Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power (Hands-On) (PC) Preview

Trine 3 currently has four main stages levels: two story levels and two challenge courses. There is also an experimental 'amusement park' in which gamers can play with a number of objects to test out the abilities of the protagonists. The developers at Frozenbyte aim to launch the full game in Autumn 2015, with new levels and updates added throughout the Early Access period. Multiplayer action is also present, both online and locally, with support for up to three people at once. Any combination is possible, for example, two locally and one online, which will make finding a full cohort even easier than before.

Pontius the knight takes charge of introducing the world of Trine 3. Not much has changed for him but his hovering shield move is more impressive thanks to the jump into 3D taken by the design of levels. Also returning is the acrobatic thief, Zoya, with her famous bow and grappling hook, moving as agile and gracefully as ever. One of her best traits is the ability to swing from surface to surface, which, like Pontius' hovering, greatly demonstrates the new depth in level design. Finally, Amadeus steps out of a hut on the beach to pave the way forward as he conjures boxes and moves obstacles with his magical abilities.

The new 3D gameplay works well with all three characters and creates more design possibilities in each level. Not only can collectible experience vials be hidden in more locations, but the wonderful scenery can also be enjoyed from more intimate angles by moving through the world, not just in front of it. At times, progress is hindered by the fixed camera, which does not always move from its position, making it difficult to see any important features hidden in backdrops.

Boss battles have also been affected by the new mechanics as moving backwards and forwards, as well as from side to side, is necessary to avoid, for instance, a giant golem's attacks. Going on the offensive is reminiscent of the Zelda series as the boss' weak point is carefully woven into the design so that they don't look out of place, yet help the player work out how to topple the behemoth. Combat against lesser enemies is in the same hack 'n' slash style of previous titles but the new environments call for different tactics as foes can now circle around the protagonists.

It is reassuring to see that Frozenbyte hasn't put all its eggs into one basket by relying on the new plane to carry Trine 3, with some stages, in parts, following the traditional 2D approach. As always, using each hero's unique specialties is vital to progress, regardless of the layout of a level. New features, like using Zoya's grappling hook to drag levers, refresh the classic gameplay but change isn't always for the better. Amadeus' blocks are no longer conjured by drawing squares but simply by tapping a button, which removes one of the unique hooks of the originals.

In addition to the two story levels present in the Early Access build, there are two challenge stages to further test the skills of those hungry for more. These are ancillary to the main adventure and are introduced with stories separate from each other that serve to further develop the trio's characteristics. At the moment, only Zoya is available to play in this mode but it is only natural to expect trials and tribulations for the other two.

Outside of the levels that have been crafted with specific goals, there exists the amusement park sandbox. This is effectively a huge playground for players to experiment with their skills and manipulate a variety of objects and situations not currently found elsewhere. While traversing the white planes may feels a bit slow at times due to the expansive setting, it is very enjoyable and shows more of the game's huge potential.

This Early Access release may seem to be light on content, for now, but it comes bundled with a level editor to let its audience create stages for Pontius, Zoya, and Amadeus. The editor is very comprehensive and, thanks to Steam Workshop integration, it is easy to share new concepts around the world. A few creations have already popped up in the Steam Workshop and the developers recently released all the art assets that they have made so far to make it even easier for fans to create new mods.

After starting the first level, it doesn't take long to see how incredible The Artifacts of Power already looks. Even a modest 660 Ti graphics card does justice to the magnificent vistas of a farm basking in the light of the setting sun, forgotten ruins enveloped by forests, and the calming blue of a sparkling ocean sitting beside a golden beach. These locations are ready to explore at a steady 60 frames per second, which creates a fluid and beautiful experience. Accompanying the lovely visuals is the soundtrack, composed once again by Ari Pulkkinen. The music is very reminiscent of the classic Trine series theme, with a new twist to keep it fresh. The combined audio and visual delights make playing Trine 3 like living out a classic fantasy tale.