2/2

Prinnies, Into Battle
The battle system is turned based, although it implements a real-time action system when you start a characters action. This gives you a limit amount of time based off the characters AP (which can be increased) to perform an action. There are four actions you can perform that are all tied to a button press, and these actions are rush and strong attacks, magic and skills. Skills are the only action you can customize (like healing, items activation, and special attacks) and the others are predetermined with several button-press combos similar to a hack n’ slash fighting game. The trick here, enter the combo before you AP runs out.

Deeping the experience off of the basics is a chain combo system that can used to combine skills for attacks, or activate bonus in rapid succession. This is when Trinity Universe starts to come alive and makes even mundane battles interesting. This “quicker” battling mechanic blending of real-time attacks, super combos, and a turned-based foundation is really what makes Trinity Universe special. There is enough her for most RPG enthusiasts to grab a hold of with an underlined strategy element that comes into play the more you play.

Powered Up
Like any good RPG you can get deeply involved in customizing your characters, creating special managraphics (skins that power-up your weapons), and evolving skills. You will likely stick to a certain formula once you get a rhythm going, however, if you want to go crazy with customization you can. Thankfully for those who don’t have the time to get too involved, one team of a characters will service you through the game without worrying too much on levelling up your entire party and apprehending hard to find materials to build the ultimate weapon. Normal progression is wonderfully paced and even though it’s not as rewarding to skip over some features, you can still have fun going bareboned.

Start Slow, Finish Strong
One big complaint with Trinity Universe is that it takes too long before it really starts to take off. The first hour will be gruelling slow as you read text and move on to each section. The beep, beeping of the tutorial queen Macaroon doesn't help things when she is constantly popping up going over every little detail of the game. For some sections I can see a little bit of help being needed, however for the simple stuff, I think we all know how to look at characters stats, and buy and sell things from a story by now.

Once the Trinity starts to gather some momentum it starts to stall, and you will go back in forth between being interested and zombiefied, as you tread through repetitive environments and nonsensical dialog lines. Although, it’s not fair to complain about the dialog too much because it’s the light hearted nature of the characters and the obscure tale that keeps thing motivated. Ultimately, Trinity Universe becomes tiresome; however, something about its unique charm kept me entertained as I button pressed another combo into another under matched enemy.

Trinity Universe is the type of game that needs some time before you can pass judgement. In the early stages of the game, it seems like this crossover all-star RPG was head down path of Cross Edge; however that is not the case, and Trinity Universe ends up becoming surprisingly addictive. While it’s obvious that Trinity Universe is a niche game designed for fans of the featured crossover participants, it might have enough charm to pull in some outsiders. Depending on your expectations, you will likely be wonderfully surprised, and for the first time happy to see your favourite characters coexist in a common space. Sure, it’s not perfect, but it is still a fun, addictive experience.

Gameplay:7.0, Graphics:6.2, Sound:7.0, Innovation:6.4, Mojo:7.0  Final: 6.7 / 10

		Exellent interaction between the different characters Battle system is quick paced and fun Dungeon crawling, although a little dry, its addictive Humourous storyline has its moments 2D characters in 3D for the first time Lurkers! Watch out for the lurkers.
		Graphics are behind the times Some for narritive goes way out in left field Lacks solid direction If you are not a fan of one of the featured crossoverrs, there is nothing to see here Repetitive grinding can be dull

Similar Games: Cross Edge (5.5) | Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice (8.5)