Transistor

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 921 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 736 out of 921
  2. Mixed: 121 out of 921
  3. Negative: 64 out of 921

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  1. mongolrising
    May 20, 2014
    10
    This is the first game from supergiant done completely on their own (Warner Bros. published Bastion) and it is a testament to what indie studios can accomplish when they aren't fettered by a large studio. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with Transistor and while it is the spiritual successor to Bastion a lot of it is very different and everything that it borrows from Bastion isThis is the first game from supergiant done completely on their own (Warner Bros. published Bastion) and it is a testament to what indie studios can accomplish when they aren't fettered by a large studio. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with Transistor and while it is the spiritual successor to Bastion a lot of it is very different and everything that it borrows from Bastion is improved.

    The art style, music, and narration are all in the same vein as Bastion, which is to say they are a masterpiece. The artwork is very beautiful especially during cutscenes and found myself taking screen shots constantly for desktop backgrounds, etc. The music is a big part of the experience as well, and just as in Bastion, both the music and the artwork set the scene. I would not say they improved on Bastion because that would be saying Bastion was flawed in those aspects. And Bastion is more of a western feel while Transistor is very much a cyber-punk game. However, the artwork is more detailed, rich, and beautiful, probably due to the fact that this is a newer game. I also feel that the music is a bit more developed and varied. The narration is also wonderful.

    The gameplay has changed significantly from Bastion, so if you're expecting the fun but rather simple gameplay of Bastion, you will be pleasantly surprised. In Transistor, you only have one weapon, if you can call it that. Your weapon looks like a sword, but it is more like a computer that you can upload programs to. Those programs are your powers and you pick them up as you progress through the game. The awesome thing about these programs is that they have three different uses. You can use them as active powers, passive powers, or you can use them to alter other active powers. For example, you have an area of effect attack, and an attack that gets enemies to fight for you. You can alter the AOE attack with the conversion attack and you have an AOE attack that converts enemies. This obviously gives you an immense amount of flexibility in combat and very different gameplay styles and approaches to defeating your enemies.

    These programs/abilities are then socketed onto your sword, which is the Transistor of the games title. In keeping with the cyberpunk theme, your Transistor has a limited amount of RAM...each program uses different levels of RAM...some only take up one space of RAM, others take up more. Another cool thing about your Transistor is that it is the narrator for your game...I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give away the story, but it all makes sense a little while into the game.

    Another thing that makes the gameplay very fun is that you can pause time on the battlefield. While paused, you can move around the battlefield, and choose which powers you want to use and which enemies you want to target. This allows you to escape when surrounded, or flank your enemies (since attacks from behind do more damage). This gives the game a turn-based feel to it. It does not really feel like a hack and slash at all...you can use your powers in real-time as well, but when facing very powerful enemies, you will die very quickly when using that tactic.

    I have not actually died yet while playing but I have discovered another thing about the gameplay in almost doing so. When you're health bar gets to zero, you don't immediately die, you simply lose one of the programs you have socketed into your Transistor. My assumption is that you will die after you lose all four programs. This also requires you to carefully plan how you which programs you use and how you have them modified, etc. Just another thing that makes this game awesome.

    Finally, the story is very intriguing. You play as Red who is a famous artist and singer. Apparently, there's a group called the Camerati (sounds kind of Mafia-ish) who is angry at you for some reason and they try to kill you. They have also killed the other important people in the city you live in (called Cloudbank). That is all I can say since I don't want to give anything important away. But I can say that the story is very intriguing and every aspect of the game helps tell it.    … Expand
  2. blodgettza
    May 20, 2014
    9
    Masterpiece. Gorgeous art, fantastic hour and thirteen minute soundtrack, fleshed out main protagonist and great combat to tie it all together. Do yourself a favor and at least watch the trailer if you are on the edge of buying this great game. Transistor is a worthy followup to Bastion and I hope SuperGiant will keep up the great original work!
  3. Futuristic
    Jun 10, 2014
    8
    Pros:
    -Great Atmosphere
    -Great Music
    -Fun and rewarding combat with many different play styles depending what Functions you choose
    -The Narration doesn't get annoying

