TRI: Of Friendship and Madness
By Christy Matte,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Cunning puzzler delivers beauty, challenge, and peace.
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TRI: Of Friendship and Madness
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What’s It About?
TRI: OF FRIENDSHIP AND MADNESS is a unique first-person puzzler that invites you into a mystical world. Once there, you'll learn about the Odd Gods, two fox deities who've had a falling out. A mystical mentor teaches you how to get around by jumping, climbing, crouching, and crawling and then points the way into a series of beautiful, tranquil, 3-D temple environments. They feel inspired by M.C. Escher, since it always feels like you should be walking on the ceiling -- and perhaps you should be! On each level, you'll need to find three red fox statues and bring them to an altar. Once you place each fox on its pillar, a portal will open, completing the level and displaying your level statistics. Along the way, you can seek out idols/golden fox statues (roughly 148 in all), which unlock bonus content such as level commentaries and some achievements. As you progress through the 16 levels, your mentor will provide guidance, the occasional tip, and the rest of the story of the Odd Gods.
Is It Any Good?
TRI: Of Friendship and Madness is an indie game. There's no big-budgeted producer behind this title, and, to some extent, it shows. Nothing's quite as polished as you'd find in a mass-market game, and the controls for building and climbing are occasionally frustrating. But put all that aside and you'll find a compelling experience set in a tranquil world with an oriental aesthetic. The music is peaceful, and the graphics are dreamlike. A steady stream of leaves or petals drifts by, as if a soft breeze is always blowing through the temples. This all contributes to the sense of freedom you experience as you're allowed to explore each temple with no time limits or threat of attack.
The levels aren't easy, and the whole game requires patience and the willingness to stick it out. Sometimes that even means walking away and taking a break so you can look at things with fresh eyes. But a little perseverance will pay off. It's hard to say just how long the game takes to complete, as it's simply a matter of how quickly you can navigate a level and whether or not you feel compelled to find each and every gold statue. That said, you can expect a minimum of 14 to 16 hours of exploration unless you're a labyrinth-solving wunderkind. TRI is refreshing, clever, and definitely worth tackling if puzzles are your thing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about friendship, arguments, and resolving difficulties such as those found in TRI. What happens when you have a fight with a friend? How can you make it better?
Discuss the TRI environment. If you were to make a game, what would the environment look like? Who would the characters be? Would there be a story or action without a plot?
Talk about solving difficult problems. What do you do if you're stuck? Frustrated?
Game Details
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
- Subjects: Math: geometry, shapes
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: problem solving, solving puzzles, strategy, Creativity: developing novel solutions
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Rat King Entertainment
- Release date: October 9, 2014
- Genre: Puzzle
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- ESRB rating: NR
- Last updated: August 25, 2016
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