by This topic is covering the new resurgence in 3D Platformers, many inspired by classics like Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64.
Yooka-Laylee
Developer: Playtonic Games
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Wii U, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Yooka-Laylee is the spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie. Developed by Playtonic Games, who include some of the most well-known ex-Rare developers and artists including Steve Mayles, Chris Sutherland, Steven Hurst, Kevin Bayliss, etc. They are responsible for designs of the entire Kong family, the Banjo-Kazooie series and more. Playtonic is bringing back what N64-era fans have been waiting for, for years. With music from David Wise (Donkey Kong Country, Diddy Kong Racing, Battletoads, etc.), Grant Kirkhope (Goldeneye007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, etc.), and Steve Burke (Kameo: Elements of Power, Jetpac Refuelled, etc.), fans are entitled to expect possibly one of the greatest soundtracks in a game ever. Back to the game, slated for an October 2016 release, it's not going to have the mass amount of collecting Donkey Kong 64 had, but will still bring back fun elements of collecting people have missed for years. The game achieved £2,090,104 on Kickstarter, only asking for £175,000. With many new NPCs, small arcade machines and more, Yooka-Laylee is certainly something to look forward to.
A Hat in Time
Developer: Gears for Breakfast
Platforms: PC, Mac
A Hat in Time started as Jonas Kærlev's answer to bring back 3D platforming after a long drought, specifically coming from Nintendo. His Kickstarter was an unexpected success, asking for $30,000 and getting $296,360. In game, you play as Hat Kid, a young girl who is capable of "interstellar travel" and must retrieve time pieces to stop time from being broken. Grant Kirkhope wrote several tracks for the game, before leaving the project believing it didn't fit his style, being succeeded by Pascal Michael Stiefel, a relatively unknown composer. Gears for Breakfast is entirely volunteer-based, spanning several different countries. They originally slated the game for a Q2 2013 release, but severely delayed it in order to fully develop the game to its best. A Wii U release has not been confirmed, but they would like to make it happen. By visiting their website, you can buy a beta version, pre-order the game, or buy the soundtrack.
FreezeME
Developer: Rainy Night Creations
Platforms: PC, Wii U, Mac, Linux
FreezeME is a 3D platformer developed by Spanish developer Rainy Night Creations. Supposedly inspired by N64 games like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie (albeit looking a lot like Super Mario Galaxy). The big key points to this, is that the main character "R" has a camera, that can freeze objects and enemies (hence the name "FreezeME"). The game only got $6,648 of it's goal of $15,000 on Kickstarter. It's been heavily criticised for taking many animations from Mario 3D Platformers, as well as gameplay elements, similar to the planets from Super Mario Galaxy, currently its planned Summer 2015 release isn't looking like it's happening.
Poi
Developer: PolyKid
Platforms: PC, Wii U
Poi is a 3D platformer developed by American developer PolyKid. The game allows you to choose between a male or female character to play as, while they try to become a "master explorer". It seems to take quite a bit of inspiration from Super Mario 64, Sunshine and Galaxy. Unfortunately it's so similar, I can remember scenes from those games that look like they've been transplanted into Poi... It's currently reached $16,639, while asking for a hefty $80,000, with 15 days left. Poi is set for a 2016 release.
I really hope some of these will get great success.
3D platformers are definitely my favourite genre of video games, especially ones with collecting, and hopefully they can make a bit of a comeback.
Yooka-Laylee
Developer: Playtonic Games
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Wii U, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Yooka-Laylee is the spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie. Developed by Playtonic Games, who include some of the most well-known ex-Rare developers and artists including Steve Mayles, Chris Sutherland, Steven Hurst, Kevin Bayliss, etc. They are responsible for designs of the entire Kong family, the Banjo-Kazooie series and more. Playtonic is bringing back what N64-era fans have been waiting for, for years. With music from David Wise (Donkey Kong Country, Diddy Kong Racing, Battletoads, etc.), Grant Kirkhope (Goldeneye007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, etc.), and Steve Burke (Kameo: Elements of Power, Jetpac Refuelled, etc.), fans are entitled to expect possibly one of the greatest soundtracks in a game ever. Back to the game, slated for an October 2016 release, it's not going to have the mass amount of collecting Donkey Kong 64 had, but will still bring back fun elements of collecting people have missed for years. The game achieved £2,090,104 on Kickstarter, only asking for £175,000. With many new NPCs, small arcade machines and more, Yooka-Laylee is certainly something to look forward to.
A Hat in Time
Developer: Gears for Breakfast
Platforms: PC, Mac
A Hat in Time started as Jonas Kærlev's answer to bring back 3D platforming after a long drought, specifically coming from Nintendo. His Kickstarter was an unexpected success, asking for $30,000 and getting $296,360. In game, you play as Hat Kid, a young girl who is capable of "interstellar travel" and must retrieve time pieces to stop time from being broken. Grant Kirkhope wrote several tracks for the game, before leaving the project believing it didn't fit his style, being succeeded by Pascal Michael Stiefel, a relatively unknown composer. Gears for Breakfast is entirely volunteer-based, spanning several different countries. They originally slated the game for a Q2 2013 release, but severely delayed it in order to fully develop the game to its best. A Wii U release has not been confirmed, but they would like to make it happen. By visiting their website, you can buy a beta version, pre-order the game, or buy the soundtrack.
FreezeME
Developer: Rainy Night Creations
Platforms: PC, Wii U, Mac, Linux
FreezeME is a 3D platformer developed by Spanish developer Rainy Night Creations. Supposedly inspired by N64 games like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie (albeit looking a lot like Super Mario Galaxy). The big key points to this, is that the main character "R" has a camera, that can freeze objects and enemies (hence the name "FreezeME"). The game only got $6,648 of it's goal of $15,000 on Kickstarter. It's been heavily criticised for taking many animations from Mario 3D Platformers, as well as gameplay elements, similar to the planets from Super Mario Galaxy, currently its planned Summer 2015 release isn't looking like it's happening.
Poi
Developer: PolyKid
Platforms: PC, Wii U
Poi is a 3D platformer developed by American developer PolyKid. The game allows you to choose between a male or female character to play as, while they try to become a "master explorer". It seems to take quite a bit of inspiration from Super Mario 64, Sunshine and Galaxy. Unfortunately it's so similar, I can remember scenes from those games that look like they've been transplanted into Poi... It's currently reached $16,639, while asking for a hefty $80,000, with 15 days left. Poi is set for a 2016 release.
I really hope some of these will get great success.
3D platformers are definitely my favourite genre of video games, especially ones with collecting, and hopefully they can make a bit of a comeback.
