Top 10 platformer games of 2024

Ten Exceptional Platformers That Defined 2024

Platformers, a cornerstone of gaming history, continue to thrive, consistently evolving and captivating players with innovative gameplay and compelling narratives. 2024 saw a wave of exceptional releases, and we've curated a list of the ten most 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

Image: youtube.com

• Release Date: September 6, 2024
• Developer: Team Asobi
• Platform: PlayStation

Team Asobi's vibrant 3D platformer, crowned "Game of the Year" at The Game Awards 2024, is a masterpiece of immersive design. Critically acclaimed and boasting top rankings on Metacritic and OpenCritic, Astro Bot transports players to a meticulously crafted world brimming with interactive elements, puzzles, and hidden secrets. The DualSense controller's haptic feedback adds an unparalleled layer of realism, enhancing every jump, slide, and climb. A perfect blend of classic and innovative design, Astro Bot sets a new standard for the genre.

The Plucky Squire

Image: thepluckysquire.com

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

The Plucky Squire seamlessly blends 2D illustration with 3D adventure, creating a truly unique and visually stunning experience. The vibrant art style, reminiscent of a children's book, combined with detailed environments and charming characters, immerses players in a world of magic. Jot, the brave knight protagonist, journeys between the flat pages of his book and a fully realized 3D world, making for captivating gameplay that seamlessly integrates puzzles, mini-games, and exploration.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Image: store.steampowered.com

• Release Date: January 18, 2024
• Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
• Platform: Steam

Despite not meeting Ubisoft's commercial targets, The Lost Crown garnered significant praise for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and innovative take on the franchise. The game's atmospheric Eastern setting is breathtaking, and the level design cleverly blends platforming challenges with strategic combat. The protagonist's dual blades unlock a range of spectacular moves and abilities, making each encounter a thrilling test of skill and timing.

Animal Well

Image: store.steampowered.com

• Release Date: May 9, 2024
• Developer: Shared Memory
• Platform: Steam

This single-developer indie gem, five years in the making, is a revelation. Animal Well captivates with its minimalist pixel art style and its unconventional approach to platforming. Instead of relying on standard mechanics, the game introduces unique abilities, challenging players to creatively solve puzzles and explore a surreal world brimming with secrets.

Nine Sols

Image: youtube.com

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

Nine Sols blends Eastern mythology, Taoist philosophy, and cyberpunk aesthetics into a captivating taopunk world. Players control Yi, a legendary warrior on a quest to overthrow the nine Sols rulers. The game seamlessly blends platforming and action, featuring a challenging combat system reminiscent of Sekiro, demanding precise timing and skillful execution.

Venture To The Vile

Image: venturetothevile.com

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

Venture To The Vile plunges players into a dark, gothic Victorian town, inspired by the works of Tim Burton. The game's atmosphere is thick with mystery and intrigue, as the protagonist searches for a missing friend amidst a mysterious blight. The multi-layered 2.5D environments and evolving combat system create a unique and challenging experience.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus features stunning visuals and a captivating story. Players control Bo, a celestial spirit tasked with restoring balance between worlds. The gameplay combines challenging platforming sections with engaging combat, rewarding exploration and skillful use of Bo's abilities.

Neva

Image: mobilesyrup.com

• Release Date: October 15, 2024
• Developer: Nomada Studio
• Platform: Steam

From the creators of Gris, Neva is a touching adventure rendered in a beautiful watercolor style. The story follows a young girl and her wolf pup as they journey through a crumbling world. The game blends platforming and puzzle elements, creating a heartwarming and emotionally resonant experience.

Tales Of Kenzera: Zau

Image: store.steampowered.com

• Release Date: April 23, 2024
• Developer: Surgent Studios
• Platform: Steam

Inspired by African mythology, Tales Of Kenzera: Zau features a captivating story and unique artistic style. Players control Zau, a young shaman on a quest to reclaim his father's soul. The game combines platforming with adventure puzzles, offering a compelling blend of exploration and combat.

Symphonia

Image: store.epicgames.com

• Release Date: December 5, 2024
• Developer: Sunny Peak
• Platform: Steam

Symphonia is a challenging hardcore platformer where music and visuals are integral to the gameplay experience. The game features stunning orchestral compositions and a captivating story about restoring lost harmony to a world ravaged by silence. The gameplay focuses on precision and skillful execution, demanding quick reflexes and strategic thinking.

2024 showcased the enduring appeal and remarkable evolution of the platformer genre. These ten games, each with its unique strengths and captivating qualities, offer a diverse range of experiences for players of all skill levels.