I've read quite a few discussions on video games as an art form in many online fora and **Transistor** is sometimes listed as an example given its stellar art direction and visual presentation, which players have learned to expect from Supergiant Games.

The game starts with little context but at the first scene a murder has occurred, and the key to understanding the events leading up to this mystery is spread across disparate pieces of lore revealed in checkpoints and character background information that you progressively unlock. Given the potential of this set-up, I thought there would be a greater sense of urgency in locating the killer but I felt that the character Red coasts through the empty cityscape dragging the weapon, the titular transistor, behind her. For me the story started to feel cohesive about midway though the game, after around 3 hours, and the ending somewhat anticlimactic.

The enemy are these robots (?) referred to as The Process which are taking over the city and you pick up abilities and boons called Functions as you level up. Also, there are limiters that can be applied for faster levelling up. And all this is wrapped up in a peculiar real-time and turn-based combat hybrid. I'm writing this as there is no tutorial (which I'm okay with) but I felt it detracted from the potential enjoyment of the gameplay in figuring this out. There could have been some high-level guidance provided in the menus considering its short gameplay of 6-8 hours to avoid having to resort to an online walkthrough guide. As a result it felt like randomised experimentation to discover what each Function does in their active, upgrade and passive roles. Once I found a build that seemed to despatch the enemies quickly I maintained it until the end of the game.

After falling in love with Hades I was curious in the studio's back catalogue. Transistor certainly has a lot of love, and I can appreciate why it has a high aggregated review score but I personally didn't connect with it and left me with a lukewarm opinion. I even considered abandoning it after defeating the first boss, but I pushed on knowing it has a short duration. Perhaps it would benefit from a second playthrough sometime to properly appreciate it. **6/10**

The cyberpunk subgenre features high-tech, dystopian futures, advanced technology, and the intersection of human life with powerful corporations and cybernetics. Cyberpunk stories often take place in gritty urban landscapes where advanced technology contrasts with societal decay, and protagonists navigate a world filled with hacking, cybernetic enhancements, and the blurring of boundaries between humans and machines.

Ryan Gosling and Ana de Armas in Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

The tragedy subgenre features stories characterized by sorrowful events, unfortunate circumstances, and often a sense of inevitable and irreversible loss or downfall. They evoke deep emotions and can explore themes of human suffering, fate, moral dilemmas, and the complexity of human nature.

Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The adventure genre features exciting journeys, quests, or expeditions undertaken by characters who often face challenges, obstacles, and risks in pursuit of a goal. Adventures can take place in a wide range of settings, from exotic and fantastical locations to historical or even everyday environments.

The music genre features stories showcasing musical performances, music-related documentaries and recordings of live concerts and music festivals.

Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

The sci-fi genre, short for science fiction, features imaginative and futuristic concepts that are often rooted in scientific principles, technology, and possibilities. These stories delve into "what if" questions and can serve as a platform to address contemporary social, political, and ethical issues by projecting them onto future or alternate settings.

James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Transistor is a sci-fi themed action RPG that invites players to wield an extraordinary weapon of unknown origin as they fight through a stunning futuristic city.

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