Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.
Andy
South Portland, Maine, United States
Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.
Currently Online
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6 Hours played
For 14 years, ever since I first played it, I've believed that Chrono Cross had the best music in any video game ever made. That game was Yasunori Mitsuda's masterpiece, and it has held a special place in my heart since I was a teenager.

Now, finally, I think I've experienced a game whose music surpasses Chrono Cross. Everything about Transistor's soundtrack, from the mood, to the way layers of each song are exposed in different screens and modes, to Red's tuneful humming over-top, is absolutely perfect. Bastion's music was pretty good, but Transistor just blew me away.

As for the rest of it? Well, it goes without saying that the art is outstanding. Combat takes a little while to get used to, but is quite fun once you get the hang of it. The way functions interact with each other really creates a surprisingly deep and customizable combat experience. The way background information is revealed only supports how much fun it is to play around with different combinations of functions. This is a great step forward from Bastion, whose combat I found a little shallow (though still fun.)

I only have a few minor complaints. First, the only graphics option you have is to change the resolution. My computer is mid-low range, and I really value smoothness over quality most of the time, but Transistor is just so pretty that I found myself not caring.

Secondly, I found the keyboard movement controls to be a little bit awkward, especially in the turn-based mode (where every step counts.) However, so many other things are improved by using a mouse that I decided not to switch to a controller.

I also found some aspects of the function UI to be lacking. I'd like to be able to more easily search through effects than what's currently possible.

But, really, I don't give a crap about those issues. The fact that it's usurped a game in my heart that had IMMENSE nostalgia value going for it should tell you something. Buy it right now and experience it for yourself.

I'm not sure whether or not Transistor is the best game I've ever played, but it's certainly the one I loved the most.
Jim 23 Jun, 2014 @ 5:47pm 
Hey
Sandakan 28 Dec, 2013 @ 6:16am 
+rep
Venerable Ms Sir Draxton Jr IV 27 Aug, 2010 @ 8:36pm 
LOUD!
Commissar Taco [GM] 31 Dec, 2009 @ 3:00pm 
SQUID!
Bear Jew 28 Nov, 2009 @ 8:00am 
we need to play some l4d2 together.
Dorf [GM] 14 Nov, 2009 @ 7:44pm 
So Tea, are you enjoying that new Twilight game you bought?