Finnish development studio Frozenbyte developed a wide variety of titles since its founding back in 2001, but if there is one franchise that truly defines the studio is the Trine series. What started as a straightforward mix of side-scrolling platforming, puzzle, and action mechanics evolved into a slightly more complex experience, whose culmination will be the fifth entry in the series, which will be called Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy.
Despite being the fifth entry in a long-running series, Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy will be an extremely accessible game that both fans and newcomers will be able to enjoy. For starters, the engaging story, which will see players fight off an army of clockwork knights who have usurped the kingdom, will not require knowledge of the previous four entries in the series, although those who did not play the previous games will not catch the many references the upcoming game will feature.
A story that is easy to understand and follow for both newcomers and veterans of the series is only one of the features that will make Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy incredibly accessible. The game will feature multiple difficulty settings for both puzzles and combat, so those who just want to enjoy the story or immerse themselves in the game’s beautiful visuals and colorful world will be able to do so without any trouble. On the other hand, those looking for a challenging experience will be able to tailor the game’s difficulty to their skill level. No matter the difficulty, players who get into the Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy world will be stuck in it for quite some time, as the fifth entry in the series will be the longest Trine game to date.
Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy won’t just be the longest entry in the series yet, but also the biggest, upping the ante in every possible way. The three main characters – the Knight, the Wizard, and the Thief, will all come with the classic abilities fans of the series already know, as well as new abilities that expand combat and puzzle-solving capabilities. The Knight, for example, can wield his shield to reflect light. The Thief, to make another, is now capable of using a ricochet shot that is extremely useful during puzzle-solving. Puzzles themselves are more complex than ever before, requiring players to manipulate more elements such as fire and air or take advantage of magnetism and physics properly to solve. The Skill system has also been revamped, as players can learn new skills and enhance already unlocked ones by spending experience obtained by getting orbs scattered all over the game’s stages. Skills that are critical for progression will be unlocked by character-specific Skill Quests, so players can use their experience points however they want without being forced to invest them in required skills.
Regarding puzzle solving, Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy features a very interesting approach that will make the experience enjoyable to both solo players and those who like to team up with others. While the game is very much intended to be played in the co-op mode for up to four players (online and offline), Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy will still be enjoyable if played solo, as puzzles will be slightly altered depending if the game is being played in single player or multiplayer mode.
Not just puzzles have been expanded in Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy. Combat will be more involving and challenging than ever, especially at higher difficulties, and players will have to use all of their characters’ abilities to win. Boss battles, in particular, look extremely engaging, as Frozenbyte has woven puzzles solving into them in intriguing ways, mixing all the signature elements of the Trine experience.
While it is definitely too early to say, it looks like the long wait for Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy will be worth it. Sadly, the timing is not yet clear, as the game will launch on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on a yet-to-be-determined release date.
