Tron: Catalyst: PS5 Review

Developed by Bithell Games, Disney Games and Big Fan Games
Published by Devolver Digital
Platform: PS5

The Tron series has always been a hard one to translate to various mediums.

While it's a visually led franchise and series, it doesn't always mean that what plays out is the best it could ever be - and storytelling has always been somewhat of a mixed bag.

However, the new isometric game from Bithell Games, Disney Games and Big Fan Games is a bit of  a different beast that takes a little while to adapt to - but proves to be enjoyable enough if you just roll with it.

You play a courier named Exo, who's caught in a plot between a disgruntled police force and a band of resistance fighters. Using your powers granted to you as a glitch in the system, you get to fight your way in and out of the Arq Grid while simultaneously trying to save it.

Tron: Catalyst's simplicity of gameplay initially makes things enjoyable, but occasionally the game borders on the repetitive. Visually, it captures the world of Tron nicely from graphics feeling like they're enhanced by lights and blue looks - but the downside is outside of cut scenes where there's talking going on, none of the characters massively stand out from anything else.

Combat is lithe, responsive and relatively agile - even if initially, especially for console users, it takes a lot of time to adjust to all the various buttons and requirements. Though the addition of loops for each time Exo gains her powers makes things interesting and gives the game a hint of something different - but somehow also manages to feed in to the feeling of repetition.

Ultimately, Tron: Catalyst requires a bit of patience with its storytelling and gameplay, but it represents an indication of what the game world of Tron could be with a development team that's willing to pour some time into the Grid.