The Best Platformer Games on Steam

The platforming genre has remained a cornerstone of the gaming industry since its inception, evolving from simple jump-and-run mechanics into complex, narrative-driven experiences. On Steam, the category flourishes with a diverse array of titles ranging from precision-based challenges to atmospheric explorations and genre-bending crossovers. These games are defined by their tight controls, creative level design, and the distinct artistic visions of their creators. The following list highlights the top-rated platformers available on the platform, showcasing both modern classics and indie breakthroughs.

‘Rain World’ (2017)

In this survival platformer, players control a “slugcat” navigating a broken ecosystem filled with cunning predators. The game was developed by Videocult and originally published by Adult Swim Games, with Akupara Games later taking over publishing duties. ‘Rain World’ features a complex simulated environment where every creature possesses its own artificial intelligence and survival instincts. Players must forage for food and find shelter before the arrival of bone-crushing rainstorms that end each cycle. This title is noted for its high difficulty curve and a unique procedural animation system that gives movement a fluid, organic feel.

‘A Hat in Time’ (2017)

Developed by Gears for Breakfast, ‘A Hat in Time’ is a 3D collect-a-thon platformer that draws heavy inspiration from early 2000s console classics. Players take the role of Hat Kid, a space traveler who must recover her lost Time Pieces scattered across a diverse planet. The game features several distinct worlds, ranging from a movie studio run by rival birds to a spooky, haunted forest. Various hats provide the protagonist with specific abilities, such as a sprint flare or a brewing hat for explosive attacks. The project was successfully funded via Kickstarter and has since expanded with several pieces of downloadable content.

‘Sonic Mania’ (2017)

‘Sonic Mania’ serves as a high-fidelity celebration of the original 2D era of the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ franchise. It was developed by Christian Whitehead, PagodaWest Games, and Headcannon in collaboration with SEGA, who also published the title. The game features pixel-perfect recreations of classic zones alongside entirely new levels designed for high-speed traversal. Players can choose between Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, each offering distinct movement abilities to explore branching paths. This project originally began as a fan-led initiative before receiving official backing and resources from the publisher.

‘Katana ZERO’ (2019)

‘Katana ZERO’ is a stylish 2D action-platformer developed by Askiisoft and published by Devolver Digital. Players control a katana-wielding assassin who can manipulate time to deflect bullets and plan precise attacks. The game features instant-death combat, where both the protagonist and enemies are defeated in a single hit. Between high-speed combat sequences, players engage in a noir-inspired narrative through a unique dialogue system that affects character interactions. The pixel art aesthetic is complemented by a heavy synthwave soundtrack that enhances the fast-paced gameplay.

‘Limbo’ (2010)

‘Limbo’ is a puzzle-platformer characterized by its monochromatic visual style and eerie, unsettling atmosphere. It was developed and published by the independent studio Playdead. Players guide a young boy through a dark and dangerous environment in search of his missing sister. The gameplay focuses on environmental puzzles that often involve physics-based interactions and lethal hidden traps. The minimalist sound design and complete lack of dialogue emphasize the sense of isolation and tension throughout the journey.

‘Super Meat Boy’ (2010)

‘Super Meat Boy’ is a precision-based 2D platformer developed and published by Team Meat. The story follows an animated cube of meat who attempts to rescue his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the villainous Dr. Fetus. The gameplay requires players to navigate over 300 levels filled with saw blades, crumbling blocks, and other lethal obstacles. Precise timing and wall-jumping mechanics are essential for completing the increasingly difficult stages. This title is widely credited with helping to ignite the modern independent gaming movement during the early 2010s.

‘Neon White’ (2022)

Developed by Angel Matrix and published by Annapurna Interactive, ‘Neon White’ blends first-person platforming with card-based combat mechanics. Players take on the role of a demon hunter in heaven, competing with others for a chance at a permanent residence. Soul Cards are used to perform specific attacks, but they can be discarded to activate special movement abilities like double jumps or dashes. The gameplay focuses heavily on speedrunning, encouraging players to optimize their routes through short, intense levels. A visual novel-style narrative unfolds between missions, featuring a cast of eccentric, fully-voiced characters.

‘Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove’ (2014)

‘Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove’ is an 8-bit inspired platforming epic developed and published by Yacht Club Games. The collection includes the original campaign along with several expansions that feature different playable characters and unique mechanics. Players control the titular knight as he battles the Order of No Quarter to find his lost beloved, Shield Knight. The game utilizes a risk-reward checkpoint system that challenges players to decide between safety and extra gold. Its success led to the creation of several spin-offs and guest appearances across the wider gaming industry.

‘Spelunky 2’ (2020)

This sequel to the acclaimed original expands on the roguelike platformer formula with deeper mechanics and larger, branching environments. ‘Spelunky 2’ was developed by Mossmouth and BlitWorks, with Mossmouth handling the publishing duties. Players explore procedurally generated lunar caverns filled with treasure, traps, and hostile wildlife. The game introduces new features like liquid physics, ridable mounts, and an online multiplayer mode. Every death is permanent, forcing the player to learn from their mistakes and master the game’s complex interactive systems.

‘Pizza Tower’ (2023)

‘Pizza Tower’ is a high-energy 2D platformer developed and published by the independent studio Tour De Pizza. Drawing inspiration from the ‘Wario Land’ series, the game focuses on speed, destruction, and fluid movement. Players control Peppino Spaghetti, a manic pizza chef who must destroy a tower to save his restaurant from destruction. The art style is reminiscent of 1990s cartoons, featuring expressive, hand-drawn animations and a frantic soundtrack. Each level culminates in a “Pizza Time” escape sequence where the player must race back to the entrance before a timer expires.

