Sonic Mania is the game that brought back the golden era of platformers

2025 promises to be an exciting year for platformer fans. Every year, technology improves, developers offer new adventures, more elaborate levels, and innovative mechanics. In this article, we will talk about the anticipated projects that are preparing to immerse fans in unique worlds where dark dreams, post-apocalyptic wastelands, and magical kingdoms merge into one.

Little Nightmares 3: Nightmares Return

Little Nightmares 3 continues the tradition of immersing players in an atmosphere of disturbing and mystical nightmares. This time, Tarsier Studios has created a truly incredible journey through dark universes full of mysteries and dangers. The main characters again encounter frightening monsters that symbolize hidden human fears. The new plot deepens the theme of loneliness, which was a characteristic feature of the first two parts: more nuances and opportunities for interaction between characters. This approach makes the project one of the most anticipated platformers of 2025, making fans of the genre sit on the edge of their seats in anticipation.

Gameplay and new mechanics

The new mechanics of Little Nightmares 3 offer something more interactive and exciting. Now platforming is more complex: new combinations of jumps and interactions with the environment. For example, in one of the scenes, the heroes must cooperate to activate hidden mechanisms and overcome obstacles. These elements allow you to feel the dynamics and fear as the characters move through levels filled with mysterious entities and dangerous traps. The platformer is available to a wide audience that uses PC and consoles.

What to expect from the graphics

The visual component of the third part has become even more elaborate. Lighting and texturing technologies allowed Tarsier Studios to create an atmosphere that literally exudes cold. The shadows have become deeper, there is a feeling that something ominous is always nearby.

Replaced: cyberpunk with a soul

Replaced is more than just a cyberpunk platformer that will be released in 2025. Here, the plot is intertwined with a well-developed setting of a neon city where the spirit of the 80s reigns. Sad Cat Studios took the best elements of retrowave style and created a unique universe where humanity has lost control over technology. The protagonist finds himself inside a network of events that are both intriguing and frightening. The city glows with neon lights, but behind them lie dark secrets and corporations thirsting for complete control.

What distinguishes the gameplay

Replaced’s gameplay offers a unique combination of platformers and combat games, with deep mechanics that challenge participants. The use of combo attacks and interaction with the environment allow you to create a special style of play. This is not just an indie platformer, but a product with the highest level of development, in which attention to detail makes each fight unpredictable.

Reanimal: post-apocalyptic adventures

Reanimal takes users to a post-apocalyptic world where nature and technology have intertwined into something completely new. The developers from Wasteland Studios have created an atmosphere in which every step can be the last. The main character travels through the ruins of a metropolis destroyed by a global catastrophe. Along with him, mutants and mechanical creatures live in a dangerous world trying to survive. The platformer is deservedly aimed at receiving the title of the best game of 2025.

Platforms and accessibility

The authors tried to make Reanimal accessible to everyone by adding elements that can be easily adapted for gameplay on any platform. Key attention is paid to making each player feel like a part of the post-apocalyptic world, regardless of the device. The console versions received separate optimization to improve performance.

Velaster: a magical world where everything is possible

In Velaster, heroes must use all their abilities to cope with challenges. Magic Pixel Studio created a dimension where every tree, river, mountain is full of magic and secrets. The main character is a young magician forced to protect his kingdom from the forces of darkness. The expected platformers of 2025 attract attention, but Velaster is especially interesting because it stands out with an interesting story. This is a game where magic, friendship and betrayal are intertwined.

Developers and their goal

The developers from Magic Pixel wanted to create not just an ordinary project, but a whole world that you will want to return to. They tried to give players the opportunity to explore every corner of the environment and create their own story. The releases of such concepts become whole events, because they give not one-time impressions, but deep emotions.

Bubsy in the Purrfect Collection: the cat who returned

Bubsy is back to please fans again. The series is known for its special humor and unconventional approach to platforming. In the new part, the developers have preserved the spirit of the original, while adding modern elements that make the platformer relevant in 2025. The project returns users to the origins of the genre and at the same time adds many fresh challenges.

New graphics, old humor

The graphics of Bubsy in the Purrfect Collection have received a major update, but the developers tried to preserve the unique style of the original. The humor on which the entire plot is based has also remained in place – the cat continues to get into ridiculous situations and mockingly comment on what is happening. This is one of those new products that combines the best of old and new games, and gives fans the opportunity to reminisce.

Conclusion

In 2025, users will see many interesting releases that will continue to develop the platformer genre. The projects offer not only new mechanics and technologies, but also incredible stories that will take your breath away. The games will definitely leave a mark on the hearts of players and will become important events of the year. From dark nightmares to magical worlds, everyone will find something to their taste.

Platformers have always been more than just a type of PC game. They are a dance on the edge, where every jump is a decision of fate. Mistake? Goodbye, level. Precision? Welcome to a new world. Here they create universes where the balance between challenge and reward makes every step unforgettable. From old favorites to the latest hits, this genre continues to amaze.

Dive into the classics: old PC platformers

In an era when pixels became a symbol of hardcore, old PC platformers remain the benchmark for many. Games that challenged, did not forgive mistakes and made you sweat from tension. Their influence is felt to this day.

Take Prince of Persia, for example – the same “Prince” that stunned with its realism and precision of movements. There were no quick victories here. Every action was thought out, every battle was a real battle with your own nerves. Traps, blades and pits turned into nightmares for gamers, but victory in these trials became a real triumph.

Or Commander Keen – a game that gave the opportunity to feel like an alien explorer, jumping on incredible planets and collecting strange artifacts. It combined a fun atmosphere with serious challenges, which made it a cult among those who were looking for fun and a challenge in one bottle.

And what about Jazz Jackrabbit? This green rabbit did not just run through the levels, but arranged real high-speed marathons, where enemies flew in different directions, and the music literally made the heart beat faster. Jazz is the perfect combination of speed, aggression and a colorful world that is impossible to forget. Old platformers for PC have preserved the magic: they still remain masters of the genre, inspiring new generations of developers.

2D or 3D: where are the jumps breathtaking?

It seems that the difference between 2D and 3D platformers on PC is obvious: some are flat, others are three-dimensional. But in fact, the difference is deeper. 2D is the perfect arena for those who value precision and strategy. Here, every move seems to be calculated to the millimeter, and the slightest mistake can cost you victory.

Take Super Meat Boy, a game that made pain an art. It throws the player into a brutal environment where each level is a test of will. There is no mercy here, but there is incredible satisfaction from overcoming difficulties. Its simple, but incredibly precise level design has become synonymous with hardcore, and for good reason!

Now let’s move on to 3D. Spyro the Dragon is one of the most recognizable 3D platformers on PC, turning the three-dimensional world into a colorful sandbox for jumping, flying and breathing fire. Players explore open locations, encounter puzzles and enemies, studying every corner of detailed spaces. The projects allow you not only to jump, but also to explore, feel the space and freedom. Here, open locations and multi-layered levels give a sense of volume and perspective, which makes each jump more significant.

But if you want even more dynamics and destruction, pay attention to Crash Bandicoot – it will deliver adrenaline in full. Its unique mechanics, where the player rushes through tunnels, collecting fruits and dodging all sorts of traps, turns each session into a race for survival. Crash Bandicoot is pure adrenaline and a test of strength for your nerves.

The best platformers for PC with RPG elements: the perfect combination of genres

Combining genres is a new level of evolution. RPG platformers on PC immerse players in dimensions where not only jumping is important, but also character development, skill selection and plot twists.

Take Hollow Knight. The game showed how to combine intense platforming with deep RPG elements. The player is immersed in an underground world filled with secrets, enemies and mysteries. Each acquired skill not only opens new paths, but also gives a sense of progress. The battles in the game become more complex, and the plot is dark and multi-layered. A real journey into a gothic environment with a unique atmosphere.

But Salt and Sanctuary relied on a dark atmosphere and hardcore mechanics, where every encounter with enemies becomes a real test. Here, a hybrid of RPG and platforming is presented through a unique combat system and RPG elements of pumping up, which change the usual view of PC platformers. Gamers can choose how to develop their character, who to form alliances with. Each new level becomes more and more confusing and difficult.

Free and paid platformers on PC: is it worth spending money?

There is no simple answer. After all, you can find real gems among free games that are in no way inferior to paid counterparts. Let’s figure out which ones are worth trying.

Best free projects:

1. Brawlhalla is a real multiplayer arena where characters from all over the world fight. Simple controls and dynamic gameplay make it an excellent choice for those who like fast and fun fights.
2. N++ – minimalist design, but endless depth of gameplay. This option challenges the reflexes and logical thinking of the player. Here, each level is a new puzzle, and the number of levels tends to infinity.

Paid:

1. Ori and the Blind Forest. Immediately impresses with its visual design, which combines stunning 2D locations with an unforgettable story. Each level is not only beautiful, but also challenges gamers with complex puzzles and acrobatic stunts.
2. Celeste. If anyone says that platformers are just games for kids, Celeste will refute this statement. A deep story about overcoming difficulties, told through complex but incredibly exciting levels.

New platformers on PC: what did 2024 bring?

Every year brings something new to the video game industry, and 2024 is no exception. Fresh projects delight players not only with original ideas, but also with visual beauty, a deep plot, and innovative mechanics.

Top new releases of 2024:

1. Planet of Lana is a game about interplanetary travel that amazes with its visual style and clever puzzles. The player controls the girl Lana and her alien companion in the fight to save the planet. Each new location is a unique environment full of dangers and mysteries.
2. The Last Night is a cyberpunk platformer on PC that combines a dark future aesthetic with incredibly stylish combat and immersive storytelling. The player will explore the city of the future, solving quests and fighting enemies in a world where every choice affects the outcome.

Conclusion: platformers on PC remain relevant

PC platformers are timeless classics that never lose their relevance. Their unique ability to bring joy and excitement makes them popular among gamers of all ages. The constant development of technology and the emergence of new game mechanics ensure a long future for the genre, promising players even more exciting adventures.