It came as something of a surprise when we learned earlier this year that Platinum’s next action opus would be a Transformers game. But when the game released, it turned out to be a strong, stylish action game filled with nostalgia for the original 1980s Transformers cartoon, and for the broader body of Transformers lore. We learned that one of the big reasons for that nostalgia is that many of the developers at Platinum are tremendous fans of the franchise.
Now that the game has been out for a few months, we asked Platinum and Activision to highlight some of the hidden secrets to be found in Transformers: Devastation. The developer surprised us with the number of inclusions, and we’ve included many of the best below, along with our descriptions of how everything fits into the Transformers canon. In the case where a character or weapon appeared in multiple Transformers story continuities, we’ve highlighted the best remembered appearance.
Kremzeek
Players could find little Kremzeek as a collectible in Devastation, but the creature was a central plot component in one of the old ‘80s cartoon episodes. Megatron and Starscream created the tiny being, which hungered after energy. It was unleashed on the unsuspecting Autobots, before heading to Japan to feast. The Autobots eventually destroy it (mostly), but not before it transforms into a massive Kaiju-sized threat.
Forge of Solus Prime
In more recent years, the Aligned Transformers continuity more fully explored the ancient myths and legends of the Transformers, including the original Primes. One of those characters was a Transformer named Solus Prime, and she wielded a massive hammer with the power to craft nearly anything. The Forge (pictured up top) shows up in the Transformers: Prime cartoon, and makes another appearance now within Devastation.
The Star Saber and Dark Star Saber
These two opposing swords are significant artifacts when they appear in the Transformers: Prime cartoon. The Star Saber is originally wielded by the first Transformer, Prima, and becomes a mythic object in the millennia that follow. At the conclusion of Transformers: Prime, Optimus Prime and Megatron duel to determine the fate of Earth. The appearance of the weapons within the game should raise the eyebrows of any fan familiar with that fight.
Starscream’s Null-Ray
One of the most iconic and memorable weapons in Transformers lore, Starscream’s weapon was exciting because of its unique function in the original 1980s cartoon. It could be fired to disable electrical devices – an early appearance of a sci-fi weapon that did more than simply blow up a bad guy (even though it could do that as well). Over various cartoon episodes, the null-ray was used to disable Bumblebee for reprogramming, and halting the power generators at an electric-generating water dam.
Other Weapons
A careful look at potential inventory in Transformers: Devastation reveals a wealth of additional weapons, many of which were lesser known, but still firmly rooted in the traditions of the cartoons and toys. The GZS-3 and MA685 were both weapons that came with the Generation-2 version of the Sideswipe toy, while the the Galaxial Launcher was one of Grimlock’s weapons in the original 1985 toy.
Next Page: The many secrets hidden in the signs and stores of Transformers: Devastation