View source for Software:Transformers G1: Awakening

{{Infobox video game
|title          = Transformers G1: Awakening
|collapsible    =
|state          =
|image          = Transformers G1 Awakening promotional image.png
|caption        =
|developer      = [[Company:Glu Mobile|Glu Mobile]]
|publisher      = Glu Mobile
|series         =
|engine         =
|released       = November 12, 2008<br />'''iOS'''<br />February 25, 2010
|genre          = [[Software:Turn-based tactics|Turn-based tactics]]
|modes          = [[Software:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
|platforms      = [[Engineering:Mobile phone|Mobile]], [[Software:IOS (Apple)|iOS]], Android, [[Software:WebOS|WebOS]], [[Software:BlackBerry OS|BlackBerry OS]]
}}
'''''Transformers G1: Awakening''''' is a [[Software:Turn-based tactics|turn-based tactics]] [[Software:Mobile game|mobile game]] in the Transformers franchise developed and published by [[Company:Glu Mobile|Glu Mobile]]. It was originally released for [[Engineering:Feature phone|feature phone]]s on November 12, 2008, before being ported to IOS in 2010.<ref name="Kotaku1">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5454657/g1-transformers-awaken-on-the-iphone |title=G1 Transformers Awaken On The iPhone |author=Fahey, Mike |date=2010-01-22 |publisher=Kotaku |access-date=2010-02-22 |archive-date=2010-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226045744/http://kotaku.com/5454657/g1-transformers-awaken-on-the-iphone |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/107/1070305p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225203149/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/107/1070305p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 25, 2010 |title=Transformers G1: Awakening Review |author=Buchanan, Levi |date=2010-02-18 |publisher=IGN |access-date=2010-02-22}}</ref> The game has been redrawn from the Applestore due to licence reasons.

==Background==
''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 [[Software:Platform game|platform game]] for mobile phones based on Michael Bay's 2007 live-action ''Transformers'' film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/news.asp?c=6777 |title=New Transformers mobile game on the way from Glu |publisher=Pocket Gamer |date=2008-05-08 |access-date=2012-05-27 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061021/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1:+Awakening/news.asp?c=6777 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="tformers1">{{cite web |author=Tformers.com |url=http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=9556 |title=Interview - GLU Mobile on Upcoming Generation 1 Game Transformers |date=2008-06-02 |access-date=2012-05-27 |archive-date=2010-12-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223003911/http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=9556 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="pocket2">{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/news.asp?c=7542 |title=First look: Glu goes back to drawing board for Transformers G1 Awakening |publisher=Pocket Gamer |date=2008-07-07 |access-date=2012-05-29 |archive-date=2011-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102223948/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/news.asp?c=7542 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike the film adaptations, ''Awakening'' was planned as a [[Software:Turn-based tactics|turn-based tactics]] game with [[Software:Role-playing video game|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.<ref name="tformers1"/> They compared their game to the [[Software:Advance Wars|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.<ref name="tformers1"/> The game was developed at Glu's UK office (which was previously the company [[Company:Macrospace|Macrospace]]), so they had previous experience with turn-based tactics games, having developed the ''[[Software:Ancient Empires (mobile game)|Ancient Empires]]'' series.<ref name="pocket2"/>

==Gameplay==
Like most [[Software:Turn-based tactics|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/06/13/transformers-g1-mobile/ |title=New Transformers G1 Game Spawned From 'Advance Wars' |publisher=MTV Multiplayer |date=2008-06-13 |access-date=2012-05-29 |archive-date=2012-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506053042/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/06/13/transformers-g1-mobile |url-status=live }}</ref> While in vehicle mode, Transformers can travel further, and receive reduced damage, but cannot attack.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|author=var authorId = "47061140" by Levi Buchanan |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/107/1070305p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225203149/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/107/1070305p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 25, 2010 |title=Transformers G1: Awakening Review - iPhone Review at IGN |publisher=Wireless.ign.com |access-date=2012-05-31}}</ref> While in robot mode, they gain the ability to attack other Transformers, and to capture structures necessary that produce energy (like pylons).<ref name="slidetoplay1">{{cite web |url=http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/transformers-g1-awakening-review |title=Transformers G1: Awakening Review at Slide To Play |publisher=Slidetoplay.com |access-date=2012-05-31 |archive-date=2012-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619095354/http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/transformers-g1-awakening-review |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

