2024's Top 10 Platformers: A Genre-Defining Year
Platformers, a cornerstone of gaming history, continue to thrive, consistently evolving while retaining their core appeal of precise jumps, intricate puzzles, and vibrant worlds. 2024 saw a remarkable array of releases, and we've curated a list of the ten most exceptional titles that deserve your attention.
Table of Contents
Astro Bot
Image: youtube.com
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 top rankings on Metacritic and OpenCritic are a testament to its exceptional quality. Immerse yourself in a vibrant world brimming with meticulously crafted detail. Interactive levels present a diverse range of obstacles, puzzles, and hidden secrets, fostering engaging exploration and replayability. The DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers elevate the experience, providing incredibly realistic sensations.
The Plucky Squire
Image: thepluckysquire.com
The Plucky Squire masterfully blends 2D illustrations with a captivating 3D adventure. Its vibrant art style, reminiscent of a children's book, creates an enchanting atmosphere. Jot, the brave knight protagonist, is banished from his book and must navigate between flat pages and a three-dimensional world, a unique gameplay mechanic that sets the game apart. The gameplay is diverse, encompassing puzzle-solving, engaging mini-games (like badger boxing!), and exploration of a richly interactive world.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Image: store.steampowered.com
Despite not meeting Ubisoft's sales targets, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown garnered significant praise for its stunning visuals, compelling gameplay, and innovative take on the series. The game's atmospheric Eastern setting is breathtaking, with detailed environments and captivating vistas. Levels demand both agility and strategic thinking, while a convenient map and screenshot feature aid exploration. The seamless blend of platforming and dynamic combat, utilizing dual blades and progressively unlocking new abilities and combos, keeps the action fresh and engaging.
Animal Well
Image: store.steampowered.com
A remarkable solo-developer indie title, Animal Well, developed over five years, is a true hidden gem of 2024. Its minimalist pixel art style brings a surreal world to life. The game's map is packed with secrets and puzzles, and its unconventional approach to platforming, utilizing unique abilities like soap bubbles and a frisbee disc, adds a layer of creative challenge.
Nine Sols
Image: youtube.com
Nine Sols seamlessly blends Eastern mythology, Taoist philosophy, and cyberpunk aesthetics. Players control Yi, a legendary warrior, tasked with overthrowing nine rulers. The game's responsive controls and well-designed levels make exploration rewarding, while the combat system, reminiscent of Sekiro, emphasizes precise parrying and chi management.
Venture To The Vile
Image: venturetothevile.com
Venture into the dark, gothic Victorian town of Rainbrook, a setting reminiscent of Tim Burton's work. The game's atmosphere is steeped in mystery and intrigue, with multi-layered 2.5D environments offering hidden paths and secrets. Dynamic weather and time of day mechanics add depth to the exploration, while the evolving combat system unlocks new areas and challenges.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Image: store.steampowered.com
Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus features mythical creatures and yōkai in a visually stunning world. Bo, a celestial spirit, embarks on a quest to restore balance, utilizing his magical staff to overcome challenges and battle enemies. The game offers complex platforming sections, puzzles, and hidden paths that encourage exploration and replayability.
Neva
Image: mobilesyrup.com
From the creators of Gris, Neva is a touching adventure presented in a beautiful watercolor style, complemented by a moving score. Alba and her wolf pup embark on a journey to restore harmony, overcoming challenges and strengthening their bond. The game combines platforming and puzzle elements, with the wolf pup gaining new abilities to aid exploration.
Tales Of Kenzera: Zau
Image: store.steampowered.com
Drawing inspiration from African mythology, Tales Of Kenzera: Zau tells the story of Zau, a young shaman, on a quest to reclaim his father's soul. The gameplay blends platforming and adventure puzzles, with a combat system centered around switching between Sun and Moon masks for tactical advantage.
Symphonia
Image: store.epicgames.com
A challenging hardcore platformer, Symphonia, emphasizes precision and seamlessly integrates music and visuals. The game features diverse and detailed environments, with a captivating orchestral score that enhances the atmosphere. Philimon, a violinist, embarks on a journey to restore lost music and rebuild an orchestra, navigating challenging platforming sections without combat, relying instead on agility and precise movements.
Conclusion
2024 showcased the continued evolution and enduring appeal of the platformer genre. These ten games, each offering unique stories and innovative gameplay, demonstrate the genre's capacity to captivate players with diverse experiences.