History VideoGame / TransformersWarForCybertron

* GatlingGood: The X12 Scrapmaker minigun.

* WarIsHell: Not since ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie'' has warfare between robots been so heartbreaking and ''horrifying'' to watch. This trend is continued in its sequel ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime''

-->'''[[spoiler:Omega Supreme:]]''' [[spoiler:OMEGA SUPREME:]] ARMED AND READY. TARGET: DECEPTICONS. MISSILE DEPLOYMENT: IMMINENT.

** Taking this a step further, Megatron takes this a step further, his Fusion Cannon is BOLTED onto his arm and he can't take it off in the campaign to pick up another weapon, effectively only giving him one interchangeable weapon slot.

** In fact, Megatron takes this a step further, his Fusion Cannon is BOLTED onto his arm and he can't take it off in the campaign to pick up another weapon, effectively only giving him one interchangeable weapon slot.

** AnAxeToGrind: Optimus's latest axe is even bigger than his [[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated Animated]] incarnation's. This is also the melee weapon of the Leader Class.

* WeaponOfChoice

* Notzilla: Trypticon retains his Godzilla-like form--apparently, even alien robots just ''know'' how awesome dinosaurs are.

* NotZilla: Trypticon retains his Godzilla-like form--apparently, even alien robots just ''know'' how awesome dinosaurs are.

* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: Trypticon retains his Godzilla-like form--apparently, even alien robots just ''know'' how awesome dinosaurs are.

* DarkerAndEdgier: This is a far more intense Transformers adaptation than is the usual fare, [[{{UpToEleven}} even more than]] [[Film/{{Transformers}} Bayformers]]. For one thing, it's not just the Decepticons that have nameless legions of cannon fodder.

* UpToEleven: Parodied near the end of the Autobot campaign.
-->'''Computer''': Plasma levels at 110%.\\
'''Air Raid''': 110? It ''goes'' that high?!\\
'''Jetfire''': No, that's the ''point!'' It's about to blow!

--->[[spoiler: '''Trypticon:''']] Feel the burn of my laser!

* GrenadeLauncher: The Magma Frag Launcher.

-->'''Skywarp''': "Dumber than Skywarp?" I'll show you dumb...

* MacrossMissileMassacre: If you face [[AirborneMook flyers]], expect multiple missiles headed towards you. Oh, and:
-->[[spoiler:Omega Supreme:]] Armed and Ready. Target: Decepticons. Missile Deployment: Imminent.

* RPGElements: In multiplayer.

--> '''Ironhide:''' Um... bah weep granah weep ninni bong.

----

** [[spoiler:Trypticon]]. DEAR GOD, [[spoiler:Trypticon]]!

* RegeneratingHealth: The health bar is split into several blocks, a partially drained block will refill on its own but fully drained ones can only be refilled by picking up energon cubes.

* SequelHook: [[spoiler:After ordering the evacuation of Cybertron, Optimus also commisions the building of the Ark, a ship massive enough to bring much of Cybertron with them as they search for a new home]].
* SergeantRock: Ironhide

* ColdSniper: Starscream, if one takes into account that his signature weapon, the Null Ray, is a high powered sniper rifle. His abilities are also very good at capitalizing on this, hovering and jet form to get him into a better position, and shockwave to knock back anyone that gets close so he can make a getaway. Despite this, he uses a Shotgun in the boss fight against him instead.
* CombatMedic: Ratchet, to the point where he actually seems to be the right-hand man of Optimus here.

* EvilLaugh: Starscream and Megatron are the most common bellowers of sinister, bellowing laughter. Though the latter only does it when he's either killed something big in a fight or achieved some important goal.

* HotBlooded: A decidedly Autobot trait is boisterous and willful attitude dedicated to rthe Autobot cause..

* TheStarscream: Starscream, naturally. Starts off by betraying the Autobots, then moves on to Megatron.

* LargeAndInCharge: Trust me, you'll see Optimus and Megatron coming...
** Averted when considering that the MiniBoss type enemies that make both of them look puny.

