At the beginning of the game, you take on the role of Red, one of Cloudbank’s top singing performers. After an evening performance was rudely interrupted by the Camerata, you find yourself scared and alone with the Transistor. Many questions are purposely unanswered right from the start. Who is this group called the Camerata? What is this Transistor? Who is this man? If you seek the answers, continue onward and heed advice from the Transistor. Just as the start of this review leaves you wanting more, as it asks more questions than it answers, so does Transistor.

Developer: Supergiant Games

Publisher: Supergiant Games

7 Hours Played // Review Copy Provided // $19.99

Storytelling of Epic Proportions

Storyline details are limited here, so stop now if you’re looking for a story breakdown. You’ll have to play Transistor if you want the full details. What I will tell you, is that Transistor is as much of a story as it is a strategy and action game, and you wont be disappointed.

In my opinion, it’s a tale of epic proportions that is currently unmatched on the Nintendo Switch eShop. Not a literal second goes by during your time with Transistor that it’s not slowly feeding you tidbits of information. It is leading you along to the final conclusion. There are tense moments where the Transistor speaks and you stop walking so you can consume all the bits and pieces. This is a story that doesn’t come together till the final moments so listen carefully. Yes, you heard that correctly. There is a final conclusion, it’s glorious, and I was totally blindsided by it. I strongly urge you to pickup Transistor, fight the process, and make the journey with Red.

Functions() and Process()

Transistor functions are the attacks you can use against the Process, which is what you are up against. As Red levels up, you get to choose from and unlock a total of 16 different functions. As you continue to level up and unlock new functions, you will also get expanded upgrades and passive ability slots. Each function has active, upgrade, and passive slot effects, which differ from each other based on where you use it. For instance, Crash() will “harm and disrupt nearby targets” if installed in an active slot. When installed in a passive slot, will grant Red the ability to “gain damage resistance and immunity to all slowing effects”.

In the end, you’ll have a total of 4 slots for active functions, 4 for passive, and 2 upgrade slots per active function. There is an immense number of combinations available. If you can’t find your preferred style in Transistor, I doubt you’ll find it anywhere.

We commonly see games come and go. They launch with rampant hype, then fade away. Those same games have really strong stories, but lack other gameplay elements or vice versa. I’m here to tell you that your action or tactical RPG loving self can come out now. All will be safe here. Transistor is fully upgraded and entirely capable of producing a superb tactical and action gameplay experience. As well as feeding you the story pieces you deserve. Neither the story or gameplay quality is sacrificed. You can devote half a lifetime worth of time just in figuring out which process combinations to use. You’ll take even more time testing them out, finding out they don’t work well, and starting over.

The amount of expandability and customization you can install into Transistor is dizzying at times. I even ventured out into the land of the internet and was surprised to see so many people with so many different opinions concerning loadouts and best setups. You’ll eventually find that when you battle the process and lose, it’s a bad thing. However, it’s not necessarily “start over bad”, which is a breath of fresh air for Nintendo Switch roguelike gamers.

When you’re health runs low in Transistor and hits zero, the game takes away one of your functions and replenishes your health. This gives you another fighting chance to take down the Process and continue your journey. This made for some harrowing fights with a sub-nominal setup and I found that it did keep the game rolling at a good pace with little to no stoppages. If you lose some functions in battle, have no fear. By visiting the next 2 access points they will be reloaded for battle.

Turn()

Transistor freely switches from an open action mode to a more calculated turn-based strategy mode. While you can continue fighting the process in the usual real-time action mode, you may want to think about hitting that Turn() button and strategically plan your next moves. Activating the Turn() will allow Red to perform actions in super speed, giving you the edge on the Process. Use your brain! After executing your Turn(), you must wait for the stamina bar to replenish before you can use your functions again. Keep an eye out for specific functions that allow you to modify constraints of the Turn() or allow you to use functions during the Turn() cooldown.

Do while Recursion(Red) == False:

Transistor comes stock with a game+ mode called Recursion. Recursion allows you to save all of your hard earned functions and upgrades and continue playing from where it all started. One cannot be certain it’s the same on additional playthroughs, as nothing is certain whilst wielding the Transistor.

After a few upgrades and levels, you may begin to think the whole system is collapsing in on itself and offering you the same upgrades again. That’s right, you’ll eventually get multiple versions of all the functions you know and love. Raise your hand if you want to upgrade Crash(), Crash(), and Void() to see what happens?! The possibilities are mind-boggling. If it’s not hard enough for you, there are Transistor things called limiters which are essentially enemy buffs. Turn on a few and see what happens, as each one gives you an experience boost but makes fighting the Process harder. For example, one will make the Process strike with twice as much power, which could be detrimental to Red’s health.

Loop Tracks == 1

Transistor also features an epic soundtrack. Being as the main protagonist, Red, is a wildly popular singer, it’s no surprise you are continually serenaded by Red’s tracks throughout the game. There are even a few musical secrets that can be obtained in the Backdoor room after obtaining the Help() function. The rest of the Transistor soundtracks found while traversing the levels fit the tense, “noir mingled with cyber” mood of the scenery.

A Final Flourish

Through and through, Transistor is an awe-inspiring world that weaves a tale of epic proportions through your heart and mind. I wouldn’t be sad if SuperGiant Games took this same world and produced further content from it. It’s amazing. While the first playthrough took about 4 hours of time, the addition of the Recursion mode will ensure you continue to play. I still haven’t unlocked all the things and there are still some . . . changes I’ve noticed on the second playthrough. I will eagerly continue to play this game for a while, seeing what else Transistor has to offer. Of all the games I have played so far, Transistor is hands down the best storytelling on the Nintendo Switch. It has left a mark that will not soon be forgotten.

Come share your favorite Transistor function setups with me on Twitter or on the Nindie Nexus Discord. There’s no possible way that I have experimented even 5% of the possible combinations. We also published the first hour of Transistor on Youtube a few days ago if you missed it, go check that out! If you’re reading this at work then you should probably be reading our review of 7 Billion Humans. But don’t let your boss catch you!