• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Linear 3D Platformers

Joe Molotov

Joe Molotov

Member
I just finished Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus on the PS2, and the one thing that I liked about it was that each individual level was just a "get from Point A to Point B" affair, with a tiny bit of collecting thrown in for flavor. It's not that I don't like the massive worlds with multiple objectives that most 3D platformers offer you, but this was a nice change of pace. I was a little disappointed to find out when I started Sly 2, that Sucker Punch decided to make it less linear and more open-ended. It's still pretty fun, and it may even turn out to be better than Sly 1, but I miss the simplicity of Sly 1's linear levels.

So I'm wondering, are there are any other good 3D Platformers on the PS2 that are similar to Sly Cooper?
 
The idea that linearity is somehow bad is the most stupid thing ever. Thanks gaming journalists of the mid-to-late 90s.
 
I'd say Psychonauts.

The levels, except for 1, are all linear (and that level is the famous Milk Man Conspiracy and makes up for it with humor) Although there is the massive hub overworld. Some of the greatest level art as well.
 
1006.jpg


Best picture I could find of my absolute favorite 3d platformer.
 
klonoa1.jpg

klonoa2.jpg

klonoa3.jpg

klonoa4.jpg

klonoa5.jpg


Klonoa 2!
Sure it's on-rails, but it's an amazing game.

I'd also recommend Ape Escape 2 + 3. They're probably my favourite 3D platformers. I don't like the combat oriented titles like Jak or R+C.
 
As someone who agrees whole-heartedly with the original poster and enjoyed the original three Crash games...

How were Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex and Crash Twinsanity? Compared to the originals, I mean?
 
Iam Canadian said:
As someone who agrees whole-heartedly with the original poster and enjoyed the original three Crash games...

How were Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex and Crash Twinsanity? Compared to the originals, I mean?
Click to expand...

haven't played twinsanity but wrath of cortex is a loading hell and the levels weren't that fun. the bosses felt stupid, and the over-all game felt less polished.
 
lol @ people not suggesting linear platformers.

There you go my friend. PLEASE play those, they simply are gems:


Maximo:Ghost to Glory

Maximo and The Army of Zin


.
 
Ranger X said:
lol @ people not suggesting linear platformers.

There you go my friend. PLEASE play those, they simply are gems:


Maximo:Ghost to Glory

Maximo and The Army of Zin


.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't call Army of Zin a platformer, despite it being a superb game...one of the best games of last gen

Maximo: Ghost to Glory haters, sod off
 
Gattsu25 said:
I wouldn't call Army of Zin a platformer, despite it being a superb game...one of the best games of last gen

Maximo: Ghost to Glory haters, sod off
Click to expand...


bahhh, let's call Army of Zin some "action-platformer" if you wish.
 
I always assumed Psychonauts was an open-ended, huge world type of platformer, so I didn't play it. I think I'll give it a go since it's been given the linear nod in this thread.
 
RegularMK said:
1006.jpg


Best picture I could find of my absolute favorite 3d platformer.
Click to expand...

It's not as good as Mario 64, but Rayman 2 is better than pretty much any other 3d platformer ever, including its good-but-not-as-good sequel... awesome game.
 
I've actually completely lost interest in 3d platformers because they are so wide open, with random crap to collect.

I'm thinking of making a comeback to the genre and I might start with one of the Maximo games, ratchet and clank, or psyconauts if they still hold up gameplay wise.
 
OMG, Klonoa 1 & 2 were ****ing awesome. I own them both (got lucky with Klonoa 1 off EBay in mint condition), and wow, easily one of my favourite all time franchises.

And I agree with the OP. There is absolutely nothing wrong with linear platformers. The original Sly Cooper is better then Sly 2 and 3 which took it in an open-world type of direction.
 
Only completely straight linear platformers like the Crash series managed to get it right IMO. Games like Maximo and Rayman 2 may have been pretty linear but the camera angle still needed to be manipulated because you weren't following a straight path, so they still suffered from the same camera problems that plague fully 3D games.
 
bearcatjosh said:
I always assumed Psychonauts was an open-ended, huge world type of platformer, so I didn't play it. I think I'll give it a go since it's been given the linear nod in this thread.
Click to expand...

I've played Psychonauts, and I wouldn't really consider it to be linear. The levels are a bit more straight-forward than say Jak & Daxter or Mario 64, but there's still multiple objectives that you have to complete on each level, it had a fairly big overworld, and there was a friggin' butt-load of stuff to collect. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. I ended up getting 100% Complete on it, which is rare for me, but it's not really what I'm looking for in this case.

Klonoa 2 and the Maximo games might be closer to what I'm looking for.
 
super magnetic neo on dreamcast is the absolute cream of this subgenre. its weirdness and gimmicky level design are faintly treasuresque, and it's challenging in a way that platformers haven't been since...nes, really. it has some control and camera issues, but they're worth fighting through.
 
AMEN!!!

I *hate* free-roaming directionless platformers. Crash really saved the platformer genre after the disaster (IMHO) that was Mario64 (and subsequent free-roaming Mario games).
 
SHOTEH FOCK OP said:
Remember all the big arrows in Vexx that would tell you exactly where to go? LOL.
Click to expand...
Of course not. No one would admit to playing that turd of a game.
(and collecting hearts to open up new levels? wtf was up with that?)
 
nincompoop said:
Only completely straight linear platformers like the Crash series managed to get it right IMO.
Click to expand...

