Tron Evolution review

Formats: Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, PC, iOS
Format Reviewed: PS3
Publisher: Disney Interactive
Developer: Propaganda Games
Made2Game Tron Evolution review score: 6 out of 10

 

Being a computer game based on a film set in a computer world would seem like gaming harmony but I remember the Lawnmower Man, so just what do we get with Tron Evolution?

Tron is set in-between the original film and recent sequel with you playing as a Monitor who witnesses the assassination of Flynn. Tron takes on a mission to warn the newly sentient ISO's of a dangerous new threat and save the computer world.

Presented in a third person perspective, as the mute Monitor you are able to run smoothly around the numerous walkways and buildings to the next checkpoint, these main areas are split into fighting and platform based action. The platforming based action has you holding the trigger button allowing you to run and auto jump over small obstacles. Wall runs and other acrobatics are just as easily pulled off and quick reflexes are always required to reach the next goal. Monitors animation is very fluid and as you gain speed running around you really start to get the flow of the character as you hurdle and wall run to gain better ground, sadly this is often put to an abrupt end as if you mistime a jump or lose track of where you are supposed to be going there is no second chance, just sudden death and being reset to an earlier checkpoint.

As you and jump your way through the computer world you will occasionally run into Clu’s troops, these orange coloured enemies come in a variety of styles, each one requiring a different tactic to defeat them. Armed only with you trusty Light Disc this is more than enough to take on even the largest of foes. Simple throw and punch combos can be linked with even more powerful moves that you can unlock via the upgrade podiums. As you rank up you earn more MB to spend on your character, be it more health, cycle upgrades and even improved discs.

The highly anticipated introduction of the Light Cycle is an explosive chase down the side of an exploding building, this long awaited mode brings a smile to your face and a tingle to your arms for the first few seconds but then sadly turns to disappointment as you plough full speed into another bottomless pit as these modes are just a very linear, straight line experience containing lots of dodging, high speed deaths and re-spawning until you learn the level layout.

Tanks also make an appearance, at first you take them on single handedly with just your trusty Light Disc and then get behind the wheel of these digital death machines, trundling along highways blasting all oncoming enemies with relative ease, it is more fun than the cycles but it feels a little too tacked on to offer any long term enjoyment. Even the outstanding Daft Punk soundtrack has been tinkered with, only having a couple of tracks playing on a loop, the once mysterious and magical sounds begin to grate after a few hours.

The integration of single and multiplier modes are seamless, with the game allowing you to drop in and out of the Game Grid with ease just by activating one of the many upgrade nodes littered around the levels. You character levels up separately from the single player version and offers similar benefits from constant play like more powerful discs and moves.

Even though there is only a handful of maps available the multiplayer offers plenty of exciting gameplay, with up to 10 players running around hurling discs at each other and running and jumping off walls, occasionally jumping into light cycles and tanks. Graphically the game just bursts from the screen with the subdued electric blues and neon of the city around you offering plenty of eye candy with the contrasting evil tanks and enemies coming at you from all directions and the viral orange eating away at the city.

Tron evolution has a few games to thank, namely the recent prince of Persia titles for its gameplay styles, sadly it does not borrow enough as with too many sudden death moments (thankfully there is a decent autosave), there is a lot of replaying small areas if you don't get where you are supposed to jump next.

There is a navi guide you can bring up with the select button but with the levels being very linear and fast running it seems pointless. A worthy effort for a film tie in that whilst is not rubbish, does not quite make the grade as a great game.

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