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

Most responsive, satisfying 2d platformer controls?

Rayman Origins is one of the greatest 2D platformers ever made. Legends is good as well but not on the level of Origins.
 
Strider for PS4/XB1

The controls and speed were sooooo gooood!

tumblr_n85ohzEy3e1qbtxe8o2_500.gif


strider-combat.jpg
 
wanderingprostheyltite said:
...was wondering if Gaf could recommend what you consider the pinnacle of platformer mechanics, can be any platform/era, I just want recommendations. Ideally I'm looking for something with a good sense of speed and momentum...
Click to expand...

Wouldn't feel comfortable calling them the pinnacle of platformers -- there are a lot of different styles and all that -- but I'm throwing in with the Rayman Origins/Legends crowd.

Origins is the better, more fully realized game but in certain ways Legends is better. Unfortunately it's dragged down by the Murfy nonsense, but if you can put that aside it's pretty fucking awesome in terms of mechanics.

While both games had normal/time trial versions of stages, Legends stepped it up in that they're really two unique experiences. There's your (really good) 'normal' platforming stuff, but then you have the TT versions which are more momentum-based (though doable without getting too fancy) and ridiculously fun. For example, here's some drunken idiot playing the two Quick Sands:

Quick Sand
Quick Sand Invaded

So good. Goddamn Murfy.
Fuck you, Murfy!
 
The Mega Man Zero games have the most responsive and satisfying controls, in my opinion. They have a bunch of other problems, but the controls are pretty much perfect. If I were to make a 2D platformer, it would control like Mega Man Zero.
 
VanWinkle said:
Rayman Origins and Legends have incredible platforming feel and controls. It's a little floaty by design but you don't lose any of the feeling of being in control because of it. It's probably my favorite feeling platforming ever.
Click to expand...
Something i really like about Raymans controls is how it feels every input has a response. Being able to hold down midair to dive is such a small detail (which they forgot to give Barbara in Legends) that is just really satisfying.
 
Ori and the Blind Forest, especially once you get all the abilities.
VQI8n9A.gif



BattleBlock Theater has very satisfying platforming as well.
 
I'm very picky on controls. I know I enjoyed Rayman Origins and Valdis Story less than I should have, because while I liked the controls, I didn't love them.

Super Meat Boy, Spelunky, and Volgarr are my controls soulmates.
 
I think my game LOVE has pretty fuckin' tight controls.

I've included 15 Steam Keys for it if you quote this. Grab one but don't spam the thread by saying you claimed it. Just try it and enjoy it.














 
Am I the only person here that likes platformers, but dislikes Super Meatboy? I didn't like the controls much, though I like the levels and difficulty. Actually, I dislike nearly every platformer that isn't Mario, Mega Man or DK Country.
 
Lately:
Rayman Origins & Legends.
Spelunky
Stealth inc.2
Red Goddess
Shovel Knight
Axiom Verge


What set the bar forever IMO: Castlevania SOTN
 
Tropical Freeze is the best 2D platformer ever, and the momentum of DK is a huge part of that. Speedrunning the levels is an art, and once you get in the zone it's ludicrously satisfying.
 
Super Mario World.
Cave Story. I do better with keyboard on this one.
Edit: Oh yeah, Donkey Kong 1994 is too good. The backflip and flip from hand walking are too good. I think the game also has the 3 jump combo? That would be the first game to feature it, right?
 
I've always thought Super Mario World got the controls and depth down to a tee. It's one thing to have precise controls, it's another to apply nuanced systems within them. The flying Cape is still by far one of the most satisfying challenges to pull off in any game feature.
 
Meat Boy
Mario U
Dustforce (as long as you play on PC, Vita port was terrible at launch, don't know if they patched the lag/slowdown)
 
VanWinkle said:
Rayman Origins and Legends have incredible platforming feel and controls. It's a little floaty by design but you don't lose any of the feeling of being in control because of it. It's probably my favorite feeling platforming ever.
Click to expand...
It's quite loose and floaty, prone to unwanted stomps. Not the best imo.
 
Quick tip for when OP definitely plays Rayman Origins and Legends because they absolutely should, from a dead stop you can hold sprint and the attack button + a direction to basically instantly go from full stop to full speed. It's a great little tip for keeping momentum going.

Dr Prob said:
Wouldn't feel comfortable calling them the pinnacle of platformers -- there are a lot of different styles and all that -- but I'm throwing in with the Rayman Origins/Legends crowd.

Origins is the better, more fully realized game but in certain ways Legends is better. Unfortunately it's dragged down by the Murfy nonsense, but if you can put that aside it's pretty fucking awesome in terms of mechanics.

While both games had normal/time trial versions of stages, Legends stepped it up in that they're really two unique experiences. There's your (really good) 'normal' platforming stuff, but then you have the TT versions which are more momentum-based (though doable without getting too fancy) and ridiculously fun. For example, here's some drunken idiot playing the two Quick Sands:

Quick Sand
Quick Sand Invaded

So good. Goddamn Murfy.
Fuck you, Murfy!
Click to expand...

I absolutely love Rayman Origins and Legends. But even so, when playing I don't really get a chance to think about what's happening. Watching that Quick Sand video and just seeing whats going on, the game even looks so fantastically fun. I knew I loved it, but getting to see someone else play and think "Wow, this is really magnificently designed" is really cool. What stellar games.
 
Dust:An Elysian Tale played on a 144Hz monitor (or a CRT) is pretty nice. Hectic at times, but always controllable.
 