In the main campaign, players control the heroic Autobots, battling [[Engineering:Megatron|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.<ref name="slidetoplay1"/> The Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, gives a "morale boost" to any friendly units in adjacent spaces, which increases their battle performance.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Ratchet (who turns into an ambulance) is the game's only medic,<ref name="kotaku1">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5487925/transformers-g1-awakening-review-one-shall-stand |title=Transformers: G1 Awakening Review: One Shall Stand |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2010-03-11 |access-date=2012-05-31 |archive-date=2012-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122164349/http://kotaku.com/5487925/transformers-g1-awakening-review-one-shall-stand |url-status=live }}</ref> and as such his survival is key to the other robots' survival.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> 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).<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="kotaku1"/> The boombox Blaster is able to summon minicassettes Eject and Rewind, and the same goes for Decepticon [[Engineering:Soundwave (Transformers)|Soundwave]] with his underlings Frenzy and Rumble.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://toucharcade.com/2010/02/24/transformers-g1-awakening-much-much-more-than-meets-the-eye/ |title=Transformers G1 Awakening Review |publisher=Touch Arcade |date=2010-02-24 |access-date=2012-05-31 |archive-date=2012-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704195649/http://toucharcade.com/2010/02/24/transformers-g1-awakening-much-much-more-than-meets-the-eye/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.touchmyapps.com/2010/02/26/transformers-g1-awakening-in-review/ |title=TRANSFORMERS G1: AWAKENING in Review – iAutobots, Roll out! {{!}} TouchMyApps<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2012-05-31 |archive-date=2011-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111053526/http://www.touchmyapps.com/2010/02/26/transformers-g1-awakening-in-review/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> As in the cartoon, [[Engineering:Jetfire|Jetfire]] must be converted from a Decepticon,<ref name="autogenerated1"/> and transforming Tyrannosaur Grimlock crushes Decepticons with ease.<ref name="slidetoplay1"/>

==Reception==

===Feature phones===
The initial release for non-[[Engineering:Smartphone|smart]] mobile phones in 2008 drew positive attention based on the concept alone. When commenting on the announcement of the September release date, Pocket Gamer's Spanner Spencer said that he was glad to hear the game was based on the original series, and not the live-action film, the latter being described as a "pile of rust cleverly disguised as a [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] extravaganza".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/news.asp?c=8003 |title=Transformers G1: Awakening mobile game lands a release date &#124; Transformers G1: Awakening news &#124; Mobile |publisher=Pocket Gamer |date=2008-07-24 |access-date=2012-05-29 |archive-date=2011-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102224024/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/news.asp?c=8003 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kotaku's Luke Plunkett was impressed by an early trailer for the game, hoping that developers would realize the value of a port to Nintendo DS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/399652/transformers-mobile-is-the-transformers-game-weve-always-wanted |title=Transformers Mobile Is The Transformers Game We've Always Wanted |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2008-08-01 |access-date=2012-05-29 |archive-date=2012-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026133936/http://kotaku.com/399652/transformers-mobile-is-the-transformers-game-weve-always-wanted |url-status=live }}</ref> He later repeated the sentiment when announcing a playable [[Software:Java (software platform)|Java]]-based demo, saying the game looked "(surprisingly) fantastic".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5032575/transformers-gen-1-play-the-demo |title=Transformers Gen 1: Play The Demo |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2008-08-04 |access-date=2012-05-29 |archive-date=2013-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112034006/http://kotaku.com/5032575/transformers-gen-1-play-the-demo |url-status=live }}</ref>

