Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power

About Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power

Frozenbyte dropped Trine 3 in August 2015 as the third chapter of their physics puzzle series. You control Amadeus, Pontius, and Zoya as they hunt down broken magical shards across a hand-painted world. This entry launched on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and Linux Mac systems. The story kicks off when the trio tries to return their powers to the Trine artifact but accidentally shatter it instead. Now an ancient sorcerer without a heart roams free while our heroes scramble to fix their mess. It stays true to the franchise roots while adding new mechanics to keep things fresh for veterans and newcomers alike.

Gameplay

Sessions involve switching between three characters to solve physics puzzles or fight off enemies. You might use Zoya to grab distant switches with her grappling hook, then swap to Pontius to smash a broken bridge. Amadeus often creates platforms or lifts heavy objects that no one else can move. Combat feels weighty since Pontius wields a sword and shield while the wizard throws spells. The co-op mode lets three players control each hero simultaneously on separate screens or in split-screen. You constantly juggle inventory items like magical orbs to unlock new abilities. Some levels require precise timing as you coordinate attacks with environmental hazards to clear a path forward.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows mixed feelings among our users who have logged over 12 hours per run on average. The community rate sits at 63.5 out of 100 based on 109 IGDB ratings, which suggests the title feels uneven to many players. Completion rates hover around 40 percent for the main story, with a significant drop-off during the final chapters. Community mood tags lean toward "challenging" and "visual," yet frustration appears in reviews citing repetitive level designs. Critics praise the art style but note that the control scheme feels clunky compared to previous entries. Achievement hunters find about 75 percent of titles obtainable, though some require perfect execution in specific co-op scenarios.

PlayPile's Take

This title costs as little as 3.20 dollars on sale, making it a steal for puzzle fans who tolerate minor flaws. The game works best if you enjoy physics manipulation and have friends to play with locally or online. Single players will find the controls occasionally frustrating but manageable once they get used to switching characters quickly. You should skip this if you expect deep narrative or tight combat mechanics since those areas feel undercooked. The visual style remains a strong point even when gameplay stumbles. Grab it during a sale and treat it as a casual weekend activity rather than a must-play masterpiece.

Storyline

Amadeus the Wizard, Pontius the Knight, and Zoya the Thief have slowly come to the conclusion that having their lives commandeered by a powerful magical artifact is not a desirable state of existence on a permanent basis. The heroes try to return their extraordinary gifts to the Artifact called Trine, and so they meddle with powers beyond their understanding. Trine shatters. With a literally heartless ancient sorcerer on the loose, and only a broken artifact to guide them, the heroes must try and repair the damage they've caused... or the damage that might yet be done.