Top 10 platformer games of 2024

Platformers are one of the oldest video game genres, maintaining their popularity even after decades. Jumps, puzzles, and vibrant worlds remain the foundation of the genre, which continually evolves and offers something new. In 2024, many games were released, and we have selected the 10 most outstanding titles that deserve your attention.

Astro Bot

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The bright and engaging 3D platformer from Team Asobi won the "Game of the Year" award at The Game Awards 2024, capturing the hearts of both critics and players. It received high ratings on Metacritic and OpenCritic, where it rightfully sits at the top of the rankings.

The game transports you to a vibrant and lively world where every detail is meticulously crafted. Levels in Astro Bot are interactive arenas filled with obstacles, puzzles, and secrets. The variety of tasks and collectible items make exploration exciting, and the ability to interact with the environment keeps players coming back repeatedly.

The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers make every action astonishingly realistic. You can feel the robot sliding on ice or struggling to climb uneven surfaces.

This colorful 3D platformer combines innovation with classic game design, unveiling new facets of the genre.

The Plucky Squire

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In The Plucky Squire, a fairy tale comes to life before your eyes, blending two-dimensional illustrations with an exciting three-dimensional adventure. The game impresses with its vibrant visual style: each scene looks like an illustration from a children's book, and the detailed locations and original character designs create an atmosphere of true magic.

The main character, Jot, a brave knight, is banished from his book by the villain Hamgramp. To restore the story's happy ending, he must travel between flat pages and a three-dimensional environment. This unique approach to space became a key feature of the game.

The gameplay delights with its variety: solving puzzles, participating in unusual mini-games like badger boxing and jetpack flights, and exploring a world full of interactive elements. The smooth transitions between 2D and 3D are mesmerizing and engaging.

The vibrant style and unique mechanics make The Plucky Squire one of the most memorable games of 2024.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

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Although The Lost Crown did not meet Ubisoft’s commercial expectations, it received a warm reception from players. They highly praised its stunning graphics, engaging gameplay, and the original development of the series.

The game immerses you in an atmospheric Eastern world, striking in its beauty. Captivating vistas, detailed locations, and picturesque decorations turn each scene into a visual masterpiece.

The levels are designed to require not only agility but also a strategic approach to exploration. The convenient map simplifies navigation in complex locations, and the screenshot feature allows you to remember hard-to-reach places. This feature helps even after some time to understand which abilities or items are needed to progress.

Platforming elements seamlessly blend with dynamic battles. The protagonist, wielding dual blades, unlocks new weapons, spectacular combos, and unique abilities as the game progresses. Each fight requires precise timing and attention, adding depth and maintaining interest throughout the game.

Although The Lost Crown did not become a major hit, it earned its place among the best games of the year for platformer enthusiasts. Its magnificent visuals, well-crafted gameplay, and unique mechanics make it a standout event of 2024.

Animal Well

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An indie game created by a single developer, Animal Well was developed over more than five years and became a true discovery of 2024. It enchants with its minimalist yet expressive pixel art style, bringing every corner of its surreal world to life.

The game map is filled with secrets, collectibles, and puzzles that make exploration engaging and thrilling.

Animal Well stands out with its unconventional approach to exploration: instead of the usual double jumps and dashes found in platformers, it uses original abilities—such as soap bubbles or a frisbee disc. Players must figure out how to use these tools themselves, making the gameplay both engaging and creative.

Animal Well brings freshness and originality to the platformer genre, rightfully earning its place among the best games of the year.

Nine Sols

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Nine Sols immerses players in a unique taopunk world where Eastern mythology, Taoist philosophy, and futuristic cyberpunk intertwine.

The story revolves around Yi—a legendary warrior awakened to overthrow the nine rulers known as Sols. Players must explore a world full of dangers and hidden secrets to uncover its past and change the future.

Exploring the world is enjoyable thanks to responsive controls and well-designed levels. Locations are filled with unique challenges, secrets, and puzzles, encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny.

The gameplay combines platforming and action with an emphasis on spectacular battles. The combat system, featuring parry mechanics reminiscent of Sekiro, allows players to deflect enemy attacks and build up chi energy for powerful counterattacks. As Yi progresses, he gains access to new weapons, talismans, and abilities.

Despite high difficulty and some narrative rough edges, Nine Sols impresses with its vibrant visual style, thoughtful gameplay, and original atmosphere that lingers in memory long after playing.

