Check out Escalation mode in Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark trailer

Activision’s newest Transformers title brings on the bad guys in the return of Escalation Mode.

So, if it wasn’t all that clear from the trailer, Escalation is a kind of Horde Mode where the game throws increasingly tougher waves of baddies at you and your buddies as you try and fend ’em off. These types of multiplayer modes have become pretty popular in recent years and the Transformers: Cybertron version (Escalation) was a highlight in what was already a great series.

Now that the franchise is branching off into Rise of the Dark Spark, a game that also stars the movie versions of the famous bots, it’s really kind of a no-brainer that Escalation comes along for the ride. The co-op mode will feature over 40 (!) different Transformers to choose from once unlocked; each with a specific power set and “tactical edge”. As a Transformers fan, that’s got me excited.

You’ll also be facing off against not only the grunts, but also boss characters like Shockwave and Warpath in the battle-heavy mode, so you’ll need every one of the turrets, decoys, and barricades that are up for your use to stop ’em.

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark arrives on the Xbox One/360, PS4/3, PC, and Wii U on June 24th.