First off, although this is a Japanese game there is an option to set it to English. The game can actually be played completely in English!
I am not a big video game fanatic but I think the graphics are great! The strategy/game play is comparable to Final Fight but with weapons and you can Transform to escape or run over opponents (weapons can also be used in vehicle mode ex. Optimus Prime's trailer can open into a base and fire rounds at Decepticons). You journey through the different levels and fight either Autobots or Decepticons depending on which characters you pick and there are special weapons and techiques for the different characters (EX. Megatron w/Fusion cannon, Prime w/Energon Axe).
The story is almost like a movie. The Optimus Prime and the Autobots as well as Megatron and the Decepticons have tracked an unidentified spacecraft that has landed on earth. As they reach the spacecraft they are met with Autobots/Decepticons from the future (Rodimus Prime/Galvatron - depending if you picked autobots or decepticons). They reveal a story of a great catastrophe that will happen in the future. The Zel Quartz, a crystal of great power that has fallen into the wrong hands and used to destroyed the universe.
To prevent this catastrophe from happening Rodimus and his troops have found a way to travel back in time to find the Zel Quartz first. However the Decepticons, led by Galvatron have followed Rodimus in hopes to seize the power for himself. So now it is a race to see who will gain the ultimate power!
From the initial start you can only pick certain characters for your team of three in each faction. Either Optimus Prime, Jazz and Wheeljack if you are and Autobot or Megtron, Starscream and Soundwave if you are a Decepticon. As you pass the different levels you pick up allies that become playable as soon as you get them. Characters can be upgraded as well. NOTE: In order to upgrade you must collect as much Energon as possible from your fallen opponents.
The controls are a little difficult at first but after a couple hours you should get the hang of it. Controls are as follows:
R1 - block
R2 - ?
L1 - Aim hand gun
L2 - Duck(Pick up Opponent?)
Triangle - Punch/shoot hand gun
Circle - Kick
Square - Transform
X - Jump
D/up - Tap and hold to Run/Dash or hold up and punch/kick for different attack.
D/down - Hold down and kick/punch for different attack.
D/Left - turns character left ( to turn face opponent)
D/Right - turns character right ( to turn and face opponent)
Special tactics:
- Punch and kick at same time does your SPECIAL.
- Transform and press punch to run over/shoot opponent.
- As robot hole down on L1 to aim handgun and press Triangle (punch) to shoot it. Note: you can shoot while you are running.
- Use the D-pad along with attack buttons to find different moves and attacks.
It may not have every G1 character but with 100 playable characters you should be able to find somebody! This game has everything you love about G1, I recommend this game for any Generation One fan!
Solomon Anima