Reviewers that were actually able to play the game were equally positive. In an early hands-on preview for Pocket Gamer, Keith Andrew, who claimed he had never previously understood the appeal of Transformers, said the game was "bursting with fun". Though he felt the game objectives were challenging, and may require several play-throughs to master, he also felt the controls were simple enough that newcomers would not be daunted. He commended Glu Mobile for creating a game that both caters to the fan base and appeals to a wider audience.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/news.asp?c=8541 |title=Transformers G1: Awakening preview &#124; Mobile |publisher=Pocket Gamer |date=2008-08-26 |access-date=2012-05-27 |archive-date=2011-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102223623/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/news.asp?c=8541 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a later full review, he described the gameplay as "[[Social:Resource management|resource management]] meets chess". He felt that the game made the trial-and-error, puzzle-like nature of the levels somehow enjoyable, rather than frustrating. He gave the game a score of 8/10, and awarded it Pocket Gamer's Silver Award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/review.asp?c=8542 |title=Transformers G1: Awakening review - Mobile reviews |date=September 2008 |publisher=Pocket Gamer |access-date=2012-05-27 |archive-date=2012-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009074825/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Transformers+G1%3A+Awakening/review.asp?c=8542 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 2008 mobile release of ''Awakening'' was featured in a retrospective titled "The Visual History of Optimus Prime in Video Games" by IGN's Jack DeVries & Brian Altano. They felt that ''Awakening'', in addition to being a "pretty good" strategy game, was the first game to perfect the appearance of Optimus Prime,<ref name=IGNretro1>{{Cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1182098p7.html |title=Optimus Prime: A Transformers Visual History |date=14 July 2011 |access-date=2012-05-29 |archive-date=2012-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406092613/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1182098p7.html |url-status=live }}</ref> only being supplanted by the later ''[[Software:Transformers: War for Cybertron|War for Cybertron]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1182098p9.html |title=Optimus Prime: A Transformers Visual History |date=14 July 2011 |access-date=2012-05-29 |archive-date=2012-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406163859/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1182098p9.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They felt the cel-shaded graphics, and colorful, flat textures made Optimus "pop off the screen like the action figure he was."<ref name=IGNretro1/>

===Smartphones===
The 2010 ports to [[Mobile operating system|smartphone operating systems]] were met with similar enthusiasm. After the initial announcement, Kotaku's Mike Fahey wrote that he eagerly awaited any game that featured the G1 Transformers over "the Michael Bay-bots".<ref name="Kotaku1"/> In a later, full review, Kotaku's Luke Plunkett called the game "surprisingly authentic" with regards to the animated series. He also felt that the game could stand on its own as a well made turn-based strategy game. He said the 3D rendered battle sequences looked "glorious" for an [[Engineering:IPhone|iPhone]], but felt the only downside was that the simplistic graphics and animation outside of battle, which showed the game's roots as a [[Software:Mobile game|mobile game]]. He concluded by recommending the game to anyone that is either a "long-suffering fan" of the animated Transformers, or a fan of turn-based strategy games, stating it was "easily" one of the best games of its genre available for iOS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5487925/transformers-g1-awakening-review-one-shall-stand |title=Transformers: G1 Awakening Review: One Shall Stand |publisher=Kotaku |date=2010-03-11 |access-date=2012-05-27 |archive-date=2012-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122164349/http://kotaku.com/5487925/transformers-g1-awakening-review-one-shall-stand |url-status=live }}</ref>

IGN's Levi Buchanan felt that although his lifelong affinity for the Transformers inclined him to judge any poorly made adaptations harshly, ''Awakening'' did not disappoint Transformers fans. He lauded the thoughtful merger of ''Advance Wars''-style gameplay with classic Transformers fiction, stating that the game was "great because the story and strength of the Transformers are expertly woven into the entire production." He felt the mission goals were completely inline with advancing the story, and that "nothing is arbitrary". He also felt that Glu's choice of Transformers characters was excellent, and thought the cel-shading and dynamic camera in battle sequences made the robot models look "terrific". He gave the game a score of 8.5 out of 10, and  concluded by stating "Transformers G1: Awakening is quite simply the best Transformers game I have ever played."<ref name="IGN"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* at [[Company:Glu Mobile|Glu Mobile]]


[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Mobile games]]
[[Category:Turn-based tactics video games]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Transformers G1: Awakening}}