Transformers: War for Cybertron takes place on the home planet of Cybertron, where the story of the Transformers unfolds. This game tells the tale of the robots long before they encountered Earth, which had been explored in games based on the 2007 and 2009 movies.
Transformers: War for Cybertron is a third-person action game that utilizes the Unreal Engine to render the robots and their environments. Players can choose to side with either the Autobots or Decepticons in single and online co-op campaigns for up to three players. Each side features its own story and missions, allowing players to run, jump, shoot, and transform at will. In single player mode, players are accompanied by two fellow Transformers that can be either AI or player controlled. Online multiplayer is available, enabling players to configure their own Transformers: War for Cybertron character from one of four classes to engage in six different multiplayer modes, such as Deathmatch, Code of Power, or Countdown to Extinction.
The game features the return of voice actor Peter Cullen reprising his role as Optimus Prime, whose involvement with the role dates back to 1984.