Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

Nintendo World ReportDaan Koopman

7/10

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark mostly just delivers a light-hearted turn-based strategy game that keeps you engaged for the story’s 32 missions. What is here makes for a good time, despite its flaws in the presentation and the overall structure. WayForward has done an admirable job making the Transformers tick on a turn-based battle map. While there are better strategy games on the Nintendo 3DS, if you are thirsty for more, there is nothing wrong with a little Transformers sip this summer.

There’s fun to be had in Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark, but it’s a dialed-in action shooter game, which is a mistake since there was never a chance that this game would compete with the big budget games in the genre. Titles such as Destiny, Call of Duty, or Titanfall will all trounce this game and ensure that no one but the most dedicated fan will care about it in the near future. It would be to the benefit of the franchise if future games stopped trying to swim with the sharks.

Game InformerMatt Miller

5/10

To give credit where it’s due, Rise of the Dark Spark elicits some genuine emotion from this Transformers fan. Unfortunately, those emotions are anger and disappointment. Activision and Edge of Reality have squandered the good will established by High Moon Studios’ strong Transformers Cybertron games, releasing a product that fails on several fundamental levels. It isn’t entertaining, doesn’t remain true to either of the disparate storylines (which should never have been linked), and can’t overcome technical performance issues.

Attack of the FanboyDean James

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark feels like a game rushed just to coincide with the movie’s release, which ultimately led to a disappointing follow-up to a great game series.

IGNDave Rudden

4.9/10

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark has a few bright spots; the co-op Escalation mode is enjoyable, and there are cool weapons befitting the bots. But the bland campaign is a slog with uneven difficulty, while vehicle transformations and combat are largely unsatisfying. Without nailing that, you’ve got a bad Transfomers game.   Editor's Note: We screwed up a little. In our haste to get this review out to you as soon as possible, we didn't notice that the Wii U version doesn't contain the best part of Rise of the Dark Spark: the mulitplayer Escalation mode. That version deserves a lower scor...

Playstation UniverseJohn-Paul Jones

4.5/10

The absence of the practiced creative hands of previous Transformers developer, High Moon Studios, is keenly felt as Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark has sadly turned out to be both the weakest Transformers licensed title and the most uninspired third-person shooter in sometime.

Capsule ComputersZac Elawar

4/10

No summary available

GameSpotCarolyn Petit

4/10

You have neither the touch nor the power.

Gaming NexusSean Colleli

3.5/10

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark tries to coast on the goodwill established by the previous two games, but mishandles their gameplay concepts with a badly rushed execution. Boring level design, an awful framerate and a confusing story make this game a slog from start to finish.

Impulse GamerAdmin

Loadout developer’s Edge of Reality have been handed the task of developing the latest Transformers game, Rise of the Dark Spark. After two acclaimed entries

Push SquareBen Tarrant

3/10

Even the emotionless Galvatron would be saddened to see a generation of teenagers brought up on Michael Bay’s visually offensive and canon destroying Transformers flicks. Fortunately for veterans, there’s been a shining light among the countless explosions and Megan Fox pouting that has sought to preserve the authenticity of a brand that means so much to so many: High Moon Studios’ excellent Cybertron series.

Digital TrendsAdam Rosenberg

“Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is an insultingly overt cross-marketing bid that isn't worth your time.”