Edge of Reality and Activision have released a new gameplay trailer for Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark featuring the “Escalation” gameplay mode. It’s essentially a cooperative base defense mode and oh my god, now I’m wondering why there isn’t a Transformers MOBA.

Pick your faction – Autobots or Decepticons – choose from one of the 40 characters in the game, and then start shooting enemies. Defend successive waves and open up new gear and upgrades, mixing it up with ground and aerial combat (you are a Transformer, after all).

Curiously, Escalation will be skipping the Wii U and 3DS ports of June 24th’s Rise of the Dark Spark (it’s headed to the PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 versions). Is this just something that couldn’t make it into the Wii U port or has Activision given up on multiplayer for Nintendo’s notoriously challenging online architecture?

From the official synopsis:

“Serving as a follow-up to both the upcoming TRANSFORMERS live-action film and Activision’s TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON and TRANSFORMERS: FALL OF CYBERTRON titles, TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE DARK SPARK jumps worlds and factions as it weaves the tale of the hunt for an ancient relic as powerful as the Matrix of Leadership – the Dark Spark. Players will be able to switch between the heroes of the noble AUTOBOTS and the nefarious DECEPTICONS throughout the single-player campaign. Similar to High Moon Studios’ CYBERTRON entries in the highly regarded series, gameplay features nimble, fast-paced running-and-gunning combat paired with traversal and vehicle action across open battlefields for large-scale, dynamic conflicts.

Players will also see the return of the fan-favorite multiplayer mode, Escalation, which delivers wave-based, survival-style gameplay for up to four players online cooperatively. It features new, upgradeable defense systems, recognizable adversaries from the lore, and an expanded roster of playable characters from past and present. Additionally, an exciting new leveling system transforms single-player and multiplayer into one unified, persistent character development path. Experience earned in any part of the game unlocks potent awards and tactical loadout choices – including new characters, stronger weapons, special abilities and consumable bonuses – for use throughout the entire game.”