Transformers transformed the world when they hit the scene in the 80s. Shirts, action figures, and probably anything you can think of had a Transformers logo on it. It was a huge deal and it still is because of the movies that have been recently released. The newest movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, was just released in theaters, and now the game with the same title has also hit the shelves for the Nintendo Wii.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen seems to stick to the story of the movie for the most part and all the transformer action and enemies blowing up is still there in this new Transformers title. The game is mostly conducted in missions where the player has a certain objective and will play through the level until the objective is completed. One good thing about the missions is the player gets to play as the Autobots and Decepticons. So, when you are feeling a little tired of being the good guys, the game throws in the Decepticon story missions to balance things out.

Let there be no mistake, though, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on the Wii is nothing like its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 brethren. Developers seemed to have changed it a little to work for the Wii, but the changes were probably a mistake. The controls for a vehicle or to manage the actual robot are very strange and hard to get used to it. When you are playing close-range combat, it is very difficult to actually get the Wii-mote to comply with what you want it to do. It is quite frustrating and takes a lot away from the game. The Transformers’ guns are also rather hard to aim and shoot with. This is partly due to 3D characters in a fairly narrow and almost 2D environment. These combinations create many problems where you can’t see enemies and it is hard to aim and them and shoot.

Another thing you will be disappointed to see, which is the great thing about the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, is the lack of instant transformations from vehicle to robot anytime you want. Yes, transformation is available in this title but only at certain times during the story mode. You can’t switch back and forth like you can in the other versions, and it is disappointing. In a Transformers game in this day and age, it needs to have instant transformations. The transformers are also lacking in originality. Yes, they have different power-up moves, but their guns are essentially the same. This wasn’t that horrible, but if you compare to the other version of this title, it was kind of disappointing.

Other than the controls and lack of transforming, it is an Ok game. Combat gets boring quickly, but the action is there. You always have enemies everywhere at every turn, which is nice. The graphics are average for the Wii with sometimes slower-than-normal cut scenes. The best thing about the game would probably be the audio and voice acting. For some reason, there is something magical about Transformers talking. This reason alone may keep you from turning off the game in frustration with the combat and controls.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen kept pretty close to the story of the movie, but didn’t have a lot else going for it as a game. The iffy combat, strange controls and lack of transforming really made this new Transformers title quite disappointing. If you are a Transformers fan, you could take a look at it. If you aren’t, you may want to just keep your other options open.

Gameplay: 5.0
Although levels are usually pretty big, the combat gets boring very quickly with the same repetitious combat.

Graphics: 6.5
The graphics in this Transformers title were passable. There were some slow cut scenes and explosions, but other than that, it was wholly average.

Sound: 7.5
The best aspect of this game was the voice acting. Hearing huge robots talk is a magical experience.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium

Concept: 5.5
The concept just isn’t there. It took all the good things about the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions and removed them from the Wii version.

Overall: 5.5
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen could have been an amazing game, but control problems - among other missteps - ruined this game.