Transistor Reviews

Transistor is ranked in the 95th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
May 26, 2014

Transistor is a fantastic follow-up to Bastion that features incredible art design, wonderful music, deep, customizable, strong storytelling and one of the best plots in recent memory. It's a thoughtful, beautiful, and well-designed game that should be played by everyone with a passing interest in RPGs. Go buy it. Now.

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9 / 10.0
May 22, 2014

Supergiant Games established itself as a remarkable, highly creative studio with the release of 2011's Bastion, and its sophomore effort proves that the development team isn't running short on worthwhile concepts.

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4.5 / 5.0
May 20, 2014

Though it can be vague, strange, and inaccessible, Transistor is one of the strongest games of 2014 so far. Its unique take on standard video game practices make it feel undoubtedly fresh. With strong combat, great enemy design, and a lovely story, Transistor will reward those who put in the time. Its parts are solid, but as a whole, it's a wonderfully sound, beautiful RPG that will stick with players for a considerable amount of time.

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8 / 10.0
Oct 31, 2018

While there doesn't seem to be anything new to draw players in, Transistor has always had a goal of replayability to begin with. Owning it on a Switch lets you play it both at home and on the go, rather than needing two versions of the game to do so. Performance was great on both, and I spent a large amount of time playing through without even realizing it. The game also does not have a Switch markup as many others do, so this is definitely worth a pick up if you haven't already got yourself sick of the game on another console.

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9 / 10
May 28, 2014

From it's intelligent game design to it's breathtaking art direction, Transistor brings the player into a world bursting with creativity. I found myself immediately entering New Game Plus mode after the credits rolled because I didn't want to leave the world of Cloudbank. Transistor is a game that isn't afraid to go outside of typical video game tropes resulting in a refreshing and fun experience. This is easily one of the best games on the PS4 and one PC gamers should consider.

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RPG Site
Top Critic
8 / 10
May 20, 2014

An appealing skill system highlights this gorgeous game

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9.2 / 10.0
May 19, 2014

Transistor's nuanced world-building and clever storytelling render its narrative original and intriguing. Its combat system presents a myriad of viable choices but remains indifferent toward how the player chooses to engage them. Its painterly visuals and pitch-perfect use of musical themes call to mind the greatest moments of 90's-era Japanese role-playing games. Its attention is focused on the first time through the game, but not lost on the second or third. Completing any one of these objectives would have been enough to satisfy those with a particular affinity toward a specific style, but watching them succeed as parts of a larger game widens its appeal and makes a declarative statement; Transistor is how games should be made.

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4 / 5.0
Jun 4, 2014

With the emergence of Transistor and Child of Light from earlier this year, it's getting harder and harder to argue that video games are merely there for entertainment and have no artistic value at all. Transistor strikes a fine balance between being an enjoyable video game and a cyberpunk piece of art.

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8.7 / 10.0
May 22, 2014

My biggest wish is for more of this game, a sequel or some DLC, because I want to see this world continued, and I want to play the combat until my thumbs bleed. I'm disappointed in its short play-length, but it can't be said enough that Transistor is a beautiful and unique RPG that every gamer should play. I can hardly wait to see what Supergiant will come up with next.

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EGM
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
May 20, 2014

Transistor falters near the end by giving players access to a few game-breakingly powerful abilities, but the anticlimax is more than made up for by its touching story, gorgeous presentation, and imaginative take on the action-RPG formula.

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9.5 / 10.0
May 19, 2014

Editor's Note – Check out our interview with Transistor's Creative Director.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 21, 2014

The experience of Transistor is lush and enjoyable. It is a beautiful game with some truly excellent mechanics. Unfortunately, its story and lack of character development through gameplay brings the rest of the game down - but not by much.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 20, 2014

Like the saddest songs that call to us from the depths of our emotions — from despair, to longing, to heartbreak — Transistor may not necessarily be the easiest, or most accessible, title to jump into wholeheartedly in a rush. But given time and a chance to shine, its song resonates beautifully when it hits all the right notes.

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May 20, 2014

Transistor is ripe with potential, but in the end, it just doesn't rise to the occasion, and thus prevents itself from becoming greater than the sum of its parts.

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9.5 / 10.0
May 22, 2014

Like Bastion before it, Transistor is a pleasure to play and an involving experience from start to finish. Its mature story and evolving combat will keep you engaged to the very end, and have you longing for more.

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8.5 / 10.0
Oct 30, 2018

Supergiant has made it clear that stories are important to them. Players seeking a game with strategic combat and simply a great, unique story need not look any further than Transistor.

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9 / 10
Oct 30, 2018

Supergiant Games outdid itself with Transistor, providing an engaging ARPG experience that managed to improve upon its predecessor in many ways while adding in distinct new elements that help to define its identity. It's another welcome addition to the Switch library, and is the epitome of a modern RPG classic, with its fusion of cyberpunk elements, unconventional storytelling, and dynamic gameplay make for a game that you won't want to miss out on. We'd give Transistor a high recommendation to anybody looking for another great RPG for their Switch, or for someone who just wants to hear a good story.

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May 25, 2014

As in Bastion, you'll gain the option of increasing the difficulty in exchange for more experience, and the soundtrack and narration is surprisingly on par with the previously high bar set by Supergiant Games.

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9 / 10
Nov 12, 2018

Transistor is easily one of the finest works being made available in the Nintendo Switch catalogue. Fans of action games and of turn-based combat games will be delighted at this work, which will keep players very well entertained for a long time thanks to its long-lasting lifespan and to its fantastic soundtrack.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

May 19, 2014

Sometimes frustrating in terms of both gameplay and narrative, Transistor manages to be a redolent title with a ton of imagination. While not quite as clever as its presentation suggests, it's a pretty little title that ends on a beautifully bittersweet note.

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