    Cons:
    -Very Short
    -Story was a little confusing till the end (reading the character profiles help)
    -The limiters were either pointless or borderline unfair
  4. vargolocke
    Jul 26, 2014
    10
    artictis seen this is a masterpiece - the soundtrack, the visuals, the voice acting, everything
    and the gameplay yet simple but without any bad parts
  5. Helheim
    Nov 20, 2019
    10
    Жалею что не насладился этим творением на старте. Просто великолепная игра. Музыка, цвет, атмосфера. всё на высшем уровне. Жаль конечно что нет озвучки, но может это и к лучшему.
  6. Kanazawa
    Jun 7, 2014
    9
    Wow what a game. Beautiful art, incredible music (as expected), fantastic and original combat. Loved how well thought out the atmosphere was. Just everything went right with this game.
  7. PeregrineOmega
    Jun 16, 2015
    10
    An artistic masterpiece which blends visuals, audio and story so sublimely, there isn't a word in the english language to describe it. Emotionally charged and passionately designed, it excels as a sensory experience while delivering creative gameplay which combines elements of both turn-based and action RPGs.

    Transistor is truly an exemplar of gaming as an art form.
  8. ch4meleon
    Jul 5, 2016
    9
    My favorite part of this game was the story. It was both ambiguous and yet understandable. I loved how the game took me forward and then brought me right back to where I started (in more ways than one). It kept me interested, and that's the most important part, although I will admit that it was sometimes predictable.

    And then of course, there is the combat. I absolutely loved the combat    My favorite part of this game was the story. It was both ambiguous and yet understandable. I loved how the game took me forward and then brought me right back to where I started (in more ways than one). It kept me interested, and that's the most important part, although I will admit that it was sometimes predictable.

    And then of course, there is the combat. I absolutely loved the combat in this game. Mixing and maxing my "Functions," and utilizing the unique turn based combat system was not only a challenge to master, but very rewarding. It really added an extra dimension to the game that gives it extended playability. Three thumbs up for combat.

    Don't get me wrong, this game is not perfect. I thought it was too short and level design grew old quickly. It was overly and needlessly challenging one moment and then far too easy the next. But all in all, for $20 you are getting a great game, definitely worthy of your time.    … Expand
  9. DornishViper
    Oct 12, 2014
    10
    This is my favourite game of all time. It has a beautiful art style that is truly unparalleled, an innovative combat system, a heart wrenching story, a mysterious and vague but incredibly deep setting and a soundtrack that you'll still be listening to a year later.
  10. werd_119
    Oct 7, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Transistor is a masterpiece. The ride it takes you on may be short, but that's not because it's lacking in any facet. This game is an instant classic. It will stand the test of time by being a mechanically rock-solid, colorful snippet of story.

    The art is top-notch. The locked isometric view lends itself well to the carefully crafted backdrop vistas. While no elements are 3D, enough care has been taken in the design and visual style that it never feels like a detriment, but more of a statement. The animation of Red's 'flourish' maneuver is particularly fluid, belying the great care taken with even the smallest details.

    The soundtrack is flawless. It's a full expression of everything in the game; a blending of classical vocals and classical music instruments, with techno and chiptunes. I continue listening to certain tracks to this day. It stands on it's own, and reinforces the gameplay by being so powerfully moving.

