Modern 2d non-linear platform/adventure games

[NeoZeedeater]

A couple months ago I did a thread on Metroid's predecessors. Now it's time to go the other side of the timeline. This thread is about 2d non-linear platform action games with adventure and/or RPG elements released from 2000 onwards.


Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Konami, GBA, 2001)


Eternal Daughter (Blackeye Software, PC, 2002)


Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (Konami, GBA, 2002)


Metroid Fusion (Nintendo, GBA, 2002)


Seiklus (cly5m, PC, 2003)


Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Konami, GBA, 2003)


Metroid Zero Mission (Nintendo, GBA, 2004)


Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (Konami, DS, 2005)


La-Mulana (GR3 Project, PC, 2005)
This is an homage to Konami's MSX games in case you're wondering why the graphics are so low-tech. A translation patch was recently released.


Cave Story (Studio Pixel, PC/Mac, 2005)


Lyle in Cube Sector (Bogosoft, PC, 2006)


Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Konami, DS, 2006)


Knytt (Nifflas, PC, 2006)



While I wish this type of game was alive on console, it's still cool to see it around in some form. I don't know if I would rank any of the above games quite as high as Symphony of the Night, Super Metroid, or Wonder Boy III but I am impressed with many of them.

Portable Castlevania has been awesome but I do feel they have been making too many of them in this style. I guess I'm in part to blame for buying all of them(except Harmony). I recently bought Portrait but I think I'm going to put it aside for a while so it's fresher.

Despite the game telling you where go too often, Metroid Fusion impressed me. I love Zero Mission(more than Prime even). It might technically be a remake but it feels like a new game. If they make another one like it on DS, and balance the difficulty better, I think they could surpass Super Metroid.

As for the freeware PC games listed above, Cave Story is by far the best. It really seems like a labour of love from the author, and a great mix of artistic originality and classic Metroid and Wonder Boy design. I hope the PSP remake/port package comes out.

Eternal Daughter has excellent style too, very TG16-like. The game's brutal difficulty curve holds it back from being in Cave Story's league, though.

As for future releases, I can't think of any besides re-releases of old games. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is coming to PSP and XBLA. Super Metroid will undoubtedly appear on the VC. The Monster World games will be out soon in a PS2 compilation although it's a shame it will likely be left in Japan.




P.S. - If you haven't played a Wonder Boy/Monster World game, you should fix that before playing the 21st century stuff. Download an SMS or Genesis emulator and check out Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap or the translated Monster World IV rom. These games are robbed of their spots on top 100 lists every year.




So what are your thoughts on this subgenre in the 21st century? Please add any I missed(I wasn't sure if Megaman ZX fits as I have yet to play it).

[SpoDaddy]

Does Scourge: Hive count?

[Kairi]

Great thread. Mind I ask for the link to the other one you mentioned?

[Salsashark]

I love Seiklus and especially Cave Story. The portable Castlevanias do absolutely nothing for me.

I will happily check out the others mentioned. Thanks!

[NeoZeedeater]

Scurge: Hive slipped my mind because of the isometric view but it's certainly worth a mention. Good game. I would prefer they do something side-scrolling in the future.

Great thread. Mind I ask for the link to the other one you mentioned?

Thanks. http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/s...ht=metroid%27s

[Kairi]

I love Seiklus and especially Cave Story. The portable Castlevanias do absolutely nothing for me.

I will happily check out the others mentioned. Thanks!

Aria & Dawn of Sorrow, and Portrait of Ruin dont do anything for you? Compared to what? I mean, what would do it for you?

Scurge: Hive slipped my mind because of the isometric view but it's certainly worth a mention. Good game. I would prefer they do something side-scrolling in the future.


Thanks. http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/s...etroid%27s

Thx.

[Gooch]

You forgot Kirby and the Amazing Mirror.

[Tain]

How about Akuji the Demon?

[Salsashark]

Aria & Dawn of Sorrow, and Portrait of Ruin dont do anything for you? Compared to what? I mean, what would do it for you?

Seiklus or Cave Story. =)

Really though, they have nice graphics and play mechanics, but the level design is so boring it ruins it all. I've played a couple of them and none of them were what I'd qualify as fun.

[Compass]

You forgot Kirby and the Amazing Mirror.

That game sucks.