* RedEyesTakeWarning: Megatron and many other Decepticons.
* RedshirtArmy: Pretty much anyone that doesn't have a name. According to canon literature, most of them don't even have names to begin with.
* RefusalOfTheCall: [[spoiler: Optimus has been a Prime from the very start of the game (and probably since he's been referred to as Optimus and not just Orion Pax) but continually refused the designation until after Zeta Prime's death.]]

* ShoulderCannon: Soundwave, [[spoiler:Trypticon]]

* SmugSnake: [[spoiler:Zeta Prime]] is a rare example on the good guys' side. [[spoiler:He has Megatron's arrogance and pride, but not the skill to back it up]].
* SmurfettePrinciple: Arcee. Being the ONLY female Autobot and up against enemy robots that turn into tanks and jet planes, she holds her own as a small car and does so in style.

* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: A minor example only: [[spoiler:Trypticon falling to the surface of Cybertron like a meteor]].

* TransformingMecha: Should be obvious really.

* TronLines: On damn near everyone.

* VillainousBreakdown: After Megatron loses the Core of Cybertron, his most prized asset in the war, he starts using his KillSat to destroy the evacuation ships. What makes this a breakdown? Earlier in the game, he actually wanted the Autobots to leave the planet. And given that Cybertron was currently dying, those ships held some of the last living members of his race.
-->'''Megatron''': I told you, to stay and defy me was to die! And ''nobody'' defies Megatron!\\
* The vid-screen shows the station's weapon destroying all the escaping ships* \\
'''Ratchet''': He's... insane.
* VillainousValor: Say what you will about Megatron, he's got the guts to dive right into battle and he leads from the front.
** Brawl shows his during a cutscene while Megatron and crew are trying to get to him. Dog-piled by a crowd of Autobots he throws them off, smacks one out of the way and machine-guns another point blank.

* WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong: [[spoiler:The Aerialbots decide to take out Trypticon's conversion cog and revert him back to his natural Cybertronian form, seeing no other way to stop him from firing and destroying Iacon.]]
-->'''Jetfire''': We don't even know what his original form is!

* WhatTheHellIsThatAccent: Creator/TroyBaker's Jetfire clearly has ''some'' sort of accent compared to his [[UsefulNotes/AmericanAccents American-accented]] comrades, but there is some debate as to whether that accent is meant to be [[UsefulNotes/BritishAccents British]] or [[UsefulNotes/AustralianAccent Australian]]. The fact that incarnations of Jetfire have had both accents in previous ''Transformers'' fiction[[labelnote:*]](''[[Film/{{Transformers}} Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Jetfire had a Yorkshire accent, while ''Anime/TransformersCybertron'' Jetfire sounded Aussie)[[/labelnote]] doesn't help. ([[WordOfGod According to Baker]], Jetfire's accent is a "standard" English accent that has been intentionally mutated to sound less "posh" -- so more British than Australian, but not really either.)
** You could say that it's Nebulan.

* EscortMission: Delightfully averted for the most part. Though you always travel in a squad of three, your squadmates are invincible. Even if they're auto-killed by an environmental effect (such as falling into a bottomless pit or [[spoiler:standing in front of Trypticon's laser breath]]), they respawn a moment later. In short, you are never punished for any ArtificialStupidity.
** This also has a secondary effect: you'll NEVER use a medic during the campaign. Invincible medic = epic win for you.
*** Of course this won't protect you from people in co-op mode with more guts than sense who will constantly charge into death traps often forcing you to try and save them or enjoy reloading the last checkpoint.

* EndOfAnAge: [[spoiler: Cybertronian society collapses completely as Megatron assassinates Sentinel Prime and corrupts the planet, forcing most of the population to flee to outer space.]]

* EvilLaugh: Starscream and Megatron are the most common users of this. Though the latter only does it when he's either killed something big in a fight or achieved some important goal.

* EvilSoundsDeep: Megatron [[spoiler:and Trypticon]].
* FaceHeelTurn: Starscream, the usual backstabber, is normally a Decepticon in various Transformers Universes. But at the start of the game, he is aligned to the Autobots. After Megatron manages to acquire the Dark Energon, Starscream, along with his allies Thundercracker and Skywarp, switch sides.
* AFatherToHisMen: Optimus, obviously, cares for his troops, even when they're lost without Sentinel Prime.