    The combat is dynamic. Your skillset evolves over the course of the game, and the limited options you start with form a framework that expands and empowers your character to fight stronger enemies. The quick-time system appears to be an easy-mode to let even low-skill players experience all the game has to offer, but the down-time between uses introduces a powerful risk-reward consequence for relying on it too heavily. Added to that, a set of challenge missions, and a very large amount of difficulty modifiers means players can tune the game to be extremely challenging (even so far as having consequences for removing those difficulty modifiers). There is a full second-playthough mode, and enough skill/level additions available to warrant making that leap. The game even adds more, and more difficult enemies as you play though again, but there may not be enough dynamic full-level combat elements to keep you interested for more than two playthoughs.

    The real longevity comes from the story. I advise anyone who hasn't beaten the game to save what I'm going to say for later; SPOILERS ahead.

    The story is symbolic, deep, and enthralling. Unlike other games that don't hint at what might be (cough, Destiny), Transistor is so brimming with a 'shadowed' symbolic narrative, that it can barely contain itself. An air of mystery, suffusing a rock-solid direct sci-fi story about a girl combating a 'grey-goo' apocalypse in a mysterious world, is enticing. It's left to the player to make the final calls on what really happened, and there is nothing more powerful than imagination. This isn't a hindrance or a copout because the game doesn't rely on the mystery, but uses it as a catalyst for intrigue.

    The player can easily figure out that the speaker and Red were lovers. Sybill also loved Red, and successfully had the speaker killed, possibly to get closer to Red. The speaker is never identified, and his voice changes to that of Royce briefly after a full completion. Why?

    The process was created to stabilize the excessive paradigm shifts of a fantastic city, but grew out of control absorbing and homogenizing everything in it's path. It's hinted that the process was already responsible for most of the fantasy elements in the city, but the Camerata had corrupted it for their own ends (creating a stable utopia powered by the greatest voices in the city, trapped in the transistor). The true questions about this are, who created the transistor (Royce was studying it, and found it to be empty)? Who truly corrupted the process, as Royce was showing signs of process sickness at the end game (despite being the architect of it, and holding it at bay while waiting for Red).

    Then there's the city, and the country. It's obvious that the country is both a real place, and a euphemism for death. The city is practically a eutopia, pre-collapse, and it's citizens live in peace despite the rapidly shifting reality paradigms. Is it possible that this place is a simulation, and that the inside of the transistor is yet another simulation layer? Is the real world in the transistor, and Cloudbank the simulation? Did Red truly free herself in death, but leave Royce and others trapped in the simulation, or is she really dead, along with everyone not trapped in the Transistor?

    There are so many questions, and thematic elements backing up many of the theories of what's really happening in Transistor. It's no stretch to believe that Red escaped the simulation of cloudbank with the assistance of an outside motivator (the speaker). It's also no stretch to believe that she joined him in death, too sad, alone, and silent to be able to live.

    The game is beautiful, something to be treasured. I will return to it, years from now, and find it as engaging, but possibly different than I remember. I will love it forever.    … Expand
  11. HobbesReviewer
    Sep 18, 2014
    9
    The game play is brilliant, so much combinations, so much thing to experiment. I enjoy every pieces of that. The atmosphere is great, music is amazing. The only reason that it doesn't get a ten is because of its storyline. If only I can hear or read more about Red and her lovely companion, that will be great.
  12. camptownrangers
    Jul 27, 2015
    10
    Beautifully designed in every aspect and my favorite of Supergiant's two games so far. I have to say that Bastion is probably superior in all those objective measures of design, but all of Transistor's unique quirks and themes especially appealed to me, much more so than Bastion did. I love cyberpunk and I really liked all the programming references, so Transistor certainly delivered forBeautifully designed in every aspect and my favorite of Supergiant's two games so far. I have to say that Bastion is probably superior in all those objective measures of design, but all of Transistor's unique quirks and themes especially appealed to me, much more so than Bastion did. I love cyberpunk and I really liked all the programming references, so Transistor certainly delivered for me. I think the games industry would be a lot livelier place if games were designed more like that, appealing much more to niche areas and being more unique rather than going for the broadest appeal.… Expand
  13. urielejh
    Dec 8, 2014
    8
    Supergiant Game's second take on Adventure RPG games brought many ideas from their previous work, Bastion, and set them in a futuristic sci-fi theme. This time the player plays as "Red", a singer whose voice has been stolen, aided by the "Transistor", a sword-like weapon, that can absorb "lost souls" to gain new powers.

