Trine 2

Trine 2 – Demo Impressions

The Trine series is another one of those series of games that i never got around to playing the full retail copy of. Trine 2 is a 2D action platformer that sports gorgeous visuals and fun co-op gameplay featuring a Wizard, Thief and Knight. Trine 2 was developed by Frozenbyte, Inc and published by Atlus Co. You can download Trine 2 for your PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, MAC and UNIX systems. It released December 7, 2011. For this particular article i played the demo of Trine 2 on my Playstation 3.

Trine 2′s main menu featured Start Demo, Multiplayer, Extras, Help & Options and Unlock Full Game. Controls via the Duel Shock 3: RS/D-pad-move, L1/R1-switch character, O-open/use, L2-magic, R2-magic, Square-destroy conjured item, X-jump, RS-draw/levitate objects, Select-skills menu, Start-pause. The controls are good. Switching between characters and using their special abilities to solve puzzles was seamless. Fighting with Pontius’s sword and shield was fun. Using Zoya’s grappling hook was difficult at times.

The game centers around three characters and a magical artifact called the Trine. Amadeus the Wizard, Pontius the Knight and Zoya the Thief all met when they each encountered the Trine in their respective homelands. When you play Trine 2′s demo you actually do play between all three characters. You can switch between each (R1 or L1) to use there abilities and overcome obstacles. Amadeus can levitate objects and create boxes out of thin air. Pontius can fight Goblins and bust down walls with his hammer. Zoya uses bows & arrows and has a grappling hook that lets her traverse levels easily.

Trine 2 co-op shines when you use all three character’s powers together to traverse levels and conquar puzzles. Believe me you will have to use every character to make it deep into any of the demo’s levels. Each character has their own health bar. When a character dies they stay dead until they all die or you make it to a new checkpoint. There are multiple checkpoints throughout each level.You cannot beat a level with one character unless it’s their prologue level. I have not played multiplayer (the demo won’t let you). However, what i did play was really good and never became repetitive regarding level design, co-op and puzzles.

Trine 2 is a beautiful game. The striking visuals coupled with fantastic use of colors creates a fantasy world deep with imagination. For a 2D game only Rayman Origins can compete regarding visuals. Trine 2 isn’t just looks. Each character is played out by a good voice actor and all come across with totally different personalities. The music has that classic fantasy vibe that just fits in with Trine 2′s fantastic visuals. The Trine 2 demo features settings of jungles, forests and villages. All are beautifully rendered and unique in design.

Trine 2 has a good demo. Its a decent length that really lets you explore each characters strengths and weaknesses. The puzzles were all decent and combat was fun. The gorgeous visuals made me not want to put the control down. If you’re into co-op 2d games give the Trine 2 demo a try. Its free. Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!!