VIDEO GAME REVIEWS

August 9, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

VIDEO GAME REVIEWS

“TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON”

Grade: B

Systems: Microsoft Xbox 360, also for Sony PlayStation 3 and PC; $59.99 ($49.99 for PC)

Age rating: Teen

Far better than any recent “Transformers” game, “War for Cybertron” features two campaigns (one for the Decepticons, one for the Autobots) and a well-appointed set of multiplayer modes, giving it legs beyond its story mode.

The game takes place in the distant past, as the two factions of robots struggle for control of their mechanized world, Cybertron. Up to three players can team up for the campaign mode — players can choose from several characters, each with assorted weapons and special powers.

These powers and items carry over to the multiplayer modes, but many of them have to be unlocked through play, such as the bonuses in the last few “Call of Duty” games.

The robots are divided into several classes — Soldiers are the bruisers, with heavy weaponry and tank forms; Scientists are fragile but agile and turn into aircraft; Scouts are quick and change into speedy cars; and Leaders bolster their allies and change into heavy trucks. Each class increases in level as it’s played, with individual unlockable items and powers for them all.

“LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 1-4”

Grade: B

Systems: Microsoft Xbox 360, also for Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC; $49.99 ($29.99 to $49.99 for other versions)

Age rating: 10-plus

The latest in the durable and flexible Lego game franchise covers “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” through “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” The game holds to the formula established by the “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones” and “Batman” entries — one or two players control various Lego-ized characters from the series, casting spells, collecting Lego studs to use as money, solving puzzles and battling foes. Many scenes from the movies are re-created in humorous, wordless vignettes.

There are new powers and new faces compared with other editions of the series, but the usual pros and cons are all present. The cutesy Lego characters move and jump a bit loosely, and it can be easy to die accidentally, but lives are unlimited and the consequences for dying are never dire. There are many paths to be followed in Hogwarts, but some are blocked until a player has found the right character to defeat an obstacle.

—Justin Hoeger, The Sacramento Bee