    The game is built upon a pretty isometric 2d style engine (maybe    Supergiant Game's second take on Adventure RPG games brought many ideas from their previous work, Bastion, and set them in a futuristic sci-fi theme. This time the player plays as "Red", a singer whose voice has been stolen, aided by the "Transistor", a sword-like weapon, that can absorb "lost souls" to gain new powers.

    The game is built upon a pretty isometric 2d style engine (maybe Bastion's), the graphic and the art style are, once again, polished, well defined and definitely unique. The whole world, as in Bastion, seems to be handcrafted - and maybe they are - and as you venture through the many areas, you'll have the chance to notice how small details make that game worth spending time on it.
    The sounds are good, music's the best part of the game's "audio aspect": an original soundtrack where the vocals singer is Red herself.. smooth, chillout-like and ambient are the defining characteristics.

    Gameplay-wise the game relies much on its "spiritual predecessor's" mechanics: though this time there's no hub to navigate the world through, they chose a classic area-after-area mode, the player can upgrade the Transistor with an awesomeness of abilities and swap them using specific "terminals". Abilities are known as "functions" (...) and they can be used as "active", "support" and passive". The first one, let you use the function's main ability (as many as four); mid one's, let you put a function in support to another one, creating a new effect (you can have up to two support functions); the latter let you gain a passive effect that auto-activate and you can unlock four of them. You can stack as many functions as memory capacity let you have; memory can be increased leveling up and choosing to upgrade it; other options are also available, like different functions, more support slot, limiters.. what in the heck limiters are? Ever played Bastion and divined any god? Well, limiters are Transistor's shrines: they give you % xp bonus.. but also activates malus like stronger Process (main enemies AI)..

    Red explores the world areas in real-time though, during combat, the actual moving area is restricted; combat can be executed in real-time and/or aided by the Turn() option: she can stop time and use a combinations of moves and attacks that she will then executes in real-time, allowing for greater gameplay experience and differentiation.

    Honestly, as with Bastion, there's no point in looking for negative aspects as positives' more than successfully pawn cons. If you liked Bastion, want a unique adventure, a fresh take on RPG.. you definitely want to give Transistor a try. You'll love it.

    Overall:

    Graphic: 7
    Art: 9
    Sound: 7
    Music: 8
    Gameplay: 8
    Replay value: 8
    Uniqueness: 9

    Partial: 8

    The partials and so the final score are identical to Bastion's and that is soon explained: I see Transistor as a transposition of Bastion's mechanics and feats to a new world; there's no real "reinventing" but the story, the world, the themes.. they all are unique and different from each other.    … Expand
  14. Overlord87
    Dec 5, 2014
    9
    This is the most stylish game ever. It's a good game in terms of gameplay and stuff, but it's the style that matters here. The atmosphere, the vividness of the colors, the awesome soundtrack that pulls you in. It's the blending of all these elements that make Transistor so good. In a market that has way too many triple A games with a perfect realization and no soul, Transistor is a gameThis is the most stylish game ever. It's a good game in terms of gameplay and stuff, but it's the style that matters here. The atmosphere, the vividness of the colors, the awesome soundtrack that pulls you in. It's the blending of all these elements that make Transistor so good. In a market that has way too many triple A games with a perfect realization and no soul, Transistor is a game with a soul... and it does not even sacrifice its gameplay for it. The cons: a bit short (but not shorter than your average fps), the plot is not really strong.… Expand
  15. Amandaklop
    May 9, 2015
    10
    Amazing in every way. Playthrough was intense and engaging. There's a perfect blend of mystery and answers. The havens give you a chance to breathe and as with Bastion the story and art and music make the game something masterful and beautiful. The ending is something I will remember always.
  16. Nyarulathotep
    Mar 12, 2016
    9
    I have not played Bastion yet, but after finishing Transistor the first thing I did was download Bastion to try it.
    Gonna try and keep it brief: Transistor is the kind of game that really gives me hope for the future.
    Its the kind of game that comes out once in a blue moon nowdays. Its unique, its beautiful, its compelling, its...art. I can go as far as say that its more than a game.    I have not played Bastion yet, but after finishing Transistor the first thing I did was download Bastion to try it.
    Gonna try and keep it brief: Transistor is the kind of game that really gives me hope for the future.
    Its the kind of game that comes out once in a blue moon nowdays.
    Its unique, its beautiful, its compelling, its...art. I can go as far as say that its more than a game.

