Transistor

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. games(TM)
    Jun 16, 2014
    70
    There’s a beauty on the game’s surface, but it doesn’t let you get deep enough for its payoff to truly strike home. Transistor is a game conscientious gamers will want to love. It’s clearly a work of true vision and artistic intent, backed up with skilfully constructed systems.
  2. Joystiq
    May 20, 2014
    70
    Like the combat, the story starts off strongly, intertwining threads about Red's past, the history of the Camerata and the true purpose of the Transistor, but it doesn't come together in a satisfying way.
  3. ActionTrip
    Jun 2, 2014
    68
    As pretty as the game looks and sounds, it just doesn’t make up for shallow gameplay and a story that really fell flat for me in the end. At least I was able to complete it in six hours, so the tedium didn’t last for that long.
  5. Gamer.no
    May 28, 2014
    60
    Transistor is esthetically pleasing with a varied and well-made combat system which offers endless possibilities and fun gameplay. Sadly, repetitive parts and lack of challenging and smart enemies makes it fall short in the end.
  6. Post Arcade (National Post)
    May 22, 2014
    55
    There’s a very human pleasure in the mysterious. It encourages thought and excites our imaginations. But people are smart. We can tell the difference between legitimate mystery and something that is left unexplained simply for the sake of being unexplained in a vain attempt to fabricate depth and hidden meaning...The initially promising Transistor is, unfortunately, a case of the latter.
  7. Gaming Age
    May 20, 2014
    50
    In comparison to Bastion, Transistor feels rigid. As its own game, it tells a tightly controlled story with an experimental battle system. While the combat works, it contradicts the idea of thoughtful approach with gameplay that threatens to undermine anything over basic combinations.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best PS4 Game of 2014
33
#33 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2014
45
#45 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 678 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 529 out of 678
  2. Mixed: 95 out of 678
  3. Negative: 54 out of 678
  1. CarrieSnarf
    May 20, 2014
    10
    It's a beautiful game with a haunting soundtrack- I could listen to the soundtrack alone for hours. I found the turn based combat systemIt's a beautiful game with a haunting soundtrack- I could listen to the soundtrack alone for hours. I found the turn based combat system allows the user to get used to the strategy before running head long in to complicated battles- a nice addition. The story is intense and builds slowly over time- there is so much to discover in Cloudbank that I know I will be learning things in the game for weeks to come! It is totally the spiritual successor to Bastion, but I like it so much more. Great job Supergiant!… Full Review »
  2. boogiesmeister
    May 27, 2014
    0
    Yes soundtrack is nice. Yes graphics look compelling too, despite it's 2D. After spending few hours playing I found my self playing a genericYes soundtrack is nice. Yes graphics look compelling too, despite it's 2D. After spending few hours playing I found my self playing a generic hack'n'slash with hardly any storyline and mediocre fighting mechanics at best. The main goal of the game is to obliterate hundreds of thousands of enemies. The purpose of doing this is unknown. I don't know who I'm killing or who my character is or how did she get there in the first place. This game is built only on legend of "Bastion" and is one of the most over hyped PS4 titles so far. If you are looking for a nice evening game after hard day at work - look elsewhere and don't buy this piece of garbage. Honestly this game deserves average score ~5/10 at best and is worth perhaps 2-3€. You have been warned.… Full Review »
  3. TRANDO101
    May 21, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This game is wonderful, i must say i thought it'd be like an 8 because there was one problem i had with bastion, i thought it had boring combat but transistors combat is fantastic, limiters allowing you the freedom to choose difficulty, various attacks that can be used as upgrades for other attacks allowing varies ways of playing. Not to mention the artstyle, something that supergiant games is great at, its amazing. Even the story is quite interesting with various with the news reports and various interactables. This game is well worth 20, 40 even 60 dollars, with some replayability with new game plus or recuriion so you can play differently. THIS GAME IS A MUST BUY, its the best game thats come out as of this year and could very well be the best throughout.… Full Review »
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