Trove review

In a world filled with MMORPGs, Trove stands out with its vivid, voxel-based aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft. Though it lacks the polish of its genre peers, this free-to-play game by Trion Worlds offers a unique blend of RPG elements and sandbox creativity. Catering to those who enjoy grinding for loot, Trove sets players against a backdrop of procedurally generated worlds brimming with dungeons and endless possibilities.

However, this vast world doesn't come without its shortcomings. The absence of a substantial narrative and the repetitive nature of gameplay can make long sessions feel monotonous. Yet, despite its flaws, Trove manages to maintain a quirky charm that can be enjoyed in short bursts.

The Loot-Focused Gameplay

From the moment you start Trove, you're thrust into a hub world that serves as your base for all future adventures. The game centers around loot—endless, varied, and player-created. Every dungeon and boss you encounter offers new gear, enhancing your abilities and altering your appearance. This loot system is refreshingly engaging, maintaining the excitement of each new find.

The procedural generation of zones keeps things visually interesting, ensuring that no two areas look the same. You'll traverse through candylands, futuristic realms, and more, each filled with unique adversaries and hidden treasures. The environments themselves feel like they’ve jumped straight out of a Minecraft project, adding to the game's visual appeal.

Combat and Class Variety

Trove boasts a substantial roster of 14 combat classes, each distinguished by unique abilities and playstyles. While only the first class is immediately available for free, players can unlock additional classes through earned tokens. This variety allows for experimentation and switching classes based on the situation, enhancing both solo and group play experiences.

Each class operates differently, with specific strengths and weaknesses. For instance, the Neon Ninja excels in dealing high damage but struggles with low health, whereas the tankier classes can withstand substantial damage. This diversity ensures that Trove's combat remains engaging, if somewhat simplistic.

Constructing Your Home

A key feature setting Trove apart from typical MMORPGs is the ability to build and customize your own home. By collecting blocks scattered throughout the game world, players can create personalized sanctuaries. Special blocks even allow for practical functionalities, like loot collectors and crafting stations, making home-building more than just an aesthetic endeavor.

This feature is amplified by Trove's unique "homesite plots" scattered across different worlds. Players can relocate their homes to these plots, ensuring easy access to crafting and restocking resources during adventures. The creativity of the community shines through in these player-made structures, ranging from fast food replicas to soaring skyscrapers.

Quirky Visuals and Technical Hiccups

Trove's voxel-based graphics are undeniably charming, offering a colorful and whimsical aesthetic. The ever-changing environments ensure there's always something new to see, even if the visual fidelity isn't on par with more modern games.

However, these visuals are sometimes marred by technical issues. Performance can be inconsistent, especially during peak hours, resulting in frustrating moments like rubberbanding back into danger. While these issues don't cripple the experience, they do detract from the seamless gameplay many players expect.

Console Play: A Mixed Bag

The transition from PC to console has been handled relatively well, with a more robust tutorial and an intuitive combat scheme for controllers. This makes Trove a viable option for console players seeking a casual MMORPG experience.

However, some design flaws become apparent on consoles, particularly in terms of UI. Tiny text in menus and essential navigation controls mapped to thumbstick toggles can lead to unnecessary challenges, such as accidental deaths in dungeons. Communication with other players is also hampered, often requiring a Bluetooth keyboard for anything beyond basic interactions.

Repetition: Trove's Biggest Enemy

Though Trove offers a delightful experience in short bursts, it struggles with repetitive gameplay over extended periods. The core loop of dungeon crawling and loot collection eventually loses its novelty, especially as similar bosses and dungeon layouts begin to reappear.

The game does a decent job of maintaining interest up to the first 15 levels with a variety of boss and dungeon designs. However, beyond that, players might find themselves longing for deeper and more diversified content to keep them engaged for the long haul.

A Decent Yet Flawed Social Experience

On the social front, Trove offers club systems akin to guilds in other MMORPGs. Although joining a club enhances the social and cooperative aspects of the game, the process can be frustratingly cumbersome, as many players struggle to receive invitations.

That said, cooperative play is not entirely gated. Trove facilitates shared dungeon rewards and allows for seamless teamwork among players in public zones. This makes it easier to benefit from collaborative efforts, even for those not part of a club, though it limits the depth of social interaction.

Monetization: A Double-Edged Sword

One of Trove's more commendable aspects is its relatively unobtrusive monetization model. Most of the game can be enjoyed for free, with in-game purchases largely confined to cosmetic upgrades. This approach ensures that players aren't incessantly pressured to spend money to progress.

However, when players do decide to spend, they might find the store prices prohibitively high. Essential items and class unlocks can be quite expensive, requiring a significant investment. While the game’s free-to-play base is accessible, fully engaging with its additional content might demand a substantial financial commitment.

Conclusion: A Niche Experience

Trove is an MMORPG that offers a vibrant and playful take on the genre. Its strong loot system, unique classes, and creative building features provide a solid foundation for players looking for a casual and colorful gaming experience.

For those who relish loot grinds and have a penchant for voxel art, Trove presents a flawed yet strangely appealing adventure. It shines brightest in short sessions and may find its place as a worthy addition to your gaming library, so long as you can look past its rough edges.