Tron: Catalyst

“Combat could use more depth, the Glitch mechanic feels underdeveloped, and the world; despite its beauty it really lacks things to do. Still, for fans of Tron, isometric action games, or stylish sci-fi in general, this is a strong entry. I’d love to see Bithell take another swing at this universe. With more time and ambition, a follow-up could turn these sparks into something explosive.”

“Although TRON: Catalyst may feel like a paint-by-numbers entry in the Tron series, it's one of the better kits we've had. It stumbles over repetition and some awkward gameplay segments, but the solid story and franchise-familiar elements will carry fans through its somewhat short runtime.”

“Tron: Catalyst isn't a terrible game, but it is definitely in the wrong genre. Its engaging setting and excellent time-travel mechanics carried me far beyond the point where I got bored of the shallow combat system and frustrating vehicle sections. Despite the visuals and story feeling very Tron, it doesn't capture the same feel of the movies. Honestly, if you can't make a light cycle fun to ride, you have no place making a Tron game.”

“TRON: Catalyst is a safe spin-off of the iconic TRON: Legacy world - it presents big ideas but only ever dips it's toes into those waters, wrapping things up as a mostly okay game that existing fans will likely find a lot of joy in nonetheless.”

“Tron: Catalyst is the latest game to spring from the movie Tron, which came out in 1982. If you count, among that film's charms, the sight of Jeff ...”

“A smart and inventive RPG-lite, and a worthy entry in the TRON canon.”

“A valiant, but ultimately flawed effort.”

“TRON: Catalyst is sitting in a grey area: Bithell Games are competent in telling us a story, but it's not enough to be a narrative-driven game, and the combat system is way too poor to make their latest creation a combat game.”

“Still, these elements come together to deliver a narrative-driven experience that remains true to Tron’s identity, even if the gameplay doesn’t always live up to the ambition of its story.”

“Tron: Catalyst did a great job of making me feel I was part of the Tron Universe, but it did a poor job of keeping me engaged. The characters, music, and voice work were great, but the combat became repetitive in the first hour, and the exploration didn't offer anything engaging to look forward to. For Tron fans, Catalyst is a no-brainer. For everyone else, it won't make you love or hate Tron more or less than you do now.”

“If you're a fan of the franchise, then TRON: Catalyst is a title you won’t want to miss. Bithell Games has massively expanded the scope and ambition of its title from the first time out, and the results are mostly successful.”

“For all the incredibly talented work on display, Catalyst ends up a game that can’t quite figure out how to fill its own space, and still chafes against the lack of room to full render. But goddamn does racing a lightcycle on the streets in defiance of Core feel good.”

“While I think TRON: Catalyst leaves a little to be desired, it's still an excellent action adventure and brings the TRON world to life in a way few games have.”

“Tron: Catalyst competently gets the job done as an action game, but it's rarely more than just good.”

“It never quite shakes off the feeling of being a budget Hades; it’s, at the very least, a fine way to kill a few hours, even if you forget about it immediately after.”

“Tron as a franchise has too many tabs open.”

“Tron: Catalyst brings Bithell Games once again to Disney's Tron universe, this time in an action-adventure experience.”

“The combat and look of the game are boring. The atmosphere and music are detached and out of alignment with the story. The light cycle is fun, but you’re very restrained in where you can use it. And ultimately, while the time loop makes the story and progression more interesting, that arguably worthwhile story is attached to a fairly humdrum action game wearing all of the expected components of the Tron aesthetic.”