    While I played it I felt like I was reading a relaxing romance book.
    You play as Red, a singer who had her voice stolen from her. The sword she carries around happens to be her lover, who lost his real body and now can only talk to Red and help in her journey for revenge.
    He talks to Red, a lot. And Red does not have the voice to reply. With the help of the player, all she can do is hold her sword tight and hum the background song currently playing. How sad is that?

    The OST is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard in a game or any other kind of media.
    The visuals is probably the best I have seen in a isometric game.
    The challenge is just right. Maybe a bit too easy if you learn how to mix the skills well.
    The game isnt too short or too long. It was long enough for me, but the story is so unique I wish the game was longer. Still, it didnt feel rushed like some games.

    Of course, besides all the good points, the game is not perfect.
    The exploration is kept to a minimum. You run around the streets of the futuristic Cloudbank city, but its all pretty linear.
    Theres also no collectibles or many replay values. There is a optional area where you can complete challenges but I havent looked too much into that.

    Transistor is a game that everyone should give a try, but it sure as hell isnt for everyone. Especially not for the close minded, or for the casual audience who hates reading.
    It was made for the people that, like me, longs for a truly creative game capable of giving you a experience you never had before.    … Expand
  17. porcodidio
    Nov 24, 2015
    8
    I am a fan of Bastion even tho I pretty much dislike any kind of fantasy setting. But I do enjoy scifi so I couldnt wait to try transistor. With a mix of cowboy bebop and Gits, the art direction and animations are fantastic. Combat is also amazing, very satisfying, huge step forward from the hack and slash of Bastion. It is def a very pleasant experience.
    But a very short one. Shorter    I am a fan of Bastion even tho I pretty much dislike any kind of fantasy setting. But I do enjoy scifi so I couldnt wait to try transistor. With a mix of cowboy bebop and Gits, the art direction and animations are fantastic. Combat is also amazing, very satisfying, huge step forward from the hack and slash of Bastion. It is def a very pleasant experience.
    But a very short one. Shorter than Bastion (you ll finish it in 5 hours), new game+ is not a really attractive proposition. The only real disappointment here is the story, I just couldnt care enough. While the plot was one of the fine points in Bastion, here it just feels like a wasted opportunity, as I wasnt given much background of the characters and therefore, I really couldnt care.
    Also the function/abilities menu could have done in a much more efficient way, way too messy the way it is, too many clicks needed.
    8/10    … Expand
  18. Haganeno12
    Dec 14, 2015
    10
    Just like Bastion,The Previous Game of Super Giant Games Studio,This game is really something.
    Story,Game play,Art and Graphic and awesome Music.
    Everything in this game is at the right place.no,even better than that.
    So Please,For your own sake,buy and play this Full of Feelings thing and Swim in it.
    and if you still have not play Bastion,BOTH of them is necessary.Both.
  19. The3AcademySins
    Feb 15, 2020
    8
    Transistor might be one of the most aesthetically pleasing games I have ever played. The gameplay is fun and challenging. The artwork is just beautiful. The soundtrack is stunning. The narration really started to grate on me after a while, but I really enjoyed my journey through this game.
  20. flavoristic
    Nov 13, 2016
    10
    I have made an account just to write a review of this Masterpiece. The game has amazing art design, intense story, and music that brings chills to your spine. I have played this game for many hours. In fact, I have made 100% trophies progress. This game is absolutely wonderful and deserve a 10/10 period.
  21. marcelus
    Mar 17, 2017
    8
    A very poetic and musical story between transistors and beautiful sprites. The gameplay style is simple (not as deep as I wanted) but very enjoyable. The soundtrack is the best of 2014 and one of my favorite in it's style (wich is weird that is not a really predefined thing).

    The only bad thing I find about Transistor is it's length. But at the end you will need another playthrough to    A very poetic and musical story between transistors and beautiful sprites. The gameplay style is simple (not as deep as I wanted) but very enjoyable. The soundtrack is the best of 2014 and one of my favorite in it's style (wich is weird that is not a really predefined thing).

    The only bad thing I find about Transistor is it's length. But at the end you will need another playthrough to enjoy better the plot and complete the lore.

    100% recommended. One of the best games I've played in 2014.    … Expand
  22. nitorita
    Feb 15, 2020
    6
    Unlike others, I found Transistor to be incredibly polarizing. The world is really bizarre and the story is even more confusing. The narration is done by a creepy monotone voice that sounds like a stalker breathing down your neck.

    As you can tell, I didn't enjoy the game all that much, and I'm quite the open-minded gamer. I knew within the first five minutes that it was a game I'd want    Unlike others, I found Transistor to be incredibly polarizing. The world is really bizarre and the story is even more confusing. The narration is done by a creepy monotone voice that sounds like a stalker breathing down your neck.

    As you can tell, I didn't enjoy the game all that much, and I'm quite the open-minded gamer. I knew within the first five minutes that it was a game I'd want to quickly finish off. My overall displeasure stemmed from the narrator's voice (yes, it's that bad).

    The controls are not great. The graphic options are behind the times and the game lags in fullscreen. Load times are slow even with an SSD. The game itself, if rushed, only lasts a few hours at most.

    Overall, 8.4 is overrated for this game that has a weak and uninteresting story with fighting that just for the sake of progression. I highly suggest previewing the game first before buying, since it's vastly different from the games you typically play. Plus, it's not at all a hard game either.    … Expand
  23. DoomCronos
    Sep 6, 2018
    10
    A jewel of Video Games history. A masterpiece that will never be forgotten from the minds of true fans of indie gaming. Transistor might be a short game that can be finished in less than 6 hours but then it's repetitive 6 hours. It's game that no matter how many time to play and when you coming back to the game, you will always enjoy this game. The atmosphere, the sound design, beautifullyA jewel of Video Games history. A masterpiece that will never be forgotten from the minds of true fans of indie gaming. Transistor might be a short game that can be finished in less than 6 hours but then it's repetitive 6 hours. It's game that no matter how many time to play and when you coming back to the game, you will always enjoy this game. The atmosphere, the sound design, beautifully original music and definitely it's mesmerizing concept art which all comes together to complete it's breath taking story. Supergiant games shown they didn't end their career on Bastion, but since then they just started to shine in the industry with some more masterpiece that Transistor is jewel of this newly started collection of this indie company.… Expand
  24. AmyImpact
    Sep 2, 2014
    10
    It made me cry in the end. The story is perfect. We just fall into it and feels what the characters are feeling. All the music and voices are perfect and creates the necessary atmosphere. I really like playing it.
  25. TheTwistedKris
    May 24, 2014
    10
    A amazingly well structured game combining hack-and-slash with turn based strategy elements (or just one depending on how you like to play) simultaneously that may share the same genre as Bastion, but brings a completely new experience with new story, characters, music, and overall breath taking atmosphere as you progress.
  26. Nukemi
    May 20, 2014
    10
    Wow.

