First, take the physics-based puzzles of the LittleBigPlanet series and tighten up the controls to near-perfection. Then, add in three different characters with unique properties and diverse interactions with the environment. Next, paint the game’s world in bright, vivid colors and add one of the most gorgeous and distinct fantasy motifs in modern gaming. Finally, add a dash of cooperative play and just a pinch of voice acting. This is the recipe for Trine 2 – one of the most addicting, unique, and enjoyable puzzle games to come along this year.
Title: Trine 2
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Frozenbyte
Genre: Action Platformer
Price: 800 MSP
Pros: Gorgeous, competent physics playground that inspires players to solve puzzles in creative ways.
Cons: Combat feels a little wonky and almost unnecessary at times.
Verdict: One of the most pleasant surprises of the year and completely worthy of a disc-based release.
Publisher provided code for review purposes.
In its most basic form, Trine 2 is a whimsical physics playground. The game tasks players with solving puzzles using the abilities of three unique characters who happen to be on a quest to (what else?) save the kingdom. This ragtag bunch of rather strong and humorous personalities were chosen for the quest by a legendary artifact known only as the Trine. First is the knight, Pontius, who is the most combat-savvy of the group. Equipped with sword, shield, and gigantic hammer, he is able to smash through both enemies and obstacles with ease. Next is the fragile wizard, Amadeus, who has limited mobility options, but makes up for that shortcoming with his magic. He can create platforms out of thin air and levitate objects throughout the environment. Rounding out the cast is the thief…err…”entrepreneur,” Zoya, who comes equipped with a bow and arrow for combat and a grappling hook for traversal across the game’s expansive environments. She’s the nimblest of the group and traverses the most treacherous of platforming sequences with minimal trouble.
The game’s 2.5D stages are packed with physics-based puzzles impeding the group’s progress, forcing the player(s) to utilize the unique skills available to each character in order to help the entire group advance. These puzzles can range from shooting down fruit in front of a gigantic frog in order to make it open its mouth (allowing the player to use its long tongue to cross a chasm), to creating a makeshift pipeline out of tree trunks to carry magical water to thirsty seedlings (which then immediately grow into tall plants sprouting leaves that can be used as platforms). The puzzles vary just as widely as the environments do, and in many cases there are many paths to a single solution. In single-player games, the player is able to switch characters on-the-fly, with only one character on the screen at any one time, but in co-op each player will take control of a specific character, allowing for even more interesting shenanigans. Though each character has a unique set of controls, the player never feels cheated after a misstep. Fortunately, those missteps rarely lead to frustration as checkpoints are scattered generously throughout the game’s diverse environments and continues are unlimited.
Trine 2 encourages creativity when traversing the game’s environments, and rewards thorough treasure seekers with experience orbs and vials which can then be used to upgrade character abilities. These abilities range from fire and ice arrows for Zoya, to a hammer throw for Pontius, and even extra platforms and monster levitation for Amadeus.
Speaking of monsters, yes, there’s combat in Trine 2, and sadly it’s one of the weaker elements of the game. Skirmishes with groups of monsters happen in predetermined places along each level’s path, and usually consist of Pontius spamming his sword attack until everything on the screen is dead. In later levels, Zora’s ice arrows become a huge asset as well – both for their ability to freeze enemies in place and also for those enemies to often be taken out by “friendly” fire from other monsters. Generally I found the combat uninteresting when compared to other parts of the game, though it does provide a nice change of pace from puzzle after puzzle.
Visually, Trine 2 is a real treat. It’s no exaggeration to say that the game is one of the prettiest and most visually interesting games to be released this year. The game’s whimsical fantasy setting never gets old, and the environments are detailed and diverse. Technologically, there doesn’t seem to be anything going on in this game’s engine that hasn’t been done before, but the art direction is second-to-none. The voicework and music are also well done and fit into the game perfectly. The game’s quest isn’t too long (but certainly adequate for a downloadable title), but there’s plenty of replay value here – especially if playing the game in co-op mode.
Trine 2 also handles something tactfully that other games rarely handle so well – achievements. Rather than the usual beat-the-level or beat-the-game standard fare rewards included in many downloadable and retail games, Trine 2‘s achievements encourage players to do different or unusual things while experimenting and puzzle solving. Achievements are rewarded for “surfing” on a block pushed up by a jet of air, causing enemies to injure/kill themselves, catching arrows fired by Zoya using Pontius’ shield, completing a level using a single character, and more. Some of these tasks are perfectly achievable playing solo, while others are geared towards co-op.
Trine 2 is one of the best digital releases of the year and a platformer that no puzzle fan should pass up. It’s a title that no fan of the genres – or gaming in general – should miss out on. And with that, I have a giant frog to feed.
GrE Grade: A-
Popularity: 2% [?]
