Tron: Catalyst

Tron: Ares is set to hit cinemas in October 2025. But before that, players can explore the Grid in Tron: Catalyst from Bithell Games, Big Fan Games and Devolver Digital.

Tron: Catalyst is a top-down action game - essentially a hack-and-slash with RPG elements - set in the universe of the well-known Disney franchise. The focus is on Exo, a courier caught up in a conspiracy surrounding an impending server reset. The game stands out thanks to its distinctive, neon-soaked aesthetic, and it has plenty of lore connections to the films while still maintaining a sense of originality. The way the story is presented is reminiscent of visual novels, which is no surprise considering that Bithell Games' last game was called Tron: Identity. However, the story lacks depth and captivation, and the game world could benefit from more virtual life, especially outside the main narrative.

"Dive into an original Tron storyline. Meet the programs of the Arq Grid, uncover their secrets and fight to survive in a chase across the city and outlands.Playing as Exo, a courier working in this grid's capital city, your life is turned upside down when a mysterious package explodes, granting you powers beyond any program's normal function. With the Arq Grid's ruthless 'peacekeepers' in hot pursuit, you'll unlock the mysteries of this grid, and learn what kind of hero it needs you to become." -  Bithell Games, Big Fan Games, Devolver Digital

Although the story's premise is interesting, it ultimately just provides a backdrop for the battles. There is plenty of real-time combat, similar to hack-and-slash titles, with both melee and ranged combat. This time, the weapons are futuristic, such as the Identity Disk. Combat plays well and is easy to control, even when it comes to parrying, disc kicks or stealing enemy abilities. With an RPG-like progression system, it is possible to upgrade the character, but a certain routine sets in over time and most enemies are quickly eliminated, except in boss battles or when a lot is going on. Although the skill tree could benefit from a little more variety and options. The glitch system also falls short of its potential and is used too conservatively: Exo can reset the server and restart the level, retaining all abilities and shortcuts, but this is rarely necessary except when the quest requires it. Unfortunately, it's not much more than a retry.

Light cycles are, of course, an essential feature of the world of Tron. In Tron: Catalyst, they have been upgraded so that they can turn at 90 degrees and navigate normal curves. They are used to move around the open areas of the Arq Grid, and in certain situations they are also used for vehicle combat. Here, players race against armed programmes, using speed and evasive manoeuvres to defeat or escape their opponents.

Tron: Catalyst was developed by Bithell Games. Following the success of Creative Director Mike Bithell's Thomas Was Alone, the indie studio was established in 2013. Since then, they have assembled a small team of creatives and released a total of ten games, including Volume, Subsurface Circular, John Wick Hex, The Solitaire Conspiracy and Tron: Identity, as well as the radio drama miniseries North Star Rising. The studio has also published two books: the GameDev Business Handbook and the GameDev Budgeting Handbook. Tron: Catalyst is published by Big Fan, a Devolver Digital subsidiary. "We're a small but passionate team of industry veterans with a single focus: helping independent game developers breathe new life into their favorite movies, comics, TV shows, and cult heroes through the power of video games. Like you, we’re really into games. But when it comes to 'licensed games', we think there’s room for a new Approach," this is how the publisher describes itself.

Tron: Catalyst was released on 17 June 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, Switch and Xbox Series X|S for €24.99.

Conclusion

Tron: Catalyst is a solid action game, but its gameplay ideas are a little too tentative. It relies too much on the fascination of its adaptation of the Tron game world.

Features

• Confident handling of the stylish Tron world
• Fast-paced battles.
• Travel on the Light Cycle.