* GladiatorGames: Megatron got his start (and name) in the equivalent of Cybertronian Fight Club. His desire to see a free Cybertron without a caste system where everyone is free to determine their own path sparks his rise to power as more and more Cybertronians (including the future Optimus Prime) come to his cause, leading eventually to a...
** GladiatorRevolt: Unfortunately, as Megatron's organization grows in power, some start to do less than moral things such as bombing an amusement park.
* GlorySeeker: Megatron, oh so hard. He even shouts "FOR GLORY!" after certain kills in Campaign mode.

* {{Hammerspace}}: [[spoiler:Trypticon's killsat form is positively massive, large enough to fill the field of view from quite some distance away. Once he ends up in his giant monster form though he seems to lose a lot of mass and you can run from one end to the other pretty quickly]]. This particular issue is [[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Scale a universal problem]] throughout the franchise, so it's understandable it'd show up here.
* HardLevelsEasyBosses: Though at higher difficulty levels, anything less than a NoDamageRun will typically result in immediate death.
* HeWhoFightsMonsters: In the ''Exodus'' [[AllThereInTheManual tie-in novel]], Megatron's goal for doing what he does is to free Cybertron from an oppressive caste system that stifles personal ambition and cultural development. By the time of ''War for Cybertron'', however, he's devolved into the megalomaniacal tyrant we all know and love, promising to relieve the population of Cybertron of "the burdens of freedom and choice."
* HonorBeforeReason: [[spoiler:When the Autobots receive a message from Zeta Prime that he's still alive and imprisoned in the Decepticon capital of Kaon, Ratchet tells Optimus that it must be a trap, to which Optimus replies that even if that's the case, it's a risk he's willing to take]]. [[BigGood What else can you expect from him?]]

* [[HotBlooded Hot Fueled]]: A decidedly Autobot trait.
* HoverTank: Everyone with a ground vehicle mode can either use treads/wheels/whatever, or do this.
** HubcapHovercraft

* IControlMyMinionsThrough: Although Megatron of course pulls the YouHaveFailedMe schtick to rule through fear, one also understands why the Decepticons still follow him, because in the Decepticon campaign, he is a complete and utter badass who is always at the front of his army. He rams a ship into a space station, which he then runs through while it's falling apart, subdues a small army with only two minions, and then gets his hands on the PsychoSerum which he is able to wield like a toy. Instruments of Destruction indeed.
** And even in his backstory, before his rise to power, he was like this (charismatic and leading by example). See the Gladiator tropes above.

* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: Megatron started out wanting to overthrow Cybertron's corrupt caste system, devolved into wanting to conquer the planet, then began using Dark Energon to corrupt Cybertron's core as the means to realize his goals. By the end of the game, he's slaughtering innocent, unarmed Autobots who are trying to [[spoiler:leave Cybertron]].
* KidAppealCharacter: Bumblebee shows up, as a HotBlooded type 3 played by Creator/JohnnyYongBosch.
* KaizoTrap: [[spoiler:Trypticon will try to drag you down into the abyss with him]]. You get a trophy ([=PS3=]) or an achievement (360) for falling for it.
* KickTheDog: Capturing and then crushing a lone soldier right before his leader's eyes, just to demonstrate your power over the facility? Really, Zeta Prime?

* KnightInSourArmor: A few of the Autobots fit this trope, especially Ironhide and Silverbolt.
* KnightTemplar: Megatron seems to believe the Decepticons will bring order to Cybertron and usher in a new golden era for their civilization. Seeing the origins of the Decepticons (and the state of things before the war), Megatron doesn't necessarily come off as (originally) such a bad guy--elimination of the caste system, the freedom to allow everyone to choice their own course in life, betterment of the underclasses (of which he is one). 'course, things got worse.

* MasterOfUnlocking: Megatron loves to use his new Dark Energon powers to [[MundaneUtility open doors.]] Megatron can be the NPC variant of this trope [[CaptainObvious provided you're not playing as him at the time.]]

