Sure, let’s give this a whirl. Here’s my take:
So, Tron. Yeah, that whole neon vibe and digital universe seems like it would be a video game natural, right? Yet, it’s kinda weird how it hasn’t really cemented itself as a big player in the gaming world, especially when you think about it. There’ve been a handful of Tron games tossed around over, what, four decades? Most of ’em just sorta faded away like old polaroids. But, along comes Tron: Catalyst. And let me tell you, it’s doing a decent job shaking things up, a bit, at least more than some of the others did.
Now, Tron: Catalyst isn’t trying to blow your mind. It’s a 2.5D action-adventure thing from Bithell Games. Those folks teamed up with Disney and the whimsical gang at Big Fan Games, under the Devolver Digital umbrella. The game’s pretty straightforward and short-lived, about 10 hours tops. It’s refreshing actually, in an age where games seem to last longer than some Netflix series (I still haven’t finished half of those). This one doesn’t wear out its welcome, and sometimes, that’s all you need.
Anyway—wait, what was I saying? Oh, right. So picture this: you’re Exo, a courier in some digital-meets-dystopian city called Vertical Slice. Delivering parcels isn’t as chill as you’d think cause she gets this deadly package that – surprise, surprise – explodes. Now she’s in a time loop (because why not), with freaky powers called “Glitch” that could make anyone’s head spin. She’s trying to break free, dodge a not-so-nice guy named Conn, and well, save the digital world. Or die trying, I guess.
The game is kind enough to throw in a codex—a fancy word for a glossary, like a digital cheat sheet for all the Tron trivia you didn’t know you needed. Pretty helpful, especially if you’re like me and can’t remember half the plot sometimes. Even without diving deep into Tron lore, you’ll still get the gist thanks to this feature. As for its storytelling, it’s, well, nothing extraordinary but simple enough. Maybe you’ll find it bland if you’re yearning for epic tales, but we can’t have it all.
The game’s presentation might throw you off, though. Not many cutscenes to drool over; mostly it’s static sprites doing all the talking. Not a deal-breaker, just a bit, you know, “meh” in the character vibe department. The voice acting, though? Surprisingly alright.
Combat’s interesting, if not frustrating. You get this one weapon, the Identity Disc. It’s like playing catch with yourself, but cooler. Sure, some might’ve hoped for more weapon choices, but it’s got enough tricks—melee attacks, boomerang-like throws, and parrying. Mix those up with unlockable abilities using data shards, and you’ve got some depth there.
Speaking of shards, you’ll find these hidden around or snag them from downing enemies. Combat, while fun, does feel slightly unbalanced. Long-range attacks are kinda useless—like throwing a wet sponge. Meanwhile, parrying can sometimes feel like the cheat code to victory. Bosses, beware.
Exploration-wise, there are these sprawling zones to roam either on foot or the ultra-swish Light Cycle. Some side quests pop up like unexpected plot twists. During one, I ended up with this Byte buddy—a cute distraction.
Overall, Tron: Catalyst has its hiccups, some bugs too (don’t we all?), and it has this retro-AA game feel that’s nostalgic if you’re into that. It’s priced at $25, which doesn’t seem unreasonable given the fun it offers. Even Tron newbies might find something worthwhile here—a nice digital escape without committing a lifetime. Yeah, so there you go. Grab snacks, dive into the grid, and enjoy the ride.
