Tron: Identity is a visual novel puzzle video game developed by Bithell Games set in the Tron franchise. Set thirteen years after Tron: Legacy,[2] the player follows Query, a program who investigates an explosion in The Repository, a building in a backup Grid created by programmer Kevin Flynn intended to house ISOs. His investigation leads him down a path that uncovers many secrets about the world he and other programs inhabit.
| Tron: Identity | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bithell Games |
| Publisher(s) | Bithell Games |
| Designer(s) | Mike Bithell |
| Composer(s) | Dan le Sac |
| Engine | Unity[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Visual novel, puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Tron: Identity received mixed reception, with many critics praising the story and graphics, but criticized the game's short length.
Gameplay
editPlayers control Query, a sentient program who lives in a virtual world. His job is to determine what caused an explosion in a secure vault. Players encounter other virtual inhabitants and can engage them in conversation. Choices players make in these conversations affect the story. While talking to people, players occasionally need to solve a matching game puzzle to ask further questions.[3]
Development
editAs a fan of both Tron and Disney parks, Mike Bithell said he said he enjoyed the opportunity to ask Disney writers for their thoughts when he wrote the game.[4] Bithell Games released Tron: Identity on Windows, macOS, and Switch on April 11, 2023.[5]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PC) 67/100[6] (NS) 74/100[7] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| IGN | 7/10[3] |
Tron: Identity received mixed reviews on Metacritic.[6][7] IGN said it is "well worth playing" but "feels more like a first chapter than a standalone story".[3] Though they called it "beautiful and brilliant in spots", Slant Magazine felt it was "too much like reading a rulebook".[8] The Guardian praised the atmosphere and flexible story, but they said that without its license, it is "a fleeting and unremarkable visual novel".[9] Polygon praised the "dramatically stimulating and entertaining story" and recommended it to both Tron fans and newcomers.[10] GameSpot enjoyed the writing, atmosphere, and world-building, but they felt the game was too short and that the puzzles were too much of an interruption.[11] While praising the game's "unique structure", Game Informer said they did not feel engrossed in the virtual people's problems.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Made with Unity Monthly: April 2023 roundup". Unity Technologies. 2023-05-03. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Graves, Sabina (2023-04-25). "New Tron: Identity Game Lets You Explore a New Grid Mystery". Gizmodo. Yahoo News. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ a b c LeBoeuf, Sarah (2023-04-25). "Tron: Identity Review". IGN. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Graves, Sabina (2023-04-13). "New Tron: Identity Game Lets You Explore a New Grid Mystery". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ "TRON: Identity". Gematsu. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ a b "Disney TRON: Identity (PC)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ a b "Disney TRON: Identity (Switch)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Riccio, Aaron (2023-04-11). "TRON: Identity Review: Uno Meets Solitaire in This Well-Written Return to the Grid". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Lane, Rick (2023-04-21). "Tron: Identity review: moody sci-fi detective game is all light, no cycle". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Egan, Toussaint (2023-04-17). "Tron: Identity transforms the cyberpunk world into a noir detective game". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Fanelli, Jason (2023-04-14). "Tron: Identity Review - Gone In 60 Millicycles". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Miller, Matt (2023-04-18). "Tron: Identity Review". Game Informer. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-21.