Transformers: Autobots [DS]

One interesting feature is the game's Wi-Fi mode. In an unexpected move, you can't hop online for some Autobot-on-Decepticon deathmatch action. Instead, you take part in week-long "wars" where you and your fellow Transformers: Autobots owners band together against those who purchased the Decepticons version of the game. Despite the conflict, you never actually battle another player. Selecting the "AllSpark Wars" option takes you to the online "War Center" where you download that day's battle. Once the battle has been downloaded, you logoff to take on the challenge.

There are several types of battles that you'll end up tackling. These can range from having to cause a set amount of damage to collecting orbs to defeating as many enemies as you can within a time limit. During the course of each day, you can attempt the challenge as many times as you wish. The more you play, the more points you earn for your faction (and the more experience points you earn for your character). Once you're finished playing, you log back into the War Center where your accomplishments are uploaded and added to the faction's total. While in the War Center, you can check the results of the previous day's battle, look at your personal history, and compare your score to the day's leaders.

Such Heroic Nonsense

If your side earns the most points at the end of the day, you win the "battle," claiming your team a chunk of the AllSpark Cube. Whichever side has the most chunks at the end of seven battles wins the "war." Whenever you compete in a daily battle, win a battle, or win a war, you are awarded "Battle Tokens" that are used to unlock new vehicle modes and cheats.

It's certainly an unorthodox online mode, but after spending a few days with it, I became quite addicted to it. Each copy of the game has an account (think Friend) code that can be used to register the game at the official website. Here, you can keep track of your stats and form strategies on how to get the best scores with other players in the forums. It's a pretty cool way to form a sense of community around the title. And yes, if you have both versions of the game, you can register both and play both sides.

For those seeking a more traditional multiplayer experience, you can play the traditional deathmatch as well as the soccer-esque AllSpark Sports with up to three other players in local play. Although not very involved, these modes will help extend the game's life some. It would have been great if these modes worked over Wi-Fi as well in addition to the AllSpark Wars.

It would seem that my lack of faith was for naught -- Transformers: Autobots ended up being a good game. Vicarious Visions does some great work on the DS, so I suppose that I shouldn't have been too worried. Sure, it's a bit simplistic, but the gameplay is solid and the odd online mode is strangely addicting.

©2007, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved