Released in 2009, Trine set the standard for all platform games to follow. It introduced physic-based puzzles that allowed gamers to experiment with the environment.
Trine 2 continues the format established by the original, but it also introduces improved graphics and more complex puzzles. The three heroes from Trine – the wizard, thief, and warrior – are also back with their trademark skills.
Like before, you must manipulate the environment to complete puzzles before moving on to the next objective. The wizard’s conjure ability is useful for creating cogwheel crates that can be used as platforms or ramming devices, and his levitation skill can move heavy puzzle pieces around.
The thief, as one might expect, is capable of using her grappling hook to reach areas that are otherwise impossible to explore. The warrior, while not the smartest one of the three, uses brute force to smash through thick rocks and sturdy wooden planks. Each character can be selected by pressing the 1, 2 or 3 keys respectively on the keyboard.
Like the original Trine, the gameplay is a mixture of platforming and puzzle solving. Since the environment is at your disposal, large leaves can be used as trampolines to reach power ups, hot air vents can be manipulated and used to float to unreachable areas, and swamp gas bubbles allow for limited travel.
Puzzles range from jamming door levers and attaching pipes to redirect fire to using bee hives as distractions and swamp gas bubbles as temporary platforms. Some puzzles are more difficult, like trying to move a giant snail that is blocking the exit to a level.
While using the wizard, you must tilt a hallowed out log to redirect the flow of water from a waterfall to wet the snail. This causes the snail to move, unblocking the doorway. Trine 2 is full of perplexing puzzles that will keep you busy for hours.
Since combat varies based on the character in play, it’s important to understand the strength and weaknesses of each character. Even though the wizard is not equipped with any weapons, he can conjure boxes and use the environment to his advantage.
Dropping a cogwheel box on an enemy from a great distance usually does the trick. The rogue with her bow, as one would imagine, is best suited for enemies far out of reach. However, her health is fairly limited like the wizard, so timing and skill is needed to keep her alive.
The warrior is capable of sustaining far more damage. He can block incoming attacks and projectiles with his shied, and this can be accomplished by pressing the right mouse button. By rapidly clicking the left mouse button, the warrior will unleash a barrage of deadly attacks. There is very little that can stand in his way.
Boss battles vary in difficulty and require quick thinking to survive. While some bosses can be killed by attacking them, others – like the giant acid spitting snake encountered in the beginning – can only be killed by bringing down the ceiling to the cave it inhabits. During a single-player campaign, you must bring down the ceiling support beams by using one of the wizard’s crates as a ramming device. When playing online with other players, the wizard must conjure a crate and then levitate the warrior to the celing to smash the beams.
Not all boss battles are this easy. The goblin king, for example, is too dangerous to attack at close range, so your best option is to use the thief. By the end of the game, the final boss, Rosabel, will push your skills as a gamer to their limits.
The mythical world of Trine 2 is more beautiful than it was before. On high-end computers, the attention to detail is astounding. The backgrounds come alive with vibrant colors and high-res textures that show the smallest of details. Even bodies of water look incredibly realistic as everything distorts and surface lights reflect off the bottom. It’s perplexing how much detail is present.
Trine 2 by Frozenbyte is the sequel gamers have been waiting for. Not only does it improve on the original, but it exceeds all expectations. If you haven’t already purchased Trine 2, you’re missing out. There is nothing else like it.
Mike Pittaro
Platform: Mac (Also available on PC)
System Specs:
OS: OS X version Leopard 10.5.8, Snow Leopard 10.6.3, or later.
Processor: Intel Mac
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Hard Disk Space: 1.5 GB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M or better / ATi Radeon 2400 or better*
*NOTE: Please be advised that Trine 2 does not run on Intel graphics solutions used in 2006-2008. The game does run on new (2010-) Intel HD Graphics 3000 or better. Macs with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M or ATi Radeon X1600 may not achieve smooth gameplay.
Additional: Keyboard, Mouse/Trackpad with Secondary click enabled
Developer: Frozenbyte
Publisher: Frozenbyte
ESRB: E 10+ (Everyone 10+)
Price: $14.99
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |  |
| The graphics are astounding. | |
| Sound | |
| Atmospheric music creates a convincing world. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Physic-based puzzles and challenging boss battles round out the experience. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Trine 2 is one of the best platform games available today. | |
