Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy Reviews

[h1]Review after 100%[/h1] Hello, this is my review for Trine 5: A Clockwork conspiracy after reaching 100 % Steam achievements. [h2]Graphics: 9/10[/h2] [b]Trine 5 looks fantastic.[/b] It’s arguably one of the most beautiful games available today, and certainly the most stunning 2.5D game. Across 20 levels, you explore a remarkable variety of environments. Just when you think you’ve seen the most breathtaking landscape, the next level surpasses it. Each new level is a delight, whether it’s a forest, a meadow, a town under siege, a submarine, an airship, or caverns filled with gemstones. [b]The atmosphere[/b] is exceptional and the attention to detail is splendid. The little details in your surroundings often provide helpful hints, rewarding players who take the time to look closely. But there is also so much beauty to behold that is not relevant to the gameplay. A random cat may appear in the background, following your progress for a while. Suddenly, a fox might show up, prompting comments from the Heroes of Trine. In one level, friendly lizards blend so perfectly into the environment that I initially didn’t even notice them! Sometimes, these animals will assist you on your journey. This is a hallmark of Trine, and this time they have truly outdone themselves. Also, this is the first Trine game where I can confidently say that the [b]cutscenes are excellent[/b]. [h2]Sound: 10/10[/h2] Ari Pulkkinen has composed every Trine soundtrack since the first game, and Trine 5 features [b]one of the best video game soundtracks[/b]. It complements the stunning graphics beautifully, with music that fits each environment perfectly. The auditory feedback is also very well executed. The [b]voice acting is impressive[/b]. Full audio support is available in English, French, German, and Spanish; this is quite unusual for a game at this price point. I can vouch for the French, English, and German versions, but I haven’t tested the others. [h2]Gameplay: 9/10[/h2] The puzzles strike a perfect balance; they are [b]neither too hard nor too easy[/b]. In Trine 5, you can also adjust the difficulty level for the puzzles—a feature missing in Trine 4. On higher difficulty settings, Trine 5 becomes significantly more challenging, and I wouldn’t recommend playing on the highest difficulty during your first run; while it’s possible, it can be frustrating at times (I can attest to that from experience). For your first playthrough, the normal difficulty setting will be ideal for most players. The Heroes of Trine gain [b]new abilities[/b] even in the final Act, keeping the experience exciting. By the end, you’ll have a diverse collection of abilities to remember for solving puzzles. It’s wise to keep this in mind if you take a break from playing Trine 5. Character movement feels smooth and responsive, enhancing the platforming experience. Boss fights are well-crafted. For instance, the boss fight in the Magic Tower was excellent, combining combat and puzzle-solving In each level, except the last one, you can collect experience points (green bottles or crystals) and clothing pieces for the Heroes (headwear and backpacks). I found all [b]collectables[/b]—except for one—without using a guide. Some are well hidden, but searching for them is enjoyable and never feels unfair. The hunt for collectables transforms Trine 5 into a Easter egg hunt. The game also indicates how many collectables are in each level section and how many you’ve already found, allowing you to jump back to areas where you missed something. Usually, I’m not a huge fan of collectables, but Trine 5 made them fun. Your regular [b]enemies[/b] are Mechanical Knights or gang members of anthropomorphic rats.These encounters are serviceable but arguably one of the weaker aspects of the game. They lack variety, especially given the length of Trine 5. However, I found the fights more enjoyable in Trine 5 than in Trine 4. Combat with regular enemies is infrequent and often serves as a welcome diversion. You can also lower the difficulty for these encounters individually, so if they become annoying, there’s an easy fix. I have not yet played multiplayer, so I have to leave this point for now. [h2]Story: 8/10[/h2] [b]There’s something truly enchanting about the Trine series, and Trine 5 is as charming as ever.[/b] If you’re in search of a ‘wholesome’ game set in a fantastical world, look no further. The pacing of the story flows seamlessly, keeping players engaged throughout. Character-wise, the Heroes of Trine—Amadeus, Pontius, and Zoya—complement each other beautifully. Their interactions drive the narrative, making them genuinely memorable.The ‘party banter’ among the Heroes occurs more frequently in Trine 5, often eliciting laughter. Amadeus is perpetually anxious—sometimes justifiably so, other times out of sheer hysteria; Pontius stands ready to champion goodness, though he can be a bit gullible; and Zoya’s refreshingly pragmatic approach occasionally borders on insensitivity, particularly towards the ever-fearful Amadeus. I found myself laughing frequently. The Narrator introduces each level, infusing your adventure with a fairy tale ambiance. The pacing is expertly crafted, reflected in the level design, where brighter and darker environments alternate. The villains are well-developed, which is no small feat.They embody the ‘laughably evil’ archetype, yet they are far from ‘harmless’. While the world of Trine may appear enchanting and fairy-like in many levels, it is no ‘Sugar Bowl’ realm; there is the feeling of real and imminent danger. However, the overall story may feel a bit predictable, lacking enigmas or unexpected twists. [h2]Miscellaneous[/h2] The developers are highly responsive and they actively assist players in the Discussions section on Steam. For instance, I’ve seen a developer guiding a player through the specifics of a Steam achievement. [h2]Overall rating: 9/10[/h2] [h2]Conclusion[/h2] I find it inconceivable that Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy has, as of now, garnered only around 2,000 reviews on Steam. It stands as the best entry in the Trine series and is undoubtedly one of the most polished and charming platformers available. Since Trine 2, the series has evolved significantly. After experiencing Trine 5, I revisited Trine 2: Complete Story, and while it still holds up remarkably well even a decade after its release, it does show its age. In comparison to Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince, Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is the more refined game in every aspect, making it my recommendation for newcomers. I would suggest to the developers that they consider including a demo for Trine 5, featuring the first four levels. Many players may be unfamiliar with this genre, as the Trine series is truly ‘one of a kind’. A demo could attract a wider audience. Thank you for reading!

