Trine Demo - Opinions?

[Grayl]

Yo ho ho.

The demo for Trine [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trine_(video_game)] was released on the 25th June, and I don't see any posts here with "Trine" in their title...

I'm a massive fan of co-op games. My brother loves his PS3 and I love PC gaming, and when I go back home every week or so we usually hit it up on Super Smash Bros Brawl or Kane & Lynch or any co-op game, really.

Obviously, we're bound to the same system and my brother can't use a mouse/keyboard, so whenever a co-op game comes out that utilizes gamepad controls, I grab it as soon as I can. I don't know about you, but I've always found that co-op games on the same console are great, Gears of War being a good example of that.

So yeah, Trine! For those that don't know, it's sort of a 3D puzzle/action game. You can play as three characters; a thief (with a bow), a wizard (who conjures boxes to jump on) and a knight (with a sword/shield). You're stuck on a 2D plane (can only move left or right), but I think it's very well done. It's sort of a mix of Mario with some combat and puzzle bits.

There are a few bugs here and there and getting the control system set up can be a little finicky, but I really enjoyed playing it with my brother. And it's pretty good for co-op too; you can switch character at any time and the characters work well with each other.

It's gonna be available on the PS3, Xbox 360 (download only, I think) and through Steam for PC users. The demo's up on Steam now if anyone wants to give it a try. I suggest trying it if you've got anyone to play it with. I think the full game is something like 7-9 hours long, which I think it pretty decent for a co-op game.

The demo's only short but the graphics are nice to look at and pretty smooth (PhysX is utilized all the way through), the gameplay is quite fun and the puzzles are entertaining. It even has a back-story, even if it's not brilliant. Voice acting was okay but nothing spectacular. But I honestly found it very fun, though I don't know how it'll fare in single-player after you've been playing it a while.

So yeah, your opinion? Anyone tried it? Good or bad?

 

[nikosuave]

I tried it, it's good. I just don't really enjoy it as much as I should, it's just not my bag.

 

[lostclause]

I've only looked at the video but to me it seems like a cross between lego indy and lord of the rings. Still looks like fun though When is it coming out?

 

[Grayl]

Still looks like fun though When is it coming out?

10th July, at latest, apparently. That's for the PC though.

"For PSN, the release is "as soon as possible", I would say the 10th is a good starting point for that as well (well, closest Thursday is 9th), but I must stress that I have no certain date for PSN." -Frozenbyte developer Lauri.

 

[lostclause]

Any idea why it's delayed for the PSN? Think they've been asked to crank up the visuals?

 

[Grayl]

No idea. Though I hear it's a massive pain to make ANY game on the PS3, so that could have something to do with it. I don't think the graphics are a problem; they'd look best on a PC anyway, and if they were forced to upgrade the graphics I would assume they'd upgrade all versions.

 

[Brotherofwill]

I might pick this up if it has a decent price on the PS3. Haven't played the demo, is it out yet for the PS?

 

[Calobi]

I liked it. I've been following the development for some time and plan on getting it once it's released. I like the style of the art, and the story seems nice.

Edit: Does the demo have a co-op mode? I can't remember, but I remember reading that co-op was going to be introduced into the final version. Only 2 players, if I recall correctly, but still.

 

[Grayl]

Brotherofwill: I don't think there's a PS3 demo. I can't find any info anywhere about that, but I think it's worth a go on the PC anyway. Steam doesn't take long to download and neither does the demo. Price-wise I think it's about £20/$40, though I don't think that's been officially confirmed yet.

Calobi: The demo does have co-op mode, though as I said it's a little finicky. Once you've plugged in an extra gamepad, you have to click which control scheme you want, then click "Change". Then, once in-game, get the 2nd player to press the switch character button and it should throw them in right beside you. I don't think it'll work though until you've got past the bit where you train as each one individually. The full game is 3 player co-op for those that don't know, but I don't know about the demo.

I liked the art style too, and I thought the graphics were just right for the game. Glad to know I'm not the only one who's looking forward to it! I actually love the little retro style games that get released, especially if they're co-op.

 

[Flour]

Hmm, the demo will probably murder my computer.

