As the popularity of 2D platformers have started to rise again, many developers are now dangling their feet in the genre. Nintendo has used all of its retro experiences to give their in-house teams, big wig companies and smaller developers full support in making games for the Wiiware and DSiware services with games like LostWinds, NyxQuest: Kindered Spirits, Shantae or new iterations of Mega Man to name a few, while Sony and Microsoft also have followed suit in giving a free hand to smaller indie developers such as PLAYDEAD, Number None Inc. or Team Meat to create little gems like such as Super Meat Boy, Braid or Limbo.
This charge also has resulted in the big 3 churning out proper console releases of the 2D platformers genre. Nintendo pulled its own strings in creating a deluge of newer and slicker 2D platformers using their old franchises with the likes of New Super Mario Bros Wii, Kirby's Epic Yarn and Donkey Kong Country Returns, while Sony and Microsoft has stuff like LittleBigPlanet.
With the triumphant return of the 2D platformers complete the 3D platformer genre has kinda been left behind. The genre has basically become redundant and isn't as important as it was last generation. Either developers have grown tired of the tried and tested formula of the genre or gamers themselves want something (or old if you at look it). It is actually sad to see the pseudo demise of the genre for two reasons: a) it is following the same pattern of demise as was seen around a decade ago of the adventure genre and b) 3D genre started the new 3D gaming revolution back in the day. So as you can see the said genre has a lot of history behind it and the way developers and gamers are shunning it seems a little cold. But rather than painting a grim picture I would like to point of that the influence of the genre can not be ignored.
Many of the biggest action adventure games of the HD generation which includes games like Uncharted, Infamous, Assasin's Creed, Prince of Persia, Castlevania: Lords of Shadows and Prototype have in some form or the other roots attached to 3D platformers.
Yes all these games have white knuckle action sequences and and loads of shooting at things, but there are sections in these games which required jumping...alot of jumping. Be it over large chasms, grappling over tall building or traversing medieval city on rooftops, the 3D platformers hence in essence have not been forgotten, rather their influence on the industry are still been felt. But that's where the influence ends as many of the staples of 3D platformers have gone missing ranging from creative and zany worlds to explore, utilizing ridiculous moves, collecting a horde of a useless junks and of course over the top characters. It is these element which distinguishes the genre from the others.
Yes, the writing is on the wall for the 3D platformer, but even in such desperate times all is not lost. There are still some big developers out there who are still at it making 3D platformers. Developers who still realise the potential and the fun factor of the genre and are looking to innovate in a pretty saturated territory. Lets take a look at a few of them shall we: Nintendo's very own stout plumber has been the leading the charge with incredible games like Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel. Here you have particularly amazing level designs, culling many of the pitfalls of the genre, bring something new the plate and some truly creative and epic boss battles. Miyamoto-san who kick started the 3D platformer genre back in 1996 has come full circle with the Galaxy series with all the innovation and sticking to what work best for the genre.
Second in line is the California based company, Insomniac. The de facto developer for the Playstation brand did not forget its platformer roots when it created the FPS Resistance as the company still churns out delightful iterations of the fan favorite Ratchet and Clank series. PS3 owners were blown away when the first HD game of the series came on the system and highlighted the fact that 3D platformers are still relevant, and since then 2 more games in the series have been released.
And with each release the visuals and the game play elements are improved upon, which drums the point that if developers are willing to put the effort in the genre as they used it, then the HD generation will end up having more platformers. Insomniac is not done with the genre as a new Ratchet and Clank game was announced ironically alongside another Resistance game!
With two of the big hitters of the industry still focused on making 3D platformers, there are also a number of small companies making awesome games with examples like de Blob, Deadly Animals, Sonic (yes surprisingly enough) to name a few.
Sure the number of such games have dwindled in the last 4 years, 3D platformers are still holding on.
So in the end I just want to confess that the 3D platformer genre ranks as my favorite genre (yes even at age) alongside Japanese RPG, and would love to see more games in the HD generation. Although the genre may have seen last of its better days, there is no denying that 3D platformers are darn fun to play!
