TRON: Catalyst Preview
British developer Mike Bithell is known for crafting unique experiences, with each of his titles offering a distinct art style and approach to gameplay. While his games are varied, they share a strong vision and narrative flair that makes them unmistakably Bithell. Having previously worked with Disney’s Tron franchise on the narrative-driven Tron: Identity, Bithell Games now returns with Tron: Catalyst, an action-focused adventure that moves away from visual novel conventions. Based on the prologue and first chapter, this could be their strongest outing since John Wick Hex.
As Exo, a regular courier, your life takes an unexpected turn when a typical delivery goes awry. The mysterious package explodes en route and imbues you with powers. When the Peacekeepers learn of your abilities, you become a fugitive and must escape the city while learning about the true origins of the package, the shadowy forces behind it, and the growing power within you. As with all Bithell Games, the narrative is well-structured and instantly intriguing. You can wander the area and converse with its inhabitants to learn more about the world and get future insight into the authoritarian control. However, if you want to focus solely on your tale, then you can avoid these conversations and still have a strong understanding of the story.
Capturing the Universe
With its authentic representation of the TRON universe, the game fully immerses you in its digital world. From the neon-lit streets to the iconic Light Cycle, every detail is crafted with legitimacy and respect for the source material. This is heightened with its captivating soundtrack by Dan Le Sac. His synth-infused sounds immerse you in the franchise and perfectly replicate the legendary series in the interactive medium.
Central to both the gameplay and narrative is the Glitch ability, which lets you rewind time to alter outcomes. This creates clever opportunities to scout situations, gather knowledge, and then return with what you need to progress. For example, at one point, I couldn’t pass through an area because I was carrying incriminating evidence—triggering an alert and a fight with guards. After completing the encounter, I was able to discard the evidence, reset the time loop, and slip through unnoticed. While the prologue and first chapter guide you through this process, the mechanic hints at rich, rewarding gameplay scenarios that could evolve into standout moments throughout the adventure.
Outside of this is the combat, which includes a nice mixture of melee and ranged combat. With your disc, you can launch projectiles at enemies and jump in to finish off foes with your baton. To avoid strikes, you must use evasive maneuvers to roll out of the way or parry attacks by timing the block button. Although it doesn’t do anything groundbreaking, it’s a strong combat system that complements the gameplay.
The Future is Promising
The preview build shows glimmers of the world and the possibilities that it hints at are exciting. Jumping on the Light Cycle and exploring the environment is a thrill due to the seamless transition from foot to cycle. Hopefully, the area expands and there are more opportunities to ride the roads and organically discover the rich narrative.
TRON: Catalyst has all the makings of the best release in the famed franchise. Bithell’s signature storytelling already has me invested in the narrative, and I’m eager to see how it unfolds. While the combat is straightforward, the Glitch system shows real promise—and could be what sets this entry apart from its peers. I’m excited to see if the game reaches its full potential when it launches on June 17 across all major platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch.
Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.
