How to Play Transformers the Game

Playing "Transformers: the Game" is fairly straight forward--even though the idea of switching back and forth between robot and vehicle can sound daunting. So, for those who lost their instruction manual or were unfortunate enough to purchase the game without it, this guide will go through some of the fundamentals of the gameplay as well as when to use certain moves and transformations.

Instructions

1. Press start to access the menu. Start a new game in either easy, normal, or difficult gameplay levels. The game will go into a level select screen. Choose the first level.

2. Learn the controls. Move the left analog stick to move the Transformer. Use the right analog stick to look around. Practice this movement for a while as the process can be a little confusing.

   Press the R1 button to fire the light weapon and the R2 to fire the heavy weapon. (These are the most important controls in the game as much of it can be won with just these few buttons.)

3. Switch to whatever incarnation the transformer can take. For the robot form, press X to Jump.

   Press the "box" button for a melee attack. Use this attack when in close quarters combat or for sneak attacks. Indeed, melees are powerful and can eradicate enemies quicker than guns. Note that some robots can only be killed in this manner. Watch for robots who fold quickly under weapon attacks and under melee attacks.

   Press the "triangle" button to transform into the vehicle.

   Press the L1 button for a target lock. Rest the index finger over this button to quickly target the nearest and most dangerous enemy on the screen.

   Press the L2 for a block. Practice the blocking move. in order to get the timing right. As a rule of thumb, If the player hides behind block all the while, the enemies pile up and can push the transformer into a corner, thereby creating more damage than if the player chose to fight in the beginning.

4. Switch into a vehicle. Notice how each character has their own shell that they can switch into. Depending on the situation, the player must determine what form to take: robot or vehicle.

   Drive around for a bit in the vehicle. You'll see how vehicles can move faster and take up less space. This is good for when the situation gets too sticky for blocking or melee.

   Get a feel for the controls. Practice until point and switching between robot and vehicle is a lot easier to do.

   Press X to accelerate. Use speed whenever merited rather than just holding onto the X button.

   Press "box" to brake. Hold longer for reverse.

   Press L2 to use the handbrake. Use the handbrake whenever the need for a clean 90 degree turn or a "key turn" (a fast u-turn, essentially) arises. To make these turns, the vehicle should be traveling fairly fast (the faster the better). Hold L2 and make a sharp turn on the left analog stick at the same time. Lift the L2 button before righting the analog stick to complete the turn.

5. Start playing the game, which opens with Bumblebee. Get a feel for the controls before embarking on the objectives, which are to destroy the orange and blue forklifts.

   Kill the orange ones with the gun, and kill the blue ones with a melee attack. Watch out for waves of enemies as these robots come in clusters. Once they're all gone, the stage is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• A great way to avoid being attacked is to strafe. If an enemy is shooting, move the left analog stick right or left to avoid the attacks. Do this steadily so the adversary cannot get a clear target.

• If you come to a part in the game that just seems impossible to get past, stop playing for a few hours or overnight. Generally, poor playing begets poor playing; so, some break is necessary.