Top 10 Platformers of 2024: A Genre-Defining Year
Platformers, a cornerstone of gaming history, continue to thrive, constantly innovating while retaining their core appeal: challenging jumps, intricate puzzles, and vibrant worlds. 2024 delivered a remarkable selection 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 dazzling 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 firmly place it at the top of its class. The game boasts meticulously crafted visuals, transforming each level into an interactive playground brimming with obstacles, puzzles, and hidden secrets. The diverse challenges and collectible items fuel exploration, while environmental interaction ensures replayability. The DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add an unprecedented level of realism, making every jump and climb feel tangible. Astro Bot masterfully blends classic platforming with innovative design, pushing the genre's boundaries.
The Plucky Squire
Image: thepluckysquire.com
Release Date: September 17, 2024 Developer: All Possible Futures Platform: Steam
The Plucky Squire brings fairy tales to life, seamlessly merging 2D illustrations with a captivating 3D adventure. Its vibrant art style, reminiscent of a children's book, creates a truly magical atmosphere. Jot, the brave knight protagonist, is banished from his book by the villain Hamgramp, embarking on a journey between flat pages and a three-dimensional world. This unique spatial dynamic is a defining feature. Gameplay is diverse, encompassing puzzle-solving, quirky mini-games (badger boxing, jetpack flights), and exploration of an interactive world. The smooth transitions between 2D and 3D are mesmerizing and engaging, making The Plucky Squire a memorable 2024 release.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release Date: January 18, 2024 Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier Platform: Steam
Despite falling short of Ubisoft's commercial targets, The Lost Crown resonated strongly with players, praised for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and innovative take on the series. The game's atmospheric Eastern setting is breathtaking, with captivating vistas and detailed locations transforming each scene into a visual masterpiece. Levels demand both agility and strategic thinking, while a convenient map simplifies navigation and a screenshot feature aids in remembering difficult-to-reach areas. Platforming seamlessly integrates with dynamic combat, featuring dual blades, unlockable weapons, spectacular combos, and unique abilities. While not a blockbuster, The Lost Crown stands out as a top-tier platformer of 2024, thanks to its exceptional visuals, refined gameplay, and unique mechanics.
Animal Well
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release Date: May 9, 2024 Developer: Shared Memory Platform: Steam
A five-year labor of love from a single developer, Animal Well emerged as a 2024 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 both engaging and thrilling. Animal Well’s unconventional approach to platforming, utilizing unique abilities like soap bubbles and a frisbee disc, sets it apart. Players must creatively utilize these tools, resulting in engaging and inventive gameplay. Animal Well injects refreshing originality into the platformer genre, deserving its place among the year's best.
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. The story follows Yi, a legendary warrior awakened to overthrow the nine Sols rulers. Players explore a world of danger and secrets, uncovering its past and shaping its future. Responsive controls and well-designed levels enhance exploration, while locations are filled with unique challenges, secrets, and puzzles. Gameplay combines platforming and action, with a focus on spectacular battles. The parry-based combat system, reminiscent of Sekiro, allows deflecting attacks and building chi for powerful counterattacks. Despite its high difficulty and minor narrative flaws, Nine Sols captivates with its vibrant visuals, thoughtful gameplay, and unique atmosphere.
Venture To The Vile
Image: venturetothevile.com
Release Date: May 22, 2024 Developer: Cut to Bits Platform: Steam
Venture To The Vile immerses players in the gloomy Victorian town of Rainbrook, a setting reminiscent of Tim Burton's works. The dark streets and gothic architecture create a chilling atmosphere. The city is plagued by The Blight, and the protagonist seeks his missing friend Ellie, exploring multi-layered 2.5D locations with hidden secrets and paths. Dynamic weather and time of day add depth, unlocking new areas and tasks. The hero's combat system evolves alongside the story, with developing weapons and abilities used to overcome obstacles and enemies. Its dark aesthetic, original mechanics, and multi-layered levels make Venture To The Vile a standout platformer.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release Date: July 17, 2024 Developer: Squid Shock Studios Platform: Steam
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus transports players to a world inspired by Japanese folklore, featuring mythical creatures and yōkai. The locations are visually stunning, resembling traditional Japanese scroll paintings. Bo, a celestial spirit, descends to Earth to perform an ancient ritual, exploring the map, overcoming obstacles, and battling enemies. Players utilize Bo's jumping, gliding, and attacking abilities, unlocking new skills to enhance combat and access hidden areas. Complex platforming sections, puzzles, and hidden paths encourage exploration and replayability.
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. The music complements the visuals, enhancing the emotional depth. Alba, a young girl, and her wolf pup embark on a journey through a crumbling world, facing trials and learning to overcome difficulties together. The game blends platforming and puzzle elements, with the wolf pup gaining new abilities to access previously unreachable areas. Neva's emotional storytelling through visuals and music makes it a standout indie title.
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 immerses players in a world where ancient gods and emotional themes intertwine. Zau, a young shaman, seeks to reclaim his father's soul, embarking on a journey filled with dangers, puzzles, and secrets. Gameplay combines platforming and adventure puzzles, with Zau enhancing his abilities to aid in battles and exploration. The combat system, centered around Sun and Moon masks, allows for tactical shifts.
Symphonia
Image: store.epicgames.com
Release Date: December 5, 2024 Developer: Sunny Peak Platform: Steam
Symphonia is a hardcore platformer emphasizing precision, with a seamless blend of music and visuals. The diverse and detailed locations enhance the atmosphere, while orchestral compositions performed by the Scoring Orchestra of Paris set the rhythm and mood. The story follows Philimon, a violinist on a quest to restore lost music and rebuild an orchestra. Gameplay relies on precise jumps, quick reactions, and utilizing the bow for various actions. Art design, music, and gameplay create a cohesive and immersive experience.
Conclusion
2024 showcased the platformer genre's continued evolution and capacity to captivate players. These ten games, with their engaging narratives and innovative gameplay, offer a diverse selection for every gamer.
