Transformers Commodore 64 game

Yes, it's TV tie-in time again, as Denton Designs brings forth the game inspired by the popular toy series. The familiar characters from the small screen - Jazz, Mirage, Bumblebee, Hound, and the stalwart Optimus - are all present. For those unacquainted with the TV show, Transformers is a cartoon strip where courageous mechanical beings safeguard the world from various malevolent threats.

In this game, there are no worlds to save, only a mission to reclaim your scattered logo across a captivating multi-level maze. Your task is to deploy your robots to gather and reassemble the logo's four pieces, earning a bonus based on speed.

While the storyline may be minimal, the presentation compensates for it. The soundtrack, featuring the dynamic trio of SHIELDS, FIREPOWER, and STRENGTH, matches Denton's high standards. The maze, comprised of platforms connected by ramps, hosts aggressive dogs, birds, and other Transformers as adversaries. The action, whether walking, flying, or transforming into a vehicle, is fast, smooth, and addictive. Although flying risks fatal collisions with the maze, the absence of firing is offset by the ability to move swiftly.

This straightforward yet stylish game is evidently crafted for fans of the Transformers toys and TV series. The Commodore 64/128 Ocean offers this entertaining package at a price of £8.95 per cassette.

Trust Ocean to capitalize on the hottest Christmas toy trend. The Transformers, adaptable warrior robots, served as the inspiration for this game. Denton Designs, faced with the challenging task of translating the iconic figures into a game, adhered to the proven formula of Shadowfire.

In this game, two robot teams, Autobots and Decepticons, vie for control of Earth. The Autobots, striving to thwart the evil Decepticons, grapple with an energy crisis caused by high radiation levels. Players assume control of the five Autobots, aiming to assemble the four pieces of an Energon cube scattered across an expansive platform system - a unique take on the platform game concept.

Individual robot control via an icon system leads to platforms with Defensa Pods, essential for replenishing energy and shields as they deplete rapidly during movement. Three travel modes - walking, transforming into a vehicle, or flying - offer strategic flexibility. Navigating these modes requires joystick finesse, adding a layer of complexity.

Graphics are commendable, considering the challenge of adapting a toy concept to a computer game. The familiarity of the platform approach is retained, but the game's difficulty is notably linked to mastering the controls. Denton manages to pull it off, but just barely.