TRINE 3: THE ARTIFACTS OF POWER / DEVELOPER: FROZENBYTE / PLATFORM: SWITCH / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
Originally released in 2015, the third instalment in the Trine series finally makes its way to Switch, getting Nintendo fans ready for the brand new fourth part this autumn.
Like the previous two games, Trine 3 is a platform puzzle game that revolves around three characters. The thief is nimble and acrobatic, and comes equipped with a grappling hook and a bow. The knight is slow, but can block with his shield and wields a mighty sword to attack enemies with. Lastly, the wizard is able to use telekinesis to lift objects, and uses magic to make boxes appear.
The game can be played either with three people all using a different character, or with one or two switching between them on the fly as required. The three characters have a unique play styles that are all fun to use, in particularly the thief, whose traversal mechanics are particularly enjoyable.
The game’s main difference to the previous two is that it’s a 3D platformer rather than a 2D one. The extra depth can be a bit annoying sometimes, making landing on platforms tricky, but it isn’t too much of a hindrance once you get used to it. The other big change is that the game is more of an exploration platformer that’s littered with collectables for you to find. Levels are now also selectable from a world map. The short level format works well as a handheld game and its exploration / collectable style is always welcome.
The game is fairly short in length however there are plenty of collectables to find in each level to keep you going. Music is as charming as ever, but the 3D graphics are a bit jagged, making the presentation seem less polished than the previous two entries. The backgrounds are gorgeously detailed, but this does occasionally lead to slow down.
Overall, Trine 3 feels like a much different game to its predecessors – if they weren’t for you but exploration platformers are your jam, then maybe give this a try. It’s fun as both a single player and a multiplayer experience, and really feels at home on the Switch.
