Three Journeys Bound Together By Verse
There is a saying that all good things come in threes. The idea dates back to ancient Greece, where Aristotle described three as the perfect number, representing the past, present, and future. The Rule of Three is something our brains naturally respond to, as it is the smallest number needed to establish a pattern. Storytellers, comedians, and presenters have relied on it for centuries, using groups of three as the foundation of memorable ideas.
And, of course, in gaming, trilogies are often seen as the perfect collection. Poetic Trio is a walking simulator built around three distinct stories, each set in a different season and mood. Yes, you’re getting three separate experiences for the price of one. That’s not a bad deal at all.
Tonguç Bodur is a developer whose work I have covered many times before, having reviewed a number of his games over the years. He is one of the most prolific indie developers around, creating short, accessible experiences that typically feature beautiful environments and simple gameplay. While his projects often vary in theme and style, he is perhaps best known for his walking simulators, and that’s exactly where Poetic Trio fits. Here, players are treated to three short stories with a poetic focus, each offering a slightly different approach and a touch of light challenge.
Autumn Rain And Words Left Waiting To Be Found
The first game in the collection is called Pluviophile, and, as the name suggests, it centres around rain. Played from a first-person perspective, this chapter takes place in a rainy autumn countryside filled with streams, bridges, old mills, and grazing cattle. At times, it feels like stepping into a Constable painting.
Your objective is to unlock three pieces of poetry hidden throughout the world. To do this, you must find a flower during your journey and then place it on a circular millstone-like structure. Doing so activates the stone and reveals part of the poem.
The poetry appears on screen and complements the mood and themes of the world around you. Written by Julius Cawein, the verses are both thoughtful and fitting for the environment. Each poem you unlock opens up a new section of the map, allowing you to continue your journey. Repeat the process three times, and the story reaches its conclusion.
Following Footprints Through A Frozen Wilderness
The second story, Chionophile, takes players into a snowy winter woodland filled with frosted trees and icy landscapes. This chapter differs from the first by offering a much larger map and encouraging exploration.
It’s here that one of the game’s most useful features comes into play. With the press of a button, you can highlight the locations of flowers and millstones across the map, making navigation considerably easier. There are also question marks scattered throughout the environment, which unlock additional quotes and pieces of prose when discovered. The central poem in this chapter is themed around winter and is written by Archibald Lampman.
A Springtime Finale With More Than A Few Surprises
The final story, Loverowind, takes place during spring and immediately feels different from the previous chapters. It begins indoors within a keep, where you get to operate levers to manipulate stairways and open new routes. Once outside, the world expands dramatically.
Travelling is also faster here thanks to floating white orbs that propel you across the landscape. The objective remains the same – find flowers, activate millstones, and uncover poetry – but this chapter stands apart from the others. It’s an enjoyable finale and perhaps the most inventive of the three stories.
When A Gentle Stroll Starts To Lose Its Pace
There are, however, a few issues that may affect your Poetic Trio enjoyment, particularly when it comes to pacing. At times, movement can feel slow and somewhat inconsistent, especially during the second chapter. While there is a button that allows you to move faster, it doesn’t always feel as effective as it should, making certain stretches of exploration drag more than necessary.
Visually, though, Poetic Trio is a delight. The environments are beautifully crafted and provide the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll. One thing I have always appreciated about Tonguç Bodur’s work is the way he blends realistic locations with more surreal elements, and that balance is present here too. Personally, I preferred the visual styles of the first and third stories over the snowy second chapter, though that may simply come down to my lack of enthusiasm for snow-covered settings. Regardless, the game remains a lovely visual experience throughout.
The soundtrack is excellent too, featuring soothing music that perfectly complements the relaxed pace of exploration.
The Gaming Equivalent Of A Long, Peaceful Walk
These games won’t be for everyone. If you’ve played the likes of Dear Esther or any of Tonguç Bodur’s previous projects, you’ll already have a good idea of what to expect. Personally, I enjoyed Poetic Trio quite a lot and found it to be the perfect antidote to a stressful day. While some mechanics don’t work quite as well as they should in places, there is more than here to make up for those shortcomings.
If you enjoy taking a quiet walk through beautiful worlds while uncovering thoughtful poetry along the way, then Poetic Trio could be the perfect day out.
Important Links
Rain, Snow And Wind Combine In Poetic Trio – https://www.thexboxhub.com/rain-snow-and-wind-combine-in-poetic-trio/
Buy from the Xbox Store, optimised for Series X|S – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/poetic-trio-xbox-series-xs/9N87LG9SG9TQ/0010
Buy an Xbox One version – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/poetic-trio/9NS8SFP9V611/0010
