Superhero Hype! talked exclusively to Luxoflux producer Ray Cobo about the new “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Character and Map Pack Plus DLC that’s available starting today:
Superhero Hype!: How many new maps will this downloadable “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” content include? How did you decide on these levels and what makes them unique?
Ray Cobo: The DLC pack will include three new multiplayer maps. The Courtyard is a Fast paced East Coast map that focuses on a heavily contested center action point. This key strategic area allows for views of the entire map as well as control of the high ground surrounding the middle courtyard and its perimeter. Flying characters are able to utilize the open skies and tall skyscrapers to quickly get to advantageous positions, but ground based characters can make use of numerous back alleys to flank around the sides of the map and attack from unprotected angles.
Another new map is called Hillside. It’s a tiered map in a dense urban area of Cairo. There are varied height sections on the map that make for multiple small arenas of combat, while allowing sneaky players to move throughout the level virtually un-noticed under the cover of surrounding buildings. A central marketplace provides a high point to get views of almost the entire level, but the maze-like street layout and numerous buildings mean that you will have to hunt your enemies down in the alleys.
Lastly, we have Sandstorm. It’s a very fast paced map that takes place in a smaller section of Cairo. It’s mostly populated with low level buildings and an open central area, so combat on this map will be fast and frenetic, as there is almost no place to hide. Flying characters can hover above the buildings for clear views of almost the entire map, but this will also leave them wide-open to ground fire from almost any angle.
SHH!: How many new characters will appear in this DLC? How did you decide which characters would debut in the DLC? What specific skills or powers do they add to the game?
Cobo: The pack contains eight brand-new playable characters and three new character skins, most of which are usable in both the single-player campaign and multiplayer. Many of us at Luxoflux are huge fans of the original Transformers series, so we wanted to share that passion with the fans. Here are some details on each character:
G1 Optimus Prime
Primary Weapon: Laser Rifle – This weapons functions the same as Movie Optimus’ Dual Laser Rifles, however it has increased damage and slightly increased ROF since there is only one cannon.
Secondary Weapon: Shell Cannon – Functions the same as Movie Optimus’ Dual Shell Cannons, again with increased damage and ROF to compensate for not dual wielding.
Melee Weapon: Energy Axe – Just as it was in the original series, Optimus deploys an energy axe to melee his enemies.
Special Ability: Valiant Leader – Same as Movie Optimus (Damage reduction, retain at least a sliver of health, increased melee damage), but now turns G1 Optimus Gold (a la “The Golden Lagoon”)
G1 Megatron
PW: Lightning Gun – Works the same as Movie Megatron.
SW: Dark Matter Beam – Works the same as Movie Megatron.
MW: Energy Ball and Chain – Melee weapon from the original G1 series. Crackles with energy.
SA: Fusion Arm Cannon – Works the same as Movie Megatron.
G1 Starscream
PW: Dual Null Rays – Rapid fire weapon with G1 inspired FX and sounds.
Dual Homing Missiles – Similar to Movie Starscream’s missiles, except you fire two bursts of three at the same time. Damage is lower to compensate for increased missile barrage.
MW: Fists
SA: Megatron Blast – A single shot, high damage blast similar to Megatron’s fusion arm cannon. When performed, a transformed G1 Megatron in gun form will pop out of Starscream’s back and charge up, then fire a massive laser blast.
G1 Sunstorm
PW: Dual Null Rays –Same as G1 Starscream’s PW.
SW: Flamethrowers – Dual Flamethrowers. Will cause sustained damage on enemies as well as overheat their weapons, but you must be very close to be effective with these.
MW: Fists
SA: Thermal Wave – Will do a radial blast that will overheat the weapons of any nearby enemies. Great to use in hit and run situations, leaving your enemies overheated and subject to the incoming fire from teammates.
Jazz
PW: Slug Repeater – Fast firing machine gun type weapon. Good accuracy and decent range.
SW: Plasma Crescent Launcher – Boomerang shaped energy missile that will aggressively track to locked on enemies (automatically locks on like the Seeker missiles). Great for taking down air targets.
MW: Fists – Jazz works with what he’s got.
SA: Super Speed – Increases Jazz’s movement speed in all forms, allowing for faster travel on foot or in vehicle, and faster melee attacks.
Sideswipe
PW: Pulse Pistols – Rapid fire weapon that shoots big bolts of energy. Not as fast as Jazz’s repeater, but does more damage per shot.
SW: Proximity Mines – Can plant multiple mines on any surface that will automatically explode when an enemy comes within range. These can be shot directly at enemies so they explode on contact, or can be used to booby trap control points or main areas of combat. Will explode on their own after a certain amount of time or if more mines (above the deployable limit) are fired.
MW: Arm Blades – Sideways makes use of the dual forearm blades he possess.
SA: Blade Strike – Single strike, homing melee attack that does high damage. Not a 1 hit kill like Megatron’s Fusion Arm Cannon, but brutally effective none the less.
Soundwave
PW: Charged Pulse Blast – Charged cannon that does high damage and charges to full power very quickly. Requires skill to use properly, but rewards good aim.
SW: Sonic Disruptor Waves – Rapid fire sonic energy blasts that do minimal damage, but slow the target down when they are hit continually with this weapon.
MW: Fists
SA: Dual Deployables – Depending on his form, SW can deploy one of two different deployables. When his special is used in vehicle form, he will deploy the Jammer Pod which will fly up over the battlefield, and fire down on enemies below, while also cloaking all allies from the enemy’s radar. When his special is used in robot or weapon form, he will deploy the AOE Pod, which will continually smash the ground and damage any enemies who try close in (excellent for defending a control point).
Jetfire (MP Only)
PW: Ancient Cybetronian Pistol – Energy weapon that fires at a relatively decent rate, but does good damage with each shot.
SW: Energon Wave Cannon – Similar to Grindor’s Energon wave. When fired a slow moving projectile will impact the nearest object in its path, then turn into a energy shockwave that will travel for a set distance. Anyone caught in the shockwave will take a small amount of damage, but also be stunned until a few seconds pass or they take damage from an enemy. Great for immobilizing large enemy groups on control points.
MW: Fists
SA: Radar Scanner – When activated will reveal all nearby enemies on radar for a limited time.
SHH!: Will there be new storylines introduced in single player DLC campaigns?
Cobo: We don’t have any new storylines for the single-player campaign, but we have made it possible to play many of the single-player missions with the new characters.
SHH!: What other features does the DLC contain? What types of Achievements?
Cobo: It’s never enough for you guys, is it? Just kidding… We have also added a new “expert difficulty” mode to the single player campaigns that will require even quicker thinking and reflexes to earn a medal. We also created some new leaderboards to track/compare your stats on expert mode with your friends and the rest of the community.
As for the new Achievements/Trophies, they all relate to the new content in the DLC. We have achievements for completing a percentage of the Autobot or Decepticon campaigns on “expert”, defeating certain DLC characters using other DLC characters, and winning multiplayer matches using the DLC characters.
SHH!: How many hours do you think it will take gamers to master the new expert single player modes?
Cobo: This one is a bit tough to quantify. We have made the platinum medal times on expert slightly more forgiving to compensate for the increased difficulty, but given the increased challenge of expert mode, we predict that it will take players about double-triple their overall playtime from normal mode to clear all expert missions with a platinum medal.
SHH!: Will there be additional TF:RoTF DLCs in the future?
Cobo: Anything’s possible.
SHH!: How much will this DLC cost?
Cobo: The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Character and Map Pack Plus is available for 800 Microsoft points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and $9.99 on the Playstation Store for PS3.
Source: Superhero Hype!
