Transistor

In a futuristic city threatened by a mysterious force, you play as Red, a singer who has lost her voice and now carries the Transistor, a weapon that speaks to her. As she moves through the city, she pursues the weapon’s former owners and uncovers pieces of what is happening.

Combat combines real-time action with a tactical planning mode: pause the fight to queue movement and attacks, then watch the plan play out. While the planning mode recharges, combat continues in real time, so positioning and timing matter.

Red gains Functions—abilities that can be equipped as attacks, used as passive effects, or assigned to modify other abilities. Memory limits shape each build, while levels, terminals, and optional combat challenges offer ways to develop Red and learn more about the world.

Players often praise the hand-painted art, distinctive soundtrack, and atmospheric presentation, along with a combat system that rewards learning its timing and experimenting with ability combinations. Many describe the story as moving and intriguing, though some find it cryptic or difficult to follow. Combat is also divisive: some enjoy its tactical planning, while others report awkward downtime or a slow start. The campaign’s short length is another recurring observation.