Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince returns the series to the beloved cooperative formula of the first two installments after the more experimental and divisively received third entry, taking the form of a 2.5D platformer with strong physics-based puzzle elements. Players control a trio of heroes - the sorceress Amadeus, the knight Pontius, and the thief Zoya - each with unique abilities used to solve environmental puzzles, move objects, levitate things, and overcome traps, either solo by switching between characters, or in co-op with up to four players engaged at once, with the game automatically adjusting puzzle layouts to the number of active characters.

On PS4 the game excels especially visually, with painterly, fairy-tale graphics full of light effects, fog, and elaborately crafted environments that rank among the most impressive in the whole series and in the genre in general. The environments shift smoothly from snowy forests through underground caves to grand castle halls, keeping visual variety throughout the campaign's length. The soundtrack builds a magical, dreamlike atmosphere fitting the theme of nightmares and dark fairy tales that inspire the story of the escaped prince. The puzzles require a combination of all the characters' abilities, and the game sensitively balances difficulty so it works both for solo play switching between roles and for a group playing together.

Trine 4 was received at launch as a successful return to the series' roots, correcting the mixed reception of the third installment and confirming that the combination of hand-painted graphics and physics-based puzzles still holds strong appeal for players. With this title, the Finnish studio Frozenbyte demonstrated maturity in handling the cooperative genre as well as the ability to listen to fan feedback. Today the game is recommended especially as an ideal title for playing together with family or friends thanks to its accessibility, visual beauty, and gentle difficulty.

Why play it: For playing together with family or friends - a return to the series' roots after the mixed reception of the third installment, with hand-painted graphics, physics-based puzzles, and gentle difficulty.