In the 80s, Disney’s TRON captured the vision of being dragged into a sci-fi world in a game-like world. While it probably looked cool then, it’s not as high-tech as it could’ve been. Since the original film, there have been additional films with TRON: Legacy (2010) and another movie this year, TRON: Ares, and heaps of games set in this digital universe, which all look significantly cooler.

The devs at Bithell Games have followed up their 2023 title, TRON: Identity, with TRON: Catalyst (published by Big Fan Games and Devolver Digital) – which, based on the Steam preview, is looking to be an epic trip through a super stylised neon-lit vision of cyberspace.

 TRON: Catalyst is an isometric action-adventure game with what’s shaping up to be excellent world-building. Exo, a “courier program” in the Arq Grid, is unexpectedly gifted with the Glitch power when a delivery takes an unexpected turn. Exo’s newfound Glitch ability makes travelling the digital world super satisfying, with the ability to rewind time in a time-loop-like system that gives Exo what I would like to refer to as “mad hacks” against rival factions seeking control over the Grid.      

My early impressions of combat are that it plays like a beat ‘em up when fighting with Exo’s Identity Disc, a weapon great for melee and ranged combat. The mix of swift movements, a varied combat system, and a synth soundtrack were perfect for amping me up while  “derezzing” enemy programs.

Exo can level up their skills with collectible data shards to pack even more punch. There’s a reasonable amount of exploration; I found myself travelling through the city, a nightclub and across rooftops during my time in the Grid. Let’s not forget the iconic Light Cycle, which makes getting around a thrill.   

TRON: Catalyst is shaping up to be a fast-paced and worthy successor to the TRON legacy. It will launch on June 17, 2025, for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Written by: Yasmin Noble