To be published by Outright Games, who mainly works with family-friendly IP brands, has unveiled Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition, based on the animated series which debuted in November 2022. The game is slated to be released on a range of platforms including the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Windows PC later in 2023.
In Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition, players assume the role of Bumblebee. The gameplay encompasses drifting, driving, and fighting through the game world. The game endeavours to authentically replicate the ambiance and essence of the animated series. Bumblebee embarks on a solo quest, confronting an enigmatic threat from his past and striving to thwart the series antagonist, Dr. Meridian, also known as “Mandroid”, from retrieving fragments of an ancient technology.
The game allows players an exploration experience across three biomes, and involves undertaking quests assigned by Terran allies. These Terran allies are Earthborn Transformers, a new set of robots from the animated series. Players will engage in combat with and alongside iconic Transformers characters such as Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Skullcruncher, Nova Storm, and Skywarp.
Additionally, Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition boasts several layers of exploration and combat, incentivizing multiple playthroughs. Players can unlock an assortment of upgrades and abilities, which facilitate access to prior locations and unravelling secrets in previously unreachable areas. Bumblebee can be customized, and players can acquire the skills required to defeat Decepticons through ultimate attacks.
Designed to accommodate players of varying ages, the development team claim to have considered different aspects such as text legibility, control setups, freedom of exploration, and difficulty curves to ensure accessibility for younger gamers. There are adjustable difficulty settings to cater to individual player capabilities. Combat features include directional warnings that assist in identifying impending threats. Furthermore, the game boasts an assisted driving system and an option for automatic camera adjustment which enables players to focus on exploration, driving, and combat.
Outright Games’ COO, Stephanie Malham, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Hasbro on this Transformers title:
We’re very excited to be working with our long-term licensing partner Hasbro once again on a Transformers title that pushes the boundaries of what video games can bring to a long standing, hugely popular franchise. They have done an incredible job modernising and reinventing what Transformers means for a new generation through TV series, blockbuster movies, and working with the best partners on streaming platforms. We’re delighted to bring our expertise to the table and help compliment this strategy through the creation of video games for younger fans.
Distribution of Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition is being handled in Australia and New Zealand by Bandai Namco Entertainment Australia.
