Enjoyable 3D platformers

[Menegrothx]

Sorry for the misleading title but Im looking for platformers like the original Crash Bandicoot games. To me the original 3 games dont even feel like 3D platformers. A lot of the gameplay is actually done from side scrolling perspective and when there is 3D, you are either running forward or running away from something in a narrow path. Good 3D sonic games aside, to me Crash is the only 3D platformer game which has enjoyable platforming. That doesnt mean I dont enjoy other 3D platformers, I just feel that they dont have the elements which make actual platforming enjoyable, they tend to be more about exploring, combat etc. Chain jumping, timing and precision jumping plays a smaller part in those games.
Both Sonic and Crash share the same thing, very limited/narrow paths so you cant roam around freely like in many 3D platformers. Thats what makes the difference.

In Crash there were a lot of 2D portions of the game when you had to do oldschool platforming, bouncing on enemies in a certain order etc. And the 3D portions had some variation with the enemies. You bounced on some, used the slide on others, bounced on enemies to leap bigger distances forward etc.
The sort of chain reactions that you had to do in order to survive/get something is what made it so great for me. In many 3D platformers it feels that you can avoid doing those things, you can just go around most enemies and there isnt as much precise timing and jumping needed.

Here are some videos from the first game to show you what I mean to those of you who havent played these games or need a reminder

1. Example of 3D/going forward platforming that I enjoyed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98rzm7kG78Q - High Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg8zjpp7 ... re=related - Road to Nowhere
This level is all about controlling how high and how far you jump. You need to be able to make shorter jumps too, other wise you will die if jump as far as you can every time.

2. Examples of more classical 2D platforming found from these games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r12IzwMRBQM - N.Brio & N.Cortex Bonus Levels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vURG1cJT0JY - Slippery climb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px_A9l0mpwo - Sunset vista
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Yd6G3D9Qw - Native fortress

Basically the sort of stuff you will find from a normal 2D platformer. Timing, controlling the height and length of your jumps, bouncing on stuff etc.


Tall order, but can any one suggest any titles with similiar gameplay that I might enjoy?

[Zing]

Klonoa (PlayStation). No hesitation. Tied for my most enjoyed platformer alongside Yoshi's Island.

It has 2D style gameplay with 3D style extras, such as throwing enemies into the fore- and back-ground. Jumping and throwing timing precision is required. There are many spots where you need to chain jump and throw. It is absolute platforming bliss.

[Menegrothx]

Klonoa (PlayStation). No hesitation. Tied for my most enjoyed platformer alongside Yoshi's Island.

Isnt the gameplay like Pandemonium? Klonoa has been on my to purchase list for long time now. Do you know if http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaze_no_Kl ... ght_Museum this one is any good? I need to exploit any opportunity to buy games for more obscure platforms

Damn, the first Klonoa seems to be quite expensive. Buy now prices between 35 and 55 pounds in ebay uk and no copies in my national web auction place.

[Retronomy]

What you're thinking of is often called 2.5D
Tomba! and it's sequel are decent for playstation. There is also Pandemonium! (Yes, there seems to be a recurring theme with exclamation points at the end of 2.5D game titles.)
On Sega Saturn, there's games like Bug!, although I'd consider it quite dated by today's standards, (including gameplay mechanics.)
And on N64 there's Kirby 64: Crystal Shards.
If you're willing to look at some pre-rendered platformers, then your options increase dramatically. And really, there isn't too much difference between the two.

[Zing]

I tried Tomba, and despite its apparent universal praise, I found it severely lacking, clunky, and not fun. I gave it two serious tries over a year. It is no where near the level of Crash or Klonoa.

[Menegrothx]

What you're thinking of is often called 2.5D

I used to call Crash Bandicoot 2.5D but I recall seeing it listed as a 3D platformer in Wikipedia. You can move sideways, even fall from platforms in seemingly 2 dimensional parts, unlike in games like Pandemonium. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2.5D#3D_ga ... ying_field
“The Crash Bandicoot series is sometimes referred to as 2.5D because although the characters and scenery are rendered in 3D, most of its levels are not as free-roaming like 'true' 3D platformers. “
Apparently I was wrong

Ive played and I like Pandemonium, I didnt like Bug! that much and Tomba! is way too expensive. I will probably check it out on ePSXe some day. Im not a big fan of Kirbys art style but I will have to check that one out too!

[Zing]

Crash Bandicoot is 3D, but with a fixed camera. This allowed the developer to hand-tweak the level objects to maintain a steady framerate, which allowed them to use the high resolution mode of the PlayStation without slowdown.

[J T]

This may not totally fit the bill, but I think Scaler is an underappreciated 3D platformer. A lot of it feels more like a Mario64 style platformer, but there are a fair amount of rail-riding segments that restrict movement, yet stil require jumping precision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOStEkc0_8o&feature=fvst

Also, I can't recommend Sonic Generations enough for both 2.5D and 3D. If you just sort through the thread about it in this forum, you'll see many of us gushing over it, even people like me that aren't huge Sonic fans.

[Godot102]

Goemon's great adventure for the n64- Amazing soundtrack(almost sounds CD quality), castlevania-like gameplay, ninjas, mechas, all you can possibly want in a platformer. it is 2.5D

Jumping flash 1 or 2 for the playstation- This is actually a first person platformer, where you play as a robot rabbit(ik it sounds ridiculous but hear me out) and explore some fairly big levels get some cool powerups and just shoot at enything that moves. The soundtrack is extremely catchy and the game is just a blast to play. highly recommended.

[Menegrothx]

This may not totally fit the bill, but I think Scaler is an underappreciated 3D platformer.

Whoa, Ive never even heard of this one and it looks great! The rail riding sequences remind me of Tarzan for PS1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geGS1b4H2dA&t=2m7s
Another overlooked platformer

Also, I can't recommend Sonic Generations enough for both 2.5D and 3D. .

I said good 3D Sonic games aside, I include Generations in that list

Jumping flash 1 or 2 for the playstation- This is actually a first person platformer, where you play as a robot rabbit(ik it sounds ridiculous but hear me out)

I love Mega Man, Usagi Yojimbo, Bucky O Hare is my favorite NES game and Jack Rabbit 1&2 are one of my childhood favorites so I dont think that a robo rabbit is a problem I love platforming mascots