There are those rare moments in gaming when a product looks so good that you find yourself doing an immediate double take to make sure that your eyes don’t deceive you. Believe me when I say that you will experience this sensation every time you load up Trine 2 — Frozenbyte’s stunning sequel to their 2009 puzzle-platfomer. Pick any given screenshot from this downloadable title, and you have yourself a portrait of high fantasy worthy of being displayed. With 3D games expanding their graphical
prowess via polished minutia, I still find myself consistently wowed by 2011’s gorgeous 2D gems like Outland, Rayman Origins, and now Trine 2.
Trine 2’s fantasy vibe has a fun, unpretentious feel that evokes the loving tongue-in-cheek mannerisms that David Bowie exhibited in Labyrinth. Much like in the original Trine, you command a trio of adventurers who navigate a fantastical world in a classic rightward direction. Each of the three heroes have a distinct
playstyle unto themselves: The Knight is adept at combat and can smash through heavy obstacles; the Thief can freeze enemies from a distance and use her grappling hook on certain surfaces; and the Wizard can conjure blocks and interact with the environment via telekinesis. You can switch between the three characters at any time — and switch you will. This isn’t a game where you pick a class and stick with it throughout the duration of the quest, as you’ll quickly realize that each member of the fellowship is essential for completing every level. This is most apparent in the great multiplayer mode, which allows three people to roam the world together simultaneously. Gathering a pair of buddies and huddling around the television is a refreshing throwback to the days when single-system multiplayer was a norm in gaming.
