Platformer games have recently been seeing a huge resurgence. With indie platformers gaining a lot of positive attention and even tripe A publishers wanting a piece of the action, I figured I would make a list of the top 10 upcoming platformers I am personally looking forward to or interested in.
The list can be filled
with any style of platformer (3D, 2D, Cinematic, etc, etc) and is
simply a list of the platformers I am most looking forward to playing
and a bit of information about them. There might be some that I've
missed or some that you think I would like, so comment if you have
any suggestions or if you think something is missing from the list!
The list is also in a vague order from my least anticipated at the
top to my most anticipated at the bottom, but some are
interchangeable because I'm looking forward to them equally for
different reasons. Also my opinion on upcoming games changes quite a
lot because obviously I haven't played them myself and as such can't
create a proper opinion on them. So, without further ado, let's get
to it!
10
Mirror's Edge Catalyst
Sort of an odd one out on
this list because it's debatable as to whether it is actually a
platformer, or whether it's simply an action/adventure game. Based on
the first Mirror's Edge game and the snippets of footage I've seen
from the new one, I would say that because of the emphasis on free
running, Mirror's Edge is in fact a first person platformer with
FPS/action/adventure elements thrown in.
The first Mirror's Edge is
actually quite decent. The story isn't particularly engaging and it
could have done with being a little less linear perhaps, but it's
still quite good. It has an emphasis on speed and finishing levels
stylishly, and the unique controls worked very very well. The melee
combat system was also quite satisfying, although the focus was
always on getting past enemies as opposed to facing them head on.
It's also developed by the creators of Battlefield, which is a game
series that might now be a dull, boring, repetitive shooter, but was
once one of the best FPS games out there (ah Battlefield 2...).
Mirror's Edge Catalyst,
looks to improve the original by being open world (putting the 'free'
in 'free-running') and by scrapping the optional shooter elements
featured in the original game. Both of these are welcome additions to
me and are enough to mix up the formula to differentiate this from
the original.
Release Date
May 24th 2016
(North America)
May 26th 2016
(Europe)
Platforms
PC
PS4
Xbox One
Website
9
Yooka-Laylee
A spiritual successor to
the very well known and successful series 'Banjo-Kazooie'. Developed
by some of the team that created Banjo-Kazooie, this looks to be the
sequel fans of the original games are after (rather than
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, which no one really wanted). Even
though I don't particularly like the Banjo-Kazooie games, it's hard
not to anticipate this title when so much hype surrounds it.
It looks to follow the
same concepts and similar controls to Banjo-Kazooie. You play as
Yooka, who has Laylee on your back (mirroring Banjo who has Kazooie
on his back) and you can use Laylee to your advantage in the form of
double jumping and other moves. The levels follow a structure similar
to Super Mario 64, in which you enter an open level and can explore
and complete objectives and collect items which then unlock more
levels which get progressively harder and advance the story.
Even though it doesn't
look like it changes the rulebook at all, that isn't always what
people want. Sometimes I want to play a simple old school inspired
platformer, and this looks like it will be just that.
Release Date
October 2016
Platforms
PC
PS4
Wii U
Xbox One
Website
8
Cuphead
To be honest, this is a
game that I hadn't really looked into or seen anything of since E3
2014. But it still remains in my memory, which is a testement to how
much this game stands out. Although it's core gameplay doesn't look
like it does much new, where Cuphead shines is in its graphics. They
are stunning. Inspired by 1940 and 50s cartoons, the visual style of
Cuphead is unique and is something I've never seen in a video game
before.
And yes, technically this
game isn't a platformer, it's a run and gun game. But really, run and
gun games are basically a sub genre of a platformer game.
Release Date
2016
Platforms
PC
Xbox One
Website
7
Bloodstained: Ritual of
the Night
I have a confession to
make. I have never properly played any Castlevania game. I've played
the first game on the NES a couple of times but never really got into
it and I've played Symphony of the Night a few times but for some
reason never kept on playing. It isn't at all that I don't like them,
because I do. I specifically like Symphony of the Night, But I feel
like I want to buy it properly before I play it.
Anyway, for those that
don't know, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, is the spiritual
successor (there are a lot of those on this list...) to the
Castlevainia series. Developed by Koji Igarashi (the producer and
director of many, many Castlevania games), this is probably going to
be a very good game. Not a lot has been shown, but it's kind of
obvious what we are going to get here. Basically Symphony of the
Night 2 with a different more modern art style.
Release Date
March 2017
Platforms
PC
PS4
PS Vita
Wii U
Xbox One
Website
6
Mighty No.9
Oh look here... Another
spiritual successor... This time, it is the successor to Mega Man.
For those that have played any Mega Man game, you can instantly tell
that this is heavily inspired by them (it is created by
Keiji
Inafune, The writer, producer and designer of many Mega Man titles).
More inspired by Mega Man X than the traditional Mega Man series,
Mighty No. 9 looks like a fast paced run and gun game with nice
cartoon visuals in 2.5D rather than the pixel style used in most Mega
Man games.
Where Mighty No. 9
differentiates itself from Mega Man, is in it's combo system. You can
now dash into enemies to destroy them, racking up your combo meter
and score which creates a faster paced game than the Mega Man games.
