TRON: Identity Vs TRON: Catalyst

TRON: Identity is an upcoming game that’ll be the sequel to 2023’s TRON: Catalyst. The new game plans to pick up where its predecessor left off. Further, you can look forward to exploring more of the Arq Grid universe. Of course, wielding Identity Discs and riding Light Cycles will be commonplace, as has been the culture in the TRON franchise. Anyway, while we await the launch of the upcoming game, we’ve compiled the differences we could find in our TRON: Identity vs TRON: Catalyst article below. Which game is better?

What is TRON: Identity?

TRON: Identity is a visual novel puzzle adventure game launched on April 11, 2023. Developer Bithell Games took the reins on the project. As the name suggests, the game is set in the TRON universe. This is a Disney franchise that became popular in 1982 for mixing live-action with computer-generated visuals and animation. The iconic film was so successful it led to the development of video games, comic books, an animated series, a Disney theme park attraction, and more.

The game takes place in the Grid, newly introduced in this game, although similar to the universe in the TRON universe. Here, though, computer programs operate without the supervision of their creator. This led to a crime, a break-in in the Grid, specifically the center of the society called The Repository. The break-in has been so impactful, it may possibly destroy the future of the Grid.

What is TRON: Catalyst?

TRON: Catalyst is an action-adventure game also developed by Bithell Games. It will launch sometime in 2025. The new game plans to venture back to the Arq Grid introduced in TRON: Identity. You’ll navigate diverse and immersive locations in the Grid, unraveling a brand new story.

Story

In TRON: Identity, you control Query, a detective program whose job is to uncover the mystery behind the break-in. You’ll need to find out what has been stolen from The Repository and the culprits involved. Thanks to the lack of supervision by the creator of the Grid, the world has succumbed to instability. Still, you have to navigate the unknown, interrogating suspects and investigating crime scenes for the truth. 

TRON: Identity relies heavily on decision-making that impacts the outcome of the story. There are “good” and “bad” choices that result in multiple endings. Throughout your playthrough, you’ll meet with lots of characters who can become your allies or foes. In any case, the characters have damaged Identity Discs, which you must solve puzzles to recover their lost memories and get closer to the truth. 

TRON: Catalyst is also story-driven. Besides taking place in the same world as its predecessor, the story itself will be all-new. The Grid will still be unstable and on the verge of collapse. However, you’ll control Exo, a courier program operating in the Grid’s capital city. A mysterious package explodes, imbuing you with special powers. You can see the Glitch, which is a time loop that gives you an upper hand over other programs. 

However, other programs hunt you down upon discovering your newfound powers. Factions want to control the Glitch, so they chase you down and engage you in ruthless combat. Unlike TRON: Identity, TRON: Catalyst plans to be more frenetic and action-oriented. You’ll be involved in hot pursuits on your Light Cycle automobile. There’ll also be mysteries to uncover – those pertaining to the Glitch and how you can stop it from destroying the Arq Grid – although these don’t seem to use puzzles.

Gameplay

TRON: Catalyst seems to have done a complete 180 in terms of gameplay. Rather than a visual novel puzzle adventure, the new title plans to be an action-adventure game. Now, both titles have a heavy emphasis on story-driven gameplay. TRON: Identity uses stunning, hand-crafted characters and environments to tell a brand-new Grid story. You discover new programs and locations in the TRON universe. Meanwhile, the new game also prides itself on immersive locations within the Arq Grid. It’ll tell a new story, with new programs and secrets to discover. 

However, there are nuances where the predecessor focuses on puzzles. You pry into characters’ Identity Discs, piecing together lost memories. You make tough decisions, too, that result in multiple endings. The new game, on the other hand, will add system-level time loops that only your character can exploit. These will reveal hidden shortcuts and mysteries to solve. You’ll explore neon-lit streets on foot or on your Light Cycle and often fight dangerous programs and factions. 

Combat is the ultimate difference the new game will have. The Glitch will grant you special powers. The Light Cycle will come in handy during hot pursuits. Meanwhile, fierce enemy programs will engage you in melee and ranged combat. From parrying to kicks and collecting Data Shards for upgrades, TRON: Catalyst seems to be shaping up to purge more adrenaline through our veins. However, do note that the new game plans to use an isometric perspective in exploration and combat.

Verdict

It’s no secret that TRON: Identity is a compelling visual novel and detective story worth playing. It has high replayability in discovering alternate pathways. It may be short, but it packs lots of mystery and a thrilling TRON atmosphere. Still, you can’t help wanting more when the credits roll. It feels like it needs more exploration of its universe, which the upcoming TRON: Catalyst seems to have taken into account. 

Get ready to jump into heart-pounding action in the new title. You’ll jump into hot pursuits aboard your Light Cycle. Meanwhile, your Identity Disc will become a weapon capable of thwarting enemies at close and faraway ranges. Of course, we can’t know for sure how the new game will turn out until it launches. Still, the trailer points toward a potentially immersive game. I’m just unsure if the isometric view is the best approach for intense combat or immersive exploration, for that matter.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up TRON: Identity when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.