Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition review (PS5)

Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition, developed by Tessera Studios and published by Outright Games, offers a brand new family-friendly action-adventure experience. Stepping into the shoes of Bumblebee, players embark on a mission to thwart the malevolent Mandroid’s plan to become the ultimate evil cyborg, utilizing ancient Cybertronian technology scattered across the globe. It’s out for all major platforms, and we tested the PlayStation 5 version.

Fans of the franchise will quickly notice how well the game captures the essence of the Transformers universe, providing an engaging experience even for adult fans who’ve been with the franchise for decades. The ability to seamlessly switch between Bumblebee’s robot and vehicle forms adds a degree of depth to combat as well, offering a diverse range of skills and strategies as you unlock additional combos, ensuring battles remain dynamic and entertaining. They also scale nicely, with younger players able to get by without too much trouble while older ones can experiment and string combos together.

The open-world design in Earthspark – Expedition, which is divided into three distinct environments, offers a plethora of missions and collectibles. While the main objectives drive the narrative forward, side quests and collectibles provide additional depth and incentive for exploration. However, the absence of a minimap or guided waypoints can be a challenge for those not able to memorize the map just yet, especially younger players. This can lead to some mild moments of frustration as they run into navigation issues – but the open world isn’t overwhelmingly big either.

Visually, Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition shines, with nicely detailed character models that stay faithful to the franchise’s iconic designs. The textures and attention to detail in the Transformers’ appearances contribute to an immersive experience – though it would have been nice to have more Transformers to control, no matter how popular Bumblebee might be. Looking past the character models however, the environments lack the same level of variety and could have benefitted from more diverse design elements and additional details. Younger fans aren’t likely to notice, but this one doesn’t rise to the levels of Transformers: Devastation, even though that one’s close to ten years old at this point.

The gameplay experience is further elevated by some nice sound design work. Combining voice acting and sound effects that evoke a sense of the original animated series, it’s an experience that evokes a sense of nostalgia and authenticity – though here us G1 fans would have also loved some additional Autobots and Decepticons. The soundtrack successfully combines classic tunes with modern compositions, striking a perfect balance between the old and the new.

In conclusion, Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition successfully immerses players in the beloved Transformers universe, delivering an engaging experience for fans of all ages. The game’s attention to detail, fluid gameplay mechanics, and faithful representation of the franchise’s characters and world make it a worthwhile addition for any Transformers enthusiast. Despite minor navigational challenges and limited mission variety in the open world, Bumblebee’s journey offers hours of entertaining gameplay – especially for younger players who won’t mind at all that side missions are a bit repetitive. To them, this is the most accessible Transformers action adventure yet.

Score: 7.2/10