This is a Trifox review for Xbox series X/Xbox one. The game is also available on Nintendo switch, Playstation 4/5, steam and GoG
Don’t touch a Trifox’s remote !
Platforming games have always been one of my favorite genres ever since I played Mario when I was young, especially Mario 64. Trying to maneuver your hero as fast as you can past small ledges, enemies, and occasional bosses held me on the edge of my seat for hours. So whenever I come across a cute platformer, I get excited. When I first saw footage of Trifox, I was intrigued by its adorable aesthetics, and it made me eager to play it. However, somehow along the way, it slipped past me, and I haven’t played it until now.
While having a relaxing evening watching TV, our hero Trifox is brutally interrupted by a group of “pirates” who steal his remote control! Like, seriously? You never touch a guy’s remote control! Anyway, that’s the story in a nutshell. It’s not very deep, but a good platformer doesn’t necessarily need a complex story (I’m looking at you, Mario). Characters communicate through a mumbling kind of language, and you occasionally get cutscenes between levels that mostly consist of funny news segments.
Short but just long enough.
Trifox has a low-poly presentation style where the levels truly stand out with vibrant colors and intricate design. However, up close, the characters may appear a bit blurry. Trifox’s journey takes you through three worlds, each consisting of three levels and a boss level, all interconnected through a hub world. Each world possesses its own unique beauty, from the tropical island and the vast mines to the frosty mountain peaks, and they offer a decent length of gameplay.
Every level presents its own set of challenges to overcome, secrets to discover, and introduces new mechanics to keep things fresh and engaging at a suitable pace. Starting on the tropical beach, I stumbled upon a coconut resembling Mr. Wilson (yes, the one Tom Hanks made in the movie Cast Away) and encountered singing creatures perched on a tree in the background (which you can shoot to eliminate). These small details kept a smile on my face throughout my entire playthrough.
After completing three levels, it’s time to face the boss. These multilayered encounters include checkpoints and provide a decent amount of challenge. Speaking of challenge, you have the option to choose from five different difficulty settings. Being a fan of a good challenge, I opted for the highest one. However, there were moments where the difficulty spikes felt overwhelming. It seemed a bit unfair, but it could be due to approaching battles with an improper setup. Since you can’t change your loadout mid-level, you have to return to the hub world, which may lead to getting stuck for a while.
I’m a engineering Trifox
While defeating enemies, destroying objects, or opening chests, you will earn gold coins that can be used to purchase new abilities. Trifox has the ability to learn skills in three different classes. Warrior, which focuses on close combat with a giant hammer. Mage, which emphasizes ranged attacks and spell-like abilities; and Engineer, who utilizes various turrets to fend off enemies.
The great thing is that you don’t have to limit yourself to just one class. You can experiment and create a hybrid build that suits your playstyle. Fortunately, there is a training ground where you can test out your newly acquired abilities. Trifox combines platforming with twin-stick gameplay, and this combination works seamlessly, except during the platforming segments. When jumping from one platform to another, the landing zone is indicated by a faint ring. Unfortunately, this led to numerous instances of near-death experiences for me. This issue could have easily been resolved by implementing a shadow to indicate the character’s landing position. Nonetheless, the respawn point is conveniently close by. You will only lose a few hearts, allowing you to give it another try.
Glowfish Interactive's debut game, Trifox, is a charming twin-stick platformer. While it may have some flaws in its low-poly graphics and simple gameplay, it never becomes overly frustrating. The game features solid level design and offers class customization, making it suitable for players of all ages. Additionally, the enjoyable process of searching for secrets adds to the replay value, enticing players to come back for more.
