5 Best Platforming Games on PlayStation Plus (November 2023)

Your next adventure awaits on PlayStation Plus. The subscription service is home to hundreds of games available for a monthly fee. If you think about it, you save a few bucks with this service instead of purchasing every game you come across. But how do you know which games are the cream of the crop?

Every month, we give you a list of the best from the best across various genres. This month, we're giving you an insight into the best battle platforming games. Classics like Donkey Kong and the Mario Brothers paved the way. But it's time you dip your feet into the modern titles. Here are the five best platforming games on PlayStation Plus.

5. Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a game suitable for all ages. Its whimsical appeal may fool you as a kid's game, but it's a whole boatload of fun. The game is cut from the same cloth as the LittleBigPlanet entries, but its 3D movements and wide range of perspectives have it flying close to titles like Super Mario 3D World.

The game's world map gives you access to multiple platforming levels. You jump and punch your way across these levels while hunting collectibles, collecting point bubbles, and fighting baddies. The levels constantly change, adding new mechanics that shake things up. Once you complete a stage, you can access a new level with lots to find. Essentially, you must find all the Dreamer Orbs to make it to the end of the game. 

Additionally, every platformer shines with its narrative. Vex, a villain, attacks the village of Loom, where the Sackpeople are from. His plan is to enslave the residents and take over the world. But not with Sackboy being the only one who manages to escape. You must traverse the world and thwart Vex's plans. 

4. It Takes Two

It Takes Two is what you get when you combine ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ and the ‘Parent Swap’. The only difference is that it involves voodoo dolls. The game centers on the theme of divorce, where a married couple is planning to separate. However, the news doesn't go well with their daughter, who takes matters into her own hands. With a single wish, her parents, Cody and May, are transformed into dolls. This is where your co-op adventure begins. 

On paper, It Takes Two is an action-adventure game with platforming elements. The levels are beautifully designed environments that present various challenges for two players. The game can only be played in split-screen multiplayer mode. This means you'll need to tag along a mate through online or local play. So, just like marriage, you must work as a team to progress.

Moreover, the platforming action is top-notch. At every level, the game mechanics are tied to the story. For instance, May can double herself at a certain point, while Cody can rewind time. Overall, you need to know when to give and when to take.

3. Oddworld: New' n' Tasty

Oddworld: New' n' Tasty is a grand remake of the beloved Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, one of the most memorable games of the 1990s. If you are hearing of it for the first time, the game centers on Abe, a Mudokon slave who escapes enslavement that ends with a trip to the slaughterhouse. Yes, you read it right. The slaves are minced into new products. Your objective is to find a way to liberate your fellow Mudokons. 

Similarly, the remake puts Abe in the spotlight with enhanced mechanics and graphics. However, Abe is a relatively weak fellow and has no way of launching direct attacks or defenses. This means his defense strategy involves dodging explosive traps and spinning blades. Plus, his telepathy ability is all he has going for him. With this, he can possess the security agents who carry weapons, briefly changing the gameplay.  

Moreover, the game also features a difficulty setting, which was not in the original title. The setting tweaks the game's elements, such as enemy reaction times or Abe's health. Plus, the GameSpeak feature allows Abe to converse with his fellow tribesmen. It contains more responses and dialogue compared to the original game. Overall, the remake brings to life the aspects we loved about the original, revitalizing its look and giving other modern 2D platforms a run for their money.

2. The Messenger

The Messenger has you playing as a young ninja on a quest to deliver a scroll. But this is not your average UPS delivery job. There are hurdles to jump and obstacles to overcome. The game draws inspiration from the Ninja Gaiden series, where you can jump, run, and attack with your sword. Plus, you can perform a double jump midair using the ‘Cloud stepping' technique. 

The 2D action platformer has a lot going for it. Besides the stunning visuals that seamlessly transform from 8-bit to 16-bit, its retro theme and sense of humor will rope you in. Similarly, you get access to new abilities as you progress. You can climb walls or swing away from adversaries at certain levels. 

The most fascinating bit of this game is how it finally transforms into a Metroidvania-style. Here, you have to travel back and forth to locate crucial items. When you think it can't get more interesting, The Messenger hits you with new challenges and stages. 

1.The Pedestrian

The Pedestrian is a unique take on platforming. Instead of scaling varying environments and terrains, your game map is a traffic sign. The 2D side-scrolling puzzle platformer has you traversing a 3D world through 2D street signs. You play as the pedestrian silhouette on the signs, solving puzzles from one street sign to the next. 

The first level involves jumping, picking items, pushing blocks, etc. The second level takes things up a notch, where you use a ladder or a door to access the next sign. You may also move the signs for proper alignment. 

Essentially, The Pedestrian doesn't put weight on the puzzles. But it beckons players to understand the game while teaching them how to be better at it. If you're in the market for a grand platforming game on PlayStation Plus, look no further than this one.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other platforming games on PlayStation Plus you think are the best? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!