Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy continues the proven recipe of the Finnish studio Frozenbyte: a blend of fairy-tale, hand-painted visuals and a cooperative platformer for three players who control a wizard, a knight and a thief with entirely different abilities. While the wizard can conjure and move objects, the knight relies on the strength of his sword and shield and the thief on her bow and grappling rope, so every puzzle offers several different solutions depending on which character the player is currently controlling.

The fifth installment turns away from the darker tone of the previous entries and back to the fairy-tale atmosphere of the first games, with colorful environments inspired by clockwork and mechanical contraptions, which gave the game its subtitle, Clockwork Conspiracy. Physics puzzles remain the core of the gameplay, and even years later the game keeps a visually impressive style with painted backdrops and atmospheric music that works well both in single-player and in co-op for up to three players at once, online as well as locally.

Critics praised the return to a more playful atmosphere and the still inventive puzzle design, although for years they have also reproached the series for not evolving much in terms of gameplay and relying on a tried-and-tested formula. Even so, Trine 5 confirms that Frozenbyte knows how to create a visually timeless cooperative platformer that appeals to longtime fans of the series as well as to new players looking for a relaxed game suitable for playing with family or friends.