Transistor is an Action-RPG created by the developers of the critically acclaimed Bastion. As such, it has a large pair of shoes to fill. Now, if you're looking for a game to match Bastion, I'd urge you to reconsider. Yes, Transistor is the "spiritual successor" to Bastion, but expecting it to be the same is a mistake. It is a unique game where the talents of Supergiant Games really shine in a new and innovative way while keeping the quality for which we know them. I've tried to keep spoilers to a minimum.

--STORY--
The story of Transitor is in keeping with the Supergiant tradition: a mysterious, post-apocalyptic mystery that unravels as you progress. The protagonist, Red, is silent throughout the game, with the majority of the narration done by the "Transistor." Despite this, the personality and motivations of Red are illuminated through the brilliant dialogue and storytelling. The Transistor's narration is top-notch; he is not an omniscient observer, but rather a real character. I found myself drawn into the story and yearning to know what truly happened. The only complaint I would have is that the story feels a bit rushed at the end (although the game is quite short, so this may just be me).

--GAMEPLAY--
This is where Transistor truly shines. The gameplay is extraordinary; it allows so much versatility for such a simple concept. As you progress, the Transistor gains new abilities to be used in combat. The combat system is a combination of tactical planning and real-time action. You can either plan your moves out and execute them rapidly or act in response to the environment around you. The enemies are varied and get more powerful as you play, preventing the game from feeling stale. Each enemy has its own "personality" in a way, and they provide a sense of comic reality to the game. In addition, you can make the game as hard or easy as you want through the use of "limiters" (think the shrine in Bastion). I would suggest you use a couple, as the game feels a bit too easy without any. The skillset is varied and allows for a nice myriad of options, especially due to the option of using each ability as either a passive, upgrade, or main ability.

--SOUNDTRACK--
The Transistor soundtrack is fantastic, almost another character in the game itself. It truly adds to the atmosphere, especially Red's almost ominous humming throughout the game. There's not much to say here, just know that the soundtrack is nothing short of a masterpiece.

In the end, I wholeheartedly recommend Transistor to anyone, whether or not they've played Bastion. It is a bit short (I finished it in 7 hours with almost all the limiters), but it packs so much content in those hours that you won't feel robbed at all. And, of course, there is a new game plus mode that will satisfy your craving for more Transistor should you have one.

Transistor is an Action-RPG created by the developers of the critically acclaimed Bastion. As such, it has a large pair of shoes to fill. Now, if you're looking for a game to match Bastion, I'd urge you to reconsider. Yes, Transistor is the "spiritual successor" to Bastion, but expecting it to be the same is a mistake. It is a unique game where the talents of Supergiant Games really shine in a new and innovative way while keeping the quality for which we know them. I've tried to keep spoilers to a minimum. --STORY-- The story of Transitor is in keeping with the Supergiant tradition: a mysterious, post-apocalyptic mystery that unravels as you progress. The protagonist, Red, is silent throughout the game, with the majority of the narration done by the "Transistor." Despite this, the personality and motivations of Red are illuminated through the brilliant dialogue and storytelling. The Transistor's narration is top-notch; he is not an omniscient observer, but rather a real character. I found myself drawn into the story and yearning to know what truly happened. The only complaint I would have is that the story feels a bit rushed at the end (although the game is quite short, so this may just be me). --GAMEPLAY-- This is where Transistor truly shines. The gameplay is extraordinary; it allows so much versatility for such a simple concept. As you progress, the Transistor gains new abilities to be used in combat. The combat system is a combination of tactical planning and real-time action. You can either plan your moves out and execute them rapidly or act in response to the environment around you. The enemies are varied and get more powerful as you play, preventing the game from feeling stale. Each enemy has its own "personality" in a way, and they provide a sense of comic reality to the game. In addition, you can make the game as hard or easy as you want through the use of "limiters" (think the shrine in Bastion). I would suggest you use a couple, as the game feels a bit too easy without any. The skillset is varied and allows for a nice myriad of options, especially due to the option of using each ability as either a passive, upgrade, or main ability. --SOUNDTRACK-- The Transistor soundtrack is fantastic, almost another character in the game itself. It truly adds to the atmosphere, especially Red's almost ominous humming throughout the game. There's not much to say here, just know that the soundtrack is nothing short of a masterpiece. In the end, I wholeheartedly recommend Transistor to anyone, whether or not they've played Bastion. It is a bit short (I finished it in 7 hours with almost all the limiters), but it packs so much content in those hours that you won't feel robbed at all. And, of course, there is a new game plus mode that will satisfy your craving for more Transistor should you have one.