* NotQuiteDead: After his defeat by Megatron, the Autobots believe Zeta Prime to have been killed. [[spoiler:He was actually captured and taken to Kaon to be tortured. However, he is finished by Soundwave during the rescue attempt by Optimus and his team]].

** They use turrets by transforming their entire body into part of the gun. See {{BFG}}.
** Omega Supreme. Both slaggin' arms.
** Shockwave's left arm (which, in a bit of a subversion, isn't actually used as an ArmCannon -- it's his ''vehicle mode'' weapon, and his robot mode ArmCannon is the same as everyone else's).
*** His left arm is for [[CarryABigStick punching things]].

* BadassBoast: Megatron certainly has one in the first level, as a horrified Starscream watches as Dark Energon fuses with the Decepticon leader perfectly.
-->'''Starscream''': ''What''?! [[ThisCannotBe This isn't possible]]! [[BigNo NO]]! No one can control Dark Energon! [[TheCorrupter It dominates and destroys everything it touches]]!\\
'''Megatron''': (EvilLaugh) ''[[IAmTheNoun I...]]'' [[IAmTheNoun am the dominator!]] ''[[IAmTheNoun I...]]'' [[IAmTheNoun AM THE DESTROYER!]] '''I AM MEGATRON!!!''' Decepticons, receive your birthright!
* BadBoss:
** Megatron. While he occasionally shows respect for his minions that do well and compliments them when he feels they deserve it, mostly he doesn't care about them beyond their service to him and will insult and berate them constantly, and he has no patience for any Decepticon that fails him.
-->'''Megatron:''' They should be victorious, or dead!
** Starscream has shades of this with his subordinates.
--->'''Skywarp''': Wait, are you calling us fools or the Autobots fools? [[LampshadeHanging 'Cause I'm not getting the sense that you respect me]].
--->'''Starscream''': Silence! ...[[YouFool Fool]].
--->'''Skywarp''': That's ''exactly'' what I'm talking about!
* BewareMyStingerTail: [[spoiler:Trypticon has a huge tail which can be whipped around.]]
* {{BFG}}: The game looks like it's set to take things even further this time, as Trypticon (who is gigantic even compared to regular Transformers) is seen with several in the trailer. [[spoiler:As it turns out, Trypticon himself '''is''' one. His altmode is a KillSat. A big KillSat]].
** You can get these yourself from [[RemovableTurretGun turrets]] or some big enemies. Downsides are your mobility is limited while packing and you can't get the ammo refilled--whereas with turrets the ammo is infinite. And you can't take them with you when you transform.
** Optimus's Ion Blaster is essentially a faster firing, harder hitting, version of the standard Neutron Assault Rifle. And, just to make it less fair for the Cons, it's more accurate and has more ammo to boot.
** And naturally, Megatron's fusion cannon can one-shot any enemy not at miniboss or higher level.
* BigBad: Zeta Prime for the Decepticon campaign and Megatron for the Autobot campaign. Both aren't very different in how they lead their respective factions, with Zeta Prime only being slightly less egomaniacal than Megatron.

* BigGood: Optimus, duh. Preceded by Zeta Prime.
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler:The Autobots win the battle, but the war continues. Cybertron itself has been rendered uninhabitable for the next several million years]].

* BondVillainStupidity: The reason why Megatron doesn't just kill Starscream, despite the fact he knows full well what a traitor he is, is that apparently Megatron finds Starscream to be cunning and useful--even though the idiot tries to take over the Decepticons whenever Megatron disappears for more than thirty seconds. That and Starscream is apparently the planet's best expert on how to process [[{{Unobtainium}} Dark Energon]], and was originally assigned to protect it.

* BulletCatch: the beginning cutscene has Optimus catching a missile with his hand after knocking another away. The one he catches explodes, but he survives anyways, despite the rough landing.
* TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive: Optimus had apparently turned down the title of Prime given by the Autobot high council in the past, but with Zeta Prime's death and every Autobot encouraging him he takes up the role.

* TheCaptain: Optimus ''is'' this trope.
* CaptainObvious: [[TheSmartGuy Thundercracker]], occasionally. This may be why Skywarp and Starscream sometimes neglect his advice, to their peril.

