Best Isometric Platformers, Ranked

As a long-time platformer enthusiast who grew up with these iconic games, I must say that the current crop of platformers is truly a testament to the genre’s ever-evolving nature. Each game presents a unique twist on the formula, catering to both nostalgia and innovation.

Platformers gained significant popularity with the introduction of the NES and Super Mario Bros. in North America in 1985, making Nintendo a trailblazer in the gaming world, particularly in the realm of platform games. Super Mario 64 demonstrated the capabilities of creating a well-executed 3D platformer, serving as another notable example.

2D and 3D platformers have garnered much attention, but let’s discuss an under-the-radar genre: isometric platformers. When we talk about top-down games, our minds often wander towards titles like Diablo or the classic Zelda series. However, are there any notable recent or vintage isometric platformers? Let’s explore and see!

8 Frogun

A PS1 Homage To Platformers

In 2024, the game “Frogun” received a major update, introducing cooperative play. This enhancement allows players to collaborate in levels, offering fresh interactions. Graphically, it harks back to the PS1 era with its cel-shaded polygonal models reminiscent of the “Mega Man Legends” series. The game’s stages are brief, featuring platforms, puzzles, and enemies typical of such games. The frog tool, which can be used to attack enemies or grab onto objects, serves as the game’s primary draw. This mechanic is straightforward yet effectively implemented.

7 Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories

A Cad-Based RPG Platformer

As a dedicated fan, I found myself immersed in the captivating world of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, a spinoff and sequel to the original game that beautifully bridges the gap to Kingdom Hearts 2. In this intriguing tale, I, as Sora, find myself wandering through a mysterious castle, where my memories gradually fade as I delve deeper into nostalgic Disney worlds, including those inspired by beloved classics such as Aladdin and the chilling realm of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

6 Brave Fencer Musashi

Square’s Copycat Samurai Adventure

Back in the day, I stumbled upon this overlooked gem titled “Brave Fencer Musashi,” hailing from the creative minds at Square Enix. Unlike the beloved Kingdom Hearts series, this one seems to have slipped through the cracks of gaming history. It was a PlayStation 1 adventure, nestled under the Square umbrella, where a kingdom in distress summoned a hero. However, this savior turned out to be an unconventional young samurai named Musashi, not quite what they had in mind.

In various parts of the game, the viewpoint shifts from bird’s-eye to side-scrolling. It’s an Action Role-Playing Game with a significant amount of platforming, and its standout feature is that the protagonist, Musashi, can momentarily acquire abilities from adversaries.

5 Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

Exchanging Gun Variety For Multiplayer

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One was a spin-off game developed primarily to introduce multiplayer functionality into the Ratchet & Clank series. In this game, players could assume the roles of Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark, and Dr. Nefarious as they navigated through a sequence of linear stages. The levels often switched between top-down and 2D perspectives and maintained the beloved gameplay elements from blasting enemies with unusual weapons to swinging around using a hookshot. Instead of purchasing weapons from vendors, players were rewarded for their progress, and these weapons remained as zany as ever, ranging from whips to typical machine guns.

4 Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Ditching Level Creation To Focus On Platforming

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say I jumped right into “Sackboy: A Big Adventure” when it debuted on the PS5. Compared to previous installments, this one offered a more isometric viewpoint, which was a refreshing change. Dressing up my Sackboy character in quirky outfits was still an option, and the levels were intricately handcrafted.

3 Kirby And The Forgotten Land

Kirby’s First Big Open Area Adventure

In a novel twist, Kirby and the Forgotten Land marked Kirby’s debut in a major platformer game. Unlike its predecessors, it offered a more expansive, open-world experience. Furthermore, it was one of the rare instances where Kirby could explore 3D environments, albeit primarily from a top-down viewpoint. This design choice enhanced player navigation, which is why isometric games are often favored by many fans due to their improved sense of exploration.

Additionally, Kirby’s vacuum abilities were enhanced, allowing players to amplify traditional power-ups such as the sword or bomb transformations. Moreover, Kirby gained the ability to incorporate items like cars for a fun ride, generating a wave of memes upon the reveal of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and introducing innovative changes in the gameplay dynamics.

2 Moss

One Of PSVR’s Must-Play Titles

Among a handful of PSVR games, Moss and Astro Bot Rescue Mission stand out as must-plays for platformer enthusiasts. This game not only showcases the capabilities of the VR hardware but does so without causing discomfort or nausea to the player. The controller will guide you in maneuvering the character, Quill, while also allowing you to assist her from a disembodied perspective. For instance, you can manipulate certain pillars using motion controls to construct platforms that Quill can traverse. What sets the game apart is its unique diorama-like design where each level is viewed from above, offering an immersive experience that truly needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

1 Super Mario 3D Land

The 3DS Standard

The captivating game, titled “Super Mario 3D Land“, is one that needs to be experienced rather than described. It showcases the capabilities of its hardware, in this case, the Nintendo 3DS. While many games used the 3D effect, fewer utilized it effectively for perspective. However, Nintendo mastered this aspect, providing players with a sense of space in a Mario game for the first time. This made it easier to gauge where jumps could be made within stages. Unfortunately, without a 3DS, authentic emulation of “Super Mario Land” is impossible. Hence, it’s worth obtaining this game and a 3DS to preserve this notable milestone reached by Nintendo.

2024-10-02 19:34