In my previous article, I highlighted some of the promising survival sandbox and simulation games coming out in 2020. This time, I’ll be covering a few of the indie and AA platformers, and Metroidvanias hopefully coming later this year.
Whether they are traditional retro-inspired pixel art adventures, or rendered in full 3D, hopefully you’ll find some games in today’s list that catch your attention.
Here are 14 interesting platformers and Metroidvania games releasing in 2020:
Acid Knife
Developer: Powerhoof
Platform: Windows PC
Acid Knife is a psychedelic 2D action-platformer with combat that places an emphasis on improvisation. Design a move set based on the items in your inventory, all of which can be knocked out of your hands in combat if you aren’t careful.
Acid Knife doesn’t currently have a release date.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Developer: Team Cherry
Platforms: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the sequel to Team Cherry’s beloved Metroidvania from 2017. This time around you play as Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest, on an all-new adventure through a distant and unfamiliar land. Hornet’s move set is completely different than The Knight’s from the original game, and she’ll be facing off against over 150 new enemies.
Hollow Knight: Silksong doesn’t currently have a release date.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Developer: Moon Studios
Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One
Ori and the Blind Forest is another popular Metroidvania getting a sequel this year. Ori and the Will of the Wisps will follow Ori on a new adventure through gorgeously rendered environments full of dangerous foes and mystical puzzles. The story will focus on the origin of Ori, and where this strange little glowing creature came from.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps will be releasing on March 11th, 2020.
Axiom Verge 2
Developer: Tom Happ Games
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (other platforms TBA)
Axiom Verge 2 will be coming out later this year, though details are still a bit scarce. In fact, the full list of platforms hasn’t even been announced yet. Either way, fans of the original game can look forward to exploring a massive world full of new enemies and abilities to discover.
Axiom Verge 2 is targeting a Fall 2020 release date.
Super Meat Boy Forever
Developer: Team Meat
Platforms: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Super Meat Boy Forever is a direct sequel to the original game, and follows Meat Boy and Bandage Girl on an massive new adventure to save their daughter Nugget from the evil Dr. Fetus. The game promises around 7200 handcrafted levels full of crushingly difficult platforming through deathtraps and boss fights.
Super Meat Boy Forever doesn’t currently have a release date.
Oddworld: Soulstorm
Developer: Oddworld Inhabitants
Platforms: Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Oddworld: Soulstorm is a complete remake of the original Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee from 1997. Soulstorm will feature new and refined mechanics, completely overhauled graphics, and new levels, characters, and events in the storyline.
Oddworld: Soulstorm doesn’t currently have a release date.
Carrion
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Developer: Phobia Game Studio
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Carrion is a “reverse horror game” where you play as an amorphous blob monster ripping and tearing your way through a remote research facility. Grow your creature’s mass and expand your range of abilities by devouring unsuspecting humans.
Carrion doesn’t currently have a release date. You can check out our preview of the game here.
Foregone
Developer: Big Blue Bubble
Platform: Windows PC
Foregone is a 2D Metroidvania focused on fast, fluid action-RPG combat, and narrative-driven gameplay. Save the besieged city of Calagan with an arsenal of legendary weapons and upgradable special abilities from a branching skill tree.
Foregone doesn’t currently have a release date.
Recompile
Publisher: Dear Villagers
Developer: Phigames
Platform: Windows PC
Recompile is a 3D Metroidvania hacking adventure. You play as a semi-sentient AI that is being hunted down in the Mainframe. Escape deletion by running, jumping, shooting, and hacking your way through a digital world.
Recompile doesn’t currently have a release date.
Flynn: Son of Crimson
Publisher: Humble Bundle
Developer: Studio Thunderhorse
Platforms: Windows PC
Flynn: Son of Crimson is an action-platformer where you play as Flynn, an orphan with the ability to summon ethereal, crimson-colored weapons. If your mystical weapons aren’t enough, you can also call on your loyal companion Dex, a giant wolf-like creature, to aid you in combat and exploration.
Flynn: Son of Crimson doesn’t currently have a release date.
Gravity Circuit
Publisher: Plug In Digital
Developer: Domesticated Ants
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Mac
Gravity Circuit is a retro-inspired action-platformer where you play as the last member of the Guardian Corps, a group of heroes that were nearly destroyed during the war against the machines. Rescue civilians to gain access to new abilities and use them to defeat the evil Virus Army. The game also includes a built-in level editor.
Gravity Circuit doesn’t currently have a release date.
Kunai
Publisher: The Arcade Crew
Developer: TurtleBlaze
Platforms: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch
Another 2D action-platformer about destroying an evil robot army is Kunai. You play as Tabby, a tablet ninja robot on a mission to defeat a robot uprising that has nearly wiped out humanity. The game’s combat focuses on agility and ninja tricks, and you’ll unlock more of them as you progress through the game.
Kunai is targeting an early 2020 release date.
Batbarian
Publisher: DANGEN Entertainment
Developer: Unspeakable Pixels
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac
Batbarian is a 2D puzzle-platformer where you play as a barbarian trapped in a dangerous underground world. Use your magical bat friend Pip to illuminate the darkness, uncover secret rooms, and solve puzzles. The game also features branching dialog options and multiple endings.
Batbarian doesn’t currently have a release date.
INMOST
Publisher: Chucklefish
Developer: Hidden Layer Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch
Finally, we come to INMOST, an atmospheric, story-driven puzzle-platformer. The game follows three playable characters: A knight sworn to defeat the forces of evil, a creature that feeds on the pain of others, and a lonely young girl. Each character has a drastically different playstyle, and their story is interconnected and set across two worlds.
INMOST doesn’t currently have a release date.
That’s all for our article about some of the most exciting platformers and Metroidvanias coming out this year. Next time, I’ll be focusing on some of the promising RPGs that will be releasing throughout 2020.
Until then, which games on this list caught your attention? Which other games are you excited about this year? Tell us more in the comments below!
