Ten Exceptional Platformers That Defined 2024
Platformers, a cornerstone of gaming history, continue to thrive, consistently innovating while retaining their core appeal: challenging jumps, intricate puzzles, and vibrant worlds. 2024 delivered a wealth of titles, and here are ten standouts that deserve 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
Image: youtube.com
- Release Date: September 6, 2024
- Developer: Team Asobi
- Platform: PlayStation
Team Asobi's Astro Bot, a vibrant 3D platformer, swept the "Game of the Year" award at The Game Awards 2024, earning critical acclaim and widespread player adoration. Its Metacritic and OpenCritic scores solidify its position at the top of the genre. The game's meticulously crafted world is alive with detail, offering interactive levels brimming with obstacles, puzzles, and hidden secrets. Diverse challenges and collectible items fuel exploration, while environmental interaction keeps players engaged. The DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhance realism, allowing players to feel every action, from sliding on ice to struggling uphill. This title masterfully blends classic design with innovative gameplay, pushing the boundaries of the genre.
The Plucky Squire
Image: thepluckysquire.com
- Release Date: September 17, 2024
- Developer: All Possible Futures
- Platform: Steam
The Plucky Squire brings a fairy tale to life, seamlessly merging 2D illustrations with a captivating 3D adventure. Its vibrant art style, reminiscent of a children's book, creates a magical atmosphere through detailed environments and unique character designs. Jot, the brave knight protagonist, is banished from his book by the villain Hamgramp, forcing him to journey between flat pages and a 3D world. This innovative approach to spatial navigation is a key element of the game's charm. Gameplay is diverse, encompassing puzzle-solving, quirky mini-games (like badger boxing and jetpack flights), and exploration of an interactive world. The smooth transitions between 2D and 3D are mesmerizing and incredibly engaging. Its unique mechanics and vibrant style make it a truly memorable 2024 release.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Image: store.steampowered.com
- Release Date: January 18, 2024
- Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
- Platform: Steam
While not a commercial blockbuster for Ubisoft, The Lost Crown garnered significant praise for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and innovative take on the series. The game's atmospheric Eastern setting is breathtakingly beautiful, transforming each scene into a visual masterpiece through captivating vistas and detailed locations. Levels demand both agility and strategic thinking, while a convenient map and screenshot feature aid exploration, even allowing players to revisit challenging areas later. Platforming seamlessly integrates with dynamic combat, as the protagonist wields dual blades, unlocking new weapons, spectacular combos, and unique abilities throughout the game. Precise timing and attention are crucial for each encounter, adding depth and maintaining consistent player engagement. Despite its commercial performance, The Lost Crown's unique mechanics, well-crafted gameplay, and magnificent visuals firmly place it among 2024's best platformers.
Animal Well
Image: store.steampowered.com
- Release Date: May 9, 2024
- Developer: Shared Memory
- Platform: Steam
Developed over five years by a single developer, Animal Well is a 2024 indie gem. Its minimalist yet expressive pixel art style brings its surreal world to life. The game map is packed with secrets, collectibles, and puzzles, making exploration a thrilling experience. Animal Well's unconventional approach to platforming, eschewing standard double jumps and dashes in favor of unique abilities like soap bubbles and a frisbee disc, adds a layer of creative problem-solving. This originality and freshness make it a standout platformer of the year.
Nine Sols
Image: youtube.com
- Release Date: May 29, 2024
- Developer: Red Candle Games
- Platform: Steam
Nine Sols plunges players into a unique taopunk world blending Eastern mythology, Taoist philosophy, and cyberpunk aesthetics. Yi, a legendary warrior, is awakened to overthrow the nine Sols rulers. Players explore a dangerous world, uncovering secrets and altering the future. Responsive controls and well-designed levels make exploration enjoyable, while unique challenges and puzzles encourage thorough investigation. Gameplay combines platforming and action, focusing on spectacular battles. The parry-based combat system, reminiscent of Sekiro, allows players to deflect attacks and build chi for powerful counterattacks. Despite its difficulty and minor narrative flaws, Nine Sols' vibrant visuals, thoughtful gameplay, and unique atmosphere make it a memorable experience.
Venture To The Vile
Image: venturetothevile.com
- Release Date: May 22, 2024
- Developer: Cut to Bits
- Platform: Steam
Venture To The Vile's gloomy Victorian setting, reminiscent of Tim Burton's work, creates an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. The dark streets and gothic architecture transform each location into a horror-inspired illustration. Players explore multi-layered 2.5D environments, uncovering secrets and unexpected paths in each plane. Dynamic weather and time of day add depth, unlocking new areas and challenges. The protagonist's combat system evolves with the story, providing new weapons and abilities to overcome obstacles and enemies. Its dark aesthetic, original mechanics, and multi-layered levels make Venture To The Vile a significant platformer release.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Image: store.steampowered.com
- Release Date: July 17, 2024
- Developer: Squid Shock Studios
- Platform: Steam
Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus features mythical creatures, ancient rituals, and yōkai. The locations resemble traditional Japanese scroll paintings, showcasing originality and detail. Bo, a celestial spirit, descends to Earth to perform a ritual and restore balance. Players utilize Bo's magical staff, jumping, gliding, and attacking to overcome challenges and interact with the environment. New skills unlock, enhancing both combat and exploration. The game's complex platforming, puzzles, and hidden paths encourage revisiting locations with newfound abilities to uncover further secrets.
Neva
Image: mobilesyrup.com
- Release Date: October 15, 2024
- Developer: Nomada Studio
- Platform: Steam
From the creators of Gris, Neva is a touching adventure rendered in Nomada Studio's signature watercolor style. Berlinist's music enhances the emotional depth. Alba, a young girl, and her wolf pup journey through a crumbling world to restore harmony. Their journey is filled with challenges, but their bond helps them overcome obstacles. Gameplay combines platforming and puzzles, with the wolf pup gaining new abilities to access previously unreachable areas. Neva's emotional storytelling through visuals and music leaves a lasting impression, solidifying Nomada Studio's skill.
Tales Of Kenzera: Zau
Image: store.steampowered.com
- Release Date: April 23, 2024
- Developer: Surgent Studios
- Platform: Steam
Inspired by African mythology and culture, Tales Of Kenzera: Zau features a young shaman, Zau, who bargains with the god of death to retrieve his father's soul. His journey is fraught with danger, puzzles, and secrets. Gameplay blends platforming and adventure puzzles, with players exploring interconnected locations. Zau's abilities enhance both combat and exploration. The combat system, based on switching between Sun and Moon masks, allows for tactical shifts. Despite simpler mechanics and limited enemy variety, the game's artistic style and moving story are captivating.
Symphonia
Image: store.epicgames.com
- Release Date: December 5, 2024
- Developer: Sunny Peak
- Platform: Steam
Symphonia is a hardcore platformer emphasizing precision, where music and visuals are seamlessly integrated. Diverse and detailed locations reflect regional uniqueness, while vibrant effects highlight key story moments. Orchestral compositions by the Scoring Orchestra of Paris set 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 trap avoidance. Levels are linear but offer branching paths, encouraging exploration and the discovery of collectibles and abilities. Symphonia achieves a perfect balance of art, music, and gameplay, creating a truly immersive experience.
Conclusion
2024's platformers showcase the genre's continued evolution and ability to captivate players. These games, with their engaging narratives and innovative gameplay, offer something for everyone.
