Trapt (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Trapt


developer = Tecmo
publisher = Tecmo
distributor =
designer =
engine =
version =
released = 2005-06-30 (Japan)
2005-11-01 (US)
genre = Action-Strategy
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: Mature
platforms = PlayStation 2
media =
requirements =
input =
preceded by =
followed by =

"Trapt" (also known as "TЯAPT"), released in Japan as "Kagero II: Dark Illusion", is a PlayStation 2 real time action/strategy game by Tecmo. The game includes a number of features that are also used in "Deception", an earlier game from Tecmo.

The player assumes the role of Princess Allura, who has been framed for the murder of her father, King Olaf. On the night of the King's murder, Allura is accused of killing him by her stepmother, Catalina. With the help from her friend Rachel, Allura is able to escape into a forest. On the run from assassins, she acquires the ability to set a series of traps, which are the only means she has of defending herself from her pursuers.

Gameplay

The player takes a set number of traps into a game stage where they can be positioned in order to defeat enemies. As the player defeats enemies they are rewarded with "warl", the game's currency, which can be used to purchase new traps between game stages. The traps themselves are classified according to where they can be positioned within the game world, for example, on the wall, ceiling or floor; the player is allowed to take up to three traps of each type into a game stage.

Traps

Ceiling Traps

* Rocks: There are five different types of rock trap, each with an elemental property. Once released by a trap rocks can roll down stairs and be affected by other traps.
* Vases: There are three different types of vase. Vases do not cause as much physical damage as other traps but cause other effects such as 'oil' and 'rage'.
* Blades: There are several types of blade including pendulums, yo-yos, saws and guillotines. All vary in the amount of damage caused and their other effects.

Wall Traps

* Arrows: These include arrows, javelins and icicles. Arrows can travel the length of the room, some kinds of arrow can cause elemental damage.
* Push Wall: A push wall can move the victim into the reach of other traps. Each type of push wall varies in strength and power.
* Rolling Bombs: A bomb rolls across the room slowly and explodes upon contact, bombs are also able to roll down stairs.
* Magnet Wall: Magnet walls pull the victim into the trap rendering them unable to move for a few seconds.

Floor Traps

* Immobilization: These include bear traps, spark rods and vacuum floors. Enemies that are damaged by these traps are unable to move for a short period of time, making them vulnerable to other traps.
* Bombs: Quake bombs cause an earthquake and fire bombs cause a large explosion.
* Banana Peel: This trap causes the enemy to slip, making them frustrated.
* Spring Floor: A spring in the floor launches the victim into the air, there are thre variations of this trap.

ecret Traps

These traps can be obtained after completing the game. The ending that is achieved determines the trap that is gained.

* Death Pillar (Floor Trap): A pillar emerges from the floor damaging enemies as it rises. Once the pillar is complete it can be knocked over to cause more damage.
* Death Iron (Wall Trap): A powerful electrified rock that shoots rapidly from the walls, causing heavy damage. An electric bolt trails behind to trap enemies and electrocute them
* Death Hammer (Ceiling Trap): A massive rotating axe appears from above and swings swiftly and continuously in a circular motion

Dark Illusions

As well as traps, the player is capable of using 'Dark Illusions' to defeat enemies. Each is located in a different room and has a different effect upon an enemy. They require certain criteria to be fulfilled before activation and can only be used once per level. A player can only achieve a 100% completion score in the game if they activate all of the Dark Illusions.

* "The Man Eating Music Box": Located in the Hall of the Mansion.
* "Heaven's Judgment": Located in the Belfry of the Mansion.
* "Cry of the Fallen One": Located near the Basement Stairs of the Mansion.
* "The Fated Shredding": The only Dark Illusion found within the palace walls, in the Clock Hall.
* "The Human Cannonball": Located in the war room of the Old Castle.
* "Feast for the Beast": Found in Old Castle's Guard room.
* "The Devil's Trapeze": Located in the entrance hall of the Old Castle.
* "The Seal of Eternity": Hidden within the sealed room, can only be activated in the last chapter of the main game, and can only be activated on the final boss Malphas(The Fiend).

