The platforming genre is something of a dying breed, seeing as it has been integrated with other genres like action and adventure. Nowadays, the majority of the latter genres heavily feature platforming elements, which is why we’ll be considering them as such as well.
Within this genre, there have been many franchises like Uncharted, Ratchet & Clank, among others. And while some are rightfully considered to be as awesome as they are, others tend to be either over or underrated. We’re not saying the games on this list are exceptionally good or bad; rather, here are reasons why these particular games are perceived in exaggerated fashion.
10 Overrated: Ratchet & Clank (2016)
After the series underwent a period where the best game was mediocre at best, 2016’s reboot brought fans a worthy inclusion. However, things have been ballooned up more than they need to be here.
While the game is great fun, it really doesn’t add anything new to the series. In fact, the story itself is retold from the original, meaning the game was basically the PS2 Ratchet & Clank delivered for the PS4 in some ways. The platforming sequences were nicely done for sure, but they were tried-and-tested from earlier Ratchet & Clank games.
9 Underrated: LittleBigPlanet 3 (2014)
While it doesn’t reach the heights the earlier installments did, LittleBigPlanet 3 is by no means a bad game. The unfortunate case for this game was that it had extremely high standards to live up to; since the series template was tread again, the third part lacked that fresh feeling.
This severely undervalues the fun this game brings, though, as LittleBigPlanet 3 actually has a larger variety for creative gameplay, while also boasting a far better soundtrack. The comparison with its own series isn’t fair where this title is concerned.
8 Overrated: Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017)
What seems to be the final entry in the Uncharted series, The Lost Legacy benefited from being placed this way as it absorbed all the goodwill that came from Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. However, it lacks in every major area.
The platforming sequences in particular are a letdown, as the game was more bullet-heavy compared to solving puzzles that brought the platforming aspect forward. As a shooter, perhaps The Lost Legacy is passable, but it definitely falls flat when it comes to being a platformer.
7 Underrated: Knack (2013)
Yes, this game does rank very low when it comes to critical acclaim, but that doesn’t do Knack justice since it is actually pretty good if you don’t take it seriously. Unfortunately, gamers have become too reliant on critics, who generally search for originality over fun value.
Knack is a pretty safe bet if you’re in the mood for a simple platformer where you don’t have elaborate combos to make or have to search tirelessly for a solution to a puzzle. This is why it makes for a nice, breezy title to play through when you don’t want anything complex.
6 Overrated: Tomb Raider (2013)
Let’s get it out of the way by making it clear that we absolutely did love this game and how it brought a new spin in the series. However, the Tomb Raider reboot did more bad than good for its follow-up entries, as these games were criticized for not living up to the first game’s standards.
Regardless,the much-touted survival sequences aside, Tomb Raider is quite an unimaginative platformer. There’s not much else other than climbing or ziplining, both of which had been present in gaming for several years. The game packs in several survival sequences within a short span of time, which basically covers the fact that platforming is extremely linear in this game.
5 Underrated: N++ (2015)
As gaming generations have progressed, gameplay has become easier overall. For this reason, N++ has gone ignored by the gaming community as it is one of the most difficult games ever made. Yet, why not challenge your gaming ability and have a go at this?
Gameplay is simple in that the player is simply required to run, jump, and dodge obstacles, although the difficulty is amped up due to the many obstacles in the way. It’s too bad that this turned out to be why N++ isn’t talked about, as the level design is top notch.
4 Overrated: Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy (2017)
Fans’ wishes were answered when Crash Bandicoot returned for the PS4, this time with updated visuals and add-ons that made it a can’t-miss title. However, what people tend to overlook is that this collection is still essentially what we got for the PS1.
There weren’t any real risks taken to make the game have more variety, and the platforming actually felt like a bit of a departure since the Dualshock controllers are different from PS1 to PS4. Simply banking on nostalgia value, the N.Sane Trilogy isn’t really anything special, all things considered.
3 Underrated: Rayman Legends (2014)
Unlike some other games in this list, Rayman Legends experienced critical acclaim for what it was. The downside is that sales didn’t reflect this, with the game being less-than-average in that department. Due to this, one doesn’t hear mention of this title when the topic of great games is brought up.
You’ll be doing yourself a favor by picking this up, though, as Rayman Legends is a modern take on the classic scrolling platform gameplay. Packed with a variety of gameplay styles, including attacking and evasion, this game deserves a wide audience.
2 Overrated: INSIDE (2016)
As an idea, yes, INSIDE deserves all the praise in the world; as a platformer, it should only be considered on par with other well-received games. It’s the backdrop and level design that truly captures the attention here, being a dark take on the genre.
However, other than that, the puzzle solving takes just about the usual approach that doesn’t require much getting used to. These aren’t groundbreaking, if you remove the gimmick behind the game, since 2.5D platformers have existed for over a decade. And while several other games also feature exciting combat options, INSIDE just doesn’t have that extra layer, meaning it doesn’t stand out where gameplay execution is concerned.
1 Underrated: Fez (2014)
An example of how a game hasn’t aged well, Fez was highly rated in its time, so much so that it was ported to the PS4 after its initial release on seventh generation consoles. Being a celebration of exploration, Fez’s winning formula has to do with how it makes a 2D world come alive.
It’s a scroller that might seem like a simple game at first, but its multitude of gameplay options, including exploring and scaling, makes it a delight to play. Unfortunately, the developer’s outspoken exit from the gaming industry meant Fez’s legacy has died out in present day.