Tron 2.0: Killer App Hands-On Impressions

We got a chance to try out Tron 2.0: Killer App for the Game Boy Advance, which is loosely based on the PC (and soon Xbox) game of the same name, which is itself based on the science fiction cult classic Tron. The game will let you play as either Tron or Mercury through a lengthy single-player game that you'll play from a three-quarter, isometric overhead perspective. Each of the two characters has an entirely separate set of levels and weapons, so there will be plenty of incentive to play as both.

There will be more to do in the game's levels than simply slinging discs at your enemies. For instance, you'll occasionally have to interface with a computer system in order to access a new area, and you'll have to solve a time-based minigame puzzle to do so. The minigame we tried presented a honeycomb-style hexagonal grid with two endpoints that had to be connected. The game fed us hex pieces with various line configurations on them, and we had to rotate and place these on the grid to create an unbroken line between the two endpoints, all while the clock ticked away. These sorts of minigames should help break up the action and provide you with a little more to do than simply killing digital enemies.

There will be a lot more action packed into Tron 2.0 on the small screen than just its lengthy story-driven campaign. The game will also feature three original minigames that you'll be able to play head-to-head against either artificial intelligence or other players (via link cable). One game has you racing your light cycle from an overhead perspective and trying to take out the other players--basically a competitive version of Snake--and the other two games use a basic 3D engine to let you fight it out in first-person using an assortment of Tron-related vehicles. These 3D sequences looked basic, as you'd expect on the GBA, but they played pretty well and should provide a nice diversion if you're taking a break from the main single-player game.

Tron 2.0: Killer App seems to be packing in a lot more content and variety than you might expect to see in a handheld, movie-licensed game. The game is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter; look for more