Release Date
Q2 2016
Platforms
PC
PS4
PS3
Xbox 360
Xbox One
Wii U
PS Vita
3DS
Website
5
Ratchet and Clank
This is a remake/reboot of
the 2003 PS2 game 'Ratchet and Clank'. I really really like the first
Ratchet and Clank, it is easily my favourite of the entire series and
I'm looking forward to playing this updated version. Not only is
there a new game reboot of Ratchet and Clank coming out, but also a
film version of the game, Which is odd if you think about it. Is the
reboot game a game adaption of a film based on a game? Or is the film
a film based on the reboot game which is based on the original game?
My head hurts...
Ratchet and Clank is a
platformer/shooter hybrid set in a colourful cartoon sci fi world.
The first game balanced the platformer sections and shooter sections
very well but the later games were more about the shooting which was
slightly disappointing. However, hopefully the reboot will remain
true to the original.
The humor and zany
characters are still prevalent, and it's nice that they didn't go
down the dark and gritty reboot path that some have chosen.
Release Date
April 12th 2016 (North America)
April 20th 2016 (Europe)
Platforms
PS4
Website
4
A Hat in Time
This is a game I am very
much looking forward to. It is already in beta and you can gain
access to it from the website. But I would rather wait for the full
release before experiencing it. I've avoided looking at any recent
gameplay (so I can be surprised by the game when it's out), so I
apologise if my description of this game is a little bit vague.
Similar in style to Yooka
Laylee, A Hat in Time is inspired by traditional 3D platformers like
Super Mario 64 and has a similar art style to The Legend of Zelda:
The Wind Waker (a cel shaded, cartoon look) which is great, I love
that style.
This looks like it is
going to be a blast to play and is one of the few upcoming 3D
platformers of which there is a little bit of a lack, with most
companies going for the 2D or 2.5D approach. A charming looking game
that I can't wait to play!
Release Date
TBA
Platforms
PC
Website
3
Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus (Remake)
For those that somehow
don't know, the PS1 classic Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee was recently
remade for current and last gen consoles (and PC of course). The game
is a complete remake as opposed to a HD remaster and has some brand
new features. It was also given a new name (New 'N' Tasty). Oddworld
Inhabitants (the studio behind the creation of the original game and
the publisher of the remake) have said that a remake of Abe's Exoddus
(the sequel to Abe's Oddysee) is in the works, but there is no word
on when the game will be out and there is no gameplay footage of any
kind. If there was, this would probably be higher on my list.
From New 'N' Tasty, we
already know what to expect from this. A completely remade Abe's
Exoddus with brand new visuals, new controls, remastered soundtrack,
new cutscenes, etc. For anyone that hasn't played Abe's Oddysee or
Exoddus, I very very highly recommend them.
The game itself is about a
blue inhabitant of Oddworld who navigates his way around various
facilitices in order to bring down major corporations who are
mistreating the environment and inhabitants in order to make a
profit. It features some very difficult puzzles and platforming
sections, but is also very fun and has charm and style bursting from
it's seams.
(Estimated) Release Date
2017
(Assumed) Platforms
PC
PS4
Xbox One
Website
2
The Last Guardian
So although not
technically a platformer, The Last Guardian seems to have significant
plaforming sections and that's good enough to make it onto this list.
The Last Guardian is probably among the most anticipated games of all
time, having been announced in 2009 and been in development since
2007. It was finally properly shown at E3 2015 and the world went
crazy.
This looks like it will be
a very exploration driven, adventure game where the main gameplay
mechanic is interacting with a giant dog/bird hybrid who can save you
and help you when you wouldn't be able to progress on your own.
However, obviously being a giant dog/bird can also be a hindrance and
there are times you must help your friend as well as it helping you.
The game will most likely build this bond between you and your dog
bird and be an emotional experience.
It is created by Team Ico,
the studio behind the extremely highly regarded Shadow of the
Colossus and Ico games.
Release Date
2016
Platforms
PS4
Website
1
Inside
I am a very big fan of
Limbo. As such I am looking forward to Inside (the next game by
PlayDead, the developers of Limbo) a lot. It looks similar to Limbo
in terms of gameplay, a 2D cinematic platformer. However the visual
style and story are different. It is now 2.5D and features colour,
yet remains minimal and gives off a very empty ambient tone. The 2.5D
effect is very good and gives a very good sense of scale. The world
around you looks huge in comparison to yourself and the sense of
danger because of this scale is amplified.
Not much has been shown of
Inside but from the looks of it, it features a story of a boy who is
somehow freed from the control of some sort of system that is turning
the population in mindless colourless husks (think a 1984 type
situation) and is trying to escape from a compound filled with guard
dogs, robots and other dangers. This is going to be good.
For now the only platform
Inside is announced for is the Xbox One, however, I'm sure it will
follow in the footsteps of Limbo (which also debuted on Xbox) and be
released on every console soon after.
Release Date
2016
Platforms
Xbox One
Website
That just about wraps up the list! I would like to give the game 'Unravel' a special mention here at the bottom, because at the time I started writing this list (December 2015) it was on here and it was very near the bottom. But because I took forever to write it, it came out and obviously can't be on here anymore because it isn't 'upcoming'. That'll teach me to take my time writing these lists!
No comments:
Post a Comment