Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power - Early Access Impressions V0.03 Build: 2870

Frozenbyte is back with the third installment of the Trine franchise, this time launching on Steam’s Early Access program.

Avoiding possible spoilers, the game is pretty much set in a predictable storyline. As always, you play as the same 3 characters; Amadeus the Wizard, Pontius the Knight, and Zoya the Thief. Their objective is to return their gifts to the Artifact called Trine. Like most journeys in the fantasy genre, the artifact is shattered and you´re guided by one piece, you fight off mystical foes to unravel the mysteries within this fairytale, oh not to mention there is a crazy sorcerer on the loose to stop your progress.

Gameplay

If you’re familiar with the Trine franchise, gameplay is about co-op adventures on a side scrolling map where you solve physics puzzles, thanks to each of the character’s different abilities; Amadeus being able to create objects and levitate them wherever, Pontius being the tank and shield that knocks enemies away and huge obstacles, and Zoya using her acrobatics to get to difficult places to reach and slingshot her way through tight places while shooting enemies with her arrows.

In Trine 3, side scrolling now has a 3D perspective where you can go to the back of the scenery as well as the front. It can get a bit confusing at first while you get used to it but it’s a nice addition, it feels a bit more fluid than in previous games. The implementation of these aspects can confront with the physics dynamics of the game at times, making progression a rather difficult task that can eventually be solved by brute forcing your way through the level.

The current state

Putting aside simple bugs like menu texts not being centered, or cinematic characters T-posing while their audio cue starts, the game does have quite a bit of an organized feedback community, and the developers are working on releasing secured and effective patches every now and then.

The team is focused on improving the game as much as possible, adding gameplay tweaks, level balancing, correcting cinematic animations, mixing proper audio, GUI, and putting work on to one of Trine’s best features, the Online Multiplayer.

As of the latest update, the game now offers a new Challenge Room for single player mode with Zoya, the Thief. The game modes have proven to be fun, although on Early Access the amount of levels are limited, fortunately their lenght is pretty decent.

Audiovisuals

Ok, I will address the elephant in the room. Yes, the game looks as gorgeous as any of the other titles, with increased bloom and a wide color palette, but what happened to the character 2D sprites? They look completely different, more juvenile and less serious. Is this a problem? Not exactly; while it is a bit awkward to make them look a bit cartoonish on the 3rd installment of the franchise, it is a fresh update to the game.

The level of detail in the scenery is pretty remarkable, truly shows how a sequel should be made after setting such high bars previously.

The soundtrack is astonishing; it stands out in the fantasy genre of gaming with clever acoustics, reverbs and perspective. The music is well balanced