Best of 2014 - Number 2

Transistor

Supergiant Games

PS4, PC

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Transistor is a game that has yet to leave me. That speaks to just how tight and remarkable an experience it provides, and a testament to the talents of developer Supergiant Games. It's the best gaming narrative of 2014, as it weaves a beautifully realized and emotional story throughout its moderately short six hour running time. But fear not, Transistor makes great use of those six hours, as it is the most complete games of the year. Transistor takes place in a strange and beautiful land called Cloudbank, which may or may not be the inside of a computer. The city is under siege by an evil robot force controlled by the Camerada, a group who's intention is to completely remake the world they live in. The main protagonist, a singer named Red, has had her voice stolen, and her (and the player's) only guide is the sword she wields (the titular Transistor) which contains the soul of a mysterious stranger. The narrative unravels so perfectly, as the Transistor acts as both the game's narrator and connection to the world around you. For a game rooted in science fiction, Transistor has a beautiful human element. You feel for Red and the plight of Cloudbank.

The combat in Transistor strikes a nice balance of strategy and action. You collect different abilities (called Sparks) throughout your journey and can only assign four of them to the Transistor at a time. When facing enemies, you can tackle them head-on in real-time or slow things down and attack them in turn-based fashion. When your life bar runs out, you lose one of those four abilities, and when you lose all four, it's game over. In addition to the Sparks, there are also numerous additions (called Functions) that you can add to your attacks that change them up or make them more powerful. There's so much strategy and choice when it comes to combat and it was something that I was really able to sink my teeth into. Perhaps the best thing about Transistor is that it doesn't hold your hand. The game is yours to discover and understand, and I applaud Supergiant Games for that. Transistor, despite its length, is a really meaty experience. The minute you finish it, you can turn right around and run through it again, complete with all of the powers and abilities you gained the first time around. I simply cannot say enough about this game, as it truly is beautifully crafted and thoroughly enjoyable. Transistor is a fantastic game, and all gamers owe it to themselves to play it.