Welcome back to Inspired By Zelda. After a little bit of a layoff, the series spotlighting the greatest Zelda-Like games around returns, with Andy taking a bit of a break this month and handing the reigns over to Sean to talk one of his favorite games. The game in the spotlight is Transistor, an an action role-playing game developed and published by Supergiant Games. Transistor is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam. 

When I began to investigate Transistor as a possible purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop, I was struck by how many things Transistor has in common with The Legend of Zelda series. Like all Zelda game, Transistor has a wild and instantly iconic setting for the player to escape to. Much like Wind Waker, Transistor has an incredibly distinct and iconic art style, resulting in a game that would never be mistaken for any other game. Finally, the game’s combat systems reward experimentation and personalization that Breath of the Wild prizes so highly. Most importantly, Transistor nailed the companion character, a common feature of many Zelda games, and by doing so Supergiant Games draws the player into the engrossing world within Transistor.

The Difficult Task of Creating A Companion

 

Since Ocarina of Time‘s release in 1998, Nintendo has included a companion character in each new console Zelda game. While this was a convention that ended with 2017’s Breath of the Wild, the companion character has become an important design element in many games since Ocarina of Time’s release including popular games like Ico, Bioshock Infinite, and 2008’s Prince of Persia. Companion characters are notoriously difficult to execute because they often need to serve an important narrative function as well as instructing the player about the game’s different systems.

Each of The Legend of Zelda‘s companion characters illustrate Nintendo’s attempts to tweak or perfect the idea of the companion character. While some fans have criticized Nintendo for its inability to find the right formula for its companions, it is an incredibly difficult task. Some companions slow down the flow of a game with unnecessary or unwanted hints or painfully dull tutorials. On the other hand, some players may not form an emotional connection with companion characters, leaving the player ambivalent to their survival and/or story role. It is difficult to strike a balance between a companion character being helpful and a companion character being a nuisance.

While there have been several well executed companions including Last of Us‘s Ellie and Bioshock Infinite‘s Elizabeth, Supergiant Game’s cyberpunk masterpiece Transistor feels like the true heir to Nintendo’s attempts to perfect the companion character. In a wild Cyber Punk experience, Transistor presents a gripping narrative built around the protagonist Red and her unnamed companion character. The bond between Red and her companion are the foundation of the game’s story and provide its most potent and powerful moments. From a game play standpoint, Transistor‘s companion teaches players the rules to the game in an obtrusive way that allows the player to experiment. Transistor deftly toes the lines between providing a companion that is essential to the story and a character who unobtrusively assists the player. The grand result is a companion who is one of the best in recent memory.

Dropping You Into The Heat Of The Action

Transistor is a cyber punk experience that feels incredibly distinct among the crowd of video games released each year. The game’s setting is the massive city of Cloudbank, a city that combines  art-deco architecture and iconography with a futuristic cyber punk vibe. In the gorgeous world of Cloudbank, the city is being consumed by an out of control technology known as “The Process”. The Process was created by group of mad visionaries known as the Camerata, a group that desires to reshape Cloudbank. The out of control technology is spreading like an infection across the city, growing more powerful as the game progresses.

As the game begins, our protagonist Red, an iconic scarlet haired jazz singer, has been stripped of her voice after an attack by The Process and Camerata. Worst still, Red’s close companion has been killed with the Transistor, a sword/tool that will house the soul of Red’s companion for the remainder of the game. The Transistor is the key to controlling The Process and is sought after by the Camerata. With the power of the Transistor at her finger tips, Red and her companion set out on a quest to stop The Process and deliver payback to the Camerata.

One of developer Supergiant Games’s best decision is to begin Transistor‘s narrative in the heat of the action. Many Zelda games, especially the 3D games, take time to orient the player to the game world, systems, and narrative background before sending you off on the adventure. These Zelda games have often been criticized for what many gamers consider excessive hand holding. Few experienced players needs to relearn how to swing a sword or complete superfluous tasks like finding a fish for the village cat. The tutorials are an element of the older 3D Zelda games that has aged poorly, forcing a drastic shift in the opposite direction for Breath of the Wild.

Just like A Link To The Past, Transistor begins with a literal call to adventure. Just as Zelda urges Link to awake, Transistor begins with Red’s companion (who will be referred to as Transistor for the remainder of the article) beckoning Red to action. This intense opening sequence feels thematically similar to A Link To The Past‘s iconic rain sequence, with both leaving lasting impressions on the player. Transistor pushes the player right into the action letting the player figure out the world and systems as they move progress. As Transistor opens, the world is a mystery to the player and the process of unraveling the terrors and wonders of Cloudbank are all the more exciting for that reason.

The Ghost In The Machine

Much like Link, Red occupies the role of silent protagonist. Due to her inability to speak, pain and strength are conveyed through an evocative performance by voice actors Kristin Wilson and Ashley Lynn Barrett (who provides vocals for several songs on the outstanding soundtrack by Darren Korb). Red’s grunts, cries, and even humming convey some of the powerful emotions felt by the silent protagonist. With Red silenced, Transistor plays the key role by speaking to the rebellious singer throughout the experience. Brilliantly voiced by Logan Cunningham, Transistor serves to explain the world of Cloudbank, but also shows genuine concern and love for Red as they battle through a hostile world in their quest for payback.

