10 Best 2D games on PS Plus

Key Takeaways

2D games offer something for every audience.
Titles like Worms WMD, Rogue Legacy 2, and Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty are standout examples.
These games showcase the lasting appeal and innovation of 2D games amidst new 3D marvels.

As someone who’s spent countless hours diving into the depths of digital worlds, I can wholeheartedly attest to the sheer brilliance of these three classics. Each one offers an immersive and unique experience that leaves a lasting impression on players.

Many of the latest and greatest games are 3D marvels that push the technical boundaries of our PCs and Consoles. While impressive, only a fool would see them as a replacement for 2D games.

Multitudes of amazing game titles are rooted in the 2D world, encompassing a variety of genres that spark your imagination. For those seeking thrilling side-scrolling adventures, here’s a curated list of top choices accessible through your PlayStation Plus membership.

This was a difficult list to make, as there are far more than ten incredible 2D games on PS Plus. I’ve tried to hit a wide range of genres, but don’t be offended if I’ve missed your favorites!

10 Worms WMD

A Formula As Old As Time

Since 1995, the “Worms” game series has been providing an engaging turn-based strategy experience that remains surprisingly user-friendly. The most recent addition to this popular franchise is “Worms WMD,” boasting numerous contemporary elements and enhanced graphics.

In essence, the fundamental play mechanic remains consistent with the initial version. Teams of wiggly creatures engage in a series of battles, each turn culminating in them firing off various absurd weapons such as self-detonating sheep and bazookas. It’s entertaining and hard to resist, and there’s definitely an element of skill required.

Regardless if you’re already hooked on the series or just starting out, Worms WMD serves as an excellent introduction to the franchise. It offers engaging content for less experienced players while also catering to those who prefer a more challenging experience with its high skill potential.

9 Rogue Legacy 2

A Brutal 2D Roguelite

In a nutshell, “Rogue Legacy 2” is an exhilarating adventure game infused with plenty of humor. Being a Roguelite title, the layout of the map varies each time you play, and it’s important to note that death is simply part of the experience. When you perish, your heir steps in, giving you an opportunity to purchase upgrades for your next try, making the gameplay progressively smoother.

In this game, you’ll find a variety of classic fantasy characters to choose from, such as mages and archers. Each character has unique strengths and weaknesses, but sometimes, your characters might possess unusual traits, such as being colorblind or having IBS, which can make the gameplay interesting! For instance, your next character could be afflicted with those conditions, so they’ll deal damage to enemies by passing wind!

Underneath all these whacky mechanics is a solid 2D adventure with a unique identity of its own.

8 Towerfall Ascension

Old-School Multiplayer Action

Towerfall Ascension is a lively party game that offers traditional local multiplayer action. In this game, the goal is to eliminate your opponents by shooting them before they can shoot you; once defeated, you wait for the next round to re-enter the fray.

In simpler terms, the controls are very accurate, and it’s quite challenging, yet fascinating, to hit moving targets with a bow. The game is filled with various natural obstacles that add excitement, and there are plenty of opportunities for intense one-on-one battles.

Towerfall Ascension is best enjoyed when a crowd of friends gather around the screen to play together. If you often get together for local gaming events, this game is an excellent choice to include in your collection.

7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

The Turtles Have Never Looked Better

Shredder’s Revenge ranks among the greatest Turtles games ever made, boasting engaging combat sequences, vivid pixel art design, and the team’s signature humor. The series excels in 2D arcade beat-em-up style gaming, and it pays homage to its origins with numerous references to the source material.

Players have an impressive variety of characters they can control, making their selection truly delightful. It’s thrilling to encounter legendary adversaries such as Rocksteady and Krang.

In simpler terms, you can enjoy a lot of unthinking fun by repeatedly pressing buttons during every fight, but fights can actually be quite complex. The game Shredder’s Revenge is incredibly easy to get into and shows that there’s still life left in the 2D Brawler genre.

6 Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty

This Is How You Do A Remake

Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty serves as a loyal re-creation of the original Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee for PlayStation systems. Despite its 3D appearance, the gameplay is confined to the two-dimensional realm.

New N’ Tasty is an engaging puzzle-platformer game, where you’ll need to balance your thinking skills and quick reflexes. Interestingly, Abe isn’t a combat specialist, but he’s remarkably agile, a feature that you can leverage for success.

