Transistor

Transistor may look like another pretty face favoring style over substance. It’s oozing with style and aesthetic charm, and it drew me into its weird and wonderful world immediately. But its beauty is outshined by combat deep enough to sink into for hours and hours. The game’s vision is intoxicating, and its execution is inspired.

Transistor is an absolute triumph: a stunning sensory experience that buoys its lofty ambitions on a rock solid strategic core. It spins a tale of love, technology, and political and social unrest that speeds confidently towards a magnificent crescendo. What’s more, the razor sharp combat remains thrilling throughout, and the visuals and music display an almost superhuman level of polish.

Taking its name from one of the greatest technological inventions of the 20th century, Transistor is unequivocally one of the greatest games this year. That it only costs twenty dollars is astounding since it could easily sell for more, and despite it being rather short, Transistor begs to be replayed at least once. It may be self-described as just a "sci-fi themed action RPG," but for once in this industry, that's severe modesty.