Summary
When it comes to legacy IP making its way into the gaming medium,Tronhas always been mysteriously absent. This is a bit odd, since the film series is based around concepts like cyberspace and AI, which seem like a natural fit for some sort of interactive sci-fi adventure. But witha newTronmovie on the way, which will further expand the series' mythology, it might be the perfect time to pull the trigger on a full-fledged video game adaptation.
The last AAATrongame was 2010’sTron Evolution, a serviceable hack-and-slash title taking place before the events ofTron Legacy. It arrived during the era of licensed tie-in games—a subgenre that wasn’t exactly known for its high quality standards. Indeed, whileEvolutionis by no means terrible, it’s bland, uninspired, and comes across as somewhat cynical or obligatory, not doing enough to establish itself as a worthwhile experience for anyone but the most die-hardTronfans. But with the right budget, creative minds, and passion behind it, a more ambitiousTronproject seems positioned for success.
Why a Modern Tron Game Could Work Wonders
A Tron Video Game Is Rife with Potential
Aesthetically,the world ofTronis stunning, no matter its rendition. It boasts the flashy, neon simplicity that characterized 1980’s visions of cyberspace, buttressed by unique lore and worldbuilding that was built upon by 2010’sTron Legacy.Legacyrevamped the visual style of the franchise, modernizing it with glossy, quasi-cyberpunk flair while keeping the clean lines and bright lights of the original 1980s film intact. The newer movie also made the world ofTronmore visually diverse, featuring areas like clubs and homes, making it feel like a more tangible, substantive universe.
It’s not hard to imagine a game set in such a world.Tronmay take place in a computer, but its visual identity is meaty and alluring, and arguably well-suited to open-world design. EvenTron Evolution, released two console generations ago and not particularly ahead of its time graphically, shows how attractive this neon-drenched cyberscape is, and the game no doubt made many players ache for more. Allowing for non-linear exploration, perhaps with RPG mechanics akin toCyberpunk 2077orSkyrim, would not only stand out amidst a sea of high fantasy open-worlds, but could also realize the IP’s potential. In fact, gaming may bethe best mediumwith which to tell aTronstory.
A Tron Video Game Should Forget About the Movies
Games likeTron: Identityprove that the IP has stories to tell beyond the central conflict of the Flynns. Being untethered to the logic of the physical world, aTrongame could explore various characters and concepts from different corners of The Grid, meaning that a video game in this world benefits from virtually boundless potential.
An open-ended RPG, action game, or even a more relaxed experience designed around exploration and social systems, could all work equally well in theTronuniverse. With relatively limited source material to draw on,aTrongame could carve its own path, introducing new epic threats and lore elements, as it’s not as restricted as something likeStar WarsorHarry Potter, which have strict, dense timelines to adhere to. Plus, the interactive medium would allow for more granular exploration of The Grid, as players could interact with various NPCs and explore specific areas at will, gaining a better understanding of its culture and logic in the process.
GivenTron’s commentary on the nature of AI and virtual worlds, it seems like an IP that was designed to be a video game; perhaps it would have taken this form if it had been conceived a few decades later. With advancements in gaming technology and a generation of developers familiar with old andupcomingTronfilms, an ambitious vision of aTrongame ought to be realized.
Tron Identity
WHERE TO PLAY
In a new Grid, forgotten by its creator and left alone to evolve without User intervention, an unprecedented crime has been committed. The Repository stands at the center of this society. In the aftermath of a break-in, the future of this Grid hangs in the balance.TRON: Identity is a visual novel adventure following Query, a detective program tasked with uncovering the mystery of what was taken and by whom. Finding yourself in a world built on unstable foundations and filled with whispered knowledge, it’s up to you to question suspects and investigate your surroundings to piece together the truth.The decisions you make will actively influence the story, with a multitude of possible outcomes, good and bad – all depending on your carefully chosen words. You’ll interact with a number of intriguing characters, and decide whether to ally with them, spurn them, or even derezz them. However you choose to deal with them, you’ll need to recover their lost memories in your search for answers, puzzling your way through defragging Identity Discs. The world of TRON is growing.
