With all the death and destruction in videogames, it’s great when a title comes along which involves all of your mental faculties to get through, not just your trigger figure. The original Trine was a breath of fresh air when it was released in 2009 and the sequel conjures up the same kind of sentiment. It’s packed with consistently beautiful environments complimented by tightly put together platforming, requiring the different abilities of three player characters – the Wizard, the Thief and the Warrior.
Summed up, the Thief possesses a bow and arrow, as well as a nifty grappling hook, the sword-wielding Warrior can deflect almost any attack with his shield and the Wizard can materialise platforms and boxes out of thin air. Only by combining the skills of these drastically different characters can players progress through the campaign’s dozen levels, which see the fateful trio united by the magical Trine crystal yet again. Only this time they need to fight Goblins and seek out a mysterious magical figure.
The plot is introduced in typical storybook manner with animated cut-scenes and a grandfatherly narrator, which helps to ensure a magical atmosphere which even when the puzzle-solving gets difficult can still feel captivating and stress free. As before, the sequel to Trine features local co-op for three players as well as the all-new ability to play over the Internet.
Levels have still been tailored so that a single pair of hands can tackle the campaign, by switching between the three different archetypes instantly, but if you have two friends in tow it’s not only easier it’s a lot more fun. Figuring out the different puzzles while assisting other players, be it moving a crate while they’re riding it or moving a wooden plate so another can grapple onto it is always exhilarating and the novelty of helping other players in an online environment, rather than hindering them, never wears off.
It isn’t all plain sailing though, as levels are broken up with an array of flame traps, portal pads, giant snails, thirsty plants and insta-gro water, and some of them are really difficult. Watching others grinding their mental gears and experimenting to find a solution to the environment is really a lot of fun and it’s something surprisingly few games offer this day and age. After you’ve finished the campaign, there are a few trinkets to search for in certain levels, concept art to unlock and a game mode which allows players to all assume the same role simultaneously, while getting rid of balance constraints so you can breeze through the game. There isn’t too much content here, but this sequel doesn’t outstay its welcome.
Trine 2 is a slender proposition, but as soon as you clap eyes on its unique visual style and sample its pixel-perfect platforming, you’ll find it sticks with you long after you’ve put down the mouse. Fans of the original will feel like they’re retreading familiar ground at certain points, but that doesn’t detract for what is a rich and entertaining experience.
Verdict: 80%
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Tags: Trine 2
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