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy continues the beloved series with its signature blend of enchanting storytelling, puzzle-solving, and platforming challenges. The game follows the familiar trio—Amadeus the wizard, Zoya the thief, and Pontius the knight—as they uncover a mysterious conspiracy threatening their kingdom. While the story itself leans on familiar fantasy tropes and sometimes feels predictable, the charming personalities of the heroes and their witty interactions keep the narrative engaging and lighthearted. Visually, the game impresses with beautifully crafted environments that range from verdant forests to detailed castle interiors. The vibrant color palette and dynamic lighting effects create a magical atmosphere that draws players deeper into the world. Although the overall presentation is polished, occasional inconsistencies in character models during cutscenes can be a minor distraction, but these moments don’t significantly detract from the overall visual appeal. Gameplay revolves around utilizing each character’s unique skills to navigate through cleverly designed puzzles and platforming sections. Amadeus’s ability to conjure objects, Zoya’s grappling hook and archery skills, and Pontius’s brute strength are all essential to progressing. The puzzles encourage creative thinking and teamwork, though at times they can feel a bit repetitive. The game introduces new abilities to keep things fresh, but managing the growing skill set can occasionally become overwhelming, especially during more complex challenges. Combat remains one of the less refined aspects of the game. Although there are more enemy types and boss encounters compared to earlier titles, the fighting mechanics feel somewhat simplistic and don’t offer much depth. Combat sequences sometimes interrupt the flow of puzzle-solving and platforming, making them feel more like an afterthought. However, adjustable difficulty settings allow players to focus on the aspects they enjoy most, whether that’s the puzzles or the combat. Where Trine 5 truly shines is in its cooperative multiplayer mode. Playing alongside friends makes the experience more dynamic and fun, as coordination between the characters’ distinct abilities becomes vital to overcoming obstacles. The game’s design heavily encourages teamwork, and the puzzles feel especially rewarding when solved together, adding to the overall enjoyment. In summary, Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy offers a charming and visually captivating adventure that builds on the strengths of the series. While it doesn’t break new ground and struggles with combat and narrative depth, its engaging puzzles, cooperative gameplay, and magical world make it a satisfying experience for fans of the franchise and platforming puzzle games alike. Rating: 9/10

Challenging puzzles, but overall great new entry to the Trine Franchise! - Must play!

Such a gorgeous game and love the music too.

The series has gone somewhat stale. It still is very similar to first games and probably works great for someone new to the series but as someone who has played all the games before it just didn't have anything new to provide. This is the first Trine that I failed to finish simply because of boredom and the game not really providing anything interesting anymore. There is perhaps evolving personal taste as well which translates badly to other gamers but meh. So consider this thumbs up instead if you've never tried the series though I'd recommend also trying Trine 3 specifically.

Loved the game, it brings back the essence from the first Trine game and gives it a bit of a boost to difficulty

Normally, I write long and elaborate reviews. But for this game, I have only a short one. For a puzzle game, the puzzles are horribly obtuse and unintuitive. Trine 1 and 2 really allowed for creative solutions with the few but extremely useful tools they gave us. The writing was on the wall in the "Melody of Mystery" DLC, but I picked this game up against my better judgement. Should have listened to my gut feeling about it. It gives MANY puzzle solving tools, unlike 1 and 2, but the puzzles feel so horribly unintuitive unlike in Trine 1 and 2. Sorry, that's a thumbs down.

That's basically the same thing as Trine 4. It seems the devs found a good recipe and they kept going.

You are going to be either happy or unhappy with this just as much as you were with Trine 4. The difference is not night and day. Just a solid continuation to a great story with a handful new features.

Multiplayer desync all the time requiring a game reboot to be able to play together again. Last update being 9 months old, it will never be fixed.