    I had high hopes to this game, and i do not regret overdrafting 20 euros from my account for it. It's the best unnecessary purchase i've done in ages. The game begins in absolutely breathtaking world. The art is incredible. The atmosphere hits you like a ten ton hammer. For a while, you'll wonder around killing few shells and processes being bit confused, but after a while the    Wow.

    I had high hopes to this game, and i do not regret overdrafting 20 euros from my account for it. It's the best unnecessary purchase i've done in ages.

    The game begins in absolutely breathtaking world. The art is incredible. The atmosphere hits you like a ten ton hammer. For a while, you'll wonder around killing few shells and processes being bit confused, but after a while the game unravels itself bit by bit.

    By the time i got to the first singing scene, i was already sold. Transistor is more than i expected. First 10 minutes proved that indie companies still do produce the best games out there. The person who came up with the combat must be a genius. The combat combines turn based and real time elements really cleverly. When you initiate your pause mode, music goes all eerie, which helps to boost the atmosphere.

    Granted. I already wanted this game when i first heard the main theme by Darren Korb and Ashley Barrett. When i first heard this tune in the game, i felt i am going to cry. The scene was so emotionally set up that it was just beautiful.

    This game is the creme of indie game development. It has a SUPERIOR soundtrack, extremely beautiful graphics, atmosphere like no other, and almost revolutionary combat. At the side, the story seems to require you to use your brains and nothing is spoonfed to you.

    Jerks are everywhere. There have been a lot of great games this year that i've absolutely loved, but transistor so far seems to be one of the best of them.

    10/10. Oh my god. What a game.    … Expand
  27. Ayvalon
    May 26, 2014
    10
    The first thing you must account for when playing this game is that it is not Bastion. The developers have created a new experience and it should not be criticized for being a different style of game from their former work. The approach that the developers have taken this time have meant that this game is not for everyone.

    The game has amazing, well thought out music, in addition    The first thing you must account for when playing this game is that it is not Bastion. The developers have created a new experience and it should not be criticized for being a different style of game from their former work. The approach that the developers have taken this time have meant that this game is not for everyone.

    The game has amazing, well thought out music, in addition Supergiant Games have heavily improved upon the art style of Bastion by adding well implemented modern graphical effects. The game drew me in immediately as the genre greatly appeals to me, the immersion will definitely vary by the player. An understated accomplishment of the developers, is that they have managed to successfully create a second game of the same genre without repetition. The world, story and themes are vastly different from Bastion and I truly appreciate the details of the story.

    From what I've seen people raise three main arguments against the game:
    -The story is confusing and uninspired.
    -Combat is unappealing.
    -Slow progression

    This time around the story is agreeably cryptic as #$^& and a more human approach was taken to the narration. I would compare it to braid in the way that you are left to solve the jigsaw that is the story-line, however unlike braid you are given all the pieces. Everything in this game is explained through details in the world alongside some conclusions of your own. I understand a wide portion of the player base was distraught with the ending, (SPOILERS to theme ahead) as it wasn't directly satisfying, though if you truly investigate the world you will understand it could not have ended any other way (end of SPOILERS).

    I find the only legitimate argument to be made against this game is with the combat. The system is a unique integration of real time and turn based combat, the system has one issue in my opinion and that is the time while your turn ability is recharging. This just felt incredibly restrictive, an interesting trade off but definitely not justifiable in terms of good game design. The rest of the combat was still up to par as there were some interesting play style choices to be made that were well balanced.

