Modern Retro at its Best
Retro sensibilities are shaping modern gaming, with many titles drawing on the past to refine and reinvent familiar ideas. Some focus on visual style, while others adopt classic gameplay philosophies and build entire experiences around them. These are the games I want to highlight to explore which modern titles perfect the retro design.
Shovel Knight
Based on NES-style platformers, Shovel Knight takes the template and evolves it. Tightening the controls, adding fair checkpoints, and expanding the mechanics, the game takes what came before and refines it to create one of the greatest platformers of recent times.
Celeste
Celeste takes precision platformers to another level. In addition to the incredible stage designs, the game also includes a poignant narrative like nothing seen in the genre before.
Animal Well
While Metroidvanias are massively popular, many follow the same conventions. However, Animal Well takes the notion and adds a modern twist. The number of secrets within adds a wonderful sense of discovery, allowing you, the player, to forge a unique experience.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells perfectly combines 2D action-adventure with roguelikes to create one of the greatest titles in its genre. The slick, fluid combat and procedural design make for an endlessly replayable title.
Absolum
Side-scrolling beat ‘em ups ruled the arcades for years; however, the genre struggled to transition to modern consoles due to dated mechanics. Absolum successfully updates elements with its roguelike mechanics and slick approach to combat and combos, making this a standout in the genre.
Undertale
Taking inspiration from classic RPGs, Undertale refines the genre with its wonderful choice-based approach to gameplay. With its fresh take on encounters, Undertale took the world by storm, changing the genre forever.
Death’s Door
The classic top-down Zelda formula is a staple in the industry. Combining puzzles and combat, the genre has influenced several games; however, Death’s Door evolved this. With its focus on tight combat and challenging boss encounters, it fuses elements of From Software with Link’s adventure to create something truly special.
There you have it. Those are my picks for modern games that perfect the retro design. Which games would you add to the list? Do you disagree with any of my choices? Let me know in the comments below or on any of our socials.
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