Platformers are one of the least-loved genres. Every so often you get a AAA budget game or an indie game that breaks through and wows everyone. Platformers can have other genres mixed in, but the sole mode of exploration should be jumping between platforms and climbing. It’s been a while since I didn’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel just to come up with five good platformers for the year. There were quite a few this year and they were all quite good.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Rift Apart not only introduces a great new character, but the classic Ratchet gameplay is intact with next-gen upgrades, fun and memorable weapons, amazing visuals, a fun story and wonderful voice acting. We get the charm of a Pixar movie mixed with tried and true gameplay from a PlayStation classic franchise. This is by far the best game in the series to date and a reason to own a PS5.

Runner-Ups

It Takes Two

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Narita Boy

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F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch

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Psychonauts 2

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