Compared to Nintendo, Sony is not known for platformers on their consoles, and yet it has some of the best exclusive franchises outside of Mario. Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, LittleBigPlanet, and more. The latest console, the PS5, is not bursting with masterpieces, but there are still quite a few worth discussing.
From typical mascot platformers like Astro Bot to more inventive ones like It Takes Two, there is something for every platformer fan on the PS5. Hopefully, by the console’s end, there will be even more platformers to enjoy from both third-party and first-party developers. Maybe even a few will squeak out this year, but like the heroes in the following games, let’s jump into things.
Astro Bot
Super Mecha Galaxy
Astro Bot is one of those games that fans wish they had a mind eraser for so that they could experience the game again and again with fresh eyes. It’s one of the most creative platformers on any console with plenty of cool powers, levels, bosses, music, and incredibly solid controls.
Some powers included rolling into lava as a steal ball, becoming a sponge to douse flames, or sailing across a cloudy sky as an inflated balloon. Best of all, the nostalgia in Astro Bot is batting a thousand between fan favorite cameos from franchises like Resident Evil to more obscure ones like Mister Mosquito.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Two Universes Are Better Than One
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the type of experience for those who appreciate more action in their platformers. Similar to other games, the heroes will be armed with pistols, shotguns, and grenade equivalents, but they’ll also get stranger guns like ones that turn enemies into pixels.
The coolest feature in this latest entry is the multiverse world-hopping and the role reversals as Ratchet gets paired with Kit while Clank becomes a sidekick to Rivet, both of whom are female alternate reality versions of Ratchet and Clank. Great levels, fun weapon leveling up mechanics, and stellar comedic bits. This is a great Ratchet & Clank game for new players.
Rogue Legacy 2
A Family Business
Rogue Legacy 2 is a 2D roguelike with hand-drawn visuals that are spectacular. Even though combat comes first, the platforming challenges are pretty solid, and there are plenty of power-ups players can find on their journey to make things easier, like an air dash.
As players progress in the randomized dungeons, they will often have to platform through spiked areas or other traps, and getting past them all can be just as rewarding as the action. Rogue Legacy 2 is challenging without a doubt, but the progression system makes it an easy recommendation for beginners to the genre. Easy
Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance
Ninjas Kick Back
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the reboot the Shinobi franchise deserved, which truthfully went harder than it needed to. It too has hand-drawn visuals that look fantastic on any screen they grace with fluid animations between running, jumping, and slashing.
It’s another 2D game with impeccable combat and platforming that is both challenging and rewarding, if not a little too rough at times. The fast-paced ninja action will turn any player into a speed runner as they try to look as cool as possible in their playthrough, even if no one else is watching.
Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown
Following Ghosts
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a reboot sort of too, featuring a new Prince to root for, Sargon. Structurally, it can best be described as a Metroidvania with slick combat and even better platforming challenges as players unlock new time-based powers.
For example, the best challenge rooms involve players creating a copy of themselves to solve puzzles with layered interactions with ghost versions of Sargon. As a 2D Metroidvania, it’s also forward-thinking with a great map that details where players should focus their attention, and it should be mentioned that the boss fights are pretty epic, too.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
