Transformers: Call of the Future



Transformers (also known under the name Transformers Tatakai) is a Japanese video game for the Sony Playstation 2 based on the Generation 1 Transformers series. It was developed by Winkysoft and published by Atlus on October 30th, 2003. After choosing a side, you can take a squad of three Transformers on action missions, gathering numerous new troops along the way.

Even though all of the dialog in the game is in English with an option to set all of the text in the game to English as well, this game was never released in America. The two most likely reasons are Hasbro's lack of involvement with the title, and the game's apparent unanimous panning by critics in Japan.

You know things are messed up when Megatron's voice actor pulls off a better Peter Cullen than the actor who plays Optimus Prime.

Gameplay
"The invisible wall seems to have disappeared. Looks like we can't get rid of that wall unless we take care of all of them."

- Optimus Prime

Gameplay consists of punching and kicking your way through canyons, hillsides, and roadways where legions of cloned opponents await you. There is very little in the way of creative gameplay and everything gets very repetitive very fast. The environments are very small and closed in, so don't expect to go roaming around on any wayward adventure. You're there to duke it out with the enemy, and that's it.

Setting
The game's story is set explicitly in (Japan's version of) the Generation 1 cartoon continuity, referring to the events of several episodes specifically.

It is (presumably) set in 2003, the year it was released, but also features characters from an alternate future which branched off late in the year 2010 (after "Starscream's Ghost" and "Webworld", but before "The Return of Optimus Prime").

There are some oddities; several Headmasters are present among the 2003 Transformers, and while their existence was not a secret per se, it is odd to see them this early in the timeline.

Story


In the year 2010, Shockwave, who had grown disgruntled with Galvatron's abusive leadership, discovers the Zel Quartz on Zel Samine. Realizing that it is a power source even greater than the Heart of Cybertron, Shockwave implants the Quartz into himself. He stages a one-robot coup and becomes the leader of the Decepticons...until the surging power load fries his systems and he malfunctions, running amok. He destroys much of both the Autobot and Decepticon armies and eventually destroys Cybertron itself before setting out to raze many innocent planets.

Unable to stop Shockwave in the present, Rodimus Prime allies with the Quintessons to send an elite cadre back in time to destroy the Quartz before Shockwave discovers it.

In 2003, both the Autobots and Decepticons detect an explosion caused the arrival of visitors from the future over Zel Samine and send teams to investigate. Both sides lose contact with their teams. The Autobots send another team consisting of Optimus Prime, Wheeljack and Jazz to investigate, but their shuttle crashes, and Wheeljack learns that an abnormality in Zel Samine's sun causes electromechanical systems to malfunction and drains them of their power. The Decepticons likewise send Soundwave and Starscream (with Megatron arriving later by Space Bridge, a very bumpy ride).

The Space Bridge malfunctions, causing significant damage to the Decepticon ship. The Decepticons lure the Autobots away from their own shuttle in order to steal their supply of energon and use it to repair their own shuttle. Afterwards, both sides skirmish over a series of local power sources, including the wind-power facility on Mount Jaad, the Ranpas Geothermal Plant, and the Mongan Hydroelectric Power Station. Along the way, both sides encounter members of their missing reconnaissance teams.

Both sides also encounter their counterparts from the future: the Autobots Rodimus Prime, Kup, and Arcee; and the Decepticons Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge. Galvatron reveals his identity to Megatron, but lies to him about the Zel Quartz, claiming he rules the universe in the future and it is part of an Autobot doomsday weapon that must be destroyed.

Pursuing stories of items that may be the Zel Quartz, both sides clash over the Gem of Mystery at the Lazalt Ruins, a superhard mineral in a drill bit at Karzite Mine, and a giant crystal formation at the Atalstan gem mine. None of those leads pay off, but the planet's central archive includes reference to a "Zel Stone" which is part of the ELTA power transmission array, matching descriptions of the Zel Quartz exactly.

