Trine 2 is one of those games that comes out of nowhere and smacks you in the face with how good it is. We didn't get a review copy sent to us, and I had to search to find one (I don't use Steam very often) and it almost came off of our review list. After playing through it in the course of one night - I'm glad we didn't. Breathtakingly beautiful and full of smooth gameplay; Trine 2 is the definition of a sleeper hit and though it doesn't have the greatest story, everything is so well done that this is a game that's hard to ignore. You want my advice? Seek out Trine 2.

The first thing you'll notice about Trine 2 is just how distinctly beautiful it all is. The game features a storybook inspired art style that is so well defined that it's almost breathtaking. It's not often that 2D platformers like this have levels that literally make you stop and stare at just what the developers have done, but Trine 2 does just that - and it's equally successful throughout different styles. The gloomier levels drip with mood, and the outside tropical levels found later in the game are simply stunning. On top of that, everything animates quite well, and the voice work is also well done - for the most part. While most characters are believable, some of the secondary characters were almost cringe worthy.

"...there are plenty of secrets to go through and find..."

Trine 2 features the same three characters from the original, the thief, the knight and the wizard as the reunite and try to save the kingdom from goblins and other baddies. In other words, the same story from every other fantasy RPG. It's a lame attempt at a story, but it's also easy to ignore. Simply go forth and defeat evil creatures. As you go through, there are plenty of secrets to go through and find, and you're likely to miss some of them on your first play through. Most will “finish” Trine 2 in under six hours, but you're going to want to go back and find everything to get the full experience.

The core gameplay of Trine 2, the platforming and puzzles are pretty straight forward, but it's how well the mechanics work that make it such a special game. Each of the three heroes has a distinct set of abilities and powers, and picking which one you need to use in certain situations is incredibly rewarding, and different depending on just how you're playing. In the single player mode for instance, only one character can appear on screen at one time, but you have the ability to switch between them freely. As you might expect, playing co-op either online or local is the most fun way to play the game, and you're going to want to experience it.

"The puzzles in Trine 2 were incredibly rewarding and unexpectedly fun."

The puzzles in Trine 2 were incredibly rewarding and unexpectedly fun. Playing through, they offer a very distinct diversion from the co-op gameplay found throughout most of the game. In most cases, the game clearly suggests a single way to solve a puzzle, but the true fun of the game comes when you find a way that the game doesn't want you to find.

With its fantastic visuals, impressive voice work and smooth gameplay, Trine 2 feels like one of those spectacular games that comes out of nowhere and just wows you to no end. Unfortunately, it comes out amidst one of the best holiday seasons for gaming. But if you're looking for a fun co-op experience filled with personality search out and find Trine 2.