Platformers, a cornerstone of gaming history, continue to thrive, captivating players with their timeless blend of jumping, puzzle-solving, and vibrant worlds. 2024 saw a wave of exceptional platformers, and we've curated a list of ten outstanding titles deserving 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 top-tier status. Explore a vibrant world brimming with meticulously crafted details, interactive levels filled with challenges, puzzles, and hidden secrets. The DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers elevate the experience, making every jump and slide feel incredibly realistic. Astro Bot masterfully blends innovation with classic platforming, showcasing the genre's enduring appeal.
The Plucky Squire

Release Date: September 17, 2024
Developer: All Possible Futures
Download: Steam
The Plucky Squire brings fairy tales to life, seamlessly blending 2D illustrations with a thrilling 3D adventure. Its vibrant art style, reminiscent of a children's book, creates a truly magical atmosphere. Jot, the brave knight protagonist, is banished from his book and must journey between flat pages and a 3D world to restore the story's happy ending. Gameplay is diverse, encompassing puzzles, unique mini-games (badger boxing, anyone?), and exploration of an interactive world. The smooth transitions between 2D and 3D are mesmerizing.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Release Date: January 18, 2024
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
Download: Steam
Despite not meeting Ubisoft's commercial expectations, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown garnered significant praise for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and innovative take on the series. Explore a breathtaking Eastern world, where captivating vistas and detailed locations transform each scene into a visual masterpiece. The game seamlessly blends platforming challenges with dynamic combat, requiring both agility and strategic thinking. The protagonist's dual blades unlock new weapons, combos, and abilities as the game progresses, ensuring a consistently engaging 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 2024 indie gem. Its minimalist pixel art style brings its surreal world to life. The game map is packed with secrets, collectibles, and puzzles, encouraging exploration. Its unconventional approach to platforming, using unique abilities like soap bubbles and a frisbee disc, adds a layer of creative problem-solving.
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. As Yi, a legendary warrior, you must overthrow the nine Sols rulers. The gameplay combines platforming, action, and a challenging combat system reminiscent of Sekiro, requiring precise parries and timing to build up chi energy for powerful counterattacks.
Venture To The Vile

Release Date: May 22, 2024
Developer: Cut to Bits
Download: Steam
Explore the gloomy Victorian town of Rainbrook, a gothic setting reminiscent of Tim Burton's works. The city is plagued by The Blight, and you must find your missing friend Ellie. The game features multi-layered 2.5D locations, with changing time of day and weather conditions impacting gameplay and access to new areas.
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 a world populated by mythical creatures and yōkai. As Bo, a celestial spirit, you must restore balance between worlds using your magical staff. The game combines challenging platforming sections with puzzles and hidden paths, rewarding exploration.
Neva

Release Date: October 15, 2024
Developer: Nomada Studio
Download: Steam
From the creators of Gris, Neva is a touching adventure presented in a beautiful watercolor style. A young girl and her wolf pup embark on a journey to restore harmony to a crumbling world. The game combines platforming and puzzle elements, with the wolf pup gaining new abilities that unlock access to previously unreachable 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. The gameplay blends platforming and adventure puzzles, with a combat system based on switching between Sun and Moon masks to adapt to different enemies.
Symphonia

Release Date: December 5, 2024
Developer: Sunny Peak
Download: Steam
A hardcore platformer emphasizing precision, Symphonia seamlessly blends music and visuals. As the violinist Philimon, you journey to restore lost music and rebuild an orchestra. The gameplay relies on precise jumps, quick reactions, and utilizing your bow for various actions.
2024 showcased the platformer genre's continued evolution, with engaging narratives and innovative gameplay mechanics. Each game on this list offers a unique experience, ensuring there's something for every platformer enthusiast.