Game news 8 Indie Platform Games You Must Find On Xbox
At the beginning of August, we decided to take to the skies by jumping from platform to platform like any good platform hero. In recent years, the independent scene has increasingly made suggestions in favor of a genre that no longer necessarily has the wind in its back. If you own an Xbox (One, Series X / S) and appreciate the cracks of the bones, we invite you to discover these few self-published titles.
Our definition of independent play
In this selection you will only find games that are published themselves by the development studios who designed them. Although Devolver, Team17 or even FDG Entertainment specialize in publishing independent games, they are still publishers. That’s why you won’t find Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Air, The Messenger or even Monster Boy and the Cursed King.
Shovel Knight
With its shovel-equipped hero and its retro look reminiscent of old NES games, Shovel Knight can give the impression of wanting to dig up our memories of times past without much subtlety. It is not so. The title, designed by Yacht Club Games, exudes a real personality thanks to an effective character design, particularly clean animations, a hectic pace and a refined framework.. Shovel Knight is a true tribute to retro games that manages to take the best of the golden age of action / platform games without the flaws while adding a touch of their own at the same time. With its moving backdrops, its disappearing blocks, its forced scrolling, its many secret passages and its varied bestiary, the software ensures excellent variety.
Oddworld: New and delicious!
Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty was developed by Oddworld Inhabitants (studio of the mischievous Lorne Lanning) and Just Add Water! is a successful remake of Abe’s Odyssey, released in 1997 for PlayStation and PC. In the role of the bravest Mudokon in history, the player must flee from RuptureFarms and avoid enemies such as the many traps that abound. Fortunately, he can rely on his psychic powers to make his life easier. With beautiful graphics, Oddworld never loses sight of its atmosphere by relying on a universe that oscillates between industrialization and overtly ecological message. The players who have invested the most can try to save all the mudokons that are still in the corridors of the factory. A high quality adventure that could leave you speechless … the ultimate when the hero has sewn his own!
A hat in time
Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Psychonauts … so many cult titles that inspired the Gears for Breakfast studio to create A Hat in Time. The player must collect hourglasses all the time in this colorful 3D platform game played in different eras of history. The good-natured atmosphere and the friendly staging set the tone: A Hat in Time is intended for those nostalgic for the old-fashioned 3D platform game
Celeste
Hard to fault Celeste as he brings the genre of platformer to a climax. Matt Thorson’s title shines in everything it offers: the handling is very good, the levels are well organized, the music is great and the story told is surprisingly good.. Whether you’re a fan of the 2D platformer or want to explore the genre, Celeste has it all. Granted, he’s not really innovative and doesn’t take a lot of risks in his mechanics, but the climb is worth living. Your fingers may suffer from the challenge, but it’s for a good cause.
Guacamelee!
Action / platform game inspired by traditional Mexican culture, Guacamelee! asks to put on the mask of Juan, a young luchador who is looking for his childhood friend who was kidnapped by Calaca and his henchmen. The software developed by Drinkbox Studios features nervous and fairly intense fights and is inspired by the platform’s tenors. We therefore find the double jump, the jump against walls, pike, acid puddles or lava. Classic, of course, but well integrated into specially elaborated levels. The developers also had the good idea of adding a welcome dose of humor.. Guacamelee! is a good 2D platformer that can be played locally with two players and has a sequel that is also pleasant to navigate.
Inside
It’s hard to describe Inside without spoiling surprises or revealing the point. We can only say that this is a game that alternates the stages of platforming and puzzles and takes place in a very strange universe where the whole world seems to annoy the young hero that the player is leading. Playdead’s title depicts a dystopian world populated by strange creatures, large abandoned industrial areas, and dirty situations. Its sustained rhythm creates a series of situations that are never repeated. Excellently animated, elegantly staged, Inside is a model of its kind
Rogue heritage
Rogue Legacy belongs to the Rogue-Like family, which means that the levels generated have an element of chance and a hero’s death is permanent. Real 2D action / platform game we could call Metroidvania, Rogue Legacy features sadistic platform passages, with pikes to impale and several flaming projectiles to dodge. Unlike other games in the genre, the hero only has a simple jump in his range of motion to hope to get out of it. The title developed by Cellar Door Games manages to stay balanced throughout. Be careful though, its nature necessarily makes it repetitive despite the random generation of levels. The challenge is worth it.
omno
Omno was designed by Jonas Manke and is a 3D platformer with an enchanting universe. Omno is very much inspired by Journey or The Pathless and owes a lot to its adorable graphics. If the main protagonist can only run and jump at the beginning of the adventure, in the course of the progression he acquires something to jump in order to reach platforms that are too far away, but also something to hover and teleport. Improvements that make the initially too rigid gameplay more pleasant. It stays classic, but 3D platformer are too rare to be avoided. Omno is currently available in Game Pass.
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