Venture To The Vile

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The gloomy Victorian town of Rainbrook, seemingly inspired by Tim Burton's works, immerses players in an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. Dark streets and gothic buildings turn each location into an illustration from a horror tale.

The city is engulfed by a mysterious entity—The Blight—and the protagonist sets out to find his missing friend Ellie. To do this, players must explore multi-layered 2.5D locations where each plane hides its own secrets and unexpected paths. The changing time of day and weather conditions add depth to the gameplay, unlocking access to new areas and tasks.

The hero’s combat system evolves alongside the story: weapons and abilities develop, allowing not only to defeat enemies but also to overcome complex obstacles. Each new skill unlocks access to previously unreachable places, expanding exploration possibilities.

Thanks to its dark aesthetic, original mechanics, and multi-layered level structure, Venture To The Vile became a standout event in the platformer genre.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus

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In a world inspired by Japanese folklore, mythical creatures, ancient rituals, and mysterious yōkai come to life. The locations seem to have stepped out of traditional Japanese scroll paintings, impressing the imagination with their originality and detail.

The main character, Bo, a celestial spirit, descends to Earth to perform an ancient ritual and restore the balance between worlds. Armed with a magical staff, he explores the map, overcomes obstacles, and battles a variety of enemies.

Players can jump, glide, and attack using Bo’s abilities to overcome challenging trials and interact with the environment. Gradually, the hero unlocks new skills that not only make battles more spectacular but also allow access to hidden areas.

Complex platforming sections, puzzles, and hidden paths encourage players to revisit previously explored locations with new abilities, uncovering more secrets of this amazing world.

Neva

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A touching adventure from the creators of Gris, executed in the studio's signature watercolor style. The music by composer Berlinist complements the visual images, enhancing the emotional depth of the story.

A young girl, Alba, and her loyal wolf pup embark on a perilous journey through a crumbling world to restore lost harmony. Their path is filled with trials, but the heroes learn to help each other, overcoming difficulties together.

The game combines elements of platforming and puzzles. Over time, the wolf pup gains new abilities that allow overcoming obstacles and accessing previously unreachable areas.

Neva impresses with its ability to convey emotions through visual imagery and music, leaving a deep mark on players' hearts. It became a standout event in the indie game world, reaffirming Nomada Studio’s mastery.

Tales Of Kenzera: Zau

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Inspired by African mythology and culture, Tales Of Kenzera: Zau transports players to a world where the magic of ancient gods intertwines with profound emotional themes. The main character, a young shaman named Zau, makes a deal with the god of death to reclaim his father's soul. His journey is filled with dangers, puzzles, and secrets hidden in the lands of Kenzera.

The gameplay combines elements of platforming and adventure puzzles. Players explore interconnected locations filled with secrets, enemies, and unique challenges. As Zau progresses, he enhances his abilities, aiding not only in battles but also in discovering hidden paths.

The combat system, built around switching between Sun and Moon masks, allows changing tactics depending on the enemies. Battles resemble a rhythmic dance, where precision and skillful use of abilities are crucial.

Despite the simplicity of some mechanics and limited enemy variety, the game captivates with its artistic style and touching story.

Symphonia

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A hardcore platformer focused on precision, where music and visual style merge seamlessly. The locations impress with their diversity and detail: backgrounds reflect the uniqueness of each region, and key story moments are highlighted with vibrant effects, enhancing the atmosphere.

Music plays a central role in Symphonia. Orchestral compositions performed by the Scoring Orchestra of Paris complement the gameplay, setting the rhythm and mood of the story.

Once, the world of Symphonia lived in harmony, filled with melodies and energy. But the disappearance of the orchestra's founders brought silence and desolation. The violinist Philimon sets out on a journey to restore the lost music, gather musicians, and rebuild the orchestra.

The gameplay relies on precise jumps, quick reactions, and the ability to avoid traps. Philimon climbs platforms, bounces off walls, and uses his bow to jump higher, activate checkpoints, and uncover hidden paths. There are no combat elements in the game, but the gameplay challenges require agility and dexterity.

Levels are linear but offer numerous branches, encouraging exploration and the discovery of collectibles, secrets, and new abilities.

In Symphonia, art design, music, and gameplay blend into a perfect balance, creating a flow effect and complete immersion.

In 2024, platformers demonstrated that the genre continues to evolve and find new ways to captivate players. Engaging stories and original gameplay ideas make each of these games worthy of attention, ensuring that everyone can find a project to their liking.

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