* CatchPhrase: Optimus Prime calls for the Autobots to "roll out!" in the newest trailer, just like he always does.
** Megatron '''''will not be denied'''''.
* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: Starscream, of course! He actually starts out working for the High Council and through them, technically, the Autobots once the war starts, just so both sides get some knives in the back. And he's not working for Megatron very long before you hear him shriek, "Megatron has fallen!" and try to take command for the first time.

* CommanderContrarian: Breakdown, who spends most of the Decepticon campaign complaining, much to Megatron's annoyance.
-->'''Megatron''': [[SarcasmMode Yes, Breakdown, your]] ''constant whining'' [[SarcasmMode saw us through.]]
** Barricade also questions Megatron a few times, but since he's only around for one mission, he doesn't get as much opportunity to snark.
* CompositeCharacter: Barricade has a body design that seems to be more of a G1-ized version of his ''Movie'' form, rather than being based on the G1 Micromaster--though as a Scout, he is the smallest member of the party. The developers have also admitted that Barricade owes more to his movie "mecha bad cop" persona than the original G1 character.
** Brawl seems to combine elements of both his G1 incarnation, as well as that of the Combaticon commander, Onslaught, fusing G1 Brawl's violent nature with Onslaught's tactical knowledge (and during the siege on Iacon actually does act as a ground commander). He also shares Onslaught's double-barreled back-mounted turret; the original Brawl only had one barrel (though [[Film/{{Transformers}} movieverse]] Brawl had two). Amusingly, Onslaught himself was added as part of the first DLC and are both in the sequel, though Brawl isn't playable.

* DarkActionGirl: Slipstream. Like Arcee she's the only female of her faction, but her dialogue during multiplayer matches do seem to indicate that she ''loves'' fighting, and being (essentially) a Seeker, she's more than capable of physically backing that up.

* {{Determinator}}: This is Megatron's defining characteristic. The entire Decepticon campaign has various characters telling Megatron that he cannot do what he's trying to do (control Dark Energon, storm the gates of the Autobot capital, defeat Omega Supreme). Megatron's response is to give them all the finger and do it anyway.
--->'''Megatron''': ''I'' decide what is possible, and what isn't!
** Omega Supreme, not as noticeable given his size and power edge, still refuses to let Megatron win despite repeatedly getting infected by Dark Energon, impressive considering that almost anything that gets hit with it in the game tends to break apart.
-->'''Omega Supreme:''' SYSTEMS: FAILING. DEFEAT: UNACCEPTIBLE.

* DiscOneFinalBoss: Omega Supreme is the FinalBoss for the Decepticon campaign, but his defeat marks the beginning of the Autobot campaign.
* DisneyVillainDeath: Both subverted and played straight with [[spoiler:Trypticon. Subverted in that he survives a fall from ''orbit''; played straight in that Optimus, Bumblebee, and Ironhide manage to defeat him by blowing out his power cores and causing him to fall down a chasm. And even then, we [[NeverFoundTheBody can't be certain that actually killed him]]...]]
** [[spoiler: They didn't. He becomes the Nemesis according to Exodus. But his mind is out and out ''gone'', so he's running on a mixture of autonomous systems and the Decepticons working various stations and posts inside his body.]]
** [[spoiler: The ''[[VideoGame/TransformersFallOfCybertron Fall of Cybertron]]'' version of the events also showed he survived, but the Autobots dismantled him and used him for power.]]

* AdaptationalBadass: Starscream again receives this treatment. Not only is he a dangerous combatant in the Decepticon forces, but he also takes on Optimus, Bumblebee and Ratchet single-handed and only retreats when he receives heavy damage -- something his G1 counterpart wouldn't have waited around for before running. Oh, and before he fights them, he takes on the Aerialbots and wins ([[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome offscreen, unfortunately]]). It's also mentioned he was the former commander of Cybertron's aerial forces, before being assigned to guard the Energon Station.

* AntiHero: Zeta Prime - merciless with his prisoners and cares little for his own soldiers. Sound familiar?
* AntiVillain: He doesn't get much characterization in-game, but the site notes that Thundercracker isn't sure how strongly he believes in the Decepticon cause. Further, he's the most reasonable of the jets, and even seems to retain some scientific curiosity, where the others are just looking for more to kill or irritated at the prospect of being further hindered in their journey.

