Best 2D Platformers On PlayStation 5

Summary

Super Meat Boy offers addictive, tough-as-nails 2D platforming with precision challenges.
No Time To Explain offers a unique experience with lasers and a mental challenge.
Little Nightmares combines survival horror with stealthy platforming in an atmospheric world.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that this list of top platformers is nothing short of exceptional. Each game offers a unique blend of challenge, storytelling, and immersion that has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry.

2D platform games aren’t as prevalent as they used to be during the early days of home console gaming, when they served as a standard blueprint for game design. Nowadays, this genre is often linked with Nintendo and its family-friendly characters, but there are still many excellent platforming games that find their place on PlayStation consoles.

On the PS5, the console famed for its graphically stunning AAA games with captivating stories, you’ll also find a rich library of classic platformers, reminiscent of yesteryears, brimming with diverse challenges and immersive environments. For those who don’t own a Nintendo Switch but love 2D platform gaming, these are arguably the top-notch platformers on the PS5.

10. Super Meat Boy

Tough As Nails Indie Darling

Super Meat Boy, despite showing some signs of aging, continues to captivate with its unwavering addictiveness. This beloved indie game maintains the challenge of platforming by having players deftly dodge bullets, lava, and an excessive amount of spinning saw blades.

This game sports an incredibly simplified control system, comprising just two buttons: run and jump. The protagonist, Meat Boy, can momentarily adhere to walls, providing temporary relief and enabling vertical platforming. Players must exhibit pixel-precise accuracy to make it to the end and save their cherished companion.

9. No Time To Explain

Intense Time Traveling Chaos

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Developer: tinyBuild
Released: August 15, 2011

Instead of being highly praised by critics, this one has a more personal appeal, but for an exceptionally unique and laugh-out-loud 2D platform game adventure, “No Time To Explain” is definitely worth the short playtime it requires. The main character carries a reliable laser cannon which is not only useful in combat, but also for traveling around.

Jumping by shooting at the ground sends the character soaring aloft, which helps conquer most hurdles throughout the game. As difficulty levels increase, players will gain access to shotguns and grappling hooks. Despite being quite tough, this game offers frequent respite points for the player.

8. Little Nightmares

Unsettling Horror Puzzle Platformer

In essence, “Little Nightmares” places greater emphasis on creating an unsettling ambiance rather than testing your platforming skills. It remarkably manages to transport the survival horror genre into a 2D environment. The terrifying entities that populate the world of “Little Nightmares” are the main focus and highlight of each level.

On many stages, the twisted figures loom ominously, serving as an imposing danger. The objective for the player is to navigate from one point (A) to another (B), sneaking past them using stealthy maneuvers on platforms and occasionally breaking into a quick run when necessary due to sudden tension.

7. Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition

Frenetic High Octane Metroidvania

Guacamelee, inspired by Mexican folklore, tells the story of Juan, a simple farmer who receives extraordinary Luchador abilities from a legendary mask. The combat style revolves around this character, offering a variety of punches, kicks, and grapples that can be creatively chained together as the player progresses and levels up.

In a Metroidvania style game, abilities you acquire along the way can be useful not just for progressing through the game, but also for gaining access to previously unexplored areas. The story weaves together two realms – the living world and the afterlife – and your character, Juan, will move between these environments frequently for puzzle-solving and exploration, lending a captivating layer of complexity to the exciting platforming gameplay.

6. Sonic Mania

Old School Fun

Following numerous attempts by Sega that fell short in updating Sonic the Hedgehog for contemporary times, enthusiastic fans stepped up and undertook the task within the modding community. These fan-created games exhibited remarkable quality, so much so that Sega recruited their creators to develop Sonic Mania – an officially licensed game.

In the spirit of harkening back to the golden era of Sonic yet infused with the advantages of contemporary game development, Sonic Mania offers an all-inclusive experience tailored for Sonic enthusiasts and serves as a top-notch platformer for those seeking a blend of less intricate controls and exhilarating speed.

5. Animal Well

A Mystery Wrapped In An Enigma

Animal Well really has to be experienced to be understood. The enigmatic Metroidvania proved a huge hit — despite involving no challenging combat or reflex testing platforming sections.

Instead, the challenge lies more in the mental realm as the world of Animal Well unfolds like a massive puzzle for exploration, discovery, and trial and error. This unique concept might not appeal to everyone, but it’s definitely an adventure worth attempting for enthusiasts of 2D platforming games.

4. Ori And The Blind Forest

Animated World

Upon starting up “Ori and The Blind Forest,” players are immediately struck by its breathtaking visuals. The game masterfully evokes the emotional depth found in well-known animated films, thereby creating a vibrant and immersive environment.

After making an investment, the game turns out to be not only emotionally captivating and heartfelt but also mechanically sound. It’s a Metroidvania-style design with thrilling, well-coordinated platforming sections and breathtaking boss battles. Its successor, “Ori and the Will of the Wisps”, maintains this level of engagement and emotional depth.

3. Limbo

Hauntingly Beautiful

Similar to Animal Well and Little Nightmares, Limbo is a game that stands out due to its captivating ambiance. With an impressive use of minimalist art, it effectively creates both suspenseful and puzzling scenes, relaying its story via challenging puzzle-platforms and eerie settings.

Despite being less complex than certain peaks in the genre, Limbo offers an unforgettable experience that lingers long after the final credits have rolled.

2. Braid

Mario’s Time Machine

In a simpler and more natural way of expression: “Braid” is another game that openly shows its inspirations, particularly in the enemy design which resembles that found in “Super Mario”. The mechanics for platforming are rather straightforward, with the main character Tim only being able to jump moderately high.

As a dedicated fan, I’d say what makes this game intriguing is its unique approach to difficulty through time manipulation mechanics. You can essentially rewind time in this game, which allows you to tweak various elements and enemies on the screen to your advantage. The focus here is on puzzle platforming, where you need to finesse the level itself to move forward. Many of the later puzzles demand lightning-fast reflexes, creating a fascinating equilibrium between a laid-back pace and nail-biting precision platforming.

1. Celeste

Climb The Mountain

In the game titled Celeste, the character Madeline is praised for her realistic portrayal of mental health challenges, as her emotional burden of anxiety is symbolized by a towering mountain that players must ascend within the game. The compelling narrative makes it a rewarding experience to play through, but what truly sets Celeste apart is its demanding platforming challenge that proves to be both challenging and exciting.

Madeline has jumping, dashing abilities, and can stick temporarily to various surfaces. The challenges quickly approach the player with no margin for mistakes. For success, players require exceptional accuracy, but the game remains manageable due to frequent and forgiving checkpoints. After finishing the main tale, players can access a sequence of progressively tougher levels, ideal for those who relish a challenge, especially the hardcore enthusiasts aiming to conquer the C-sides.

2024-12-12 05:34