Before we go any further - a warning for Kiwi gamers (might be the same in Australia, we are unsure as we go to print): -

The CD Key in the box might be incomplete - you MAY NOT be able to install the game when you first buy it.

There is a work-around, and it's quite simple, but it pays to be aware of this in advance. You will be less confused and will be able to get right into the game, instead of wading through the support website. The last set of numbers in the provided code is simply missing the last character. There are only 36 possible characters it could be, all you need to do is try each one of them (A-Z, 0-9) until one of them works. No biggie, but kinda odd that this slipped through the QA net - tut tut. (Please note: Electronic Arts have just informed us that ALL New Zealand retailers have now been supplied with correct cd keys - Ed).

The story of the game is pretty straight forward. Set some 20 years after the events of the film, you play the role of "Alan 2" (in the eyes of the computer), the son of the adventurer from the early tale. After a fairly disastrous day at the office for Dad, you nip over (from your tedious day job as a videogame developer) to investigate what on earth just happened while you were talking to him on the phone. When you get there, he's nowhere to be seen and the (rather advanced) computer that controls the complex is going into disaster recovery mode - which is going to have rather unexpected side effects for you! To cut a long story short, you are digitized and find yourself inside the computer network - with lots of evil "programs" running around, trying to take over the digital world. Armed only with basic weapons (you find more as you go along) and your wily cunning, can you defeat the virus and save your Dad?

Gameplay wise, Tron 2.0 is a first person shooter (mostly - more on that in a moment). Hardly cutting edge in the originality stakes, the format actually works remarkably well in this context. The combination of modern (comparatively powerful, looking back 20 years) computers and Nvidia wizardry (the dev team worked closely with Nvidia in crafting the neon "glow" effect) creates a stunning and very "film-like" effect - there is no chance you will ever forget which game you are playing!

Along the way (and a lot at the beginning of the game), you will be bombarded with "lingo" - phrases, names and technical terms used to describe a myriad of gameplay features and items you will need to use. These terms, based largely on real "geek talk" and actual technical terminology, can be pretty heavy going - especially for the computer phobic. If you count yourself in this number (which, in retrospect, would be odd - considering what this game is about), plan on taking a few notes until you get your head around things.

As you play through the game, the first person shooter gameplay is interspersed with a couple of variations on the theme. Disk fights, for example, whilst pretty similar to normal "shooter" mechanics, spice things up enough to add variety without adding any real learning curve. You heave your disk at the other guy (it can even bounce of walls) whilst avoiding the disks (and other weapons) they are throwing at you, or blocking their disk shots with your disk. Simple! But not easy. A nice way to spice up a genre which is nearly as old (well, not quite...) as the film which inspired this game.

In addition to the disk fights, another classic Tron staple makes a welcome return - the light cycle. The game that "snake" (the most common game on cell phones today) is based on, the mechanics are simple - the gameplay genius. Ride your light bike around (only now it's in gorgeous 3D) and try and trip or trap the other player, whilst avoiding the trail of light their bike leaves behind. Sexy, stylish and fun. You can skip them, though, if you don't like this aspect of the title (if you get the latest patch anyway).

Graphically, this is one very unique title. If you catch a glimpse of someone playing it or wake up after falling asleep at your computer, you won't be wondering what it is for long! The funky neon glow to both the characters and levels is completely new and very cool to behold. Combined with (mostly) clever level design, the feeling that you are in computer equipment is very well portrayed. Nice!

The sound in Tron 2.0 is sufficient, without leaping out and slapping you in the face - nice bleeps and blops, nice voice acting and decent ambient sound.