* AscendedMeme: The [[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated "Punch Of Kill Everything!"]] appears in the game as "P.O.K.E. V2.0" as a Leader class KillStreak reward.
** And when you equip it, your team announcer shouts "Punch of Kill Everything equipped!"

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Here's a hint: his name starts with "M" and ends with "-egatron". Challenge his authority when you're miles away, or he'll tear you apart with his bare hands.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Both Optimus and Megatron, but the Autobots make it a point to praise Optimus for his leadership ability.
* AttackItsWeakPoint: Several examples, but the final Decepticon fight against Omega Supreme stands out the most. First you have to attack his turrets (which are explicitly stated to be outside his shields), damaging him enough to (somehow) make his chest a weak point for you to attack.
* AwesomeButImpractical: [[spoiler: Trypticon]] is this for the Decepticons; it has incredibly destructive capabilities as a super weapon, but the excessive heat build up proves to be its undoing. Noted by [[spoiler: Ironhide]] and exploited by [[spoiler: your three Autobots in the final battle]] However, it ''is'' a thorough pain to exploit, and the Autobots have the fight of their lives to take him down.

--->[[spoiler: Trypticon:]] Feel the burn of my laser!

* ClassAndLevelSystem

-->'''Megatron''': [[SarcasmMode Yes, Breakdown. I'm well known for my sparkling sense of humor]].

* LargeHam: Megatron, Starscream, Optimus, and [[spoiler:Trypticon, figuratively and literally]].

* MacrossMissileMassacre: If you face [[AirborneMook flyers]], expect these. Oh, and:

'''[[AntiVillain Thundercracker:]]''' Ugly? You and I look the SAME!

-->'''Megatron''': I told you, to stay and defy me was to die! And NOBODY defies Megatron!\\
* The vid-screen shows the station's weapon destroying all the escaping ships* \\

'''Megatron''': (EvilLaugh) ''[[IAmTheNoun I...]]'' [[IAmTheNoun am the dominator!]] ''[[IAmTheNoun I...]]'' [[IAmTheNoun am the destroyer!]] '''I...AM...MEGATRON!!!''' Decepticons, receive your birthright!

-->'''Starscream''': ''What''?! [[ThisCannotBe This isn't possible]]! [[BigNo NO]]! No one can control Dark Energon! [[TheCorrupter It dominates and destroys everything it touches]]!
-->'''Megatron''': (EvilLaugh) ''[[IAmTheNoun I...]]'' [[IAmTheNoun am the dominator!]] ''[[IAmTheNoun I...]]'' [[IAmTheNoun am the destroyer!]] '''I...AM...MEGATRON!!!''' Decepticons, receive your birthright!

-->'''Megatron:''' "They should be victorious, or dead!"

* BewareMyStingerTail: [[spoiler:Trypticon]]

* AFatherToHisMen: Optimus, obviously.

* ForegoneConclusion Considering this is a prequel to your usual Transformers Story, this is obvious. [[spoiler:Optimus suceeds Zeta as the Last of the Primes, and no matter what the Autobots do, Cybertron is rendered uninhabitable, and the game ends with a race against time to built the Ark and escape their dying world.]]

* BigBad: Zeta Prime for the Decepticon campaign and Megatron for the Autobot campaign. Both [[NotSoDifferent aren't very different]] in how they lead their respective factions, with Zeta Prime only being slightly less egomaniacal than Megatron.

The excellent voice acting by both old veterans and those new to the franchise and high shout-out quotient certainly adds to it. Older fans love the game [[{{NostalgiaFilter}} for these reasons]], and newer fans love the game for [[{{RuleOfCool}} its sheer coolness factor]]. Oh, and the game's [[SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames actually pretty damn good]]. The game's success prompted Activision to let High Moon make the ''[[{{Film/Transformers}} Dark of the Moon]]'' tie-in game, and a ''War For Cybertron'' sequel, ''VideoGame/TransformersFallOfCybertron'', was released on August 21, 2012.