Both sides stage a climactic confrontation at ELTA (which is either destroyed or kept intact, depending on the winner) to capture the Quartz. After the battle is done, Starscream, who has overheard Galvatron and Cyclonus discussing the Quartz's true nature, rushes in to steal the Quartz for himself, jetting off into space with it.

Unbeknownst to Starscream, the physical structure of the quartz requires the atmospheric and electromagnetic properties of Zel Samine to maintain its integrity. Because he has fled into space rather than installing the Quartz on the planet as Shockwave had (and thus protecting it), the Quartz immediately degrades and becomes powerless. Outside of the atmosphere, exposed to the effects of Zel Samine's star without the Quartz's power to protect him, Starscream drifts powerless, left to contemplate his mistakes.

Their own timeline averted, the future Autobots and Decepticons vanish into sparkles of light, and Optimus Prime and Megatron are left to contemplate what they've learned from the experience.

Decepticon Story
Starscream and Soundwave are in the shuttle, which has crash-landed in a cave on Zel. Megatron is absent, as he is on the Space Bridge. There were many instabilities in the route, but they believed it would work. However, when they tried it again, the Space Bridge was broken. Starscream, not wanting to wait for repairs, decides to go where Megatron was supposed to be and find him.

However, when they arrive at his estimated rendezvous point, there is no one there. They are a bit confused, but nevertheless, Starscream decides to pass the time and make himself new leader of the Decepticons. At that very moment, Megatron appears from out of nowhere. He announces that he went off-course, but found that the Autobots were here as well. Megatron then calls Optimus, Wheeljack, and Jazz, and announces that the Decepticons will arrive at their shuttle to destroy them once and for all. However, Wheeljack warns him that they will have to deal with him first. Starscream is confused as to why Megatron alerted the Autobots to their attack. Megatron just states that the Autobots won't try anything tricky if they fight fairly. He then asks if Starscream like to become an Autobot, as he believes Starscream doesn't trust him. Starscream refuses, stating he'd "rather die". He also suggests that they pick a team and formation for the attack, and Megatron agrees.

Their initial progress across the planet is hindered by an invisible wall, however. Within its confines, they encounter Ironhide and two other Autobots. After the Autobots are defeated, the invisible wall disappears, and the Decepticons realize the direct causal connection: Defeat Autobots, and the invisible walls go away. Following more skirmishes, they encounter Wheeljack. After a long battle, he loses and withdraws, and the trio continue their route.

However, they see a mine field, possibly made by Wheeljack. They manage to get through the it safely, scrap some Autobots and look good all at the same time.

After traveling a great distance, they encounter Optimus Prime. This leads to a long, tough brawl for the Decepticons, but they manage to defeat Prime and the Autobots. Megatron is on the verge of destroying Prime, but the Autobot retreats. Megatron is outraged, but decides to take the energon cubes instead.

Soundwave and Megatron later discuss their views on a U.F.O. Soundwave asks Megatron if he has felt something particularly odd since arriving on the planet. Megatron acknowledges he has, and Soundwave relates the unusual events that have occurred since arriving there. It's almost as if something was trying to cause them problems, so he made a study of the planet. According to his findings, the planet's sun is very dangerous to Transformers. It is constantly beaming electro-magnetic rays which can harm them greatly and cause their energon to evaporate when they are at high altitudes. To complete the repairs on the shuttle, they need to get some energy.

The Decepticons decide to go to the Jaad wind power plant. Starscream believes the mission to be absurd and a waste of time, but Soundwave explains it is not. He also notes the Autobots are already there, but Starscream says this will be no problem: He'll just blast them away. Soundwave, however, shows Starscream how a real subordinate should behave. Starscream eases off for now, believing he'll take care of Megatron soon enough. Soundwave suggests they select a team and formation for the mission.

Characters
Below is a list of some of the characters that appear in the game:

Playable Autobots
• 3

Playable Decepticons
• 3

Autobots

 * Ironhide
 * Wheelie
 * Wreck-Gar
 * Sky Lynx
 * Prowl
 * Smokescreen
 * Perceptor
 * Raiden
 * Computron
 * Inferno

Decepticons
• 3