![]() Obviously, there’s always an ‘intended’ solution to any given puzzle room, but we had more than a few instances where manipulating the physics generated a favorable outcome. This is an especially salient point, as a big part of Trine 5’s appeal is that the player is given a lot of agency to figure out how they want to overcome a challenge. If you’re crafty, you can sometimes use these upgrades to find solutions that arguably weren’t intended. Each upgrade subtly affect the way you approach gameplay by giving you more options. These can have enhanced combat utility, such as Zoya getting the ability to shoot multiple arrows at once, or better puzzle utility, such as Amadeus being able to slam down conjured objects. Every level will have a smattering of green crystals scattered about in various hidden or out-of-reach places, and these can be banked at special checkpoints to generate skill points to spend on new abilities. We appreciated these character quests, as they not only force you to become even more familiar with each hero’s kit, but they gradually broaden the scope of Trine 5 without overwhelming the player or becoming needlessly complicated.Ĭharacter abilities can then be upgraded later on using skill points generated from collectibles you find in stages. For example, one upgrade nets Pontius the ability to throw his sword and recall it with the tap of a button, which gives him a ranged tool while also allowing him more verticality because he can jump off the hilt if it sticks into a wall. If you can successfully figure out the series of puzzles with that character, you’ll unlock a new ability that changes the way you interact with all future puzzles. The first kind of upgrade is attained via Quests, which act as small sublevels designed for a specific hero and are nested within larger levels. Part of this comes down to plain good puzzle design, and the rest comes down to the fact that you can expand each character’s skills throughout the adventure. Each character has a relatively basic moveset, yet Trine 5 continues to find impressively creative ways to use them to the fullest throughout its fifteen-or-so-hour run. Amadeus is able to conjure and rotate boxes and platforms that you can use to weigh things down or stand on, Zoya shoots arrows that can activate distant targets and can create ropes to connect various puzzle elements together, and Pontius can smash and charge into things or reflect various beams and streams with his shield. Gameplay builds on the previous 2.5D entries in the series, wherein you explore levels packed to the brim with various physics-based puzzles that require you to utilize the unique skillsets of all three heroes, which you can switch between at will with the tap of a button. Sure, there aren’t really any stakes to the narrative, but some stories are compelling simply based on how they make you feel Trine 5 is the sort of game where you snuggle up, settle in, and just let the whimsy of the narrative wash over you. ![]() Things like the soft narration in the background as you play, the world map being stylized like a storybook, and the generally lighthearted atmosphere all come together to make for an impressively whimsical fairytale that completely reels you in based on its charm alone. It's not a terribly in-depth narrative, but there is something that is infinitely cozy about the way in which the story is conveyed. Our heroes manage to escape in time, and this kicks off a quest to defeat the elusive and power-hungry Lady Sunny before she seizes control of the kingdom. ![]() However, upon arrival, the regent quickly reveals her true colors and attempts to steal the heroes’ power from them, aided by an army of clockwork knights built by Lord Godric. The heroes are reunited after being summoned by Lady Sunny for a celebration ceremony to commemorate their achievements. Trine 5 once again follows the exploits of Amadeus the Wizard, Zoya the Thief, and Pontius the Knight who are now quite famous in their world for saving the day many times. Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it proves beyond any doubt that the developers still have a lot of great ideas to explore and it stands as yet another high-quality entry in the ongoing series. Luckily, that last title proved to be a strong return to form for the series, and after a DLC expansion (on PC) that was also well-received, Frozenbyte was able to justify greenlighting a full-fledged sequel in the 2.5D tradition. Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)īack when Trine 4 came out, it felt a bit like a hail-mary attempt to recapture the audience that was lost after the disappointment of Trine 3, and the future of the series seemed a bit up in the air.
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