Few gaming genres are as popular as the platformer. Nowhere is this more evident than on Steam, where a vast library of these games — many of dubious quality — are literally just a few clicks away. But for all of the dime-a-dozen Mario clones out there, a few stand above the rest. And with the Steam Summer Sale underway, there’s never been a better time to pick them up.
Here are just a few platformers you can get right now for $10 or less.
Super Meat Boy
Standard Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $2.84
Steam Rating: Very Positive
One of the most iconic platformers outside of the plumber himself, Super Meat Boy is the creation of one Edmund McMillen. It should be noted that many platformers are reasonably challenging, but not overly so. This game is another story.
Super Meat Boy is a game you should play if you want your platforming skills pushed to the absolute limit. It demands mastery over the precise and responsive controls if you want to come out on top. Luckily, when death comes, you barely need to wait a second before jumping back into the fray.
Rogue Legacy
Standard Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $2.99
Steam Rating: Very Positive
A more recent game, Rogue Legacy is both a well-polished platformer and a type of game called a roguelike (well, technically a roguelite, but that’s a debate for another time). That means that every time you play, the levels are randomly generated — and if you die, it’s back to the beginning. It’s not as hard as it sounds, though, as you gradually unlock upgrades that persist between attempts and make things easier.
One of the most fun aspects of the game is that when you start a new attempt (or a “run”), you choose from a few randomly generated characters with their own classes, and special “traits” that include things like color blindness, dyslexia, and more.
Hollow Knight
Standard Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $9.89
Steam Rating: Very Positive
Hollow Knight just came out this year, but has already made a huge impression with its engaging, Metroidvania-style gameplay and gorgeous hand-drawn art style. If you’re a fan of games like Castlevania and Metroid, which gradually let you explore more and more of their vast worlds as you unlock new abilities, this is one worth checking out.
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Standard Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $9.99
Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
If Hollow Knight sounded appealing to you, Ori and the Blind Forest should also be a must-have. Another beautiful Metroidvania game, this one has some truly breathtaking moments. It also recently had a sequel announced at this year’s E3, so now is a great time to play it if you haven’t already.
Get Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition on Steam
Cave Story+
Standard Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $10.04
Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
Okay, technically this game is currently a few cents over ten bucks, but we had to make a special exception for a truly special game. Cave Story is, simply put, one of the most legendary indie games of all time, with its addicting gameplay, charming story, and lovable characters. Its enhanced edition, Cave Story+, was released on Steam in 2011 and remains the definitive way to play the game with its updated graphics and extra content. Do yourself a favor and give it a try — this is one story you don’t want to miss.
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These are just a few platforming games that are a part of Steam’s 2017 summer sale. Let us know what you think of our picks in the comments!
