Platformers have remained a beloved video game genre for decades, continually evolving with fresh jumps, puzzles, and vibrant worlds. In 2024, the genre saw an influx of innovative titles, and we've handpicked the top 10 games that stand out and deserve your attention.
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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
Image: youtube.com
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Developer: Team Asobi
Download: PlayStation
Astro Bot, developed by Team Asobi, has not only captured the hearts of gamers but also won the prestigious "Game of the Year" award at The Game Awards 2024. This bright and engaging 3D platformer boasts top scores on Metacritic and OpenCritic, securing its place at the pinnacle of the genre.
Immerse yourself in a vividly crafted world where every detail is a testament to meticulous design. The levels of Astro Bot are interactive playgrounds brimming with obstacles, puzzles, and hidden secrets. The diverse tasks and collectibles make exploration thrilling, while the environment's interactivity ensures players return time and again.
The DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhance the experience, allowing you to feel every action—from the robot sliding on ice to struggling up uneven surfaces. Astro Bot masterfully blends innovation with classic platformer elements, showcasing new dimensions of the genre.
The Plucky Squire
Image: thepluckysquire.com
Release Date: September 17, 2024
Developer: All Possible Futures
Download: Steam
The Plucky Squire invites players into a fairy tale that leaps from the pages of a book into a thrilling three-dimensional adventure. Its vibrant visual style mimics children's book illustrations, with detailed settings and original character designs that create a magical atmosphere.
As Jot, the brave knight, you must navigate both flat pages and a 3D world to restore the story's happy ending after being banished by the villain Hamgramp. The game's unique spatial transitions are a standout feature, seamlessly blending 2D and 3D environments.
The gameplay is varied, offering puzzles, quirky mini-games like badger boxing and jetpack flights, and a world rich with interactive elements. The smooth transitions between dimensions are both mesmerizing and engaging, making The Plucky Squire a memorable experience of 2024.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release Date: January 18, 2024
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
Download: Steam
Although Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown did not meet Ubisoft's commercial expectations, it garnered acclaim from players for its stunning graphics, engaging gameplay, and fresh take on the series. The game transports you to an atmospheric Eastern world, where every scene is a visual masterpiece.
The levels challenge players to combine agility with strategic exploration, aided by a user-friendly map and a screenshot feature for remembering hard-to-reach areas. Platforming elements are seamlessly integrated with dynamic combat, where the protagonist's dual blades unlock new weapons, combos, and abilities. Each battle demands precision and attention, adding depth and maintaining interest throughout.
Despite not becoming a blockbuster, The Lost Crown has secured its place among the year's top platformers with its captivating visuals and well-crafted gameplay.
Animal Well
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release Date: May 9, 2024
Developer: Shared Memory
Download: Steam
Animal Well, an indie gem crafted by a solo developer over five years, stands out in 2024 with its minimalist yet expressive pixel art. The game's map is teeming with secrets, collectibles, and puzzles that keep exploration engaging and rewarding.
What sets Animal Well apart is its unconventional approach to movement, eschewing typical platformer mechanics like double jumps for unique abilities such as soap bubbles and a frisbee disc. Players are encouraged to creatively solve challenges, making the gameplay both innovative and satisfying. Animal Well injects fresh creativity into the platformer genre, earning its spot among the year's best games.
Nine Sols
Image: youtube.com
Release Date: May 29, 2024
Developer: Red Candle Games
Download: Steam
Nine Sols transports players to a taopunk world, blending Eastern mythology, Taoist philosophy, and futuristic cyberpunk aesthetics. As Yi, a legendary warrior, you're tasked with overthrowing the nine rulers known as Sols, uncovering the world's past and shaping its future.
The game's world is a joy to explore, with responsive controls and well-designed levels filled with unique challenges and hidden secrets. The gameplay melds platforming with action, emphasizing spectacular battles. The combat system, inspired by Sekiro, allows for parrying and building chi energy for powerful counterattacks. As Yi gains new weapons and abilities, the game's difficulty and narrative depth leave a lasting impression.
Venture To The Vile
Image: venturetothevile.com
Release Date: May 22, 2024
Developer: Cut to Bits
Download: Steam
Set in the eerie Victorian town of Rainbrook, Venture To The Vile draws inspiration from Tim Burton's gothic aesthetics. The game envelops players in an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue, with dark streets and gothic architecture setting the stage for a horror-infused tale.
As you search for the missing Ellie, you'll explore multi-layered 2.5D environments where each plane hides secrets and unexpected paths. The shifting day and night cycles, along with changing weather, add depth to the gameplay, unlocking new areas and challenges. The evolving combat system and new abilities expand exploration possibilities, making Venture To The Vile a standout in the platformer genre.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release Date: July 17, 2024
Developer: Squid Shock Studios
Download: Steam
Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus brings to life mythical creatures, ancient rituals, and mysterious yōkai within settings reminiscent of traditional Japanese scroll paintings. As Bo, a celestial spirit, you embark on a quest to restore balance between worlds using a magical staff.
The game challenges players with jumps, glides, and combat, unlocking new skills that enhance battles and access hidden areas. The intricate platforming sections, puzzles, and secret paths encourage revisiting explored locations, unveiling more of this enchanting world.
Neva
Image: mobilesyrup.com
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Developer: Nomada Studio
Download: Steam
Neva, from the creators of Gris, delivers an emotionally charged adventure in Nomada Studio's signature watercolor style. The music by composer Berlinist complements the visuals, deepening the story's emotional resonance.
Follow Alba and her loyal wolf pup on a journey through a decaying world, where they must learn to support each other to restore harmony. The game blends platforming with puzzles, with the wolf pup gaining abilities to overcome obstacles and reach new areas.
Neva's ability to convey emotions through art and music leaves a lasting impact, reaffirming Nomada Studio's prowess in the indie scene.
Tales Of Kenzera: Zau
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Developer: Surgent Studios
Download: Steam
Drawing from African mythology and culture, Tales Of Kenzera: Zau follows Zau, a young shaman, on a quest to reclaim his father's soul from the god of death. The game's world is filled with puzzles, dangers, and secrets as Zau navigates interconnected locations.
The gameplay intertwines platforming with adventure puzzles, with Zau's abilities enhancing both combat and exploration. The combat system, utilizing Sun and Moon masks, allows tactical shifts during battles, resembling a rhythmic dance.
Despite some simplistic mechanics and limited enemy variety, the game's artistic style and emotional narrative captivate players.
Symphonia
Image: store.epicgames.com
Release Date: December 5, 2024
Developer: Sunny Peak
Download: Steam
Symphonia is a precision-focused hardcore platformer where music and visual style harmonize perfectly. The diverse and detailed locations, each reflecting unique regions, enhance the game's atmosphere, while orchestral scores from the Scoring Orchestra of Paris set the rhythm and mood.
In a world once filled with melody, the disappearance of the orchestra's founders has brought silence. As violinist Philimon, you embark on a quest to restore the music, gather musicians, and rebuild the orchestra. The gameplay demands precise jumps, quick reflexes, and the ability to navigate traps, with no combat but challenging platforming sections.
Levels are linear yet offer branching paths that encourage exploration and the discovery of collectibles and new abilities. Symphonia's seamless blend of art, music, and gameplay creates a fully immersive experience.
In 2024, platformers continue to push boundaries with engaging stories and innovative gameplay, ensuring that there's something for every player to enjoy.
