Tron: Catalyst – A Fresh Spin on the Grid with Action, Looping Narrative, and More

By Brian K. Neal

The next Tron game, Tron: Catalyst, builds on the world established by Tron: Identity, but it’s breaking new ground as well. While Identity was a visual novel, Catalyst shifts gears to become an isometric action game with a unique looping narrative. Developed by Bithell Games, the team behind John Wick Hex, Thomas Was Alone, and Tron: Identity, this title is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch in 2025.

Tron: Catalyst transports players back to the Arq Grid, a digital realm that’s evolved in isolation, much like a tech-based Galapagos, filled with sentient programs. You play as Exo, a program with a rare ability to relive and manipulate segments of time through a glitch that no one else can detect. Her mission? Uncover and thwart the hidden agendas of the Arq Grid’s overlords, using her looping abilities to sniff out secrets and outmaneuver enemies in a game world that evolves with every reset.

Unlike its predecessor, Tron: Catalyst embraces dynamic combat. Exo wields melee and ranged attacks, and as she collects data shards, players can unlock new abilities and customize her iconic identity disc. According to Bithell Games founder Mike Bithell, “All combat flows from your identity disc, but you’re going to be able to upgrade that disc in order to satisfy the kind of action you’d like.” During a preview, Bithell demonstrated Exo’s moves, like the disc kick, a ranged attack that sends her disc ricocheting back at enemies, complemented by close-quarters slices and traditional throws. Parkour traversal and light cycle riding also play key roles, adding more depth to how players can explore and engage with the world.

Though you don’t need to have played Tron: Identity to enjoy Catalyst, fans of the first game will spot familiar faces and settings. The narrative is player-driven, with choices that subtly affect the world and its characters. “We have a text-based dialogue system here,” Bithell shared. “The player gets to make dialogue choices. The game is very action-focused, so there’s not an enormous amount of branching, but it does let you be expressive… You can decide if you want to be snarky or polite, and those choices echo in your interactions.”

The game’s looping mechanic adds a layer of strategy. In one demo, Exo initially fought her way through stages to access a nightclub. After completing an escort mission, she managed to wipe her identity disc, allowing her to skip the fighting in the next loop. This opened new possibilities, and each playthrough unveiled new paths and shortcuts, rewarding exploration and experimentation.

Tron: Catalyst isn’t an open-world game, but it features multiple “big levels,” or expansive hubs that Bithell referred to as “large hubs.” These areas, from city streets to sleek penthouses, offer numerous points of interest, ensuring each loop feels fresh. Players can even add shortcut codes to Exo’s disc, streamlining their paths on subsequent runs. “When you travel somewhere, you might get a taxi to the hotel, but then once you start to get comfortable, you might go to a coffee shop nearby,” Bithell explained. “So, as you’re playing the game, you’re building up that knowledge of the space and how to use it.”

Each loop resets the world, with characters reverting to their original states. However, Exo’s understanding evolves, and new opportunities emerge. Bithell described it as a game about “playing with those relationships” and influencing characters’ behaviors over time. But unlike roguelites such as Hades, Tron: Catalyst isn’t about endlessly grinding loops; it’s a more story-driven experience.

Bithell Games’ team of 20 developers is spearheading the project, with publishing handled by Devolver Digital’s new licensed indie games division, Big Fan. And of course, Disney is still involved, as the full title is technically Disney Tron: Catalyst. So, expect to see it high up in your game library when it lands in 2025.

With a blend of action, exploration, and narrative depth, Tron: Catalyst is looking to be a fresh take on the Grid, perfect for both longtime Tron fans and newcomers alike.