Top 3D Platformers on Steam: Sonic, Sackboy, and More!

Summary

Sonic Frontiers offers a fresh take on 3D platforming in open-world settings.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure features music-themed stages and charming movement mechanics.
A Hat In Time impresses with tight controls, diverse level designs, and unique abilities.

3D platformers, when skillfully designed, carry an enduring charm. It’s the exhilaration of executing a flawless leap over an abyss, the delight in discovering a secret trinket concealed behind a seemingly ordinary bush, or the sense of accomplishment from mastering movements that once seemed as challenging as learning to skate on ice slopes. Although its heyday was in the late ’90s and early 2000s, the essence of this genre remains vibrant on Steam.

Explore gravity-bending realms of the mind and witness fast-paced hedgehog escapades; here are some outstanding 3D platform games currently on Steam. These games leave lasting impressions even after the final curtain, so they’re definitely worth giving a try!

7. Sonic Frontiers

Blue Blur Meets Breath Of The Wild, Somehow

Sonic Frontiers is among those games that, on the surface, shouldn’t have succeeded – yet it manages to do so remarkably well. At first glance, the concept of Sonic running freely in an expansive open world, traversing sprawling landscapes, scaling massive structures, and discovering mini platforming challenges might seem like something concocted by enthusiastic fans. However, Sega chose to embrace this idea, resulting in one of the most innovative approaches to 3D platform gaming that the Sonic series has ever presented.

The Starfall Islands exhibit an unusual blend of tranquility and turmoil. At one instant, Sonic might be gathering memory fragments for a departed comrade under a gentle drizzle. In the next breath, he’s dashing through a fast-paced obstacle course suspended high above the ocean. The Cyber Space levels evoke memories of classic Sonic stages from Generations and Unleashed, designed to cater to both speedrunners and those seeking top scores.

Platforming goes beyond merely reaching a finish line; it’s an integral part of exploration. Traversing a crumbling edifice may require wall-running, spring jumps, targeted strikes, and even midair dashes. It’s a blend of movement techniques that only Sonic can master, although occasionally the camera might have other plans.

6. Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Stitching Together Fun One Jump At A Time

Upon the release of Sackboy: A Big Adventure on PC, it presented an impressive level of refinement that’s difficult to overlook. This isn’t merely a spin-off from LittleBigPlanet – it’s a meticulously crafted 3D platformer capable of holding its own among the classics, without relying on nostalgia. Each level exhibits a sense of rhythm, often quite literally. Musical stages harmoniously coordinate jumps and perils with songs such as “Let’s Dance” or “Uptown Funk”, transforming the platforming experience into a synchronized dance performance.

As a devoted fan, I’ve got to say there’s something uniquely tactile about Sackboy’s movements that sets him apart. Unlike many platforming heroes, he moves at a deliberate pace, which adds to his charm. The controls prioritize timing and precision over quick reflexes, making each move feel intentional. Even when the action gets hectic, as it often does in multiplayer mayhem, it never feels unjust or unfair.

While it might not have the level creation tools that made the franchise famous, A Big Adventure more than makes up for it with its own creative flair. The handcrafted aesthetic isn’t just visual; it permeates gameplay too. Platforms feel spongy underfoot, bridges zip like well-sewn zippers, and obstacles are as soft as yarn balls. In short, the game offers a richly textured experience in more ways than one.

5. Alice: Madness Returns

Victorian Wonderland, But Make It Unhinged

In the glory days of platformers, if I’d been fortunate enough to play “Alice: Madness Returns,” it would have left me utterly bewildered. This game masterfully blends the chaos and confusion of Wonderland into its platforming sequences, creating a world that defies all expectations. Teapots suspended in mid-air, dice bridges that crumble at the slightest touch, and hidden platforms activated by spraying a floating snout – nothing here follows the traditional rules, making the platforming feel incredibly unpredictable and thrilling.

In this game, combat skillfully combines close-quarters and long-range attacks using unique weapons such as the Vorpal Blade and Tea Cannon. However, what truly binds together this seemingly fragile teacup of a game is its intricate platform design. The levels are multi-layered, with secrets hidden within vertical labyrinths. Each fresh environment alters the mood significantly. One instant you’re immersed in a vibrant Japanese scroll painting, the next you find yourself in a gloomy industrial orphanage. All of this is accentuated by an underestimated soundtrack that adds depth to the gaming experience.

