Top 10 platformer games of 2024

Platformers, a cornerstone of gaming history, remain incredibly popular, even after decades. Their enduring appeal stems from a winning combination of precise jumps, clever puzzles, and vibrant, imaginative worlds. 2024 saw a fantastic crop of platformers, and here are ten outstanding titles that deserve your attention.

Table of Contents

• Astro Bot
• The Plucky Squire
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• Animal Well
• Nine Sols
• Venture To The Vile
• Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
• Neva
• Tales Of Kenzera: Zau
• Symphonia

Astro Bot

Release Date: September 6, 2024
Developer: Team Asobi
Download: PlayStation

Team Asobi's dazzling 3D platformer, Astro Bot, swept the "Game of the Year" award at The Game Awards 2024, captivating critics and players alike. Its high Metacritic and OpenCritic scores solidify its place at the top of the rankings. The game's vibrant world is meticulously crafted, with interactive levels brimming with obstacles, puzzles, and hidden secrets. The sheer variety of tasks and collectible items keeps exploration exciting and rewarding. The DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add an incredible layer of realism, letting you feel every jump, slide, and climb. Astro Bot masterfully blends innovation with classic platforming design, showcasing the genre's enduring potential.

The Plucky Squire

Release Date: September 17, 2024
Developer: All Possible Futures
Download: Steam

The Plucky Squire brings a fairy tale to life, seamlessly blending 2D illustrations with a thrilling 3D adventure. Its vibrant visual style, reminiscent of a children's book, creates a truly magical atmosphere. Jot, the brave knight protagonist, is banished from his book by the villain Hamgramp, embarking on a journey between flat pages and a three-dimensional world. This unique approach to spatial navigation is a key highlight. Gameplay is diverse, encompassing puzzle-solving, quirky mini-games (like badger boxing!), and exploration of a richly interactive world. The smooth transitions between 2D and 3D are captivating and seamless. The game's vibrant style and unique mechanics make it a truly memorable platformer.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Release Date: January 18, 2024
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
Download: Steam

While The Lost Crown may not have met Ubisoft's sales expectations, it received widespread critical acclaim for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and innovative take on the series. The game immerses players in a breathtaking Eastern world, with captivating vistas and meticulously detailed locations. Levels demand both agility and strategic thinking, while a convenient map simplifies navigation. The screenshot feature is a clever addition, allowing players to easily remember the locations of hard-to-reach areas. Platforming seamlessly blends with dynamic combat, featuring dual blades, unlockable weapons, spectacular combos, and unique abilities. Despite its commercial performance, The Lost Crown remains a standout platformer experience.

Animal Well

Release Date: May 9, 2024
Developer: Shared Memory
Download: Steam

Developed over five years by a single developer, Animal Well is a true indie gem. Its minimalist yet expressive pixel art style brings its surreal world to life. The game map is packed with secrets, collectibles, and puzzles that encourage exploration. Animal Well stands out with its unconventional approach to movement, utilizing unique abilities like soap bubbles and a frisbee disc instead of standard platforming maneuvers. This creative approach to gameplay makes for a refreshing and memorable experience.

Nine Sols

Release Date: May 29, 2024
Developer: Red Candle Games
Download: Steam

Nine Sols plunges players into a unique taopunk world blending Eastern mythology, Taoist philosophy, and cyberpunk aesthetics. Players control Yi, a legendary warrior awakened to overthrow the nine Sols rulers. Exploration is rewarding, with responsive controls and well-designed levels filled with challenges, secrets, and puzzles. The gameplay combines platforming and action, featuring a parry-based combat system reminiscent of Sekiro. Despite its high difficulty, Nine Sols impresses with its vibrant visuals, thoughtful gameplay, and unforgettable atmosphere.

Venture To The Vile

Release Date: May 22, 2024
Developer: Cut to Bits
Download: Steam

The gothic Victorian town of Rainbrook, with its Tim Burton-esque atmosphere, sets a dark and intriguing tone. Players explore multi-layered 2.5D environments, uncovering secrets and hidden paths in each plane. Dynamic weather and time of day add depth to the gameplay, unlocking new areas and challenges. The hero's combat system evolves alongside the story, with new weapons and abilities opening up access to previously unreachable locations. Its dark aesthetic, original mechanics, and multi-layered levels make Venture To The Vile a standout platformer.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus

Release Date: July 17, 2024
Developer: Squid Shock Studios
Download: Steam

Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus features mythical creatures and yōkai in a world reminiscent of traditional Japanese scroll paintings. Bo, a celestial spirit, must restore balance between worlds using his magical staff. Players utilize jumping, gliding, and combat abilities to overcome challenges and interact with the environment. New skills unlock access to hidden areas, encouraging exploration and replayability.

Neva

Release Date: October 15, 2024
Developer: Nomada Studio
Download: Steam

From the creators of Gris, Neva is a touching adventure executed in Nomada Studio's signature watercolor style. The game's soundtrack perfectly complements its visuals, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. Alba and her wolf pup embark on a journey to restore harmony to a crumbling world, overcoming challenges together. The game combines platforming and puzzle elements, with the wolf pup gaining new abilities that unlock access to new areas.

Tales Of Kenzera: Zau

Release Date: April 23, 2024
Developer: Surgent Studios
Download: Steam

Inspired by African mythology and culture, Tales Of Kenzera: Zau features a young shaman, Zau, who makes a deal with the god of death to reclaim his father's soul. The gameplay combines platforming and adventure puzzles, with Zau enhancing his abilities to overcome challenges and discover hidden paths. The combat system, using Sun and Moon masks, allows for tactical flexibility.

Symphonia

Release Date: December 5, 2024
Developer: Sunny Peak
Download: Steam

Symphonia is a challenging platformer emphasizing precision, with a seamless blend of music and visuals. The diverse and detailed locations are complemented by an orchestral soundtrack performed by the Scoring Orchestra of Paris. Philimon, a violinist, embarks on a journey to restore lost music and rebuild the orchestra. Gameplay focuses on precise jumps, quick reactions, and using the bow for various actions. Art, music, and gameplay create a cohesive and immersive experience.

2024 showcased the continued evolution of the platformer genre, with engaging stories and innovative gameplay mechanics. Each of these games offers a unique and rewarding experience, ensuring there's something for every player.