14 DAY TRIAL // Finnish developer Frozenbyte has rolled out quite a lot of different video games throughout the years, but by far one of its most successful series is Trine, which delighted many gamers with sharp visuals, imaginative gameplay, and a pretty clever premise of switching between characters on the fly.
Now, the studio brings forth Trine 3: Artifacts of Power, a new game in the series that’s now available as a Steam Early Access experience.
With the introduction of 3D environments, more imaginative puzzles, not to mention the same great cast of three protagonists, Trine 3 will definitely be a winner.
Does its beta version have what it takes to impress? Let’s have a quick look.
Trine 3 kicks off with three levels, each focusing on one of the main protagonists. There’s Pontius the knight, who tries to rescue a sheep from a pack of goblins, Zoya the thief, who infiltrates a temple to get a gem, and Amadeus the wizard, who’s trying to enjoy a holiday at the seaside with his family.
3D environments are great but take some time to get used to
The game immediately shows off its 3D environments, which allow characters to explore much more of the level than just through a side-scrolling perspective. While it takes a bit of time to get your head wrapped around the new movement possibilities, things get easier as you keep going.
Unfortunately, lining up jumps becomes quite a bit more tricky, especially if the camera doesn’t provide a decent perspective on what’s going on. As such, expect to miss a few jumps or platforms depending on your skill and luck.
Levels are much more varied this time around, as they aren’t just focusing on a single theme with each stage. Things vary at a quick pace and you don’t get a chance to get tired of the gorgeous visuals or the vibrant colors.
Every now and again you do get to fight against enemies, but at least for now the combat system is a bit wonky and not that responsive. Mostly, you just run around as Pontius, wailing away with your sword or charging with your special move.
Platforming using Amadeus’ summoned box or Zoya’s whip feels pretty good, but some elements in the level don’t stand out that much, so you might miss the necessary hooks, railings, or boxes if you’re not paying attention.
Overall, Trine 3: Artifacts of Power is looking very good even in Early Access. There are areas that need improvement, such as the camera to eliminate any misses due to the 3D design, or the combat to make it less erratic, but it’s already a good investment.
Check out a video and a few screenshots below.
