I had a few days with time to kill and nothing substantial to play. Transformers: Devastation was meant to be filler for me. But for the next two days I wore a blissed-out smile on my face as my childhood memories rushed back in cel-shaded renderings of the Autobots and Decepticons and the countless hours I spent plastered to the TV screen. Most of the original voice cast is even here. And there's Soundwave. Motherfucking Soundwave is in this game.

Devastation's playbook is simple but effective: light attacks, heavy attacks, even a powerful vehicle attack. There is some variation in combat between playable characters, but not much, and the combat becomes repetitive - which is a big detractor for Devastation. The roster of Transformers is impressive, though mostly on the Decepticons side and not playable. The playable Autobots are all-stars: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Wheeljack, Sideswipe, and Grimlock. It's deep with transformers you forgot you loved: Constructicons and Insecticons and all the other reasons your parents thought Transformers was more toy commercial than TV show.

Double-bass metal brings combat encounters to a crescendo and makes most of the ride feel face-meltingly amazing. The buzz lasts through the whole campaign, but that on its own is short and very, very sweet for anyone who was ever a Transformers fan.