If granted the chance, Abe could take control over his adversaries’ minds. This unique feature offers numerous gameplay opportunities, and the levels have been skillfully designed to suit Abe’s special skills.

Your trip leads you through massive livestock processing plants to dilapidated areas filled with paramites. It’s an ongoing struggle to avoid becoming someone else’s meal, and there’s always something interesting happening in this eccentric 2D game.

There’s nothing quite like the Oddworld games, and New N’ Tasty is easily one of the best.

5 Dead Cells

A Genre-Defining Roguelite

Dead Cells stands out as an exceptional 2D game that blends Roguelite elements, intricate pathways, and captivating settings, while boasting some of the most responsive controls in its genre. The action is swift, featuring more than a hundred weapons for players to experiment with.

Performing your Dodge maneuver boosts speed dramatically, giving you a brief period of invulnerability. Timing your dodge correctly to dodge destructive attacks is immensely gratifying. Furthermore, the game offers engaging progression between sessions, making each run rewarding.

In the game “Dead Cells”, maps are dynamically created to foster exploration. Be warned though, “Dead Cells” is incredibly challenging, but as you progress, you’ll become stronger and acquire rewards, even in runs that don’t go according to plan.

4 Mega Man 11

Classic 2D Platforming

The Mega Man series is renowned for its smooth gameplay, tough challenges, and unique style in boss fights. Mega Man 11 harks back to the classics on NES and SNES. You’ll find the top-notch 2D platforming associated with Mega Man, featuring an amazing soundtrack and inventive level design.

In this game, you have the freedom to complete levels or stages in whatever sequence you prefer. Notably, defeating each boss grants Mega Man a fresh ability, which significantly enhances the game’s replay value because certain moves prove more effective when facing particular opponents.

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I must say that diving into Mega Man 11 feels incredibly nostalgic, harking back to the golden era of gaming in the 90s. For those who are yet to embark on this iconic journey, perhaps now is the perfect moment to uncover why this series has earned such enduring love and admiration.

In the world of Mega Man, boss fights play a significant role, and some of these vintage encounters can be incredibly challenging, bordering on being unreasonably difficult.

3 Undertale

Right In The Feels

Undertale stands out as an exceptional role-playing game boasting various conclusions, a captivating ensemble of characters, and an innovative battle mechanism. It’s filled with laughter, but also poignant moments that can bring a tear to your eye. The dialogue is thoughtfully crafted, making it easy to empathize with the characters.

The Underground is an enigmatic realm, where the scenes shift so drastically from one monitor to another that it’s hard to predict what might appear on the screen ahead.

Even battles are notable, as you can talk your way out of combat. You can even talk your way out of Boss Battles, but it’s much tougher than it sounds.

It can be challenging to maintain a pacifistic stance, but if you’re fond of role-playing games, I suspect you’ll find yourself eager to delve into all that the game ‘Undertale’ has in store for you.

2 Terraria

A 2D Sandbox Masterpiece

Terraria is an engaging survival and crafting video game that you could easily lose track of time playing for hundreds of hours. This game, which has been around for more than a decade, may just as well endure for another decade or so.

For quite some time, Terraria has been commonly compared to “2D Minecraft,” a characterization that isn’t entirely fair despite their similarities. While both games do share some common aspects, Terraria offers more emphasis on combat and allows you to track your advancement using boss battles. In Terraria, there’s always something new to strive for, whether it’s acquiring better equipment or working on a construction project for your base.

The game’s play pattern is captivating, while its 2D-pixel art graphics are stunning, particularly as you venture into fresh environments.

Terraria offers something for everyone and it even collaborates with other great games like Core Keeper.)

1 Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition

All The Preparation You Need For Silksong

In simpler terms, “Hollow Knight” is an enchanting game in the Metroidvania genre boasting stunning visuals, intricately designed environments, and a melancholic soundtrack.

The world of Hallownest comes to life with an incredible hand-drawn art style that stands out against the more popular pixel art. Hallownest is sometimes pretty bleak, but you will find yourself marveling at the background and scenery.

In the game called “Hollow Knight”, it follows the Metroidvania genre where exploration is highly encouraged. As you progress, more areas of the game become accessible as you acquire new skills. Much of the game’s depth is left for you to discover on your own, making it particularly rewarding when all the pieces fit together seamlessly.

Among numerous Metroidvania games available, Hollow Knight stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the genre’s finest.

2024-09-28 15:09