When the PlayStation 2 was released, and game studios were able to create more realistic and immersive games than ever before, the platforming genre that had dominated the gaming industry in the 90s started to fade away. This became even more apparent when the seventh generation of home consoles were released, as the inherently linear genre couldn't compete with the rise in open-world gaming.
However, the platforming genre began to make a comeback thanks to an unexpected place, indie developers. Indie studios started offering players excellent platforming titles for a reduced price, making the forgotten genre appealing once again.
A rising trend in the genre has been incorporating puzzle mechanics into platforming games, testing players' minds and gaming abilities. Fez is one of the most well-recognized puzzle platformers of all time, as it was fundamental in the rise of not just puzzle platformers but indie gaming as a whole. There have been numerous other fantastic puzzle platformers released over the years that will appeal to anyone who enjoyed Polytron Corporation's modern classic.
10 Braid
It's hard to talk about the rise of both indie gaming and the puzzle platforming genre without mentioning Jonathan Blow's Braid. The game is one of the most influential indie games of all time, as it finally saw the scene break into the attention of mainstream audiences and mainstream media.
Braid's success can be attributed to many different factors, such as the thought-provoking story, wonderful art style, and enjoyable but tough puzzles that will test anyone trying to collect all of the puzzle pieces. Anyone who still hasn't tried the game but plans to in the future is in luck, as an anniversary edition has been announced.
9 Limbo
Limbo is another game that was fundamental in bringing indie gaming to the attention of mainstream audiences. The game instantly stood out with its uniquely dark and minimalist art style, along with its well-designed puzzles that were intelligently intertwined with the world design. Like many indie puzzle platformers from the time, Limbo doesn't take too long to complete, though it crams enough into its short runtime to make it a memorable experience.
A successor to Limbo, titled Inside, was released in 2016 and is also worth checking out.
8 Ori and the Will of the Wisps
The Metroidvania genre is another style of game that began to fade away in the late 90s, only for it to be reinvigorated by indie studios. The genre has made its resurgence thanks to enjoyable puzzle platformers such as Guacamelle! and Ori and the Blind Forest, though it's also started making its way into 3D action-adventure titles such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Control.Â
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest and features an excellent, modernized Metroidvania style that will have players scratching their heads as they try to progress through the forest.
7 Little Nightmares
Tarsier Studios seemingly thought that the mix of puzzle and platforming genres wasn't enough and decided to throw a curveball into the mix. Whereas most puzzle platformers feature wholesome storylines with pleasant visuals, Little Nightmares injects horror into the equation.
The risky move paid off, as 2017's Litte Nightmares was well-received by fans and critics. Consequently, a sequel has since been released, which has also received high praise across the gaming community.
6 It Takes Two
It Takes Two is the newest game to feature on this list, having released as recently as March 2021. As the name suggests, It Takes Two is a cooperative title that requires players to join a friend either locally or online. The game centers around a couple in the midst of a divorce, who find themselves trapped in the bodies of dolls and need to work together to return to their daughter.
The game is seen as a significant improvement over Hazelight Studios previous title, A Way Out, exemplified by its impressive Metascores between 88 and 89.
5 Unravel
Much like It Takes Two, Unravel is a puzzle-platformer published by Electronic Arts that puts players in control of a living toy. The anthropomorphic protagonist made of yarn isn't just given a unique look for visual purposes, as the character's yarn also factors into the gameplay, as players need to be wary of unraveling the character.
Unravel Two was released in 2018 to a similar level of praise as its predecessor. The game added local co-op to the series, making it a great option for anyone who enjoys the aforementioned It Takes Two.Â
4 Human: Fall Flat
Human: Fall Flat is a great game to play for those who want to play a puzzle platformer but would like it if the protagonist was seemingly drunk the entire time. No Brakes Games' Human: Fall Flat structures its puzzles around physics and lets players solve the puzzles in numerous ways.
Human: Fall Flat is the most poorly reviewed game by critics on this list, with Metascores ranging from 75 to just 65 on Nintendo Switch. However, the game earns a spot on this list as, despite its faults, there are many players who loved the comedic animations and open-ended levels that gave the game its own identity.
3 PHOGS!
PHOGS! is one of the most wholesome games on this list, with colorful and heartwarming visuals at every turn taken by the protagonists, a duo of dogs similar to the cartoon CatDog.
The pair of connected dogs is what separated PHOGS! from other games on the market; players can either control each dog themselves using an analog stick for each head, or they can team up with a friend to create a hilariously infuriating experience as players try to guide the protagonists through each level's obstacles by each controlling one head.
2 Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee New 'N' Tasty
The Oddworld franchise has been a cornerstone of the puzzle-platforming genre since the series' first game, Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, first hit stores back in 1997. Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee New 'N' Tasty is a remake of the original game, offering a fresh coat of paint and new features such as a difficulty setting to the classic title.
Those who enjoy the game may want to try the recently released Oddworld: Soulstorm and possibly the classic cinematic platformer Another World (also known as Out of this World).
1 Portal 2
Valve's puzzle-platformer Portal 2 has become recognized as not just one of the greatest puzzle platformers of all time, but one of the greatest games of all time, period. The game engrossed players with its fantastic range of puzzles that expanded on the first game's offering, as well as its memorable range of charismatic characters who were excellently voiced by Stephan Merchant and a returning Ellen McLain, among others.
Along with a whopping Metascore of 95, Portal 2 won numerous end-of-year awards, including Ultimate Game of the year from the Golden Joystick Awards.