Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark Reviews
A good Transformers game has good transforming and good robot-blasting. Rise of the Dark Spark has neither.
But then, low-level disappointment hangs over Rise of the Dark Spark in a constant fog. It is, at best, a functional shooter that asks little of the player and offers the bare minimum in return. Though it pains me to say it, if there's to be another Transformers game to coincide with the inevitable fifth movie, a little of Michael Bay's bullish mayhem would go a long way in livening up this increasingly dull formula.
While far from the worst Transformers game, Rise of the Dark Spark's interesting ideas are eclipsed by bland action and frustrating design.
A shameless cash-in attempt is only redeemed by passable cooperative multipayer
Rise of the Dark Spark is a colossal failure
Offering no more than meets the eye, Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is just a shallow, frustrating, and incoherent third-person shooter.
The last few Transformers video games bucked the trend of subpar licensed products, instead giving us the Transformers games we always wanted as kids. Perhaps the PlayStation and Xbox versions of Rise of the Dark Spark are just as high-quality as their predecessors, but on Wii U, Rise of the Dark Spark is everything Nintendo fans have come to loathe about movie tie-ins and multiplatform gaming: a lazy port with missing features that treats Nintendo players like second-class citizens.
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark isn't an awful game, but it's a long way short of the bar set by High Moon.
A terrible backwards step for Transformers games, and a movie tie-in so cynical it tries to cut corners by ripping off its own predecessors.
If you're a die-hard fan of the Transformers film series, I would recommend picking up Rise of the Dark Spark when it's heavily discounted (like, under $10) with a group of friends just to play Escalation. As a side note, the Wii U version doesn't have Escalation mode -- so just avoid buying it altogether.
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is an insultingly overt cross-marketing bid that isn't worth your time.
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark feels like a game rushed just to coincide with the movie's release, which ultimately led to a disappointing follow-up to a great game series.
It's not always entirely drab – a bit of mindless blasting is always entertaining in short bursts – but much like the weedy Ultra Magnus, this is still a shadow of the title that it's trying to replace.
The absence of the practiced creative hands of previous Transformers developer, High Moon Studios, is keenly felt as Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark has sadly turned out to be both the weakest Transformers licensed title and the most uninspired third-person shooter in sometime.
High Moon Studios has proved that a good Transformers game is very much within grasp, something that makes Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark's flaws harder to accept. The storytelling is sloppy, the set-pieces are repetitive - and in some cases stolen from past games - while the visuals are dated. It's redeemed only by enjoyable third-person shooter action, which comes alive in co-op multiplayer when there's no story holding players back.
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is not a great game, but for those like me who still dream of reliving my childhood, Escalation scratches that itch. The collection of characters make it worthwhile, but not at $60. I suggest holding out until the price comes down, grabbing three friends, and having a blast. Just be sure to stay as far away from the campaign mode as possible.
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark tries to coast on the goodwill established by the previous two games, but mishandles their gameplay concepts with a badly rushed execution. Boring level design, an awful framerate and a confusing story make this game a slog from start to finish.
If you've just gone to see Age of Extinction and really want to play an awesome Transformers game, High Moon's past efforts are all you should even consider going for. Leave this pile of scrap out to rust until someone comes along to polish the franchise up again.
While the Escalation mode remains as fun as ever, Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is nothing more than a cheap rush job that boasts poor graphics, boring gameplay and a borderline incoherent story.