As a young video-game fanatic, I was one of the first on my block to line up for “Tron” when it hit theaters in 1982. So I was one of the first to be dazzled by its then-state-of-the-art computer graphics — and disappointed with its jerry-built story of corporate espionage, a tale with less emotional resonance than a game of “Asteroids.”
William Gibson gave us a more convincing vision of cyberspace in his 1984 novel, “Neuromancer.” And video games have inspired far better movies, from “The Matrix” and “Run Lola Run” to this year’s “Inception” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” But gamers still feel a connection to “Tron,” whatever its flaws, because it was the first movie that tried to address our passion.
The long-awaited sequel, “Tron: Legacy,” which opens Dec. 17, is just one part of The Walt Disney Co.’s massive multimedia reboot of the franchise. There will be comic books, toys, an animated TV series and even “Tron”-themed computer accessories. And of course, there are video games.
“Tron: Evolution” (Disney, for Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360, Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 3, $59.99; PC, $39.99) takes place during the 1990s, halfway between the original film and “Legacy.” (The less ambitious versions for Nintendo’s Wii, DS and PlayStation Portable are set in the 1980s.) You control Anon, a security program who appears as a humanoid avatar; Anon’s job is to prevent a virus called Abraxas from destroying the cyberworld.
The action boils down to three elements. Least satisfying is the combat against Abraxas’ minions, who pop up and attack Anon at regular intervals. Your only weapon is a glowing disc, which you can fling from a distance or use in up-close attacks. You earn more powerful discs, like one that explodes, as the game proceeds, but most of the fights devolve into simple button-mashing.
Then there’s…