Transformers Robots In Disguise Mobile Game Review for Android & iOS

Transformers: Robots in Disguise brings the characters of the TV show into 3D form as they battle they way against hordes of evil robots (apparently, more evil than the Decepticons) as they gather Energon cubes and bring balance to the galaxy. There is good gameplay here, and lots of characters from the show make an appearance (most of whom are playable, so that counts as a lot), and the visuals are pretty outstanding. This would be one really great game if it were not for a couple of hiccups that get it down.

What is Transformers: Robots in Disguise?

TF: RiD is a mobile app game based on the modern animated remake of the Transformers franchise. Not much has changed in the core plot, as the Autobots and Decepticons are still at each other’s throats. But this time, there’s a greater threat that they must face together. The end result is a hack and slash action game that lets you choose your pick of Autobot or Decepticon characters, pair them up into teams, then fight your way through stages of enemies.

The general goal of each stage is usually just staying alive until you make it past all the baddies, but the game is occasionally spiced up by the appearance of mid and stage bosses. These boss battles are a little harder and will require some good combination of combat and dodging, but once you get used to it, it becomes routine as well (the boss fights tend to recycle enemies too).

Plenty to Choose From

The character roster is something that fans will love. Sure there are staples like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee –whose presence will make any TF fan happy, regardless of which version they prefer. After all, Prime is pretty much a constant in terms of character and personality (though his look tends to change a lot with each version), Bumblebee is pretty much the same.

Making the fandom happy are favorites like Sideswipe and Grimlock (because, really, which Transformers fan in their right mind would not love Grimlock?), and then there are the ones who are truly targeted for Robots in Disguise fans. Steeljaw is a big fan favorite, and RID’s version of the Insectibots is also a noteworthy addition to the game –the list goes on and on with Jazz, Fracture, Thunderhoof, Underbite, Drift, Fixit and others.

Transform and Roll Out

As expected from the Transformers, changing into your vehicle mode is an important part of the game. It helps you speed your way out of tight spots or you can ram targets head on for massive collision damage, either way, turning into a car in the middle of combat is a pretty fun thing to do and it is implemented well in the game. The first couple of transformations will certainly be disorienting –but once you get used to the car controls, it becomes second nature (at this point, you will also learn when it is best to transform or not) to charge in, ram-stun one of the baddies, then pop right into robot mode and start combo-ing the rest.

Verdict: Buy it with the Toys

Like most game apps, Transformers Robots in Disguise is obviously going to be geared up with profit-making elements –and that’s fine, because no decent game should ever leave its developers and publishers without profit. The good news is that the whole money-grabbing thing is executed in TFRID with a bit of class. In this case, there’s a whole tie-up with the toys. Sure you can also dish out a little bit of cash for the premium content, but your money is best spent on buying the physical toys as part of your collection (as compared to acquiring purely virtual goods). The only drawback here is that you need to have a phone with a decent camera or other features compatible with the app’s scanning technology.

Having the toys and the app game pretty much completes the whole Robots in Disguise experience, with the toys appearing as playable units in the game, the tie-in enhances the playability of the toys themselves, while the physical products ensures that you will always have something more than just digital goods.

Rating: 86/100