Written by Patrick Orquia
Developer: Frozenbyte
Publisher: Frozenbyte
Genre: Action, Puzzle, Platformer
Number of Players: Up to 3 players
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: Nov. 09, 2018
Price: $14.99
Also Available On: PS4, WiiU, Steam
Trine is another port of an old game (it was originally released in 2009) that found new home on the Nintendo Switch. I played a bit of the demo of the Wii U version a few years back and, if I’m not mistaken, this is the same version with no added contents. Maybe the resolution got bumped to full HD resolution, but it’s a beautiful game, so I don’t really care if this one is still 720p. Anyway, aside from the lush, detailed background with vibrant colors of flora and fauna and monsters, this game is a side-scrolling platformer with an excellent physics-based game mechanics with matching medieval times-inspired orchestral music to accompany you in a grand quest to save a cursed kingdom.
In the game, you play three characters: Zoya the Thief, who wields a bow and arrow and a grappling hook; Amadeus the Wizard, who has a magical staff that can move objects and conjure planks and boxes out of thin air; and Pontius the Knight, who is armed with a shield and a sword who puts enemies at bay with his strength. Together, you are out in search for a legendary artifact that has the ability to bind souls, the eponymous Trine, to save a ruined kingdom. At the beginning of the game, all three manage to find their way at the exact place where Trine is kept, and upon touching the artifact at the same time, their souls become bound with one another. That being said, you begin the true adventure and you can now switch between the three characters on the go, depending on the situation.
Aside from the usual undead minions, a few gigantic mini-bosses await you in some levels. No need to worry as again, you can respawn from a nearby save point so try as many times as you can and in no time at all, you’ll find yourself victorious. Each boss has an easy-to-spot weak point, and most can be fought from a distance. So if you can aim well, use Zoya, or if you prefer to go all melee-style, go with Pontius. Amadeus sits out most battles since he has no weapons, but when it comes to puzzle-solving, he’s the boss.
Scattered across the levels are little vials and orbs of experience points. You would want to collect all of those, as relying on getting XPs from defeated foes would not suffice. These XPs are mostly placed in hard-to-reach places and sometimes even hidden from plain sight, so you’ll have to be eagle-eyed to spot them, and once you do, work your way into getting them. Your ability to switch between the three characters and use their unique abilities will be in full exercise here, and gathering these XPs make the levels more interesting and challenging to complete. As far as I know, there is no way to go back to completed levels, so you have to make sure that you have gathered all of them orbs and vials. Otherwise, you won’t get them again.
The experience points are used to level up, of course. Each time you get 50 XPs makes you level up and will earn you level points. All three get to level up at the same time, and these level up points can be used to level up skills and upgrades, like making Amadeus able to conjure more boxes or planks, upgrade Zoya’s arrows, and make Pontius more powerful. The levels do become more and more challenging as you progress in the game, so getting all these upgrades will make the game easier for you. You can also pick up some useful items contained in treasure chests that will also you in your quest which can be equipped by any of the three characters. Some can only give buffs to one particular character, so just be sure that you equip them to the correct character.
I have played the game solo, but the game also allows up to three players to play the game simultaneously. You can have two of your friends play with you in the same room, or if you don’t have friends, you can play with other people online. Three times the fun! This makes the game a bit less tedious and repetitive, as you can have the others do the job that you would otherwise do on your own. Also, each player can switch characters as well, but if one player gets an XP, all of you get it. Sharing is fun, you guys.
Overall, Trine is one amazing-looking game that plays well and very ideal on Switch, as it favors short bursts of play time. The game itself is pretty short, but still, at only $14.99, this is not a bad deal. So prepare yourself for a magical adventure that will test your wit and brawn while having fun.
REPLAY VALUE: Medium
PROS
- Amazingly lush and detailed visuals
- Medieval times-inspired orchestral music
- Excellent physics-based game mechanics and level design
- Switching between three characters on the go is cool
- Just the right amount of challenge
- Interesting level-up system
- Multiplayer mode is surprisingly fun
- Plays well on handheld mode, ideal for short bursts of play time
CONS
- A bit too short
- Bland story
- The gameplay can become too repetitive, as your goal is mostly just to reach the end of the levels without going through some other side quests or other stuff to break the repetitions
- Little variety on enemies
RATING: 4/5 bound souls against ghouls
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