2020 was slated to be a pretty big year for the video game industry. We received the latest console platforms from both Microsoft and Sony as well. However, what we didn’t expect going into 20202 was the worldwide health pandemic outbreak. This pushed several studios into issuing a remote work order that required teams to transition from the office spaces to their homes. That ultimately caused several video game titles to get delayed out of 2020. As a result, 2021 shaped up instantly to be a year filled with incredible video game title releases. In this list, we are going to highlight some of the best upcoming platformers.
#5 Little Nightmares 2
- Developer: Tarsier Studios
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS
- Release: February 11, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
After being told there were no plans for a sequel, Tarsier Studios surprised the world during Gamescom 2019 with a trailer to Little Nightmares 2. This platformer with survival-horror elements scattered throughout follows a new character named Mono that is accompanied by Six. So far, we know that the game will be taking place after the events of the first installment so while Six had escaped the Maw, there is still plenty of horrific terrors waiting outside. Players will be taking the role of Mono while they attempt to reach the Black Tower, a location that is being controlled by a secret broadcaster. This title was slated to launch into 2020 but was pushed into an early 2021 release.
#4 Psychonauts 2
- Developer: Double Fine
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
Psychonauts released all the way back in 2005 and this coming year we’re finally going to receive a sequel. Director Tim Schafer is back on board with the game and through a successful campaign to get the game funded through Fig, we should have the title before 2022 hits. In this platformer, players will pick up after the events of Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin. With the organization changing its core of what Psychonauts was originally founded on, there is no longer an urge for peacekeeping through psychic research. Instead, the group has turned their efforts towards studying necromancy. While we can expect the same type of gameplay in this upcoming sequel, we do know that the game will touch on Raz’s family, new relationships, and the curse that has affected the family history. So far, there is no specific release date attached to the game quite yet.
#3 Super Meat Boy Forever
- Developers: Team Meat
- Publisher: Team Meat
- Platforms: NS, PS4, XBO, PC, Mobile
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
Super Meat Boy was an instant hit when it launched back in 2010. Indie developers Team Meat brought out a platform title that featured over-the-top style levels filled with a series of deadly obstacles. Players controlled Meat Boy who is looking to rescue the love of his life, Bandage Girl after she was kidnapped by the evil Dr. Fetus. With this puzzle-like platform title there was attention all over the world as players attempted to complete levels that at times not only required precise maneuvering but timing as well.
Now a sequel is in the works known as Super Meat Boy Forever but this time Dr. Fetus has kidnapped Meat Boy’s and Bandages Girl’s child, Nugget. Both will have to go through a series of difficult levels once again to rescue their child. While the game was meant to be a mobile-only title, the developers decided to bring it out to multiple platforms, unfortunately, we don’t know just when it will release.
#2 Cuphead – The Delicious Last Course
- Developer: StudioMDHR
- Publisher: StudioMDHR
- Platforms: PC, XBO, NS
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: Yes
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
Cuphead made a huge splash in the industry once it was announced. Visually, the game looked similar to the old Disney cartoons. Players take the role of Cuphead with a secondary player taking the role of his brother Mugman. After getting in debt to the devil, Cuphead and Mugman managed to crack a deal with Satan himself. If the brothers can successfully gather all the souls owed to him, both Cuphead and Mugman can go free.
The gameplay is a mixture of small platforming levels and intense boss fights. Within this DLC, players will receive not only new levels with bosses but a new playable character known as Ms. Chalice. Though you can expect the same mechanics as Cuphead and Mugman outside of having a double jump so there won’t be a learning curve other than remembering the move sets of the new bosses you’ll face against along the way.
#1 Shovel Knight Dig
- Developer: Nitrome, Yacht Club Games
- Publisher: Yacht Club Games
- Platforms: TBD
- Release: TBD
- Co-op: TBD
- Competitive Multiplayer: TBD
There are big hits in the world of indie games and one of those that made a massive impact when it launched into the markets was Shovel Knight. This platformer had the feel and charisma of an iconic class video game title but released on the latest hardware platforms at the time. We’re far from over with the Shovel Knight franchise as there are more games set in the same universe but one of the upcoming installments that has us eagerly awaiting for its release of Shovel Knight Dig. The video game features a brand new adventure and it offers the same charm and tone that we’ve received from the first installment. With Shovel Knight having to go after Drill Knight, we’re uncertain just when we’ll be able to jump into battle in this next heroic adventure chapter. While we’re hopeful we get a release in 2021, we’re simply forced to wait until Yacht Club Games makes an official announcement on the release date and even platforms we’ll see this installment land on.
