I don't think there are any genres as frustrating as the Puzzle, Platformer & Metroidvania ones. As the years continue to pass, we get mind-bending new takes on the Puzzle and Platformer genres and Metroids continue to push boundaries of graphics and dimensions. It's always a pleasure to see how each Game Developer puts their own unique spin on it. With hundreds of games coming out, here are a few of the best and brightest in the bunch from Steam Next Fest, 2023 in terms of all things Puzzles, Platformers & Metroidvanias.
Helpful Browsing Notes:
These games are not ranked in any specific order. They're only numbered to stay organized.
If any links are broken or wrong, or you're a developer that has an updated link, please just leave a comment below and we'll fix it!
Just because we're not planning on reviewing a game does not dictate it as bad or good. We only have so much time to review games so we prioritize ones we personally want to play over others. Our tastes may differ, but that doesn't mean a game isn't quality.
1. LAPSUS
🏷️ Genre: Arcade, Puzzle, Platformer, Time Manipulation
📅 Release Date: Unannounced
🗒️ Description: LAPSUS is a thrilling 2D Puzzle-Platformer that will make you think in multiple timelines simultaneously. Squeeze your brain to solve challenges in a way never seen before. Manipulate the laws of physics to overcome 80+ levels across unique worlds and push your mind and fingers to the limit!
📝 Reviewing?: Possibly
2. Gravity Castle
🏷️ Genre: Adventure, 2D, Platformer, Action, Metroidvania
📅 Release Date: 2023
🗒️ Description: Gravity Castle is a puzzle-action platformer game. You become a pilgrim and embark on a journey that will never return, deep into the depths of Gravity Castle. You'll have to face the malevolence of the dungeon, with a mystical tool that allows you to handle the gravity.
📝 Reviewing?: Unlikely
3. Echo Wisp
🏷️ Genre: Action-Adventure, Metroidvania, Platformer, PvE
📅 Release Date: Unannounced
🗒️ Description: Save the once peaceful land in Echo Wisp. Explore an underground depths overrun by evil ghostly apparitions. Slash and shoot your enemies as two heroes each with their own unique abilities in this action adventure platformer.
📝 Reviewing?: Unlikely
4. Genopanic
🏷️ Genre: Platformer, Adventure, Action, Controller, Indie,
📅 Release Date: Q4 2023
🗒️ Description: Genopanic is a pixel-art, Metroidvania-inspired adventure-platformer. Explore corridors of the space station, teeming with secrets and dangers, and engage in boss fights. Solve puzzles and uncover hidden mysteries in the dark atmosphere of a sci-fi research complex. Discover the truth with each step
🎮 Discord
📝 Reviewing?: Unlikely
5. Skator Gator
🏷️ Genre: 3D Platformer, Collectathon, Short, Action, 3D
📅 Release Date: Q3 2023
🗒️ Description: Stop the mayor from polluting the swamp in this short, 3D adventure! Explore new open locales with skateboard in hand or while grinding on pipelines — Greenjamin's skating into the third dimension in SKATOR GATOR 3D!
🎮 Discord
📝 Reviewing?: Possibly
6. Escape From Mystwood Mansion
🏷️ Genre: Puzzle, Escape Room, Exploration, Mystery
📅 Release Date: Q3 2023
🗒️ Description: In this first-person puzzle escape room game, you are trapped in the mysterious Mystwood mansion. Explore corridors and find hidden rooms while solving puzzles and deciphering codes to find a way out. Will you escape or linger to uncover the mansion's final secret?
🎮 Discord
📝 Reviewing?: Unlikely
7. Viewfinder
🏷️ Genre: Puzzle Platformer, Puzzle, First-Person, Surreal
📅 Release Date: July 18th, 2023
🗒️ Description: Challenge perception, redefine reality, and reshape the world around you with an instant camera. Viewfinder is a new single player game offering gamers hours of interesting and fun experiences while uncovering the mysteries left behind.
🎮 Discord
📝 Reviewing?: Possibly
8. Little Nemo and the Nightmare Fiends
🏷️ Genre: Exploration, Metroidvania, 2D Platformer, 2D
📅 Release Date: Unannounced
🗒️ Description: Little Nemo and his friends return for a hand-animated metroidvania adventure! Explore magical dream worlds with Nemo, the Princess of Slumberland, the mischievious Flip, and royal guard Peony as they try to stop the Nightmare Fiends from ruling over dreams forever.
🎮 Website
📝 Reviewing?: Unlikely
9. The Devil Within: Satgat
🏷️ Genre: Platformer, Action-Adventure, Metroidvania, 2.5D
📅 Release Date: Q4 2023
🗒️ Description: Join Kim Rip, a Royal Guard whose humanity is gradually slipping away, on a thrilling 2.5D action-adventure platforming journey in 'The Devil Within: Satgat'. Uncover the mysteries of a desolate realm as you engage in stylish battles against formidable foes.
🎮 Discord
📝 Reviewing?: Unlikely
10. Cosmic: A Journey Among Shadows
🏷️ Genre: Atmospheric, Metroidvania, Platformer, Difficult
📅 Release Date: 2023
🗒️ Description: An action-adventure game set in a multilayered universe where light and shadow dictate its metaphysical rules. As a naughty little creature, embark on an interdimensional journey across space and time to rescue your sole and best friend — 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰
🎮 Discord
📝 Reviewing?: Possibly
11. Moonlight Pulse
🏷️ Genre: Action, Metroidvania, Surreal, Exploration, Sci-fi
📅 Release Date: 2024
🗒️ Description: Teamwork matters most in this seamless, fantastical metroidvania within a living, breathing world. Realize each character's true potential to take down an invading force of overwhelmingly powerful parasites.
🎮 Website
📝 Reviewing?: Possibly
That's all folks!
That's it for the best Puzzle, Platformer & Metroidvania games of the Steam Next Fest 2023 event. Click HERE to be taken back to the Master List article... but before you go, make sure to drop a like below if you're a big fan of the genre, and leave a comment telling us what games you're looking forward to most!
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