4. Mirror’s Edge

Sometimes Falling Is the Point

In Mirror’s Edge, precision isn’t about strict control; it’s all about flow. It feels less like navigating platforms and more like dancing your way through a city. The rooftops in this sterile dystopia transform into an agile playground of pipes, ledges, and glass panels. There are usually multiple paths to take, and skilled players learn to decipher the environment as if it were a language, spotting routes that maintain momentum where others might miss them.

In the game, Mirror’s Edge, the focus was never on combat, which some found cumbersome. Instead, speed is the essence. Faith, the protagonist, moves swiftly without needing a weapon. Players aren’t supposed to battle against the system but to outpace it. At just the right moments, leaping over fences, running along walls, and tumbling into a roll after a steep descent creates an almost Zen-like experience. To this day, even years after its release, Mirror’s Edge stands out as one of the most distinctive platforming games due to its lack of whimsical characters or floating platforms. Instead, it’s all about reclaiming freedom, one rooftop at a time.

3. Spyro: Reignited Trilogy

A Purple Comeback That Actually Worked

Initially, the classic Spyro series was endearing, but towards the late 2010s, it started showing its years. However, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy didn’t merely polish things; instead, it redesigned them with fresh animations, redid dialogue (even Tom Kenny returned to give voice to the tiny dragon), and lighting effects that made collecting gems even more delightful.

In the world of Spyro, the concept of platforming is distinctively unique. Unlike many other games, it lacks wall-jumping or elaborate acrobatic backflips. Instead, it focuses on perfecting momentum. Charging into adversaries, timing jumps over fiery pits, and employing glides to cover vast distances adds a distinctive rhythm to the gameplay. Each installment in the trilogy presents subtle adjustments to this formula. For instance, Ripto’s Rage introduces more exploratory hubs, while Year of the Dragon brings new playable characters into the mix. Yet, all three games excel at the fundamental aspects of a great 3D platformer: intricate level design, responsive controls, and hidden treasures that reward players who aren’t shy about testing every wall that looks suspicious.

2. A Hat In Time

You Don’t Need A Cape When You’ve Got A Hat

There’s a good explanation for why A Hat In Time is often discussed as if it were a forgotten gem from the GameCube era. It seems like something Nintendo could have produced, had they been in a particularly playful mood. The movement mechanics are precise and fluid, allowing jumps to land perfectly on surfaces and a dive move that offers numerous mid-air maneuvering options. Hat Kid isn’t just agile; she moves with an athleticism that makes traversing airships and haunted forests feel effortless and natural.

What truly sets A Hat In Time apart is its unique level design. Each stage, or “chapter,” offers a distinct genre twist. Mafia Town, for instance, embodies the essence of collectathon games, with zany adversaries and free-roaming exploration. Contrastingly, Subcon Forest immerses players in a chilling, task-based series of eerie missions that give off a vibe reminiscent of psychological platformers rather than the typical Saturday morning cartoon experience.

The level of precision in this game is subtle yet significant. Wearing various hats in Hat Kid bestows skills such as slowing time or brewing explosives, enriching player interaction within each setting. Furthermore, the modding community on Steam offers a wealth of additional content, including custom levels that match the original game’s inventiveness.

1. Psychonauts

Who Needs Gravity When You’ve Got Brains

In the realm of platform games, some test players’ quick reflexes, but Psychonauts takes it a step further by testing their creativity. Raz’s journey through the minds of peculiar, traumatized, and frequently humorous characters is constructed using thematic platforming. These aren’t ordinary levels; they are mental states manifested into tangible forms. For instance, one mind might be a neighborhood filled with G-Men spouting nonsensical theories, requiring players to move stealthily as if the environment itself is scrutinizing their actions. Another could be a theater divided among different stage plays, each offering unique obstacles and emotional burdens. The platforming varies according to the tone, from demanding precise movements to following the illogical flow of dreams.

As a devoted fan, I must say, it’s truly amazing to witness how effortlessly these powers transition. Leaping becomes an unexpected trampoline, manipulating objects with mere thoughts, and occasionally igniting flames. It’s all part of a game that, despite its quirks, feels strikingly consistent – a unique, fractured, yet brilliant universe. Even years after Psychonauts earned cult status, few games have managed to harmonize level design and storytelling as seamlessly as it did, with perhaps the exception of its sequel, Psychonauts 2. It’s a testament to how platforming can serve as a vehicle for character growth, something even the most agile plumber hasn’t quite mastered yet.

2025-04-21 04:08