Transformers Energon: Battle for Megatron

Transformers Energon: Battle for Megatron
Platforms	Online
Release date	2004

Transformers Energon: Battle for Megatron is a Shockwave game released on Cartoon Network's website in February of 2004, shortly after the debut of Transformers: Energon.

Plot

Scorponok and the Terrorcons must invade Unicron and fight through the Chaos-Bringer's internal defenses (and Optimus Prime) to rescue their leader, Megatron.

Gameplay

The Terrorcons (Scorponok, Battle Ravage, Divebomb, Cruellock, and Insecticon) play against computer-controlled enemies in a series of levels, with increasing difficulty. Each level has a set number of enemies which must be defeated before proceeding. The levels are set up for grid-based combat, with players and characters able to move a set number of squares each turn. Each Terrorcon can move a set number of squares at a time, called Speed in-game. A Terrorcon's Speed varies with each mode. Flyers like Scorponok and Divebomb have the greatest Speed, and can move around certain barriers.

Each Terrorcon has three bars for Health, Armor, and Energy per level:

• Health is the amount of damage a Terrorcon can take from attacks. If the Health bar drops to '0', the Terrorcon is defeated for that round. Health is the same in any mode.
• Armor absorbs damage from attacks, decreasing the Armor bar instead of the Health bar. Each mode has a different Armor bar. The more Armor a character has, the more effective it is.
• Energy is used to activate weapons and abilities. Energy is the same in any mode.

Energon cubes can be picked up to improve Health and Energy, but not Armor. Most Terrorcons have one or more "boost" abilities that can regenerate the Health, Armor, or Energy of their comrades in range. The Armor boosting ability, called "Repair", only refills the Armor bar for the current mode the Terrorcon is in.

Each Terrorcon has a unique set of weapons, abilities, and range of movement that distinguishes them from each other. The variety of attacks and moves is increased due to the fact that the Terrorcons can transform as well (Scorponok has all three modes available, each with different moves). Attacks and abilities vary based on damage, range, and cost. For instance, Battle Ravage has two attacks in robot mode. His Laser Cannon can only hit a single square for 20 points damage, but costs no Energy to fire and has mid-level range. Alternatively, his Grenade cannot travel as far and drains his Energy bar each use, but can hit multiple squares in the blast radius for 25 points each.

Enemies typically include various kinds of attack drones or towers. Like Terrorcons, enemies have different speed, attack range, and damage. Enemies can also have both Health and Armor, reducing the effectiveness of Terrorcon attacks until the Armor is destroyed.

Terrorcons

• Scorponok
  • Robot mode - Scorponok uses a cost-free Scorp Punch for close range, and a Morale Boost to improve allies' Health.
  • Scorpion mode - The Scorpion Sting is the strongest attack in the game for single enemies.
  • Jet mode - Barrage is a multiple laser strike, short range but Scorponok's only attack that can hit more than one enemy. Repair allows him to regenerate Armor.

• Battle Ravage
  • Robot mode - Laser Cannon is a ranged, cost-free attack striking a single square. Grenade uses Energy, but can strike multiple squares for greater damage.
  • Cougar mode - Cougar Bite is a short range, cost-free attack. Tail Mace takes Energy, but can sweep over more than one square for greater damage.

• Divebomb
  • Robot mode - Blade Strike is a strong, single enemy attack.
  • Eagle mode - Eagle Strike is a cost-free attack with minor damage. Battlecry allows Divebomb to refill Energy bars, making him a good partner for Insecticon.

• Cruellock
  • Robot mode - Cruel Slash and Cruel Stab are both single square attacks, with the latter costing more and dealing more damage than the former.
  • Raptor mode - Raptor Claw is a low damage, cost-free attack. Turbocharge provides a permanent Speed boost, letting an ally move further in a single round.

• Insecticon
  • Robot mode - Energy Blaster is a ranged, cost-free attack. Sniper is Energy expensive, but has the best range out of any weapon and ignores enemy Armor for good damage.
  • Beetle mode - Acid Splash reduces enemy Armor in the splash zone. Insecticon can also Repair allies' Armor.

Featured characters

Codes

The codes that were aired on Cartoon Network and obtained at Walmart (as stated in the game) are:

• Hot Shot
• Inferno
• Scorponok
• Cybertron

The codes could be used to unlock new areas in the game.

External link

• Battle for Megatron