5 reasons why Transformers Earth Wars is a love letter to the fans

Transformers Earth Wars is this week's biggest mobile gaming release and it's clear as day why. It was developed by the team behind the hit Rival Kingdoms, is one of those build and battlers we all love so much, and - as if you needed more reason than this - is based on the enormous Transformers franchise.

If you've played a build and battler before, you'll have a good idea of what to expect here. You build a town that produces valuable resources and set up an effective defence. You then go into battle against the Decepticons or Autobots (depending on where you pledge your allegiance) to steal their resources.

Except, rather than fight with a bunch of nameless troops as in Clash of Clans or, indeed, Rival Kingdoms, here you send actual Transformers into battle. They have names, and faces, and everything.

You also have some element of control over these Transformers. First you plonk them on the battlefield near the buildings you want destroyed first. Then, once they've filled up a meter with their destructive ways, you can use their special abilities. Why are they so special? Because they transform into vehicle form and you get to witness that animation in all its glory.

As you've probably guessed from this introduction, Transformers Earth Wars really is a love letter to fans of the franchise. We're going to go into more detail than that though, so read on for the five reasons why.

It's written by Simon Furman who wrote the comics

Yes, you read that correctly. Simon Furman, writer of the Transformers comics, was brought on board to write the backstory of Transformers Earth Wars - along with all dialogue. So you can expect every conversation to spark with the same life as the comics.

Even more exciting is the fact that the story is actually canon with the comics. It's set shortly before the Combiner Wars (which is a massive hint at what's to come) except with creative license to roam.

So, though it is canon, don't expect it to stick religiously to the comics. I'm done being a tease now.

It features voice talent from the animated series

Hold onto your seats. Peter Cullen and Frank Welker have reprised their roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron especially for Transformers Earth Wars. So if you loved the animated series back in the day, you're in for a real treat.

It's a similar relationship as the Arkham series has to the Batman animated series. With the cast returning and the colourful cast of characters bearing a remarkable resemblance.

All of your favourite Transformers are in there

Speaking of that cast of characters, all of your favourite Transformers are either present right now, or will be added in a future update. There's 49 of them at launch though, and that includes fan favourites like Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, and Grimlock.

You won't have to wait that long for new Transformers mind, as more are likely to be added as frequently as every month.

And the transformations are the best you'll ever see

The clue is in the name but the reason we love Transformers so much is, well, the transformations. And it's safe to say that these are the best transformations you'll ever see.

So much hard work and love has went into them, and each piece of the Transformer - no matter how big or small - actually goes somewhere. You see the entire transformation from massive robot dude to vehicle in absolutely painstaking detail.

If you're a true Transformers nerd, it's likely to be one of the most exciting things you'll ever witness.

The developers are fans themselves

And this brings us nicely onto our final point - the developers are huge fans of Transformers themselves. And I would know, I met them at Space Ape HQ.

During our brief chat, the team gushed about their love of Transformers - ranging from the original animated series, the comics, the various art style used, and even the toys. There wasn't much chat about the Michael Bay films though. Funny, that.

Play the game and you'll see that love and passion in almost every aspect. From the music (which takes inspiration from the animated series but revitalised for 2016), the colourful visuals, the transformations, the plot, and the enormous attention to detail. Zoom in on any Transformer, and you'll see the markings from previous battles remain.

It's pretty ace.

Are you a Transformers Earth Wars junkie like us? Be sure to check out some other interesting stuff:

• Every headquarters unlock revealed
• A guide to every Decepticon
  
• A guide to every Autobot
• Review - Day 5
• Should you play Autobots or Decepticons
• Top tips for attacking enemy bases
• Top tips for defending your base
• Your burning questions, answered
• We chat to Simon Furman about how Transformers Earth Wars relates to the comics