Trine 2

Released in 2009, Trine was a side-scrolling indie game that was well received for its gorgeous visuals, enjoyable gameplay and of course, sense of physicality brought on by the Havok engine. Now, nearly two years later, developer Frozenbyte return with a sequel and while the fundamentals largely stay the same, Trine 2 feels like a breath of fresh air from all the conventional action/first person shooters on the block.

So am I supposed to kiss you or something?

Like its predecessor, in Trine 2 you play as one of three characters - a mage, a warrior and a rogue with more or less the same goal; protect a magical kingdom from evil. You can switch between these characters at any given point in this game with the press of a button. Every character brings his or her own brand of speciality to the table, so the rogue will probably end up being your choice for platforming, while the warrior is naturally more productive at combat. The mage on the other hand can conjure objects that aid in platforming and later on even raise enemies only to fling them to their death Psi-Ops style.

As you play through the game, you’ll collect orbs that will allow you to buy new powers for your characters or upgrade existing ones. It’s obviously not as deep as some of the RPGs you’re used to, but it works just fine for this kind of a game. The game has upped the ante when it comes to puzzles and even though this is a side-scrolling game, you’ll find yourself stumped many at times by some of the game’s devious puzzles. Thankfully, the game never feels too tough or too cheap; if anything, you’ll actually feel a bit stupid when you solve a puzzle you stared at for hours, because the answer was right in front of you all along.

Girls love flowers but this is ridiculous

Gameplay mechanics stay more or less the same, while playing co-op (this game supports both local and online co-op now), only now you have way more options of tackling the game. For example, one person could switch to the mage and suspend an enemy in mid-air, while the other, playing as the rogue freezes him with a frost arrow. Even during platforming and puzzle solving, you’ll be amazed at how differently the game plays out in co-op as opposed to a solo run through. The only caveat here is that both players cannot be the same character at the same time. Still not an issue as the game becomes a lot simpler and way more enjoyable in co-op.

Visually Trine 2 is like a fairy tale book brought to life in stunning HD. The lighting effects in particular are stellar and help convey a sense of calmness and serenity rarely felt in games today. The game’s levels may not be tremendously innovative, but they do drive home the whole fairy tale feel this game has going for it. Special mention also goes to the game’s score that fits the theme, perfectly. But, don’t let Trine 2’s child friendly presentation throw you off. The game can get pretty tough and will push your imagination and reflexes to the test many a times.

Hulk smash

Trine 2 is a game that appeals to both the hardcore as well as the casual crowd. It’s fun, engaging, gorgeous and offers an even better experience when played in co-op. It also maintains a near perfect balance between combat, platforming and puzzle solving effortlessly switching between all three gameplay elements with ease. At a price tag of just $15, this one is a total steal.