Before Transformers blasts its way into theaters July 4, Glu Mobile hopes to entertain gamers with the video game. A 2-D side scrolling beat-em-up/shooter, Transformers packs just enough explosive power to warrant a play through.

As Autobot leader Optimus Prime, players explore various environments, annihilating Decepticons while searching for the Allspark, a device with unlimited power. The game throws numerous enemies his way, all of which crumble (in theory) in the face of his gun and fists. While in firing mode, he automatically discharges his weapon, eliminating the need for players to repeatedly press the OK or 5 key. With that being said, the gun overheats, and should be used sparingly.

Up close, Prime busts up his adversaries. Mashing the Ok or 5 key unleashes a flurry of lefts and rights, and to get fancy, he uppercuts by pressing either 1 or 3. If that doesn't work, he can transform into a truck by pressing down on the keypad, running over enemies with a cool exploding "BOOM" sound.

In addition, the levels, called Nodes, contain multiple paths, upping the game's replay value. Furthermore, the game displays the Autobot/Decepticon race to locate the Allspark. Successfully completing levels puts the good guys ahead, while failing lets the evil Decepticons to take the lead. Losing enough times, and subsequently losing the race means game over.

Overall, Transformers satisfies on the most basic level when played via Verizon's VX8300 phone). Similar to most 2-D cell phone beat-em-ups, it doesn't introduce major innovations. Rather, it does an excellent job providing a few hours of entertainment, where gamers (aided by a nifty auto save feature) can beat a level, close their phones, reopen them and pick up where they left off. Trying to angle one's jumps takes patience and persistence, as the hands cramp up due to a phone's compact size, but the game doesn't require pinpoint precision; the auto fire is a testament to that.

Even the visuals look good, not incredible by any means, but decent enough to enhance the experience. In between levels, Optimus Prime or Bumblebee heads pop up and engulf the phone's entire screen. Glu did a remarkable job with the details, capturing the movie robots' likenesses. Don't buy/play Transformers if you're looking for a AAA, innovative game. Just enjoy it for what it is, a standard, by the numbers shooter based on a hot license.

Final Score: 7 (out of 10)

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