Trine 5 A Clockwork Conspiracy Review – Puzzles, Progression, and Playability

If you’re looking for a change of pace from the world of rogues, wizards, and knights in Baldur’s Gate 3, I’d like to suggest diving into the enchanting realm of Trine 5 A Clockwork Conspiracy. This latest installment in the series continues the tradition of delivering outstanding puzzle-platforming adventures. While it stays true to Trine’s established cooperative gameplay, it introduces some significant enhancements that elevate the experience. 

One notable improvement is the increased difficulty and complexity of the puzzles, offering a more satisfying challenge for players. Trine 5 also builds upon the progression system introduced in Trine 4, providing a deeper sense of character development. Moreover, it features a collection of unique and memorable boss fights that add an exciting dimension to the gameplay.

However, it’s worth mentioning that Trine 5 still grapples with the series’ tendency to include rather mundane combat sections that can feel like filler in an otherwise engaging adventure. Additionally, the game’s storyline may not shine as brightly as its exceptional puzzles and platforming challenges.

Trine 5: A Return to Form with Challenging Puzzles

Trine 5 continues the tradition of its predecessors (excluding the controversial Trine 3) as a 2.5D puzzle platformer, where you and up to two co-op partners take on the roles of the series’ iconic trio: the anxious wizard Amadeus, the stout knight Pontius, and the nimble thief Zoya. The game’s story kicks off with an unusual twist as an evil queen, who already rules the kingdom, decides to conquer it again, this time using an army of robotic soldiers. While the main antagonist is comically villainous, the lack of a compelling foe is somewhat offset by the charming and well-written protagonists. However, the storyline remains quite predictable and fails to captivate, a common trait in the series.

One of the standout improvements in Trine 5 is the increased difficulty of puzzles, a welcome change following Trine 4’s relatively mundane challenges. Even experienced puzzle solvers will find themselves genuinely stumped for minutes at a time during the game’s 10-hour story. This uptick in complexity adds a refreshing layer of depth to the gameplay experience.

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Trine 5’s Complexity: A Symphony of Abilities

Much of Trine 5’s increased difficulty stems from the wide array of abilities each character gains by the game’s conclusion. This wealth of abilities can lead players to occasionally forget about a tool in their kit or overlook the potential interactions between new and old abilities, resulting in fresh and inventive solutions. For instance, Amadeus’s gravity-reversing ability applied to his summoned objects, when combined with Zoya’s teleportation skill, opens up previously inaccessible areas. These clever interactions are frequent and exhilarating when they finally click.

Another exciting aspect is the presence of multiple solutions for some puzzles, encouraging players to get creative. While there’s often a “right” way to solve each obstacle, those who can’t figure it out or simply want to experiment can often find alternative approaches by cleverly employing their abilities, attempting the unexpected, or relying on luck. Additionally, the ability to revisit earlier levels with newly acquired powers from the story adds another layer of complexity, offering fresh perspectives on old challenges and revealing secret areas that were previously out of reach. This encourages players to revisit and explore previous stages, making the journey all the more rewarding.

Multiplayer Dynamics Shine, While Combat Lags Behind in Trine 5

Trine 5 carries forward a feature from Trine 4, where puzzles adapt to the number of players involved, often making the cooperative versions feel like the definitive experience. For example, a solo section might allow you to drag a cart to progress, but with co-op partners, you’ll find the cart tied up, requiring one player to cut it free while another pulls it. While some sections introduce a few extra levers or pressure plates to keep multiple players engaged while one solves the puzzle, these instances can feel less inspired. Nevertheless, whether solo or in a group, each version offers a satisfying challenge, which is a notable improvement.

However, combat remains a persistent weak point in the Trine series, with its inclusion remaining somewhat puzzling. Engaging in battles with mundane robots and rat warriors often feels tedious, lacking any strategic depth or evolving mechanics. The combat segments tend to disrupt the flow of the game, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable experience. Fortunately, these combat encounters are relatively brief, allowing players to swiftly return to the more engaging platforming elements that define the series.

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Mixed Combat Experiences in Trine 5 A Clockwork Conspiracy

Combat in Trine 5, particularly when one player is assigned Amadeus, can be a less enjoyable experience, especially in the early stages when his combat abilities are limited. In classic mode, where only one copy of each character is allowed, players controlling Amadeus may often find themselves sidelined, watching their friends tackle enemies while trying to avoid getting in harm’s way. The imbalance in combat roles can be quite amusing, but it can also lead to some frustration.

However, there are exceptions to these underwhelming combat encounters, and they come in the form of boss battles. Boss fights in Trine 5 usually prove to be enjoyable because they incorporate puzzle elements. Typically, before you can damage a boss, you must first discover a method to lower their armor or break through their protective barrier. As the battle progresses, the boss actively works to thwart your attempts to repeat the same tactic. For example, in one encounter, you might use a cannon to attack the boss, but then they could disable your cannonballs. To adapt, you must cleverly manipulate the environment, perhaps turning a cabbage into stone, to use as alternative ammunition. These innovative mechanics integrated into combat segments align with the game’s puzzle-centric strengths and provide engaging and memorable encounters.

Enhancing the Trine 5 Experience: Difficulty Options and Multiplayer Modes

Trine 5 offers various difficulty and multiplayer options to add depth to the gameplay experience. The inclusion of a hard mode provides a challenging platforming experience, with just a single respawn available per section. However, this mode can amplify the frustrations of combat, making it even more exasperating.

The “unlimited” multiplayer mode, accommodating up to four players without restrictions on character selection, can be enjoyable for some light-hearted fun or when you have a fourth player eager to join. Nevertheless, not all levels are optimized for the chaos that ensues when everyone plays the same character, potentially leading to puzzle-solving shortcuts and general mayhem.

Trine 5 expands on the progression system introduced in Trine 4, offering numerous character improvements, including game-changing abilities. For instance, Pontius gains the ability to glide with his shield, opening up new maneuvers. However, many of these upgrades are combat-centric, which may not be the best investment given the game’s combat limitations. Choosing combat abilities can make these segments somewhat quicker, but they often feel like a less rewarding use of character progression points compared to abilities that enhance puzzle-solving capabilities.

Verdict

“Trine 5 A Clockwork Conspiracy” proves to be a commendable sequel, upholding the high standards set by one of the finest co-op puzzle-platformer series available. This installment introduces a set of puzzles that stands among the series’ most challenging and engaging. The boss battles are both imaginative and original, offering memorable moments in the game. However, these high points are occasionally overshadowed by less exciting combat segments and a somewhat predictable story.

While Trine 5 may not break new ground, it succeeds in honing and perfecting its existing strengths It incorporates meaningful adjustments to the formula, ensuring a satisfying experience that justifies multiple playthroughs.

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