It's not out of the ordinary to see video games come out around the time that action blockbusters do the same in theaters. After all, it's a good way for developers and studios to capitalize off of a hot item. One such example is TRON: Evolution for the PS3. The game was released just prior to its accompanying film, TRON: Legacy. While the game does make an attempt to capture the movie's on-screen adventure, it comes up short overall in terms of being a standout title for gamers to purchase. It's not all bad, of course, but the appeal of the game itself is a hard sell for those who have no real attachment to the TRON story or films.
In case you were wondering why the game's name differs from the recent movie release's title, it's because the two are not one and the same. Yes, Evolution is a part of the TRON family, but it is actually a prequel to TRON: Legacy. Evolution essentially fills in the missing time gap between the original TRON film that was released in 1982 and 2010's Legacy. This is a definite plus for fans of the film's story, as it does do a good job in filling in any plot holes.
As for the plot itself in Evolution, Kevin Lynn, the protagonist of the original film, is living in the Grid, which is a huge digital world with a highly futuristic flair. Although the Grid is in a state of turmoil, you do not play the game as Kevin Lynn. Instead, you play as Anon, who is Flynn's system monitor and confidant. Anon is not much in terms of personality, as he appears as an avatar that does not speak. Such character traits are not exactly awe-inspiring for a protagonist, but what Anon lacks in personality he makes up for in acrobatic combat abilities.
While Anon is virtually mute, do not worry. You get plenty of dialog from Evolution's other characters, including Flynn, whose voice is supposed to sound like Jeff Bridges, although it seems off a few notes. The dialog will probably be enjoyed for fans seeking the bridged history gap between the original TRON and Legacy, which includes actual references to the former. Others, however, will likely find the dialog to be sleep-inducing.
The look of the game is mostly sharp. It may take a toll on your eyes after a while, however, if you are allergic to neon lighting. Most of the game takes place in dark, neon-accented environments with a bluish tinge, with the exception of a couple of times where you get to tour orange or green landscapes. There's a ton of flashing that occurs on-screen, and I'm not talking about nudity. The lighting in the game is reminiscent of a South Beach raver club at times, so pace yourself in terms of your total time playing in a single sitting. The character models look good, as does the Grid itself. Anon moves well in combat situations and is highly athletic, even if he does appear stiff at times in his movements.
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