As Red’s companion, Transistor helps the player better understand the world of Cloudbank, both as it is and as it once was. The in game powers and abilities are the essences of different individuals and Transistor will comment on these individuals, providing insight into their pasts and Red’s own relationships with some of them. These short voice clips and explanations further draw the player into the mysterious and emotional story. Transistor anchors the world of Cloudbank gives the player reasons to care about the story surrounding this tragic and beautiful world.

Thematically, the relationship between Red and Transistor is the centerpiece of the game, deepening with each step the pair take towards their goal. There a mythic sense of tragedy to their relationship as both characters are incomplete in some way with Red voiceless and Transistor body-less. Despite the barriers separating the two characters, the bond between the characters is strong with both characters demonstrating concern and love in their own ways.

Some of the most startling moments of the game occur when the player enters certain areas that deactivate or tamper with the Transistor. These abrupt tamperings with the companion lead to some of the tensest moments in the game as Red is suddenly vulnerable. These moments without Transistor feel unnatural and there is a sense of relief when Transistor is back to normal. These moments would have little effect on the player if it wasn’t for the voiced affection and concern of Transistor and the equally powerful yet voiceless affection of Red. Without the bond between Red and Transistor, the story of Transistor would have little impact or power to it.

Teaching You The Rules In An Unobtrusive Way

One common criticism of past Zelda games was the unnecessarily long extended tutorials and sluggish starts. It’s an issue that has manifested itself in Twilight Princess‘s meandering introduction, as well as Skyward Sword slow though enjoyable meetcute. Making it to the first dungeon for both games can take well over an hour. These slow starts can stretch the patience of many long time players. In contrast, Transistor introduces and explains its the basic systems in mere minutes. Transistor‘s mechanics are easy to learn but take time to master as more nuanced powers and enemies are introduced until the very end of the game.

One of Transistor‘s great achievements from a game play standpoint is how it teaches the player in unobtrusive way. The voice of Transistor may be your constant companion but Supergiant Games was careful with how they implemented their strong voiced companion. As Transistor speaks to Red and the player, the voice can often be ignored without any penalties, though the tips given are often useful. Once the player learns how to equip, unequipped, and augment their powers, a player is free to play with these systems free of any tutorials or “hey listen” reminders. The game allows the player to modify and attach secondary abilities to your moves and part of the fun is exploring how one ability will augment another.

The battles in Transistor play out as a mix of action and strategy. The Transistor gives Red the ability to plan a certain amount of moves in advance, with each move costing a certain amount of data. You can plan a turn with several small moves chained together or one or two powerful moves; it’s incredibly flexible. Once locked in, Red executes the turn and then will have to refill her gauge until she can freeze time again. You can use your powers to deal heavy damage to one or two enemies, create devastating explosion to hurt a large group of enemies, or play a game of cat and mouse by evading your foes. It’s a system that reward experimentation as you try out different techniques and strategies. Much like Breath of the Wild, Transistor lets you approach your battles with your own tailor-made strategies, whether it is busting in aggressively or elegantly flanking enemies.

Conclusion

One of the most unexpected but enjoyable aspects was the game’s sense of musicality. Even without a true voice, the game has a focus on Red’s beautiful humming, allowing the player to hum in tune with the game’s various music themes. This decision basically doubles the amount of music tracks within Darren Korb’s excellent soundtrack.  This aspect of Transistor reminds me of the ocarina, baton, howling, and harp found in different Zelda games. It’s refreshing to play a game that pays so much attention to its music and how music is integrated into the game’s identity. If you love music, then Transistor will be a treat for you.

While not quite as open as Zelda‘s various worlds, Cloudbank is an incredible setting that fills the player with a sense of wonder. The massive skyscrapers and wide streets of Cloudbank dwarf Red, illustrating just how small the protagonist is in comparison to the wider world. The mountains and castles within Zelda games have a similar effect on Link. Whether its Cloudbank or Hyrule, there’s a wild, wonderful world just waiting for the player to reach out and explore.

Another similarity between Transistor and The Legend of Zelda series is challenge and variety. New enemies are constantly being added to Transistor throughout the game, pushing the player to adapt to new challenges or die trying. Enemies will also appear in new groupings, forcing the player to think tactically about who they will target first. While there aren’t a lot of bosses in the Transistor, the ones that do appear are adequately cinematic and intimidating, with some giving the player new abilities when defeated. While the combat has elements of the strategy genre, the game prizes the experimentation that has made Breath of the Wild‘s combat and game play so well-renown.

Ultimately, Transistor is a good pick for many Zelda fans for several different reasons. Some fans looking for a smaller experience will enjoy the appetizing 5 to 10 hour run time (with some new game plus options). Fans looking for a game that lets them experiment with a more tactical combat system will enjoy Transistor‘s more calculating approach. Fans tired of the fantasy genre would be wise to check out Transistor’s audacious cyber punk world, a world vividly brought to life with a gorgeous art design that rivals games like Wind Waker and Okami. Finally, fans who were disappointed with Breath of the Wild‘s disjointed story will enjoy a well constructed, powerful narrative that is full of substance and style.

In short, there are many reasons to check out Transistor but very few reasons not to.

And that’s it for Inspired By Zelda for this month! Make sure to come back next time as we’ll (finally) be diving into a world that takes us from pixels to spheres and all the way back again! Until then!

Sean Gadus is an Associate Editor at Zelda Dungeon. He loves playing video games, reading books, watching movies and geeking out about all things Star Wars and Batman. His first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time.