As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that this year has been a golden age for platformers! From the thrilling adventures of Shadow the Hedgehog in “Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble” to the nostalgic journey through time in “Sonic Generations”, there’s no denying that 2024 has truly outdone itself.
2024 proved to be an exceptional year for gaming, offering something exciting for every type of gamer and game category. The platformer genre in particular shone brightly with a wealth of outstanding titles to explore or anticipate. Not only does the future look promising for the genre, thanks to upcoming games like “Rollin’ Rascal“, but this year has also seen the release of numerous innovative games that have redefined expectations within the genre.
Enthusiasts of the platformer genre should definitely give the games listed below a go, but they shouldn’t hesitate to explore other titles that came out this year as well. The year 2024 has seen quite an impressive number of platformers released. Some of these games garnered critical acclaim and received high ratings, others brought something unique to the table that surpassed expectations, while some simply delivered on classic platforming fun in a remarkable manner. Listed in alphabetical order, here are the top 10 platformers of 2024:
Animal Well
The indie game titled “Animal Well” is undeniably inspired by classic platformers, offering a visual and mechanical feast to players’ eyes. Much like its predecessors in the genre, it seems to be brimming with secrets waiting to be discovered. The game mirrors the tradition of platformers by allowing players to explore and understand the world and mechanics naturally, which adds an element of surprise when solving intricate puzzles. This sense of discovery isn’t limited to individual players either. For instance, one puzzle required collaboration from fifty different players of “Animal Well“. In fact, a dedicated website has been created specifically to unearth all its hidden secrets. With its expansive size and engaging exploration elements, “Animal Well” promises an adventure that will leave lasting impressions on players for years to come.
Astro Bot
Read Game Rant’s Astro Bot Review
In 2024, the Game of the Year Award (TGA) nominee, “Astro Bot,” was an instant favorite among both players and critics. It’s easy to see why this platformer has been so well-received. Currently boasting a “universal acclaim” rating on Metacritic and a “Mighty” score on OpenCritic, it’s clear that Team Asobi’s latest creation is a must-play for any fan of the genre. Not only does “Astro Bot” embody all the elements that make platformers great, but it also encapsulates the essence of PlayStation gaming. The VIP bots hidden throughout the game are charmingly nostalgic, but what truly sets “Astro Bot” apart is its captivating gameplay, which leaves a lasting impression on players.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Read Game Rant’s Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus Review
This 2.5D action platformer, richly influenced by Japanese folklore, puts players right at the heart of the action. Equipped with a bo staff, you’ll engage enemies and navigate swiftly through the air with grace, thanks to your movement system. Those who appreciated the intricacies of Hollow Knight might find themselves drawn to Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, as its design by Squid Shock Studios openly echoes its inspiration.
The distinctive visuals and control system of “Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus” create an exceptional platformer adventure that’s worth experiencing firsthand by any enthusiast. It rightly earns the acclaim it receives for immersing players in its world and challenging them to move with both the grace of a blossoming lotus and the cunning of a sly fox.
Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines
After its debut in 2022, the game Grapple Dog has returned with a new playable character. Luna, who adds firepower to the central grapple gun mechanics, is the anti-hero to Pablo’s upbeat personality. Even though the run time of Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines is similar to the original, it offers more worlds and levels, maintaining the comprehensive experience that one would anticipate from a sequel.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t contain my excitement about the latest addition to the Grapple Dogs series: Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines! The innovative mechanics like magnetic panels for rolling and a fire dash to traverse maps have made this game even more captivating.
Neva
Read Game Rant’s Neva Review
In the game titled Neva, players are welcomed into a vibrant, living world teeming with color and vitality. As they journey through this adventure, they nurture a profound bond with a unique wolf character. Navigating the environment is what propels fans forward in this tale, witnessing the growth of the game’s titular canine throughout each chapter. The controls are user-friendly and reactive, making Neva effortless to grasp and dive right into.
