Platformers, a cornerstone of gaming history, continue to thrive, captivating players with their blend of skillful jumps, intricate puzzles, and vibrant worlds. 2024 saw a remarkable surge in platforming excellence, and we've curated a list of ten standout titles deserving of your attention.
Table of Contents
- Astro Bot
- The Plucky Squire
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Animal Well
- Nine Sols
- Venture To The Vile
- Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
- Neva
- Tales Of Kenzera: Zau
- Symphonia
Astro Bot
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Developer: Team Asobi
Download: PlayStation
Team Asobi's dazzling 3D platformer, Astro Bot, swept the "Game of the Year" award at The Game Awards 2024, earning critical acclaim and widespread player adoration. Its high Metacritic and OpenCritic scores solidify its position at the top of the rankings. This vibrant world is meticulously crafted, offering interactive levels brimming with obstacles, puzzles, and hidden secrets. The diverse challenges and collectible items fuel exploration, while environmental interactions keep players engaged. The DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add astonishing realism, letting you feel every slide on ice or struggle to climb. Astro Bot masterfully blends innovation with classic design, showcasing the genre's enduring appeal.
The Plucky Squire
Release Date: September 17, 2024
Developer: All Possible Futures
Download: Steam
The Plucky Squire brings a fairy tale to life, seamlessly blending 2D illustrations with a thrilling 3D adventure. Its vibrant visual style, reminiscent of a children's book, creates an atmosphere of pure magic through detailed environments and charming character designs. Jot, our brave knight, is banished from his book by the villain Hamgramp, embarking on a journey between flat pages and a 3D world—a unique gameplay mechanic that defines the experience. Gameplay is diverse, encompassing puzzle-solving, quirky mini-games (badger boxing and jetpack flights!), and exploration of an interactive world. The smooth transitions between 2D and 3D are captivating. The vibrant art and unique mechanics make The Plucky Squire an unforgettable 2024 release.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Release Date: January 18, 2024
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
Download: Steam
While not a commercial blockbuster for Ubisoft, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown resonated deeply with players, praised for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and fresh take on the series. The game immerses you in a breathtaking Eastern world, with captivating vistas and detailed locations transforming each scene into a visual masterpiece. Levels demand both agility and strategic exploration, aided by a helpful map and a screenshot feature to mark hard-to-reach areas. Platforming seamlessly integrates with dynamic combat, featuring dual blades, unlockable weapons, spectacular combos, and unique abilities. Each fight requires precision and timing, maintaining engagement throughout. Despite its commercial performance, The Lost Crown stands as a highlight for platforming enthusiasts in 2024.
Animal Well
Release Date: May 9, 2024
Developer: Shared Memory
Download: Steam
A five-year labor of love from a single developer, Animal Well emerged as a 2024 revelation. Its minimalist yet expressive pixel art style brings its surreal world to life. The map is filled with secrets, collectibles, and puzzles that drive exploration. Animal Well stands out with its unconventional approach, replacing typical platforming mechanics with unique abilities like soap bubbles and a frisbee disc. Players must creatively utilize these tools, leading to inventive and engaging gameplay. Animal Well brings refreshing originality to the genre, earning its place among the year's best.
Nine Sols
Release Date: May 29, 2024
Developer: Red Candle Games
Download: Steam
Nine Sols plunges players into a unique taopunk world, blending Eastern mythology, Taoist philosophy, and cyberpunk aesthetics. Yi, a legendary warrior, awakens to overthrow the nine Sols rulers. Players explore a world of danger and secrets, uncovering its past to shape its future. Responsive controls and well-designed levels make exploration enjoyable, with unique challenges, secrets, and puzzles rewarding thorough investigation. Gameplay combines platforming and action, focusing on spectacular battles. The parry-based combat system, reminiscent of Sekiro, allows deflecting attacks and building chi for powerful counterattacks. Despite its difficulty and some narrative imperfections, Nine Sols impresses with its vibrant visuals, thoughtful gameplay, and memorable atmosphere.
Venture To The Vile
Release Date: May 22, 2024
Developer: Cut to Bits
Download: Steam
The gloomy Victorian town of Rainbrook, reminiscent of Tim Burton's work, sets a mysterious and intriguing atmosphere. Dark streets and gothic buildings create a horror-esque setting. The city is plagued by The Blight, and the protagonist seeks his missing friend Ellie, exploring multi-layered 2.5D locations where each plane holds secrets and hidden paths. Changing time and weather conditions add depth, unlocking new areas and tasks. The hero's combat system evolves alongside the story, developing weapons and abilities to overcome obstacles. Venture To The Vile stands out with its dark aesthetic, original mechanics, and multi-layered level design.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Release Date: July 17, 2024
Developer: Squid Shock Studios
Download: Steam
Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus features mythical creatures and yōkai in a world reminiscent of traditional Japanese scroll paintings. Bo, a celestial spirit, descends to Earth to perform an ancient ritual. Armed with a magical staff, he explores, overcomes obstacles, and battles enemies. Players jump, glide, and attack, gradually unlocking new skills that enhance both combat and exploration. Complex platforming, puzzles, and hidden paths encourage revisiting locations with new abilities to uncover further secrets.
Neva
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Developer: Nomada Studio
Download: Steam
From the creators of Gris, Neva is a touching adventure rendered in Nomada Studio's signature watercolor style, complemented by Berlinist's evocative music. Alba and her wolf pup embark on a perilous journey to restore harmony, facing trials and learning to support each other. The game combines platforming and puzzles, with the wolf pup gaining new abilities to overcome obstacles. Neva excels at conveying emotion through visuals and music, leaving a lasting impact.
Tales Of Kenzera: Zau
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Developer: Surgent Studios
Download: Steam
Inspired by African mythology and culture, Tales Of Kenzera: Zau transports players to a world where ancient gods and profound emotional themes intertwine. Zau, a young shaman, makes a deal to reclaim his father's soul, embarking on a journey filled with dangers, puzzles, and secrets. Gameplay blends platforming and adventure puzzles, with Zau enhancing his abilities to aid in both combat and exploration. The combat system, using Sun and Moon masks, allows tactical shifts depending on enemies. Despite simpler mechanics and limited enemy variety, the game captivates with its artistic style and moving story.
Symphonia
Release Date: December 5, 2024
Developer: Sunny Peak
Download: Steam
A hardcore platformer emphasizing precision, Symphonia seamlessly merges music and visuals. Diverse and detailed locations reflect the uniqueness of each region, with vibrant effects highlighting key story moments. Music is central, with orchestral compositions from the Scoring Orchestra of Paris setting the rhythm and mood. Philimon, a violinist, journeys to restore lost music, gather musicians, and rebuild the orchestra. Gameplay relies on precise jumps, quick reactions, and avoiding traps. Levels are linear but offer branching paths, encouraging exploration and the discovery of collectibles and abilities. Symphonia perfectly balances art, music, and gameplay for complete immersion.
2024 showcased the platformer genre's continued evolution and ability to captivate players. These engaging stories and innovative gameplay mechanics ensure there's a title for everyone.
