I will be the first to admit I have been one of those people complaining about the mass influx of puzzle platformers. I even thought up an acronym: YAPP (Yet Another Puzzle Platformer) and have been downright avoiding them. I only bought Trine because it was on sale...and I'm glad I did. Trine is one of my favorite games. It's not a "kiddy" game. It's not exactly a "retro" game. The puzzles are challenging, but also fun and satisfying. Knowing which of the three characters to use for each part is half the fun. The graphics are 3D and highly detailed, and when you change characters, the perspective even changes slightly. The keys are well mapped and the controls are intuitive. Despite the highly detailed graphics, the game brings back memories of Apple II/C64 platformers like Crisis Mountain and Dino Eggs, with a little Miner 2049er thrown in. It also brings in many modern twists such as realistic world physics, and knowledge of these physics will greatly help you solve the puzzles. Even the magic relies on realistic physics, and it's not just zapping fireballs everywhere. If you love platformers, buy this game and experience it. If you are sick of puzzle platformers, buy this game anyway and see just how a game can be great and a modern classic even if it's from an oversaturated genre. There are many YAPPS out there. Trine isn't one of them.
First off, the game is quite good, and it is an excellent homage to LucasArts' adventures, with a Cartoon Network-y graphics style and wry, dry, hilarious British humor. My only complaint; we actually BUY as in PAY MONEY for the game here. When you boot the game up, however, it asks you to donate more money. That's extremely shoddy for a game that is not freeware but is being PURCHASED by people here on GOG. I will definitely make this five stars if they send a patch to change that. GOG takes pride in selling full versions and not shareware or donationware, so this type of thing also is making GOG look bad. Buy the game, enjoy the game, but just remember-you already paid for it, so ignore the hand the developer is thrusting out at you.
At first glance, I said, "not my cup of tea" and had no interest in buying this. I admit that freely. Then, at one of the sales I got the game as part of a deal. It took a while to generate the interest to try it. Once I did, I was hooked. Every day on the train to and from LA, I plug my computer in on the train and take off to the universe of FTL. If you want something that is part table-top board game, a little bit (and I stress a little bit) Roguelike, and ultimately very original it its design, give this one a try. Despite them being little more than stick figures, you actually become attached to your crew members. I had to stop for a while when one of my helmspeople died because I was so distraught. She gave her life to fix the oxygen, and she saved the rest of the crew. I retired that name and will not name any new crewmembers after her. I did name a ship after her, though, and the Emma lasted for a long time and destroyed many rebel ships and pirates. Give this one a try if you like space opera, and maybe you can even write your own space operas as you command your cosmic crews.
I will wholeheartedly admit I am not a fan of this storm of cartoony platformers coming from indie developers. Just as I was getting ready to scream "Uncle!" and "Enough already!" this one comes along. It is both wildly original and retro at the same time. The graphics really make this look like the Colecovision (very old console) port of an arcade game that was hugely popular in an alternate reality version of Earth. The level design and the gravity twist are innovative despite this having graphics more out of 1986 than 2013 (which, in this game, is not meant to be a criticism.) Again, I admit I am one of those who has been cringing at the string of cartoony platformers, but if more are like this, I will stop cringing. At this price, it's literally a steal.
At first glance, it may seem like $10 is a lot for a set of arcade shoot 'em ups, but I spent more money than this each day playing Raiden in college. This is one of the great scrolling shooters. It is fast, but it is not impossibly so. It is very playable, and even is a joy when using a keyboard for controls. It doesn't have a spectacular story (it's a shoot-'em-up) but it compels you to keep shooting until the ending. If you like a good shoot 'em up, and/or you want to relive the age of arcades, give this one a try.
In his BTTF song, Thomas F. Wilson (an excellent stand-up comic and the original Biff) sings "Back to the Future IV-not happening". He's right as far as movies are concerned, but this game IS BTTF4! As others have said, the story picks up right from where BTTF3 left off. The voice acting is top notch as well. Of course only Christopher Lloyd can do Doc Brown, and here he does! The Marty actor really sounds like Michael J. Fox. As for Mr. Fox, he's not completely out of the picture...and if you (like me) actually preferred the first Jennifer, here she is again! No kidding! As for the game play, it's your choice. With full hints, you can fly through the story as if you're watching BTTF4, and the puzzles are somewhat easy, or you can leave off the hints and figure it out for yourself. If you are a BTTF fan, I highly recommend this title. As far as being a hardcore adventure gamer, it's good, but not really that challenging. Still, just the opportunity to have more BTTF The graphics are cartoony, but even so, this is way better than any type of live-action "reboot" with Justin Beiber or anything like that.
As many people here have said, this would have been an excellent game if it were given a different name. As an action RPG, it works quite well, and is groundbreaking in the genre. As a follow-up to the role playing classic Ultima VII, however, it is extremely disappointing. It is not without merit, however. Here is a look at some of the bad and some of the good features of the game, starting with bad. -No more party- The Avatar's companions were an important part of the Ultima experience from IV-VII, and their banter was often funny and usually entertaining. They became like old friends. This game goes back to I-III and the Underworlds with a lone adventurer. -No more portraits- Character portraits were added in VI and kept in VII but abandoned here and in IX. -No more day/night cycle- In Pagan, it is the same all the time. No weather, no day/night, just the same dark palette. -Less interactivity- This game is more along the lines of Diablo and the like, with the Avatar basically just walking around, talking to people, and fighting. No more baking bread, etc. -Arcade elements- With no more resurrection, these arcade elements move the player away from strategy and role playing to relying on arcade eye-hand coordination. Ultima doesn't work well as an arcade game. -Barely detectable traps- Don't be surprised if the avatar suddenly falls into lava and dies. While there are cracks in the ground as a "warning", too many of these are hard to see. -Water of death- although The Avatar managed to flail around after dropped into the water, any other contact with water means instant death. -no resurrection- when The Avatar is killed , a tombstone appears and you need to go to a save or start over completely. -No choice in Avatar traits. The Avatar is always a male character with a tin can on his head. There is no way to choose a female or choose features. These are just a few, given as an example. Now for the good things: -The game has an interesting story, if you are able to survive through it. -Your actions have consequences in the world, and you are constantly tested; The Avatar is often forced to test his virtues. -Psychedelic mushrooms- When the world gets too depressing, The Avatar can briefly forget his problems by tripping on 'shrooms. -Good action sequences- The game has no lack of action and some intense sequences. -Plot twists- There are quite a few interesting plot twists in the game's story. There are more, but these are an example of some of the games virtues. Overall, to enjoy the game, try not to think of it as a cardinal Ultima, but just as an action RPG with some characters and situations suggestive of Ultima. This may have worked as a side project, like the Nintendo Ultima Runes of Virtue games, but as a main Ultima it misses the mark. Still it is well worth $6.