    After having raised these few issues some would say that the game is only worth an 8 or 9 out of 10. However at the end of my first play-through and even in my second I was in awe of the masterful emotional reaction that Supergiant managed to evoke from me. The good aspects of this game just absolved any doubts I had on the gameplay 10/10.    … Expand
  28. Esett
    May 21, 2014
    10
    There are very few video games that make my jaw drop after 12 years of hardcore gaming. Transistor is one of those amazing games. It does have its flaws but they really don't matter because as a great sum of its parts it is an experience that everybody should have. The art, music, and game-play blend together to form a unique atmosphere a feeling never found anywhere else. It is partThere are very few video games that make my jaw drop after 12 years of hardcore gaming. Transistor is one of those amazing games. It does have its flaws but they really don't matter because as a great sum of its parts it is an experience that everybody should have. The art, music, and game-play blend together to form a unique atmosphere a feeling never found anywhere else. It is part tragedy, part comedy, part action, part cyberpunk. And it somehow all works. For that this work of art deserves a 10/10. Not because its perfect but because it is uniquely brilliant. If you want to be a prick you can consider it a 8.5/10 for various technical and story elements that do not quite fit.… Expand
  29. mciggy
    May 21, 2014
    10
    Wonderful Beautiful game. Everything about it is gorgeous. Game can be challenging, but avoids being unfair. Features exist to amp up difficulty if needed. Well worth the money - I even bought the sound track. If you play, be sure to unlock and read the 'Function Data' as a lot of the story hides there.
  30. Ayreos
    May 21, 2014
    6
    While Bastion wasn't perfect, it offered a solid gameplay and an immediate story, neither of which definition can be applied to Transistor. I can only appreciate that the developers wanted to push their previous results and achieve something even greater. Unfortunately, while Transistor delivers a level of artistry that is equal to Bastion, it loses in every other regard.
    The story is too    While Bastion wasn't perfect, it offered a solid gameplay and an immediate story, neither of which definition can be applied to Transistor. I can only appreciate that the developers wanted to push their previous results and achieve something even greater. Unfortunately, while Transistor delivers a level of artistry that is equal to Bastion, it loses in every other regard.
    The story is too subtle and inconsistent to truly intrigue players from the get go. This despite the super soundtrack to give it life, which instead steals the spotlight entirely. Furthermore, the narration that made Bastion famous is back, but with no story to narrate. This time the narrator is part of the story, and since said story is holding itself back to create a sense of wonder, the narration has truly little to narrate, quickly becoming a nuisance to the action.
    Finally, the gameplay (combat), a hybrid of turn-based battle and real time action, doesn't coalesce into a unified whole because of a lack of coherence to its mechanics. While the player can control the main character freely, he usually cannot efficiently escape the enemies because of their superior range and speed. This forces the player to make use of the "planning" stage, which allows to perform a multitude of moves virtually instantaneously, while the enemy is helpless to react. While this mechanic balances encounters, it renders the action part of the game often futile, and misses the obvious gameplay potential of allowing players to plot and stack moves while anticipating enemy movement, since enemies are virtually stationary during its execution. Worst of all, this mechanic translates to a simple and obligatory bite&run tactic for inexperienced players and, given the limited length of the game, requires a second and a third playthrough to be exploited more creatively. At that point the game has already lost most of its difficulty, however.
    Ultimately, all the extravagant and ambitious choices of the game turn out to be shallow, despite the developers'' obvious quest for depth. There is still a remarkable game to play in Transistor, but a number of frustrating flaws as well.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best PC Game of 2014
41
#41 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
68
#68 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
  1. Riot Pixels
    Aug 4, 2014
    70
    Besides killing enemies, there is not much to do; the entire game is a linear path from one small arena to the next one. Yes, there is a story, but in Bastion it was seamlessly integrated into gameplay, and here it only breaks the pace.
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  2. CD-Action
    Jul 25, 2014
    80
    After completing the game I almost instantly returned to it for another 9 hours of New Game+ and after I’m done with it I’ll do 9 more. Or maybe twice as much. [07/2014, p.52]
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jul 8, 2014
    100
    Breathtaking presentation plus creative combat plus a metaverse of metaphors equals a romance that is brief, but oh so captivating.
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