Success is tricky; not only to achieve, but even the very definition. Down on the list, past the few about reaching an aim, is an unexpected use of the word. It is in the archaic definition of success where TriFox, from developer Glowfish Interactive, fits best. Attempting to outfox the competition, it offers a facsimile to some notable favorite games. And at times commits a few video game faux pas.
TriFox
Developer: Glowfish Interactive
Publisher: Big Sugar Games
Available on: Nintendo Switch; Playstation 4; Playstation 5; Microsoft Windows; Microsoft Xbox Series S; Microsoft Xbox Series X
The story for the game from publisher Big Sugar begins in a woodland cabin. The main character, much like the player, is in front of the television. When it suddenly the television explodes, he rushes outside the fox discovers the cause of the disturbance; someone is stealing his cable. As he approaches someone assaults him from behind, knocking him unconscious.. When he awakens he discovers the activity outside was a distraction. Inside his home, an outline on the end table highlights the true purpose for the distraction outside. They have stolen the remote control.
In the history of video games, this is quite possibly the most relatable – yet entirely avoidable – way for a player’s quest to begin. You can lose a day looking for a remote; how long are you really gonna look for a magic key?
From the discovery of the lost remote, Trifox sets the player off in search of his stolen device. Which puts the rest of the game into the proper placement – a game of a bygone generation. This is also the point it becomes three games in one. The platfomer is equal parts playthrough, plus 1 and push it. See, there is a story – sorta and there are a lot of upgrades, the kind you only normally unlock after the first playthrough. All this is against the backdrop of ever present leaderboard speedrun.
After exiting the front door the player gains control of Trifox. Hopefully that is his name, a lot of the story in this game is interpretive. The cutscenes feature sequences meant to tell a story but with no dialogue, spoken or written, it’s best to try to make of it what you can.
The environment and sounds in Trifox have the effect of making the game feel like a repeat or remake. But what game (or show) isn’t for that matter. The 3D designs are colorful if not as detailed at times and the music fits the fantasy creature adventure that awaits players. The combination the camera angles, lighting and settings/enemies it feels a bit like Skylanders.
For all the similarities to old ways of doing things, Trifox introduces a modern means for gaining interest – just give them more features. From the moment you exit the cabin there is an encyclopedia of information – via signposts – on how the game works. Now while this is typical in games, just the layout of this game’s loadout is complex. The notecard size details the player receives are a little confusing, like a home electronic instruction manual or terms of service should be. It may take some trial and error but what ou’ll discover the homonym of the hero’s name works better for the title – Tryfox. See, in Trifox you can try some of everything.
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Living up to his (first) name, Trifox has a trio of capabilities for the player to utilize and upgrade. There is no denying that a lot of Tri’s powers are reruns of some nostalgic names. Taking a look at the base powers – Warrior, Mage and an Engineer – when they are in use, it feels like playing some previous greatest hits. Here’s your chance to play Sly Jak and Clank. However, the team behind Trifox saw fit to free the player up to play a bit; each base can use the others add-ons. This means your mage now can wield a machine gun as well. Add in a turret and no one shall pass. Opening up Trifox’s powers – though upgrades do cost coins, which are plentiful – early for expirimentation works when you play each level standalone/high score endeavor, but not so much in the narrative structure the game attempts.
While Trifox’s powers are great, the mastery is somewhat lacking. This may be because all of the controls buttons already map to Tri’s abilities, there isn’t one left for the traditional “Z target” games of this genre have in place. Much of the damage you unleash on the smaller enemies you face is a bit hit or miss. In addition to targeting, jumping is another area where the game at times misses the mark. Making the standard video game jump, even with a double jump, seems impossible most of the time. However, failing to stick the landing is usually avoidable when you use one of the perks each base power has to enhance the jump.
It rarely is bad when there is so much to enjoy in a game. But that is precisely what happens at times with Trifox. By giving players a mashup of classic games characters abilities, without the story/plot – odd since that is the main characters passion – Trifox kinda hounds himself.
Score: 7.8