Transformers G1: Awakening

A few years ago a friend of mine came up to me excitedly waving a DVD. It was the Transformers movie - the original cartoon one, not the dire Michael Bay blockbuster.

Having popped the DVD in, expecting child-like feelings of wonderment to return, the ruthless effects of time and perspective took hold. It was charming, yes, but the animation was crude, the music cheesy, and the whole thing very much of its time.

It’s been six months since we reviewedTransformers G1: Awakening on iPhone, and that was based on a two-year old mobile game. There was a chance this Android version could have felt slightly dated. Fortunately, it doesn’t.

Transformers G1: Awakening is a turn-based strategy game set in the original Transformers universe. Bumblebee, Megatron, and co. are all rendered in a lovingly hand-drawn style, similar to how you’ll remember them.

Similar, but not identical. You see, despite being rendered with comic-like black outlines, the models are fully three-dimensional, giving them a greater sense of heft than you might remember.

This is most apparent in the battle scenes, which pop up when you direct your Autobot into attack range via the main top-down screen. Having double-tapped on a grid square next to your target, then selected the ‘Attack’ command, you enter an impressive cinematic where both robots lay into each other.

Each robot in your posse (which can be summoned and upgraded with Energon from captured power sources) has its strengths – some for fighting (close or ranged), some for healing, and some for reconnaissance.

This is reflected in the stat crunching that determines the damage you can inflict during each battle. If you can position an ally alongside your target, you’ll receive a supporting fire bonus to your attack.

You can even transform into vehicle form, which increases your movement range at the expense of your offensive abilities.

Such tactical considerations aren’t as varied or large scale as most other games of this type, but the game’s sufficiently tactical to keep you involved. Each mission grants you a simple task to fulfil, such as capturing a number of power stations or defeating each of your opponents.

Some of these are too simplistic for their own good, and at times Transformers G1: Awakening can feel more like Transformers: My First Strategy Game. Also, despite this simplicity the touch controls can struggle - especially when you’re trying to select a grid square at the very top of the screen.

But there’s one very important factor that makes up for such issues. The characters and the style of the Transformers universe remain brilliantly evocative, and the nostalgia factor is potent.

Glu replicates this much-loved universe very well indeed. What’s more, by attaching this beautifully realised universe to a functional turn-based strategy game, it's created a timelessly entertaining experience.