When it comes to names that grab my attention on the British gaming scene, Mike Bithell ranks high. Rightly so, Thomas Was Alone, Subsurface Circular and The Solitaire Conspiracy are just a few of his creations. In recent years, he’s turned to a somewhat forgotten genre: licensed video games based on films. John Wick Hex and TRON: Identity are already under his belt, and now his time in the TRON universe continues with the release of Tron: Catalyst.
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Set in the same world as Tron: Identity, Catalyst moves away from the visual novel thriller format. Instead, it’s an isometric action-adventure, with a twist of time looping thrown in.
Rogue TRON
Think roguelike Tron, but with more control than simply “die and repeat.” The loop mechanic pushes the narrative forward while letting you rework past mistakes.
You play as Exo, who gains a mysterious power called the Glitch, essentially time manipulation. It all kicks off when a courier delivers a package, triggering an explosion that lands you in prison, being interrogated by Conn, the antagonist.
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You’re then thrown onto the game grid—but you’ve no combat experience. That’s when the Glitch kicks in. After getting thoroughly beaten, you loop back to before the whole mess started.
The Glitch appears post-explosion and only you are aware of it. Other programs don’t remember the loops, so you can alter conversations and events based on past knowledge.
TRUE to Source
That also means much of the dialogue repeats until crucial points where you can change direction using what you’ve learned.
The writing is solid; fast-paced and engaging. Exo also develops well as the lead. That said, speaking as a massive Tron fan, the game leans heavily on series-specific terminology, which might be a hurdle for casual players. This part stays close to the visual novel feel of the last game, but Catalyst adds combat. You wield a data disc, hardly groundbreaking but handy when the dialogue starts to drag.
Progress TREE
There’s a decent upgrade tree where you unlock new attacks and moves, adding some variety. Still, considering Exo is a digital program, the upgrade system could go further, and it doesn’t quite evolve.
Combat isn’t as punchy as expected. You can’t easily break combos to parry, so timing is crucial. And parrying itself is inconsistent. The enemy’s window often feels too narrow.
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You also get a light cycle to speed around the city. No matter how it’s used, that part’s just fun.
Visually, it nails the Tron aesthetic. Neon orange and blue set against sharp geometric designs deliver the signature future feel and offer some nice contrast.
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The sound is passable. Sure, Daft Punk or Nine Inch Nails aren’t on board, but the soundtrack fits the vibe, and the voice acting adds life when used in moderation.
Tron: Catalyst is a mixed bag. It builds on its predecessor by introducing more gameplay mechanics, but it doesn’t fully excel in any one area. Still, as a fan, revisiting the Grid is a treat. Those less invested in the lore may struggle to connect.
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