If the game actually wants to start...(other recent games give me a black screen)

EDIT: great, downloaded and installed the demo, started playing and my graphics card nearly died.(black screen, sound still playing)Could be the heat, but I'm not going to risk anything until I get a new computer.

 

[Halfbreed13]

Combat is clunky, price is high, and the game looks short. I have my doubts.

 

[lostclause]

No idea. Though I hear it's a massive pain to make ANY game on the PS3, so that could have something to do with it. I don't think the graphics are a problem; they'd look best on a PC anyway, and if they were forced to upgrade the graphics I would assume they'd upgrade all versions.

I'm not to worried about graphic, can't afford to be with my pc. I'm just curious to know if they're forcing everyone to max out the PS3 potential. Recently there have been a bunch of companies threatening to leave sony on its own. It's only getting worse with the PSP go thing.

Edit: I sympathise with you flour.

 

[Grayl]

Combat is clunky, price is high, and the game looks short. I have my doubts.

I dunno, I found the combat refreshingly enjoyable. The price is a bit high, I do agree there, but I think it'll be worth it. I wouldn't dream of playing it through alone, though. To each their own, I guess.

I'm just curious to know if they're forcing everyone to max out the PS3 potential. Recently there have been a bunch of companies threatening to leave sony on its own.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I honestly don't know why it'd take longer to get on the PSN, but it is their first console game. Before that, they did Shadowgrounds [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowgrounds] and Shadowgrounds Survivor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowgrounds_Survivor] which were both PC/Linux games. That and they're an indie developer, so they're not exactly experts in the field.

Either way, at least it is coming to PS3s, especially with the way things are going recently.

 

[lostclause]

Those shadow land games also look good. Glad to hear they're indie, they always have interesting ideas.
e.g. http://achrongame.com/
This looks awesome too.

 

[Halfbreed13]

Combat is clunky, price is high, and the game looks short. I have my doubts.

I dunno, I found the combat refreshingly enjoyable. The price is a bit high, I do agree there, but I think it'll be worth it. I wouldn't dream of playing it through alone, though. To each their own, I guess.

I'm just curious to know if they're forcing everyone to max out the PS3 potential. Recently there have been a bunch of companies threatening to leave sony on its own.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I honestly don't know why it'd take longer to get on the PSN, but it is their first console game. Before that, they did Shadowgrounds [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowgrounds] and Shadowgrounds Survivor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowgrounds_Survivor] which were both PC/Linux games. That and they're an indie developer, so they're not exactly experts in the field.

Either way, at least it is coming to PS3s, especially with the way things are going recently.

I tried it some more, still, the Knight will randomly refuse to block or attack in the correct direction. The game won't sell on Steam like ZenoClash because ACE team has offered so much content for 20 and now 10 bucks. If there was user made content, I would be more willing, but it doesn't even seem to work with my 360 controller and how will multiplayer work on the PC?

 

[Grayl]

I tried it some more, still, the Knight will randomly refuse to block or attack in the correct direction. The game won't sell on Steam like ZenoClash because ACE team has offered so much content for 20 and now 10 bucks. If there was user made content, I would be more willing, but it doesn't even seem to work with my 360 controller and how will multiplayer work on the PC?

I found the controls worked fine, though it is easier to use a mouse and keyboard than a 360 controller. But, saying that, my brother found the controls fine and he was using the 360 controller.

It's good in multiplayer, though you can't play it online with others. In 2 player co-op you can switch characters whenever you want, just like in single-player. Of course, you're on screen at the same time, and help each other with your abilities. Just watch the second trailer [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgFxIopLANU] and it shows some of the moves you can do.

If you pre-order the game now, you get Shadowgrounds for free, though it's not a great game. It's fun in co-op, though. Frozenbyte tend to love their co-op games, and I have to say that I love co-op games too. But I still wouldn't suggest buying it unless you have someone to play it with, even though I still found it fun in single-player.

 

[Sartharion]

I made an account just to say this...

Trine is awesome but if you're gonna compare it to some other game do it right, the truth is Trine is pretty much The Lost Vikings (Blizzard Entertainment, 1992) a la 2009.