Troll and I

While the team’s modest size is betrayed by the game’s myriad technical issues, what they’ve attempted here is, quite honestly, laudable. Maybe they’d do well to view this as a functional blueprint for a future project that builds on the good work that’s been accomplished—I know I’ll be waiting for what’s next. Here’s hoping the bugs get patched out and that we eventually get a Troll and I sequel, one that focuses on cleaner controls and a more emotionally engaging story.

Troll and I is a game whose ambition is deflated by a lack of polish and a worrying absence of player guidance. Combat feels serviceable, if a little unsatisfying, and they find good reasons to switch between the two titular protagonists. There’s an endearing story at play but the game itself has enough issues to stifle the most enthusiastic player. Repercussions from poor execution prevent this from being a truly worthwhile experience.

I’m sure that it will find a small audience and fanbase because of its premise, but for me, a lack of overall presentation, a litany of technical pitfalls and average at best gameplay means it’s best to avoid Troll and I – just as you would Troll’s apparent stench.

We were kinda excited about this one, but unfortunately all its good ideas are hidden behind a poor execution. In its current state, it's a game hard to recommend.

There's potential here, but it's hard to bring that into account when the visuals, audio and gameplay are all mediocre or even straightout bad.

I wish I could be more kind to this game, considering it’s an indie title with big ambition, but considering Horizon: Zero Dawn and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild came out only a few weeks ago, and how similar Troll and I is trying to be to those games, there’s really no excusing it.

A longer development period might have made this into something more playable, but it would still be a game of rehashed concepts notable only for its sheer banality. [May 2017, p.96]

Slapping down poor video games never brings me much pleasure, especially those that genuinely show promise. While it has a unique setting and some solid ideas, boring level design and a general lack of imagination when piecing together all of these components leaves me with very little to praise.

A poorly-done Tomb Raider clone that lacks everything good about that series. Awful combat and stealth mechanics, a boring dead world, and mindless co-op puzzles await all who purchase this. Do yourself a favor and purchase either of the new Tomb Raider games for less than you’d be paying if you bought Troll and I. I’m still shocked they’re trying to charge the exorbitant amount that they are for this buggy, unimpressive adventure.

Throughout, Troll and I often raises the question of just how much testing was done to spot and correct mistakes.