Transistor cover

Transistor

Critic score12 critics
Be the first to rate
First release
May 20, 2014
Engine
MonoGame
Genres
Role-playing (RPG), Indie, Adventure, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS) · Action, Science fiction
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Linux

Transistor is an action role-playing game presented from an isometric perspective. Players control Red, a singer in the city of Cloudbank, as she wields a greatsword-like weapon called the Transistor against robotic enemies known as the Process. Combat can be played in real-time or paused using a planning mode called Turn(), which allows queuing actions for execution in a burst. Powers called Functions can be equipped in active slots, used as upgrades to augment other Functions, or placed in passive slots for persistent effects. With 16 total Functions available, the system encourages experimentation with different combinations across multiple playthroughs.

Also known as Transistor.exe

Attributes

No Attributes added.

Details

Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords

Storyline
Red, a popular singer in the city of Cloudbank, kneels by the body of a man who has been killed with a glowing greatsword called the Transistor. The attack, carried out by a group of high-ranking officials called the Camerata, took away her voice, sealing it inside the weapon. The sword also absorbed the man's consciousness, allowing him to speak to Red and guide her. As Red moves through the city in pursuit of the Camerata, a robotic force called the Process attacks Cloudbank indiscriminately, and it becomes apparent that the Camerata have lost control of it.Read more

Red, a popular singer in the city of Cloudbank, kneels by the body of a man who has been killed with a glowing greatsword called the Transistor. The attack, carried out by a group of high-ranking officials called the Camerata, took away her voice, sealing it inside the weapon. The sword also absorbed the man's consciousness, allowing him to speak to Red and guide her. As Red moves through the city in pursuit of the Camerata, a robotic force called the Process attacks Cloudbank indiscriminately, and it becomes apparent that the Camerata have lost control of it.

Release dates
PC (Microsoft Windows)
May 20, 2014
Mac
May 20, 2014
PlayStation 4
May 20, 2014
All 7 release dates
Linux
May 20, 2014
PlayStation 4
May 21, 2014
iOS
Jun 11, 2015
Nintendo Switch
Nov 01, 2018
Time to beatIGDB · recorded
Main Story
4h
Main + Extras
7h
Completionist
15h
Game modes
Single player
Perspective
Bird view / Isometric
Keywords
motorcycle, turn-based, female protagonist, steam, achievements
… All 31, steam trading cards, singing, turn-based combat, steam achievements, digital distribution, xbox controller support for pc, single-player only, steam cloud, game critics awards, tactical turn-based combat, 60 fps on consoles, voice acting, language selection, polygonal 3d, real-time combat, vision obstruction, pax prime 2013, rpg elements, pax prime 2014, pax prime 2015, d.i.c.e. awards 2015, musicians, pax east 2013, invented language, elevator ambush, fully customizable controls

At a Glance

Critic Score
85
Main Story (IGDB)
4h
Main + Extras (IGDB)
7h
Completionist (IGDB)
15h
OverviewHow it playsMediaCommunityBehind the gameRelated

Overview

Steam review summary

Steam users rate this Very Positive, 28,019 reviews in all languages, recorded 16 October 2026

Valve's summary of Steam user reviews. Valve counts only reviews from purchases on Steam, not key activations, and leaves out review periods it has marked as off-topic. It isn't part of the CritScore score.

Review summary: SteamSteam data provided via the Steam Web API (opens in a new tab)Not affiliated with Valve →

About storefront and compatibility information

Compatibility, feature and availability information shown on this page is recorded from the storefronts and services named against each fact, on the dates shown. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks of Valve Corporation; Steam data is provided via the Steam Web API. Other product and service names are trademarks of their respective owners. CritScore is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by or certified by Valve Corporation or any other storefront or platform holder, and does not itself test or certify any game.