Tron: Catalyst's Shift To Isometric Action Feels Like A Nice Change In Perspective

2023's Tron: Identity brought a unique look inside the world of Disney's tech-heavy universe, as developer Bithell Games told a story of sabotage and subterfuge in a consequence-driven visual novel. The events of the story focused heavily on what the player chose to do, and how they reacted to the consequences of those choices. It was a novel--pardon the pun--approach to Tron, and one that, while not perfect, was effective in expanding the lore of the world.This year, Bithell Games will bring us back into its version of the Tron universe in Tron: Catalyst, a follow-up to Identity's story with a new set of characters and an entirely new approach. The visual novel format is gone, replaced with an isometric action-oriented format that gives the player more direct engagement with the world. The shift is a gamble, but based on my experience with the first 90 minutes of the game, it's one that has enough promise that it might pay off in the end.A new identityThose who played Tron: Identity may have a set of expectations with Catalyst, but as mentioned above, those expectations need to be derezzed. Catalyst is a vastly different experience, one that encourages exploration and direct combat over heavy dialogue and puzzle-solving. Where Identity felt more like an Ace Attorney style of game, Catalyst gives the same vibes as Supergiant's Hades or, perhaps more accurately given the similar setting, Neon Giant's The Ascent.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Apr 24, 2025 - 15:12

Tron: Catalyst's Shift To Isometric Action Feels Like A Nice Change In Perspective

2023's Tron: Identity brought a unique look inside the world of Disney's tech-heavy universe, as developer Bithell Games told a story of sabotage and subterfuge in a consequence-driven visual novel. The events of the story focused heavily on what the player chose to do, and how they reacted to the consequences of those choices. It was a novel--pardon the pun--approach to Tron, and one that, while not perfect, was effective in expanding the lore of the world.

This year, Bithell Games will bring us back into its version of the Tron universe in Tron: Catalyst, a follow-up to Identity's story with a new set of characters and an entirely new approach. The visual novel format is gone, replaced with an isometric action-oriented format that gives the player more direct engagement with the world. The shift is a gamble, but based on my experience with the first 90 minutes of the game, it's one that has enough promise that it might pay off in the end.

A new identity

Those who played Tron: Identity may have a set of expectations with Catalyst, but as mentioned above, those expectations need to be derezzed. Catalyst is a vastly different experience, one that encourages exploration and direct combat over heavy dialogue and puzzle-solving. Where Identity felt more like an Ace Attorney style of game, Catalyst gives the same vibes as Supergiant's Hades or, perhaps more accurately given the similar setting, Neon Giant's The Ascent.Continue Reading at GameSpot