GameClub: Transistor debrief / Sexy Brutale begins! (Patreon)
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Transistor on here and on Discord. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on the game.
We had a bit of a mixed reaction to the game, but if I was trying to find a consensus for our thoughts on Transistor's gameplay, it would be this:
Transistor allows the player to find their own way to play the game. Through mixing and matching different functions, and by allowing the player to attack in real-time or in a turn-based mode (or some combination of the two), everyone can approach the combat in their own way.
We were encouraged to experiment with different play-styles through two systems: 1) you temporarily lose your most powerful function upon death and must replace it. 2) you unlock backstory when you use different functions.
But we were less motivated to experiment thanks to a messy and convoluted menu screen, and not enough ways to test out our new load out before entering battle.
I think a significant factor in whether or not we gelled with the game, came down to how quickly we found a style of playing that worked for us. Some discovered functions and ways of playing that they felt were fun, others didn't until the end of the game - or never did at all.
Which, I suppose, leads to this question: is it better to focus on one style of play that's really great, but ultimately limited. Or is it better to give the player lots of options in how they play, but with the risk that they might never find a good experience?
This isn't just about Transistor, but everything from play-your-own-way campaigns in Prey and Dishonored to the lack of difficulty settings in Dark Souls. Feel free to give your thoughts in the comments!
And with that done, let's move on to the second game of the month: the time-travelling murder scupperer The Sexy Brutale!
The game is available on Steam and GOG for Windows, and on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
I'll ask for your thoughts on June 5th. Until then, come chat with other players on Discord.