Tron: Identity
MSRP $14.99
“Tron: Identity is a clever and respectful take on the classic series, turning it into a gripping sci-fi detective story.”
Avg
-
Respectful use of IP
-
A stunning mystery
-
Impressive choices
-
Fun defrag puzzles
Against
-
No voice acting
-
Miniature user interface
When you think of a Tron video game, what comes to mind? Maybe you’re imagining a light bike game that puts you in a race to the death. Maybe you’re watching a third-person action game where you throw discs and take out rogue programs. Whatever you’re dreaming of right now, it’s probably not a two-hour visual novel that uses the digital world to reflect on how little control we have over the world around us. That’s exactly what it is Tron: Identity is — and it turns out to be the best use of the Disney IP since its arcade days.
TRON: Identity – official gameplay announcement
Now on Nintendo Switch and PC, Tron: Identity is a logical project for Bithell Games and Mike Bithell. The director previously experimented with short-form, sci-fi visual novels in the late 2010s with Subsurface circular and Quarantine circular, two futuristic titles about learning to communicate with robots and alien life forms. In context, those games now seem like rehearsals for his latest title, as the world of Tron naturally fits that premise. Bithell weaves a captivating digital mystery here that gives players a chance to better understand the ins and outs of the Grid.
Tron: Identity is the most thoughtful, and perhaps respectful, use of the Tron franchise we’ve ever gotten from a video game. It’s a short, clever detective story that’s genuinely curious about how the digital inhabitants of the show’s world experience the Web. It’s a successful experiment in restraint, resisting the urge to reduce Tron to another hollow video game playground in order to reveal the humanity hidden beneath layers of neon.
Disc runner
Tron: Identity is a classic sci-fi detective story, almost more like a Blade Runner game (a project that Bithell and company could probably knock out of the park if given the chance). The story begins after the break-in of the Grid’s central structure, The Repository. A program called Query is brought in to solve the case, interrogating a select few characters in the building whose memories were scrambled in the explosion. The story mostly takes place in a motion comic format, with static images, text and a selection of dialogue.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
While the lack of voice acting and the tiny UI make for a frustrating combination, Tron: Identity shines as a visual novel thanks to sharp writing. The central mystery makes for a stunning neo-noir made all the more impressive by meaningful decisions. Dialogue choices really matter here (something Pentiment recently performed expertly), because each character has a small relationship tree that significantly affects the story. Without giving too much away, I gambled away a critical clue in my story thanks to an itchy trigger finger.
There’s not too much choice here, and most characters only have about three potential conclusions to their arcs, but it was enough to make me want to start a new file as soon as it ended. There were still threads to untie after the check-out rush hour.
However, what is most compelling here is when Bithell uses the world of Tron as a platform for philosophical reflection. The story takes place in a Grid abandoned by its creator, with programs running without user input. I found myself anxious to find out how each character deals with this fact, going through the all-too-familiar crisis of faith that mirrors real-world religious debates. Some programs are patiently waiting for their creator to return, while others want to claim the Grid as their own. There is an undercurrent of anxiety running through The Repository, as I can feel each program struggling with the fear of not being in control of their situation. There is an inevitability to their existence that everyone struggles with. This makes the influencer choice system even more meaningful, as it allows Query to find some semblance of control in the midst of a crisis.
Defrag the IP
Beyond the story, the world of Tron remains clearly suitable for a video game on an aesthetic level. Here we get a solid soundtrack of ominous electronic tracks, and the visuals are familiar, conveying the cool neon tones of the film. Tron: Identity it’s certainly not flashy with its static images, which might disappoint those who love the series for its look, but the restrained look keeps the emphasis on the story and characters.
Another IP twist comes in the form of a simple minigame that calls back to Bithell’s Conspiracy Solitaire. In order to reconstruct a character’s memory, players must defragment their energy disk. This takes place in a simple yet enjoyable puzzle game where players must clear a semi-circle of cards by matching matching colors or numbers to clear the card. Cards can only be matched with those next to them or with one three spaces away. Other small complications with the rules appear as the story goes deeper, as late puzzles introduce cards that skip positions or create new cards if not cleared.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
It might seem like a random text-heavy story-breaking game, but it’s an addictive little minigame that’s careful not to overstay its welcome. The rules are easy to understand and I never found myself in a corner I couldn’t get out of (the undo button makes this easy, as does the ability for the AI to make a few moves for you). The only downside is the tiny user interface, which makes it a bit difficult to select individual cards when using the joystick. For those who really like it, there’s a dedicated endless mode included here that’s a fun time killer.
I’ve always appreciated Tron for its elegant visuals, but I’ve drifted away from it Tron: Identity with a much better hold on his world. Especially in an age where artificial intelligence is a hot topic, it’s the perfect time to dig into the programs and ask questions about digital sentience. It might be a little heady for some, and it certainly raises more questions than it answers, but it all adds up to an exciting story that requires no prior knowledge of Tron to understand.
Tron: Identity was reviewed on Nintendo Switch.
Editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn