What do you like about platformers?

[Chad]

More specifically, what do you like about 2D side scrolling platformers? Even though I say 2D side scrollers, I need to know some of the relevant elements that people like about games such as Ratchet and Clank, Castlevania, Metroid, and Prince of Persia. Please be as specific as possible. If you liked that one level where you tried to jump over some gap ten million times only to find there was a way around, tell me exactly that. If you liked the story, tell me what you liked about it specifically. What elements of these games are quintessential for your play experience?

Don't be afraid to link and tell me about other platforming games. If you liked the pace of Sonic, or some small facet of Fancy Pants Adventure: World 2 please let divulge. Thank you!

[marcus]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

Platformers are usually the most balanced out of all video games in terms of gameplay and difficulty. Even in story platformers like the Jak series or God of War (not really a platformer per se but Pandora's temple was pretty jumping/puzzle heavy), you're never given too many movies to watch and you're never in one area for too long that it becomes boring. Each of the levels are usually expertly crafted and there's almost always something new to see or experience in each level or major area such as a new boss/weapon/ability in Castlevania or Metroid.

Platformers are just an exciting and entertaining genre, they appeal to most gamers whether casual or hardcore, and they can be picked up and played without too much time invested in them. Personally, I'm a fan of the old school twitch platformers like Maximo, Ghosts 'N Goblins, and Contra because they're challenging and I like replaying them to see how much I can improve. I like my platformers with a little more action than actual jumping around (which is why I thought Maximo was going to be something BIG back in 2001) but I enjoy any game with a fun and imaginative world like Conker or Psychonauts.

[Shard]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

Versatility in gameplay is really important to me.

Just using the Old Castlevanias as examples: The first was brutal in its limitations. Only so many lives, controls that weren't as reactive as you'd wish, when timing is crucial...it just punishes the player.

Edit: Castlevania 3 provides a good 'tweener example. Specifically the acquisition of Grant's soul. Suddenly whole new dimensions are opened up in gameplay when you can stick to walls and ceilings.

Look at Super Castlevania IV with it's 8-way whip, mid-air jump control, and environments that rewarded you for making use of that precision. It had immersive, highly-detailed environments that made you feel you were part of the world, not that it was just something scrolling along behind you. The rotating room, the spiked wheel that chases you up the stairs, being able to swing from ringlets... a good action game design shows the people behind it are aware of the trappings of their genre, and can mess with the player's expectations accordingly.

Symphony of the Night held the same elements while wratcheting up the variety of gameplay and customization.

I think another valuable, but unsung option is the ability to tailor the difficulty to the player's desire. Some people just want to be able to finish the game, while others like to be pushed right to the brink. Allow for the player's choice.

Just my opinion here...but I think story elements take more of a backseat in 2D action games than they do in their 3d brethren. It's just not as critically important to me to understand why Don, Raph, Leo, and Mikey love pizza and hate aliens. However, I think the music becomes more important, to establish the mood and rhythm of the game.

[Biggie]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

I prefer excellent mechanics combined with dangerous and challenging obstacles.

My favorite levels in Sunshine were the hidden ones that took away the flood and had an all or nothing approach.

Also exploration is fun too, like the PoP games and the recent Tomb Raiders.

When 2D side scrollers use this kind of approach, Mega Man X4 immediately comes to mind.

Playing through as Zero is infinitly more fun, just because how much more you have to be precise when fighting bosses, you have to utilize the dash and wall slide/jump mechanics almost perfectly. Even X was a blast just going through those obscure obstacles just to get some of his power ups. Like wall jumping perfectly so you don't jump onto that wall of spikes, and then land perfectly on that moving platform.

Even blow my mind a little, recent Mario games like Super Paper Mario and Galaxy have pleantly turned the platforming genre inside out.

I'm bad at explaining myself, but hopefully you get what I like out of my platformers.

[Jamos]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

Jumping.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

If the new Prince of Persia games qualify as platformers (kinda do, kinda don't) they're the only ones I've really liked since the NES days.

Why I like PoP is the level design. Once you learn the moves and the set pieces you can always figure out how to get through an area, no matter how complicated it is. Whenever you're stuck, if you look around enough you finally notice "Oh, there's a switch" or "I can run along the wall and jump to that column." Even when you haven't figured out what to do after that if you just go for it, it all falls into place. And the rewind power took the frustration out of trial and error.

[John Mora]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

I love it in games like Super Metroid where they show you items you can't get yet. And I like platformers with advanced techniques. Aero the Acrobat 2 was actually quite a solid platformer for being laden with a Sonic rip-off.

[Maijo]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

Platformers are fun because you always get to that one part that you can't beat, so you keep playing it over and over and you slowly get farther and farther each time you do.

[Duel]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

I like open freedom in platformers.

[marcus]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

I like open freedom in platformers.

Speaking of which, as repetitive and boring as Assassin's Creed was I think it opened a lot of doors for future platformers. I've been having these awesome dreams of an Indiana Jones game that combined the platforming/adventuring of AC with the action sequences of Uncharted.

[Denmo]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

I like the skill/risk balance involved in most platformers. You can minimize risk as much as you want by playing things carefully (I.E., waiting to move until after thwomps hit the ground). Or you can rush through things and take greater risks for the thrill. It's a great feeling when you take that giant leap of faith and actually make it out alive. I get plenty of those moments in Super Mario Galaxy, especially using the long jump.

The feeling of being a skilled player is important, having the freedom to chain techniques together in order to fell a foe. Like in MMX4, playing as Zero, there's nothing quite like doing a dash slash, upward flame-slash, and downward ice spike all in succession.

[Toaster]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

You've picked quite the topic to create, PostulateMan.

I'm currently writing a long-winded thesis on what exactly makes a good platformer--because that's the style of game that I'm working on making. I basically disected games like Rocket Knight Adventures and Super Metroid--and why they are better than games like PORTRAIT OF RUIN. Blech. What got me started in all of this was how frustrated and tired I had gotten of the genre as a whole--as it's gotten so stale and utterly formulatic.

Just wait until BZ shows up, he'll be able to clear a lot of this up for you. As for me? Well... I got another paper that I need to write.

(Drill Dozer for the GBA is a very solid and very underappreciated platforming gem.)

[Chad]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

I write for a reason as well! What is it!? Is it something great?

[Stormy]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

I enjoy platformers because they often have the perfect balance of combat and puzzles, of story and gameplay, and they are usually just the right level of difficulty. They provide a challenge, but don't make my head explode because I can't accomplish the task.

[Magus]

Re: What do you like about platformers?

I see Drill Dozer for cheap everywhere.

I should prolly get it.