Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3
Dev: Omega Force
Pub: TecmoKoei
Release: February 8, 2011
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p

The graphics in Trinity aren't up to the same mark though. They're underproduced when compared to other games in the genre that are selling for a full $60. Trinity has a neat filter effect that drapes itself over the entire game that helps alleviate this problem somewhat. The overall effect is that the game looks like a storybook. It's somewhat reminiscent of Valkyria Chronicles. Generally, though, it looks like this game could have been done on the PS2, and that's a pretty damning statement to make about a full-priced game coming out over four years into the PS3's lifespan.

Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll Screenshot

The soundtrack, however, picks up some of the slack. The score is sweeping and dramatic. It's certainly nothing new or surprising, but it's everything you could want in a fantasy game of this type. The voice acting, on the other hand, is far more sporadic. The acting ranges from passable to painful as characters come and go in the plot.

The reason that Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll is a hard game to judge is because it's difficult to say that it could have been a better game. Given the resources they had to work with, I think the developer did an outstanding job of maximizing the output. It would have been much better, however, if they had realized the game was running long and trimmed it down. The final running time can be over forty hours, while the actual storyline probably only takes seven to twelve hours at most. A little side-questing and busy work is fine, but in this case, it is way over the top.

Omega Force made the best game they could with the resources they were given, but that doesn't make it a better product for the gamers. At the end, what we have is a game that has highs that are canceled out by the lows. Had more money been invested in the product, we might have been talking about a new Demons' Souls-esque surprise. Instead, we have a middling game that will be great for RPG fans, but too vacant for anybody else.

By Andrew Groen
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.0

Graphics
The graphics aren't exactly bad, but aren't exactly great either. A neat storybook filter saves it from looking horrible.

4.0

Control
The controls offer a good solution to the often convoluted Action RPG layout.

4.2

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The soundtrack is sweeping and high quality.

3.3

Play Value
There's a ton of content available, but far too much of it is repetitive. That said, if you enjoy leveling up and questing, then there's 50+ hours of it here.

3.7

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

High Adventure: Brought together by fate, the three adventurers in your party must work together to explore Vyashion's fields, dungeons, and towns, collect items, survive encounters with mythological beasts, and ultimately defeat the evil King Balor.

Party Dynamic: An innovative team system lets you alternate between each of the three characters: a warrior, a wizard/swordsman, and an assassin. Magic abilities and physical offensives can be used together to unleash combo attacks.

Interactive Environments: A completely interactive world filled with strategic possibilities. Uncover new paths by destroying objects, set areas aflame or freeze them with spell casting, and tear through a bevy of different locales as you journey the continents.

Non-Linear Adventure: The game's story, told in a non-linear format, offers a unique adventure depending on how you play.

Legendary Characters: Play as Areus, a cynical young wizard and swordsman; Dagda, a renowned warrior known for fighting bare-handed; and Selene, a vampire assassin who excels at unconventional combat techniques.