I just had to quote this for truth. The Crash games are like the classic snes 2D platformers perfectly done in 3D.
 
nesmar said:
I've actually completely lost interest in 3d platformers because they are so wide open, with random crap to collect.

I'm thinking of making a comeback to the genre and I might start with one of the Maximo games, ratchet and clank, or psyconauts if they still hold up gameplay wise.
Click to expand...

They do.
 
TekunoRobby said:
I wish they made a next-gen Tomba! :(

Easily the best platformer on the PS1, leagues better than Klonoa.
Click to expand...

What was the sequel like, I only have the first one and love that game, was playing it the other day.
 
so the screenshot above is from rayman 2 for ps2? I've been looking to get some good platformers as well, I loved the first Jak and Daxter game, but didnt love Crash Bandicoot Vortex.

With ebgames buy 2 get one free, I figured I'd pick some of these up.
 
nesmar said:
I've actually completely lost interest in 3d platformers because they are so wide open, with random crap to collect.
Click to expand...

yeah me too. The genre has turned into an Action-game with "collect as much as these crappy items as possible".
 
...100% agree about Crash on PSX.

I was really looking forward to the upcomming Wii game (haven't played Crash since the original Playstation), until I found out it's a different (much crappier) developer.
 
stewacide said:
collectors edition indeed :lol :lol

dkdb-dk64n64_box.gif
Click to expand...

Oh yeah that game was definitely the epitome of that. Back when I was 14 years old I didn't mind the collecting all that much, but now I probably would go completeley bananas. Let's see, you had:

-battle crowns
-blueprints
-regular bananas
-golden bananas
-banana coins
-banana fairies

not to mention all the ammo, the Nintendo en Rare coins, and the fact you had to run through each level with every Kong. What the hell was that all about.
 
Powerslave said:
yeah me too. The genre has turned into an Action-game with "collect as much as these crappy items as possible".
Click to expand...
I was going to mention Donkey Kong 64, but it seems somebody beat me to it. :lol
 
Alpha_eX said:
What was the sequel like, I only have the first one and love that game, was playing it the other day.
Click to expand...
I'll let you know once I find my copy of Tomba! so I can do a proper comparison. I haven't touched these games in nearly 8 years so my memory is a little rough on which exactly is the better game. However do not miss out on the sequel, its the same game you loved only now everything is in 3D (except the gameplay thank god)!

I really need to make an official "Tomba is AMAZING" thread. I just loaded the sequel onto my PSP and I'm having a blast replaying it. Unfotunately Whoopee Camp disbanded after completing the second game so we may never see a third in the series. I'm still astonished as to how enjoyable the games are even now and how superior it is to EVERY platforming game on the PS1. So sad that no one played them and they received little sales.

EDIT: Get that Donkey Kong 64 shit outta this thread.
 
Joe Molotov said:
I was a little disappointed to find out when I started Sly 2, that Sucker Punch decided to make it less linear and more open-ended. It's still pretty fun, and it may even turn out to be better than Sly 1, but I miss the simplicity of Sly 1's linear levels.
Click to expand...
Seriously? Shit. I loved that about Sly 1 and was going to pick up Sly 2 eventually.
 
Darunia said:
Oh yeah that game was definitely the epitome of that. Back when I was 14 years old I didn't mind the collecting all that much, but now I probably would go completeley bananas. Let's see, you had:

...

not to mention all the ammo, the Nintendo en Rare coins, and the fact you had to run through each level with every Kong. What the hell was that all about.
Click to expand...

I got it for my birthday back in the day on the strength of the (brilliant) SNES games. I was disapointed, but I still finished it 100% which was probably an 80-hour grind.

Jetpack was the best / most memorable thing about that game :D
 
Tombi! is one underrated piece of genius game. It's genius, the whole puzzle element, the jokes, the smart environment, graphics, controls, secrets, everything.
 
This is a great thread. I hate most 3D platformers because of the aimlessness and mission-based design, but I like them okay when there's a clear start and finish.

I think I'm going to listen to drohne's suggestion. I'm sure that can be picked up on the cheap and I'm in the mood for a Dreamcast game.
 
another vote for the Klonoa series. Sure, its not technically full 3d (more 2.5D on rails) but they're just so full of win that you have to get them. What I'd give for a new one on any platform other than GBA :) (even though those are actually quite good).

klonoa2.jpg
 
fabs115 said:
so the screenshot above is from rayman 2 for ps2? I've been looking to get some good platformers as well, I loved the first Jak and Daxter game, but didnt love Crash Bandicoot Vortex.

With ebgames buy 2 get one free, I figured I'd pick some of these up.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't fap too much on Rayman2. It's not a bad game at all but just warning you it might not hold up as good as some will tell you outta here. Some levels aren't forgiving as in "badly designed" and not as in "you suck". It's still a good game though, i completed it last year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

  • Poll
Are we in a second golden age of 3D platformers?
2 3
102
2K
engstra replied
Big Hops, a new 3D platformer that is getting good reviews
2
182
Gamer_By_Proxy replied
"The Darkness Is Coming" - A New 3D Survival Horror For Dreamcast Is On The Way
Retro Platform Indie 
0
170
IbizaPocholo replied
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D could be ported to Switch this year
Rumor Platform  2
67
2K
Dirk Benedict replied
Where do you rank Astro Bot amongst 3D Platformers?
2 3 4 5
216
9K
Physiognomonics replied
Top Bottom