Trine (Novilis; PC, PS3; rated everyone)

This side-scrolling action game is like many that have been released recently that operate in two dimensions — you move the characters left and right, up and down — but are presented with 3D graphics. How Trine sets itself apart, however, is by telling a compelling story set in a place of wizards, knights, and thieves.

You’ll play as all three of those character types, too, as the trio of heroes find themselves trying to restore a kingdom in decay. Each of them is voiced by actors that are skilled enough to enliven the characters, and a narrator, sounding like a eminence grise, provides setting and context for the tale.

While there are enemies to fight, the challenges with Trine come from the environmental puzzles that you’ll solve in order to continue with your quest. There are multiple solutions to these puzzles, so you can use any of the characters to figure them out. To get up to a balcony, for example, the thief can use her grappling hook, the wizard can create and levitate a stone block to climb upon, or the knight could smash the supports to bring the balcony to him.

Trine is a simple and fun game to play, only elevated by the art direction and voice acting.

Cross-posted at the Georgia Straight