Summary
Platforming is an old genre, established in the 80s with games likeDonkey Kong,and has seen huge popularity over the years. It is a broad genre, full of offshoots like the Metroidvania and puzzle platforming genres.
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While most platforming connoisseurs are likely to know and love the big names, and maybe even some indie projects, there are plenty of phenomenal platforming games out there that are less well-known but no less deserving of love.Itch.iois a great platform to explore these emerging games, and perhaps players will even discover theirnew favorite platforming gameamong these projects.
10Station 37
Classic Platforming Style With Unique Mechanics
This game follows the classic platforming formula in a gorgeous retro art style but follows a unique premise. Players control a firefighter, rushing into burning buildings in an attempt to rescue as many of the civilians trapped inside as possible.
This opens up unique mechanics, notably the firehose that players will rely on to keep the flames at bay.Station 37also features a very bizarre twist when players reach the top of the building, which only adds to the enjoyment of the game! Just don’t go in expecting a gritty and realistic depiction of life as a firefighter.
9Hands
Wildly Absurd Experience
IfStation 37is somewhat quirky,Handsisan entirely absurd experienceand provides a platforming game like no other. Players control a hand that navigates by “walking” along on two fingers. To progress, players must guide their hand through unusual looping puzzles.
They will navigate surreal and mostly static backgrounds, before giving a handshake to another hand to reach the next dream-like location. It is quite a short experience but, with psychedelic hand songs and hand-shaking, biblically accurate angels, it is one that players aren’t going to forget for a long time, even if memories of it feel like a fever dream.
8One Last Adventure
Adorable Art Style
The developer ofOne Last Adventure,Jani Nykanen, has a strong collection of platformers, including puzzle platformers and Metroidvanias. Of all of these, however, their most recent acts as a brilliant culmination of their skills.
One Last Adventureis a Metroidvania in an adorable art style that is reminiscent of oldMariogames, providing an overall similar feel to the beloved classic platformer series. Despite being a very recent release, it has already received a lot of well-deserved love. Here’s hoping it doesn’t have to be the final adventure for the extremely talented developer.
7Down Hole
Addictive Downward Moving Rouge-Lite Mobile Platformer
Down Holeprovides a unique take on the platforming genre. Instead of the movement being primarily horizontal or upwards, players will be moving down through holes, as the title suggests. The mechanics involve putting a ball-like creature down through the randomly generated levels, and breaking bricks to allow for this downward movement.
Combining platformer with roguelite, players can discover power-ups to assist in their descent. To add to the experience, players can use their hard-earned in-game coins to unlock adorable new character cosmetics. While the game does play well in the browser on Itch.io, it feels like it is made for the phone, and players can download it for free on the Play Store for mobile.
6Pikwip
Adorable And Cozy Co-op Platformer
This adorable snowy platforming game was created in only 72 hours for the “Summit” themed Mini Jam of 2020. Players control two cutesy characters, one with the arrow keys and one with WASD, meaning that it can be played single-player or as a local two-player co-op experience. It is the goal of the player or players to help the two characters, who are tethered together, climb to the summit of a snowy mountain.
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The game is short, understandable given the time frame it was produced in, but it is a sweet game worth experiencing. The itch page states that developers, cookiecrayon, are planning on extending the prototype into a full game, and the adorablePikwipis definitely one to keep an eye on!
5Nameless
Beautiful Puzzle Platforming Fan Game
Namelesswascreated as a fan gamebased on the “Mumei” song and music video by the virtual YouTuber, Nanashi Mumei. While it will, of course, delight fans of the YouTuber and the original song,Namelessstands out as a game in its own right. The beautiful art style and narrative reflect that of its source material, resulting in a beautiful monochromatic design, adorable animations, and an overall charmingly melancholic experience.
The gameplay is primarily that of a puzzle platformer, and the puzzles themselves are impressively intuitive. While never fully reaching their grand scale, the experience is likely to be enjoyed by fans ofInsideandLimboin a stylistic sense, orUndertaleandNight In The Woodsfor the narrative.
4SELF
Mechanically Impressive Seamless Platforming Experience
Although it is quite a short experience,SELFis everything players could want from a unique and challenging puzzle platforming game. The primary mechanic is the player’s “soul” ability, which allows them to control the arc of their next jump for a short moment. Every puzzle is built around this one mechanic, meaning that each level is a concise and thought-out experience.
Progression between these levels is seamless. The soundtrack is also really catchy, and they seem to have a fairly active community of people attempting to break the speedrunning record. The developers have expressed interest in makingSELFa full-length game, and it deserves it.
3Ruin Valley
Impressively Interactive Metroidvania Experience
Despite also being a short game, the demo forRuin Valleyquickly establishes itself as an impressive Metroidvania experience. The retro art style is stunning and vibrant, and the gameplay is highly engaging. The game also impressed thanks to the surprising level of interactivity within such a small game.
Individual chains, that look as if they could be part of the background, will move as players brush past them. There is even a brief underwater segment!Ruin Valleyreceives comparison to established Metroidvanias likeHollow KnightandMomodora, and rightfully so. It is a highly enjoyable experience, and will make an incredible addition to the Metroidvania hall of fame, should it reach full development.
While Itch.io is great for uncovering hidden gems, some more well-known games are gracing the site. There is a big jump in recognition between the third entry and the second.A Short Hikemay be an indie game, but it also has overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam, where it costs $7.99, and is also available for free with Xbox Game Pass.
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A Short Hikealso costs $7.99 on Itch, but the experience is worth paying for, especially for fans of cute and casual games likeAnimal Crossing. The game is somewhat about hiking to the summit of a mountain, but it’s far sweet experiences that players have along the way. The gliding mechanic is great fun, and the soundtrack is just delightful!
By far the most well-known and popular platforming game on Itch.io isCeleste, and for good reason.Celesteis also, at its most basic level, about climbing a mountain (which seems to be a common theme in platforming games). But, primarily, it is a touching and sensitive exploration of anxiety and depression.
Celestewon the 2018 Game Awards accolades for Best Indie Game and Games for Impact. It is also renowned for its high levels of difficulty, but influential accessibility options.Celestehas remainedan outstanding example of platformingsince its release and is available to play on Itch for $19.99.
