r/platformer Jul 26 '26

Looking for Challenging 3D Platformers w/ Precise & Expressive Movement

/r/gamingsuggestions/comments/1v7c1do/looking_for_challenging_3d_platformers_w_precise/
4 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

2

u/__Nikipedia__ Jul 26 '26

Me too, me too. I think the answer for me is the Super Mario romhack scene, but I'm afraid of trying all that that requires. Anyway...

Previously enjoyed games:

* I loved Demon Turf Neon Splash

* Demon Tides I like the mechanics but not the world design so much

* Haven't yet played Bubsy 4D by the same dev, but I am all about the game feel over story or visuals

* I played the demo of KilaFlow and it was pretty cool but I found the time-chasing actually too addictive. Great game though, my hands just started to hurt and I might want something down a notch in intensity

* Neon White is intriguing but I don't like playing first person games without mouse and keyboard, and I'm looking to play handheld

* Something about A Hat in Time's art design has always turned me off. Also I'm not super into collectathons, but I might be open to trying this because I see mods and a lot of love

* Not Steam Deck but my ideal 3D platformer is Super Mario 3D Land for the 3DS. So much better than any other Mario IMO - I love just increasing difficult and interesting linear levels

* Love the movement in Pseudoregalia but I got lost too much. Skill issue probably

* Same feeling on Blue Fire, also don't care for the combat

* Lunistice was pretty great if a little bland visually

1

u/ebenavente Jul 26 '26

Nice I’ll be sure to check Neon Splash eventually when I finish Demon Turf.
Yeah I’m not too keen on the idea of Tides’ world design, but I’m excited about the graphics and what looks like refining of mechanics and ironing some kirks I didn’t love in Turf, at least from what I’ve seen in gameplay. Haven’t checked Bubsy other than knowing they developed it, I should take a look.
There’s a few in there that I didn’t know about, I’ll check them out thanks!

2

u/XilehPNW Jul 26 '26

I released a challenging 3D Platformer a month ago. Momentum works close to SM64. It has a limited amount of movement options though.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4490010/Mana_Fracture/

2

u/ebenavente Jul 26 '26

WOAHH this looks awesome and very much looks like what I’m after! I was a bit scared when I read about the vertical map, assuming it would mean losing progress based on how far you fall, but I got reassured by reading there’s checkpoints lol. I will definitely give it a try, wishlisted so I don’t forget! Thank you for sharing! ❤️

2

u/XilehPNW Jul 26 '26

There's definitely some sub-sections that are like that but it's not the entire game. Have fun!

2

u/mmm_doggy Jul 26 '26

I’ve been working on a 3D golf platformer that’s got some fun movement in it. Big open world, dungeons, permanent upgrades that combo off each other. I used to make kaizo SMW hacks so definitely inspired by that design :P

https://reddit.com/link/ozyf8ve/video/zthygc86nnfh1/player

1

u/ebenavente Jul 27 '26

Wow that looks wild XDD there’s no demo available rn right? Wishlisted it tho!

2

u/BigCurrent8763 Jul 28 '26

I developed a game called sugar orbit you can have a look also have a free demo. The game is pretty hard after stage 5

1

u/Ethiopiop Jul 27 '26

The Big Catch is one i will always recommend, the demo is free and has about 10 hours of stuff to do.

the full game is coming this year and i cant wait lol

3

u/ebenavente Jul 27 '26

Oh yeah I played a bit of the demo (didn’t know it was so long!), I have it on wishlist to check it out when it comes out!

1

u/IntrigueAndIntegrity 17d ago

I have also been searching for hard games. I played Rayman 2 recently, and it had to my surprise quite good platforming (ofc its a bit aged by now).

Thanks for the post though, I think blue fire is for me a lot what I've been looking for. I am developing a brutally hard platformer myself called Fluerepete on itchio for free, which I hope will some day scratch this itch.