Characters

For the majority of the game the player will play as Allura, the daughter of the recently deceased King. The cast of characters in TЯAPT consist of a number of enemies and allies.

Allura

Allura is the heroine of the story. Once the princess of Fronenberg, she became caught up with the plot taking place in the palace. With no other choice, Allura was forced to flee the palace where she grew up. After escaping the palace, she fled to the forest mansion where she was possessed by the hand of evil. The hand of evil, a part of the devil, gave her the magical powers to control traps. Allura uses this power to face her enemies one by one. The Japanese voice-overs in the game refer to Allura as "Alicia". Possibly because the original idea of her name was to be like a twisted Wonderland, which would also explain why her skin is very pale and she wears white.

Rachel

Allura's maid, she is responsible for Allura's education and well being. Rachel is one of Allura's few allies. For Allura, she is not only a maid but also a substitute mother, sister, and friend. This relationship is very important to Allura.

Catalina

Catalina is King Olaf's second wife. Olaf's constant longing for his previous wife hurt Catalina's pride as a woman. This caused a strong resentment towards Allura, who is the daughter of King Olaf's first wife. Catalina has taken advantage of the King, who has become a shadow of his former self, and hatched a plot to stage a coup.

Jais

A knight of the kingdom. Jais is an orphan and was brought up in an orphanage. Jais has been named the best swordsman in Fronenberg. He strives to save orphans like himself, but the kingdom has continued to fall into disorder despite his best efforts.

Ada

A notorious female thief. Ada's excellent ability with knives has also led her to work as an assassin. It seems that she was involved in the assassination of the king and there is a lot of mystery surrounding her actions. Occasionally, she gives advice to Allura although perhaps with an ulterior motive in mind.

King Olaf

King Olaf is the recently deceased King of Fronenberg and is also Allura's father. In order to keep the kingdom balanced, Olaf remarried after the death of his first wife. Both Olaf and Allura were devastated at the death his first wife. Olaf married Catalina, but never stopped loving his late wife. King Olaf was murdered in front of Catalina, Allura and Rachel but nobody knows who is responsible for this crime.

Malphas

Also known as The Fiend, he serves as the primary antagonist of the game. Long ago, he was sealed away in the same forest mansion that Allura enters and grants Allura the power to create traps via a tentacle like bracelet on her arm. However, like all gifts, nothing comes for free. With each person Allura kills with her traps, his or her soul is offered to Malphas so that he can use their souls to materialize once again.

Endings

There are three official endings in the game and a fourth that is not registered when saved onto the game file but is considered as an ending. The 'secret traps' are unlocked when the appropriate ending is completed. No additional traps are gained with the fourth ending, however it must be played in order to achieve a 100% completion score.

* Ending A: Occurs in chapter 14 if Allura chooses to battle her opponent and wins.
* Ending B: Occurs in chapter 15 if Allura chooses not to battle in chapter 14, and loses the final showdown against the fiend in the last chapter.
* Ending C: As Ending B, but if Allura wins the battle against the fiend.
* Ending D: Occurs in chapter 10 when Allura is given a choice to continue her quest, or flee her kingdom. If she chooses to flee, Allura is confronted and must win the battle.

Reception

Trapt received a relatively positive reaction from the game critic community scoring approximately 6 out of 10 on average. [ [http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/trapt/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;review Trapt for PlayStation 2 Review - PlayStation 2 Trapt Review ] ] [ [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=63044 Trapt Review // PS2 /// Eurogamer ] ] [ [http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r27144.htm Trapt Review - PlayStation 2 ] ] [ [http://www.mobygames.com/game/trapt Trapt for PlayStation 2 - MobyGames ] ] Reviews of this game tend to agree that the overall content of the game is good however it is its technical stability and poor translation from its original Japanese that lets it down.

Trivia

*Millenia, the protagonist of the second Deception game (of which Trapt is considered a sequel), is encountered during a boss battle near the end. She has the ability to activate and use Allura's traps against her, and freeze her if she gets too close.

* Reina and Millenia, protagonists of the third and second games respectively, are shown as unlockable characters in the game.

References

External links

* [http://ps2.ign.com/objects/690/690627.html "Trapt"] at IGN
*moby game|id=/trapt|name="Trapt"