Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘Transformers: War For Cybertron,’ – “Chapter 1: Siege”

REVIEW: ‘Transformers: War For Cybertron,’ – “Chapter 1: Siege”

QuinnBy Quinn08/02/20204 Mins ReadUpdated:08/09/2020
War For Cybertron: Siege
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

War For Cybertron: Siege

Netflix is coming in hot with another original anime series, Transformers: War For Cybertron. Produced by Rooster Teeth, the series is divided into three parts with the first, “Chapter 1: Siege,” recently becoming available on the streaming platform with the next two parts planning to be released later at unconfirmed dates.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Transformers: War For Cybertron “Chapter 1: Siege” is a mouthful, but the length of the title is not synonymous with its run-time. With only six episodes, each coming in at around 25 minutes apiece, it’s disappointingly short. Stack on the fact that we don’t know when chapter two or three will be released, and it’s a bit frustrating, to say the least.

“Siege” is placed in the Transformers timeline before the Autobots and Decepticons reach Earth but after the beginning of the Great War that pit these two factions against each other. This is an interesting time point to start this series and a good one. With the majority of Transformers cartoon series focusing on Earth and the new IDW comic reboot centering on events that started the Great War, “Siege” slides right in the middle of these. Although Transformers: War For Cybertron is based on the video game of a similar title and harkens to a similar timeline, it’s a good choice to mix up the media that’s currently available.

Despite the timeline being interesting, the plotline falls flat. “Siege” opens up to a Cybertron that is a shadow of its former self; buildings are crumbling, energon is scarce, and the Autobots are on the run. The Decepticons have the upper hand and are systematically hunting down Autobots left and right. No one wants this war, but neither Optimus Prime nor Megatron is willing to back down. Megatron devises a plan to use the All Spark to reformat Autobots into Decepticons to end the war. However, Optimus gets whiff of his plans and now the two factions are in a race to find the All Spark.

The All Spark is an important relic in many universes in the Transformers canon; it’s been used many a time as a plot device and this story is no different. Beyond the plot being familiar enough to feel stale to any long-time Transformers fan, it’s very straightforward and has little substance to it. There are a few times where characters hint at darker and deeper backstories, but these stories are generally overlooked and ignored. The plot is just a retelling with too few new elements added to be captivating.

War For Cybertron: Siege

Despite the plot falling short, the characterization is a gem. Rooster Teeth has a way of bringing characters to the forefront of their productions. Viewers will likely be familiar with many of the characters featured in the show and Rooster Teeth has made sure to get their personalities down. The interactions and relationships between characters are crafted wonderfully, and little feels amiss with how these characters are represented and how they develop. The one character I was a bit confused about was Impactor. As far as I’m aware, Impactor was never at any point a Decepticon. It’s obvious that the creators specifically used Impactor’s allegiance as a plot device, but it felt like an odd choice due to the canonical history of the character. But one character wrong out of a couple dozen is still pretty good.

Rooster Teeth’s animation team has produced some amazing shows and this one is no different. The camera movement is dynamic and the movement of individuals is smooth and almost effortless. Transformers can often look clunky and awkward, but the animators smoothed out the edges. They’ve also used designs from the G1 era of Transformers which will likely pander to older fans. The downside to some of the animation is specifically in relation to the fighting sequences which can feel lethargic at times, especially any close-quarters combat.

What I’m most impressed with about this series is the voice acting. The animation produces little facial movement, however, the combination of eye movement, body language, and voice acting overcomes this minute detail. The Transformers are widely emotive and it’s largely due to the excellent voice acting accompanying the animation. The voices also match the ‘bots. With a long history of Transformers cartoons, there’s been a lot of voice acting and fans already have an idea of how many of these ‘bots should sound. Thankfully, there are few incongruencies.

Given that this is a new Transformers series, I really wanted to enjoy it. However, with my prior knowledge of other Transformers media, the plot felt stale and there were too few new elements to keep me entertained. However, the creative team did a wonderful job in the development of the characters, the animation, and the voice acting.

Transformers: War For Cybertron “Chapter 1: Siege” is streaming now on Netflix.

Transformers: War For Cybertron, Chapter 1: Siege
  • 6.5/10
    Rating - 6.5/10
6.5/10

TL;DR

With my prior knowledge of other Transformers media, the plot felt stale and there were too few new elements to keep me entertained. However, the creative team did a wonderful job on the development of the characters, the animation, and the voice acting.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Never Look Back’ – A Beautiful Expansion of Myth
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Skater XL’ Is Not For Everyone And That’s Okay
Quinn

Quinn is an editor and comic and video game writer with a love for Transformers and cyberpunk. As a nonbinary person, Quinn also takes pleasure in evaluating the inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in media.

Related Posts

Helluva Boss Season 2 But Why Tho
9.5

REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 2 Is A Deeper Dive Into Love And Power

09/11/2025
Helluva Boss Season 1 Episode 7 But Why Tho
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 1 Is Full Of Violence, Chaos, And Heart

09/11/2025
Sandra Yi Sencindiver stars as Yutani in Alien Earth Episode 6
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 6 — “The Fly”

09/10/2025
Task promotional key art featuring Mark Ruffalo from HBO
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Task’ Episode 1 — “Crossings”

09/08/2025
Aneesha Malik in Invasion Season 3 Episode 3
9.0

RECAP: ‘Invasion’ Season 3 Episode 3 — “Infinitas”

09/07/2025
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 3
9.0

RECAP: ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 3 — “Another Rick Up My Sleeve”

09/06/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here