The Best Cinematic Platformers Of All Time

Platformers are typically associated with lighthearted, run-and-jump experiences, as seen in games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros. In these games, storylines are often minimal or nonexistent, with tight controls and gameplay being the primary focus.

Cinematic platformers take a distinctly different approach. They are slow-paced, often eerie, and intentionally feature cumbersome controls. This niche genre emphasizes evoking emotion and telling complex stories through body language rather than lengthy text, as in RPGs. Few genres are as daring or evocative as the cinematic platformer.

10

Planet Of Lana

To solve the puzzles in Planet of Lana, you must master when to use each of your two key characters, Lana and Mui. Each has unique attributes that allow them to access essential areas of each stage. The stages themselves are beautifully painted, with a color palette reminiscent of anime such as My Neighbor Totoro.

Primarily a mix of stealth and puzzle-solving, the platforming elements are significantly reduced in Planet of Lana. While hiding from creatures adds tension, it doesn’t quite capture the terrifying vibe of being hunted down compared to other cinematic platformers. Planet of Lana borrows important elements from Another World, which gives it a solid foundation but may lack originality in its puzzles.

9

Limbo

Most video games avoid vague storytelling, opting instead for dynamic plots that are easy to follow. Limbo, however, takes a different approach. Its narrative is suggestive, subjective, and relies on evoking emotions rather than presenting a continuous storyline.

The atmosphere in Limbo is cold and isolated. While it’s difficult to summarize the plot, death is undeniably a central theme. What makes Limbo special isn’t its gameplay but the experience of theorizing about its story with others. Each creature and obstacle in the game serves a narrative purpose, sparking curiosity and inviting players to interpret their significance.

8

Inside

You can view Inside as a more refined version of Limbo (same developers, after all). While it isn’t any more complex in terms of puzzle-solving or gameplay, the art design is significantly more detailed, featuring larger, grander sets and character models. Inside abandons the abstract story that tugs at your personal emotions in favor of a more straightforward plot. It isn’t about your character’s feelings but instead focuses on grander societal issues such as oppression and industrialization.

Inside feels more threatening, as catchers are chasing you from the start. Nearly everything you see in the game is gorgeous yet menacing in some way. The beings you encounter range from grotesque blobs of limbs to everyday office workers resembling mindless drones—both equally disturbing.

7

Flashback

One of the most challenging cinematic platformers is also among the most influential. Flashback was a groundbreaking step in video game storytelling, placing players in a strange world without exposition or explanation. It epitomizes the “where do I go?” style of gameplay, requiring players to think critically and explore thoroughly to advance the story and interpret its meaning.

Flashback paved the way for games like Half-Life, which are renowned for their in-game cutscenes. It’s a polarizing experience; some players relish its dual challenge of mastering mechanics and deciphering its narrative, while others might prefer a more modern, precise platformer with a linear, accessible story. Regardless, Flashback remains a flagship title in the cinematic platformer genre.

6

Blackthorne

Compared to other contemporary cinematic platformers of its era, such as Another World and Flashback, Blackthorne has more action. You’re armed with a gun in Blackthorne and need to tactically use cover before shooting your opponents. While Blackthorne is still a far cry from a run-and-gunner like Contra, it is slower-paced, and the controls feel more tank-like. Once you settle into how the controls work in Blackthorne, you’ll find that it is more methodical and emphasizes memorization, akin to games like Lost Vikings or Lemmings.

A truly gruesome game, not many SNES games had the mature dark fantasy look that Blackthorne captured. It almost looks like a mix of Evil Dead with Doom but in 2D form. Clearly borrowing from popular 80s movies, Blackthorne was one of the first games where your character could shoot behind them, which made you feel like Rambo.

5

Valiant Hearts

Narratively, Valiant Hearts is one of the most courageous games Ubisoft has ever launched. It tells the story of four characters thrust into the chaos of World War I. Throughout the game, players alternate between these characters: a digger, a medic, a wirecutter, and a German combatant who is married to one of the Allied characters.

Valiant Hearts features simple gameplay and puzzles, allowing players to focus on its highly stylized aesthetics. While the game adopts a cartoony visual style, it powerfully conveys the tragedy and pain of life during World War I. It stands out as a masterclass in platform storytelling because it uniquely explores the lives of ordinary people placed in extraordinary, yet realistic, situations.

4

Heart Of Darkness

Overseen by the creator of Another World, Heart of Darkness is a gothic-inspired cinematic platformer that blends 2D sprites with eerie pre-rendered backgrounds. The game presents a haunting scenario where you, as a young boy searching for your dog, navigate a world filled with twisted shadows and monstrous spider-like creatures.

Heart of Darkness often restricts the use of weapons for extended periods, creating tension akin to survival-horror games. This lack of combat capability heightens the oppressive atmosphere while shifting the focus to the game’s intricate puzzle-solving elements, further immersing players in its chilling world.

3

Ori And The Will Of The Wisps

Cinematic platformers often sacrifice precise controls in favor of delivering an artistic and emotional experience. Ori and the Will of the Wisps breaks this convention by offering both exceptional gameplay and stunning artistry. Its platforming mechanics are smooth, precise, and among the best in the sub-genre.

The artistic achievements of Ori and the Will of the Wisps are equally impressive. Despite being launched in the digital age, it features hand-drawn artwork and fluid animations. The vibrant colors and meticulously designed environments make it one of the most visually striking platformers of its generation.

2

Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

On the surface, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee appears to be a quirky, anthropomorphic game filled with humor, including fart jokes. However, it is a deeply immersive experience that tackles serious societal issues such as slavery, consumerism, and environmentalism. Despite its cartoony aesthetic, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee was one of the first truly mature titles for the PlayStation, with its nuance critique of capitalism.

Stages like the desert of Scrabania and the forest of Paramonia are packed with intricate details, drawing players into its richly crafted world. By the time you finish the game, it feels as though you’ve embarked on a monumental quest, one that lives up to its name, as Abe strives to free his people from slavery.

1

Ico

Ico’s spiritual successor, Shadow of the Colossus, often garners more acclaim, but Ico shines through its conciseness and simplicity. While its gameplay wasn’t the smoothest even at the time, Ico stands out as one of the most cinematic experiences among 3D platformers.

Ico offers an organic experience. The level design is so thoughtfully crafted that players can intuitively figure out where to go without relying on tutorials or excessive clues. Even the interactions between Ico and Princess Yorda unfold without dialogue; their trust and connection are conveyed entirely through subtle body language.