The Game Awards was a time for totally surprises. Hasbro Pulse and Splash Damage games took the world by surprise with the announcement of Transformers: Reactivate. While no gameplay footage was shown, this cinematic trailer unfolds a dark future in which the Autobots are all but destroyed.
The trailer opens with a rag-tag group of what appear to be resistance fighters. One of the engineers is clearly interfacing with what appears to be a transformer. The trailer takes place from the point of view of the unknown machine, with lines of code running by the faces of the resistance fighters. One of the fighters appears to be using an exo-suit, not unlike the ones seen in games like The Surge.
A Spark of Hope
As the engineers joggle the memory of the unknown machine, memories are unlocked within the data banks. A quick flashback shows a mammoth vessel falling from the sky, crashing into the city below, much to the panic and horror of the human citizens on the ground. Another memory shows what appear to be insect-like drones swarming across the city. While the city valiantly fights back, there are simply too many drones and they are quickly overwhelmed. One final memory shows a small squadron of what appears to be Autobots valiantly fighting back, but ultimately being destroyed, including the Autobot in question as their vehicle form is smashed by a monstrous enemy Transformer.
After a few clicks, the Transformer in question is activated. Much to the delight of the resistance engineers that saved him, the Transformer emerges and is presumed to be the Autobot Bumblebee. Bumblebee slowly raises his hands in disbelief. His arms are worn, and his right arm clearly shows wires exposed. However, he is alive and perhaps the humans now have a fighting chance against this unknown and unforeseen enemy.
Fight for your life
Transformers: Reactivate is described as a 1-4 online action game, according to the press release. The game is being developed by studio Splash Damage, the team behind Gears Tactics, Wolfenstein Enemy Territory, and Gears of War 5. Transformers: Reactivate will presumably be a first-person or third-person shooter but that is not confirmed. Players will play as their favorite characters, each with their own abilities and characteristics. Robot and vehicle forms are confirmed, including seamless transformation between the two forms.
Transformers: Reactivate in a world in total ruin. The Earth has fallen to an unknown enemy, and the gravest threat to humanity has now arrived: The Legion. In the ensuing chaos, all that is left are a handful of human resistance fighters that refuse to let humanity become extinct. Scattered throughout the battlefield are Autobots, most deactivated beneath the rubble. There is a small beacon of hope and that is to reactivate them. For the Autobots, Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.
The future
Richard Jolly, CEO of Splash Damage, says,
“Growing up with G1 TRANSFORMERS in the ’80s means it’ll always hold a special place in my heart, it’s both an honour and a privilege to work with such a beloved franchise. We know fans have been waiting a long time for a new TRANSFORMERS game on consoles and pc, and we’re going to give them the experience they deserve.”
As this does mark the first Transformers game in 7 years and is timed with the announcement of Transformers: Rise of the Beast, Hasbro is poised for an exciting new era for the Transformers brand.
Eugene Evans, SVP of Business Development & Digital Licensing, at Hasbro, says,
“Fans have been eagerly awaiting a new game that immerses them into our iconic TRANSFORMERS universe. We’re thrilled to share a first look on one of gaming’s biggest nights. Splash Damage has an amazing track record with some of the world’s most famous IP’s and have a strong creative passion for the TRANSFORMERS brand. We’re confident that TRANSFORMERS: REACTIVATE will be hugely popular with the TRANSFORMERS community and continues the Hasbro Blueprint 2.0 strategy of creating first-class branded entertainment across diverse categories and platforms including video games.”
Transformers: Reactivate is confirmed for consoles and PC. A Closed Beta has been confirmed for 2023.