Nine Sols
Red Candle Games aimed to create a distinctive style for the game “Nine Sols,” dubbed as “taopunk,” that immerses players in the world of this 2D action-platformer. This aesthetic is further enriched by an engaging story and impressive world-building during gameplay. “Nine Sols” can be considered another addition to the Metroidvania genre, offering a challenging experience that proves rewarding for players. Despite its toughness, fans and critics have welcomed this game warmly. The combat, movement mechanics, and narrow yet protective spaces in “Nine Sols” are gratifying to master, encouraging players to persevere and conquer the challenges they face.
The Plucky Squire
Read Game Rant’s The Plucky Squire Review
Title character, “The Plucky Squire,” truly embodies his name, as our heroic knight springs to life from the pages of his tale, venturing into the world beyond. Debuting on All Possible Future’s indie scene, this title took a challenging journey to reach gamers, but it was undeniably worth the anticipation. “The Plucky Squire” may prove one of the most unexpected and enjoyable platformers available today.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Read Game Rant’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review
2024 began with an outstanding platformer, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This game is not only one of the top platformers of the year but also one of the best in its series. Contrary to its name, players assume the role of Sargon, an Immortal, instead of a prince. In retrospect, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown successfully established the quality level for platformers throughout the year. It provided a satisfying gaming experience at a budget-friendly price early in the year before other titles maintained the trend. Additionally, it launched a DLC expansion just a year after its initial release.
Regarding gameplay in “The Lost Crown”, it shines by offering the exploration typical of its genre and boasting elements similar to the “Prince of Persia” series. However, it doesn’t stop there; it also provides an engaging combat progression that keeps players hooked. As you play, you’ll encounter enjoyable skills to unlock, upgrades, and rewarding special animations when you time your parries perfectly. All in all, “The Lost Crown” is a joyous experience to engage with.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Read Game Rant’s Sonic X Shadow Generations Review
In “Sonic X Shadow Generations,” a beloved character from Sonic Team gets a fresh coat of paint in the colors blue, black, and red, as Shadow the Hedgehog takes center stage, sharing the limelight with Sonic. This compilation includes an updated version of “Sonic Generations” featuring revamped cutscenes, dialogue, and new Chao collectibles hidden throughout each level, delighting ardent fans. However, it’s fair to say that “Shadow Generations” truly shines in this collection.
Equipped with insights from the subsequent Sonic games following the original, Shadow’s standalone campaign uniquely explores his past and future, fundamentally altering the gameplay mechanics. The Chaos Control feature enables players to halt in-game clocks strategically, reducing timers to below 30 seconds to achieve objectives, redefining the conventions of the Sonic series in a manner that only the Ultimate Lifeform could accomplish. By offering two distinct yet complementary experiences within a single package, these high-speed characters deliver a platformer experience that sets it apart from the typical ambiance prevalent in the genre.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble
Read Game Rant’s Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble Review
In a delightful comeback after more than a decade of remakes and a mobile game, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble truly shines. The game’s signature tilt-and-tumble mechanics are now available across an impressive 200 stages, featuring 11 customizable characters. Additional guests, including familiar faces from the Sonic the Hedgehog universe and unexpected characters like Hatsune Miku and Godzilla, are also part of the package. The diverse roster of characters in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble is hard to fault, especially when paired with exceptionally tight and responsive controls that make the game accessible for both beginners and long-time enthusiasts.
In the 16-player cooperative modes, the game “Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble” offers a one-of-a-kind party-style platformer experience that’s sure to bring hilarious chaos among fans. It’s wonderful to see this distinctive series make a comeback with such style, devotion, and diversity amidst numerous other impressive platform games. Whether players are striving to roll and gather every banana, break personal bests, or master jump tricks to navigate around challenging hurdles and maps, “Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble” shows that monkeying around can be both enjoyable and challenging again.
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2024-12-03 19:54