbued with a Gaia-like essence and there’s plenty of juxtaposition to our current global condition for those who want to read too deeply in to a game about fighting robots.

Levels are well paced, providing equal opportunity to experience the variety of gameplay the different weapons produce. There’s long-range maps for sniping, swarmy-CQC levels for shotguns, and even a few fun aerial levels to break up all the running and gunning. The game does revel in vehicle-focused levels a bit too much in the Autobot campaign, but it wouldn’t really be Transformers without some driving sequences. Overall the game covers all it’s bases and provides a well rounded campaign that’s only slightly shorter than the modern average.

Where the campaign really shines is during the boss battles which pit the player against Transformers more than 5x their size. Whether the pattern-based gameplay is an intentional tip of the hat to 80’s-era gaming or by-the-book game design it calls back memories of the games fans would be playing during the heyday of their Transformers hysteria. Taking down one of the big enemies is triumphant with the moments leading to the fight baited with equal parts anticipation and trepidation.

The online multiplayer is a worthwhile experience that won’t call everyone back, but will have an audience that returns time and again. The modes are a medley of the typical deathmatch and capture the flag varients, but a class-based structure combined with transforming elements provide a unique spin on an otherwise unoriginal attachment. It’s worth playing if you have the game, but the multiplayer is not a reason to go out and buy Transformers: War for Cybertron.

Transformers: War for Cybertron is a good game. It’s not perfect, but for the fans who’ve been abused through the past 2 cash-ins a little roughness around the edges can be tolerated for an game with as much heart as War for Cybertron. Development was clearly focused around building a solid set of mechanics that any player could enjoy, but ultimately this is a game best served to fans. Those who don’t ‘get’ Transformers will see a slightly better than average action/shooter, but for those with “The Touch” this is the game you’ve been waiting for.

Transformers: War for Cybertron was released on June 22 2010 for Xbox 360, PC, and Playstation 3.