I spent some time in the multiplayer beta for the upcoming Transformers game, Transformers: War for Cybertron. High Moon Studios looks to have done an excellent job recreating the Transformers experience. The map I played looked really good and was extremely unique. Your character feels like a real bad ass with tons of offensive fire power, but you don’t feel like you can be steamrolled on the defensive side. So far, that balance seems good but certainly there’s more to be found there as the progression of multiplayer happens.

Perhaps most important in creating a Transformers experience is how your character actually performs transformations. Let me tell you, they nailed it. Jumping with A and pressing the left stick to transform is just amazing and really works. The sound is authentic and will bring back some memories from your early childhood if you’re about my age.

I was really surprised by the depth of the multiplayer experience we’ll get at retail. For the beta, there are only two modes available; Team Deathmatch and a mode where you gain points by capturing and holding points on the map (it’s name escapes me at the moment). At retail, there are a handful of other game modes that will be available. Because the game feels and plays a lot like Gears of War 2, at least in terms of controls, it’s really the multiplayer experience that I wanted with Gears of War 2. I’m glad to see that Transformers: War for Cybertron is seemingly stepping up to the plate in delivering a solid multiplayer experience.

We’ll have a lot more on this title in the coming weeks. Skeptical Gamer is getting a review copy and will have an official review. We’ll also be talking about it on Slam The Controller. Stay tuned!