14 DAY TRIAL // Transistor, the upcoming action role-playing game from independent developer Supergiant Games, will feature a turn-based combat system called "Turn()" that can be used by gamers in all sorts of ways in conjunction with the real-time fighting mechanics.
Supergiant Games delighted many gamers with Bastion several years ago, delivering an intense action RPG experience with a touching story and an innovative dynamic narrator that made the whole game stand out from many other great-looking indie titles.
Now, the small studio is working hard on Transistor, an all-new sci-fi action RPG that puts players in the shoes of Red, a woman wielding a mysterious sword-like weapon called the Transistor.
She must explore a city to uncover the true nature of the item, while fighting against different enemies in a variety of ways.
While the combat can still use a real-time system like in Bastion, Transistor also features a special turn-based mechanic called Turn(). This new system will also allow a high degree of freedom for players, as it can be used in multiple situations and encounters.
"We want the play experience of Transistor to feel personal and open, where you have the power to conduct the pace of an encounter, and can naturally discover play styles that really suit you. An important part of that is how you choose to engage with the game's strategic planning mode, called Turn(), which is designed to be used on your terms," Supergiant's Greg Kasavin told GameInformer.
"The game quickly introduces you to the mode but beyond that never tells you when or how to use it -- that part is completely up to you, and we find that players intuitively and quickly pick up on it."
Plenty of different situations might find the turn-based system handy, according to Kasavin, like an early strategic attack, a last-ditch survival measure, or evasive maneuvers. The Turn() mechanic can also be used as a sort of tactical pause, so that players stop all the action in order to survey the battlefield and decide on what to do next.
"It's really important to us to balance the real-time play with the strategic planning and we're happy with how that aspect of the game has come along. We knew we were onto something with it when we noticed that everyone on our team was using Turn() differently when we played."
Transistor is set to debut sometime this year for the PC and PS4 platforms. Unfortunately, Supergiant is still keeping other details under a shroud of secrecy.