Precision Platformers

[Buzzy Beetle]

There's been a bit of a reemergence of precision platformers recently. You know the type: the kind of platformer from back in the day where you needed pixel-perfect accuracy or face one more death and possibly even a level restart. The kind that you will eventually face one part of the game where you are likely to scream in rage because "This is impossible; how is anyone ever able to beat it?"

Classic examples of this are games like the NES Megaman series where the difficulty wasn't so much imposed but a result of game design being in its infant stages. It would be thought that since gaming has evolved so much since then we would never face such devious games again.

This is not so. There's a certain charm and extacy that is only obtainable by soaring through levels plagued with instant-death traps and unbeatable odds... but still emerging victorious.

Recent additions to this sub-genre are games like VVVVVV and Super Meat Boy. I have been enjoying both very much, in between the slight moments of rage. I must say, it has been almost too long since I have faced these naturally difficult games on my own. The challenge is refreshing and, have noted, with only a few moments of rage. I know there's a few others out there who are also facing the challenges these (and others like them) bring. (With the exception of Biscuit, who's gotten quite far in the hellscape that is I Wanna Be The Guy and is probably going "yawn" to them right now.)

Thoughts on these games, anyone?

[Plinko]

Mega Man 2 remains the perfect 2D platformer and will never be topped.

I'd put Braid in this category even though it's got it's own special gameplay that makes it different. I tried VVVVVVV and it was OK but more pre-NES than 8-bit for my tastes. I need more than just move and jump to hold my interest.

[gator]

I just realized that VVVVVV doesn't have Steam Cloud, so I'll have to redo a good chunk of the game I already played when I was on another computer.

[Supreveio]

La-Mulana. While missing jumps never outright kill you, it's frustrating to get hit and fall down four screens and have to climb back up just to start over. There's an entire area built around trial-and-error platforming, as well.

On the easier side of the gaming spectrum, Cave Story. There's a few places where you have to jump over instant-death spikes onto narrow pillars. The floaty jump physics don't help.

[Soltan]

LittleBigPlanet's Bunker level is quite nasty. That huge wheel of death has blocked me for more than two hours so far...sigh.

[abiscuit]

(With the exception of Biscuit, who's gotten quite far in the hellscape that is I Wanna Be The Guy and is probably going "yawn" to them right now.)

Derp.

I really enjoy these two games. There is still lots of fun and lots of rage. The main difference you don't have to best fruit, spike, or moon to beat these levels.

[abiscuit]

Do you wanna be the guy? If you want to unlock The Kid, you must do this...

[Masakari]

I'd add Eversion to the list. Getting all the gems in that game was ragetastic.

[abiscuit]

So after many hours of rage and frustration, I finally unlocked The Kid from I Wanna Be the Guy last night. No Carpe, I wasn't up until 5am trying to get it



I'm gonna go dunk my thumbs into buckets of ice now.

[Bronze Fox]

I'd add Eversion to the list. Getting all the gems in that game was ragetastic.

Are you sure?

I remember the game being mildly difficult, but I don't think it was that bad.

[gator]

I'd add Eversion to the list. Getting all the gems in that game was ragetastic.

Are you sure?

I remember the game being mildly difficult, but I don't think it was that bad.

Masa rages very easily.

[Masakari]

Unlike my good friend biscuit, I only took about an hour to do this achievement*. It was a moderately easy challenge, when it comes down to it. Biscuit is obviously used to playing games like Hello Kitty Island Adventure.

So to you, good Sir, I say derp. Or, more specifically:

VIEW CONTENT:

*Buzzy and Carpe are both witnesses, by the way. So I have evidence!