Not sure why people are mentioning Little Big Planet. They're great games, but physics aren't their strong suit.

OP, this is a hard one, because there are soooooo many 2D platformers with controls that feel absolutely perfect, in their own way. Shovel Knight, Donkey Kong, Spelunky...


But since you mentioned momentum, I'd say go with Rayman Legends.
 
yeah like others have said, super meat boy, mario world, rogue legacy, volgarr...

rofl hard at the LBP people. i think they're joking tho
 
Brian_FETO said:
Mega Man Zero (series)
Dashing, jumping, dodging, getting rekt by enemy/hazard placements that know exactly what your instincts are telling you to do and fuck you over until you follow their rules. So good.
Click to expand...

KevinCow said:
The Mega Man Zero games have the most responsive and satisfying controls, in my opinion. They have a bunch of other problems, but the controls are pretty much perfect. If I were to make a 2D platformer, it would control like Mega Man Zero.
Click to expand...

Yo listen to these guys, they know what they're talking about.

I don't think Outland has been mentioned yet, so I'll add that. Incredibly responsive 2D controls.
 
wtf, no one has mentioned Yoshi's Island yet!?? Is it because op said he doesn't want to get burnt out by Mario? Could be the best 2D platformer ever and controls are super tight.
 
Donkey Kong 3, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Super Mario World

This thread tells me that I ought to play more newer platformers.
 
fidelio_forte said:
Yup, original 2D Rayman and Rayman Origins/Legends. I played Rayman before I played any Mario games as a kid, and always had a harder time with Mario because of it - I never felt that Mario was as responsive as Rayman was. (I'll be in the corner with my dunce cap if you need me.)
Click to expand...

I'm exactly the same.
In fact I've never really played any 2D platformers until recently.

Played (and loved) Rayman Legends then tried to play NSMB U and found that Rayman simply controls so much better.
With Rayman I always feel in total control where as Mario is slipping all over the place and I constantly feel like I'm battling against him and the controls

Modern 2D Rayman is way superior compares to modern 2D Mario IMO.

DKTF is also great and a little more challenging than Rayman.
 
I have to echo the love for Rayman Origins/Legends here; they feel so perfect to me :D!

Its like they took the momentum gameplay from Sonic but planted you in levels that mix Mario/Mega Man X style platforming with the core speed of 2D Sonic; its beautiful honestly :').

The games feel fantastic and a large reason why I played through both games on Vita as due to how great game felt with the Vita D-Pad; that great feel of the D-Pad plus the tight control of the Rayman games? Platforming perfection :').

Stealth Inc., Guacamelee, Bit.Trip.Runner 2, Freedom Planet and the Retro DKC games all fit this bill perfectly as well :).

FTF said:
wtf, no one has mentioned Yoshi's Island yet!?? Is it because op said he doesn't want to get burnt out by Mario? Could be the best 2D platformer ever and controls are super tight.
Click to expand...

And how can I forget that game :D! Yoshi's Island to this day is one of the best playing Nintendo platformers you can find; really tight control, lots of freedom for air-movement with Yoshi's flutter jump, and the everything felt tight and responsive.

Its like Maymotto took what he learned from Mario World and perfected it through his work on Yoshi's Island. There is a very good reason that most Yoshi games don't mess with the core controls/physics of the gameplay XD!
 
Rayman has always felt like a poor ass DKC game with a different(and great) art direction and low/medium tier level design. Looks nice and all though, so eh.
 
abstract alien said:
Rayman has always felt like a poor ass DKC game with a different(and great) art direction and low/medium tier level design. Looks nice and all though, so eh.
Click to expand...

.....I wouldn't call it a poor effort in copying DKC, but I can clearly see the games influences (Rayman's dash-attack jump feels like the roll from the DKC games), so you make a good point :).

The level design is mixed across both Origins and Legends; the former has a lot of teeth to its challenge (with collection counts being higher, the levels being quite open, and you having to keep up the speed all the while timing your jumps in the latter levels of the game) while the latter is more speed-focused at the expense of easily levels (though they are enjoyable, with the Spy would in particular being a major highlight :D).

Both game's time trail systems really highlight the strong points of each game's level design, with Legends time-trial system being the best I've ever seen in a 2D Platformer (the Invasion levels are in-genius; mashing up assets from another world with the current level you picked all the while mixing things up and forcing a ticking timer on you).
 
abstract alien said:
Rayman has always felt like a poor ass DKC game with a different(and great) art direction and low/medium tier level design. Looks nice and all though, so eh.
Click to expand...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I don't care for the way Origins and Legends control, as they feel kinda floaty and loose to me, and the level design is entirely forgettable. I've tried to get into both games many times, but I just can't.
 
I really love how Rogue Legacy controls, especially with double jumps and dashing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Legacy of Kain: Ascendance - New 2D Platformer
2
71
1K
IbizaPocholo replied
Bruisers 2D Boxing
10
381
Gamer_By_Proxy replied
Remedy releases Control on iPhone and iPad with touch controls, reworked gameplay systems, and ray tracing
Platform 
20
347
RoboFu replied
  • Poll
Ninja Gaiden 4 is one of the most satisfying action games I've played. If you haven't tried, why?
Opinion Poll  2 3
111
2K
corgiix3 replied
What Are Your Most Played Games According to Platform Stats?
2
77
1K
SkeletonQuays replied
Top Bottom