Taken from an interview at 1up:
We hear game developers working on sequels say this time after time and it begans to sound cliché. For example, High Voltage’s latest trailer for Conduit 2 boasts that it will be, “Bigger, Bolder, Better”. Developers claim their game will be a significant improvement of the original, yet sometimes (perhaps even often) that is not the case. However, with the inclusion of several new gameplay elements and the introduction of co-op play, Trine 2 is on track to improving upon an already fun experience.
What’s great about the levels and the puzzles is that they support a great number of “solutions”: there’s no one way of doing things, getting past obstacles and so on. You always have multiple choices, even in single-player. Co-op adds another layer of possibilities and that’s going to provide some nice replay value too.”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bo79YcguDQ
Trine 2 is sticking with Trine’s Knight-Thief-Wizard formula, but is majorly expanding upon the story by fleshing out the three heroes and weaving more non-playable characters into the narrative. The three playable character’s powers will be a well rounded mix of favorites from the original game and completely new powers, including the Thief’s “time-slow” ability which was supposed to be in the original.
The art style and music of the original Trine were stunning and Frozenbyte is taking the graphics to the next level as well as bringing back the original composer, Ari Pulkkinen, who couldn’t wait to work on Trine 2.
Mushrooms may have had more to do with the production of Trine 2 than you would have guessed, and this will probably be most evident in Frozenbyte CEO’s favorite level.
The world in Trine 2 also feels a lot more alive – trees, bushes and other plants and vegetation move in the wind and so forth; a lot of nice touches everywhere . . . and the artists have had complete freedom starting from day one. It’s like they’re running around naked in a field of flowers and rainbows and doing whatever they want. Only that they’re not naked in the office. Well, most of the time anyway.”
When met with the question of whether we will be seeing Trine or Trine 2 on a handheld platform, they said that they had thought about it, but the amount of processing power required to run the game made it a difficult transition. Perhaps the 3DS will pack enough processing horsepower under the hood to make the notion of a handheld Trine a reality?
After thinking about it some more, Frozenbyte admitted processing power wasn’t the only reason they are wary to take the time to port Trine.
Even though I’d love to see a portable Trine, I can’t help but love their attitude. The best games are made by people that care about them and possess a desire to push the envelope by creating new things. This is what keeps the industry moving.
Based on what we have seen thus far, I can’t wait to get a hold of Trine 2. It looks to be an amazing mashup of what was good from the first along with brand new ideas and settings. I’ll be waiting patiently to see if Trine 2 carries on the magic of the first while simultaneously adding new features.
Did you enjoy Trine and are you looking forward to its sequel, Trine 2? What do you think of Frozenbyte’s willingness to allow their artists complete artistic freedom?
Trine 2 will be released in 2011 for PC and PSN and is rumored to be making its way to XBLA as well.
Source: 1up