‘Rayman Legends’ (2013)

Published and developed by Ubisoft, ‘Rayman Legends’ is a visually vibrant 2D platformer that supports up to four players in local co-op. The game utilizes the UbiArt Framework to create detailed, hand-painted environments across several thematic worlds. Players must jump, run, and punch their way through levels to rescue Teensies from various mythological foes. A standout feature includes the rhythm-based musical stages where every action is synchronized to the beat of licensed or original tracks. The game also includes several remastered levels from its predecessor, ‘Rayman Origins’.

‘Inside’ (2016)

Following the success of their debut title, Playdead developed and published ‘Inside’, a dark narrative-driven platformer. The game places the player in control of a boy navigating a dystopian industrial facility filled with mind-control experiments and security forces. Unlike its predecessor, this title uses a 2.5D perspective and a more detailed, yet still desaturated, color palette. The environmental puzzles are integrated into the world-building, often requiring the player to observe the behavior of enemies or machinery. ‘Inside’ is frequently cited for its haunting atmosphere and provocative approach to environmental storytelling.

‘Cuphead’ (2017)

‘Cuphead’ is a run-and-gun platformer developed and published by Studio MDHR. The game is world-renowned for its hand-drawn animation style, which painstakingly recreates the look of 1930s cartoons. Players take control of Cuphead or Mugman as they battle a series of increasingly difficult bosses to repay a debt to the Devil. While primarily boss-focused, the game also includes platforming “run and gun” levels that test the player’s reflexes and precision. The experience is further enhanced by an original jazz soundtrack recorded by a live big band.

‘Dead Cells’ (2018)

‘Dead Cells’ is a “rogue-lite” metroidvania developed and published by Motion Twin, with later updates handled by its sister studio, Evil Empire. Players explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle, collecting new weapons and skills to overcome formidable guardians. The combat is fast and fluid, rewarding aggressive playstyles and precise dodging mechanics. Permanent upgrades can be unlocked between runs using “cells” collected from defeated enemies throughout the levels. The game has received extensive post-launch support, including numerous free updates and themed expansions like ‘Return to Castlevania’.

‘Terraria’ (2011)

Developed by Re-Logic, ‘Terraria’ is a sandbox platformer that emphasizes exploration, crafting, and combat. While it features building mechanics, the core gameplay loop revolves around traversing diverse biomes to defeat powerful bosses. Players can dig deep underground to find rare materials or build massive structures to house non-player characters. The game has seen over a decade of updates, significantly expanding its item pool and endgame content. Since its release, it has become one of the best-selling and most-played video games of all time on Steam.

‘Ori and the Will of the Wisps’ (2020)

This sequel to ‘Ori and the Blind Forest’ was developed by Moon Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios. ‘Ori and the Will of the Wisps’ features a vast, interconnected world brought to life through stunning hand-painted art and a cinematic score. Players control Ori, a small guardian spirit, who must embark on a journey beyond the forest of Nibel to discover a true destiny. The combat system was significantly overhauled for this entry, offering more customization through spirit shards and various active abilities. The game’s focus on emotional storytelling and fluid movement mechanics has earned it widespread critical acclaim.

‘Psychonauts 2’ (2021)

‘Psychonauts 2’ is a 3D platformer developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Xbox Game Studios. The story follows Razputin Aquato, a young psychic who joins an international espionage organization known as the Psychonauts. Players enter the minds of various characters, navigating imaginative worlds that represent their internal struggles, fears, and memories. The gameplay combines traditional platforming with psychic powers like telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and levitation. Its creative level design and narrative approach to mental health themes are standout features of the overall experience.

‘It Takes Two’ (2021)

Developed by Hazelight Studios and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Originals label, ‘It Takes Two’ is a genre-bending platformer designed strictly for co-op play. Two players control Cody and May, a clashing couple who have been transformed into dolls by a magic spell. Every new level introduces a unique gameplay mechanic that requires constant communication and collaboration between the two players. The narrative explores the complexities of relationships as the characters navigate surreal versions of their own home. The title won numerous Game of the Year awards for its innovative design and sheer variety of mechanics.

‘Celeste’ (2018)

‘Celeste’ is a precision platformer developed and published by Maddy Makes Games. Players follow Madeline as she attempts to climb the titular Celeste Mountain while grappling with her inner anxieties. The game is built around a simple but deep dash mechanic that allows for complex movement sequences across hundreds of individual screens. While the difficulty is high, the game offers various accessibility options through its Assist Mode to ensure all players can experience the story. The narrative and gameplay are tightly woven together, reflecting the protagonist’s personal growth through the challenge of the climb.

‘Hollow Knight’ (2017)

‘Hollow Knight’ is a sprawling 2D metroidvania developed and published by Team Cherry. Players explore the ruins of Hallownest, a vast underground kingdom inhabited by insect-like creatures and dangerous monsters. The game emphasizes exploration and discovery, allowing players to choose their own path through its massive, interconnected world. Combat is precise and challenging, requiring players to master the timing of their “Nail” attacks and various magical abilities. With its melancholic atmosphere, deep lore, and tight platforming mechanics, it is widely considered a modern masterpiece of the genre.

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