Transformers G1: Awakening
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iOS
February 25, 2010
| Transformers G1: Awakening | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Glu Mobile |
| Publisher | Glu Mobile |
| Platforms | Mobile, iOS, Android, WebOS, BlackBerry OS |
| Release | November 12, 2008 iOS February 25, 2010 |
| Genre | Turn-based tactics |
| Mode | Single-player |
Transformers G1: Awakening is a turn-based tactics mobile game in the Transformers franchise developed and published by Glu Mobile. It was originally released for feature phones on November 12, 2008, before being ported to IOS in 2010.[1][2] The game has been removed from the Apple App Store due to licensing reasons.
Transformers G1: Awakening was announced at BotCon 2008 with a worldwide release set for Fall of that year. This was the second Transformers game from Glu Mobile; they had released a platform game for mobile phones based on Michael Bay's 2007 live-action Transformers film.[3][4] As the next Transformers film, Revenge of the Fallen, would not be released until 2009, Glu decided to maximize their licensing agreement by producing a game that wasn't tied to a major release.[5] Unlike the film adaptations, Awakening was planned as a turn-based tactics game with role-playing elements, with a story set in the early days of the 1980s animated series. In an interview with fan site TFormers.com, Glu Mobile EMEA studio head Chris White and Awakening Product Manager Martin Edelman explained that their desire to make such a game was based on their admiration for the 1986 animated film, as well as for the Marvel Comics series.[4] They compared their game to the Advance Wars series, but explained that it differed in that the units were not "expendable cannon fodder". Instead, each unit was a unique character from the franchise, with individual strengths and attributes based on their existing personas.[4] The game was developed at Glu's UK office (which was previously the company Macrospace), so they had previous experience with turn-based tactics games, having developed the Ancient Empires series.[5]
Gameplay
Like most turn-based tactics games, the player controls units (in this case, a cast of 23 Generation 1 Transformers characters) across small-scale, grid-based levels. In order to encourage as much "transforming" as possible, the player is given the option to turn each robot into their vehicle form (or vice versa) at the end of their turn.[6] While in vehicle mode, Transformers can travel further, and receive reduced damage, but cannot attack.[2] While in robot mode, they gain the ability to attack other Transformers, and to capture structures necessary that produce energy (like pylons).[7] Energy sources provide energon, which acts as the currency for the game. Energon allows the player to upgrade or repair units, or to summon additional characters into play.[2]
In the main campaign, players control the heroic Autobots, battling Megatron's forces of villainous Decepticons. Starting the game with Bumblebee and Ratchet, additional characters are added as the story progresses, each with unique abilities or characteristics.[7] The Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, gives a "morale boost" to any friendly units in adjacent spaces, which increases their battle performance.[2] Ratchet (who turns into an ambulance) is the game's only medic,[8] and as such his survival is key to the other robots' survival.[2] The city-sized Metroplex serves as the Autobots' mobile base, and is used to summon supporting characters like Prowl, Ironhide, and Sideswipe (Trypticon serves the same function for the Decepticons).[2][8] The boombox Blaster is able to summon minicassettes Eject and Rewind, and the same goes for Decepticon Soundwave with his underlings Frenzy and Rumble.[9][10] As in the cartoon, Jetfire must be converted from a Decepticon,[2] and transforming Tyrannosaur Grimlock crushes Decepticons with ease.[7]
