Should Explorational 3D Platformers return?

Yes, please. Give me more to do than just a boring linear progression. Let me figure out my own path and go from there. Doing some things out of order is perfectly fine. I don't mind if there is still a basic path to follow(Sonic Adventure 1 is a nice balance of linear and non-linear), but give me reasons to explore beyond the end of the game where all that's left is after-story power-ups. That's not really fun or worth it to me. The content before the story is over should let us go to tons of places, or as much as possible within the world. Power-ups, secret levels, etc.

Super Mario 64 is pretty much perfect at this. There's some path to follow, to a small degree. But only just enough to keep it up. Sunshine still has some non-linear choices, thankfully. Galaxy 1... dropped the ball on it. Way too linear for my tastes. Haven't played Galaxy 2, though. I'd like another 64, where you could get Stars out of order. Even if you have to do certain courses or areas in a small but specific order, keep it non-linear. No, the story does not justify a linear progression either. That just makes it severely worse to me. Maybe it's nostalgia, but I've grown up on the first Zelda game, where there was a tiny story, but no linear progression. Doing things out of order was a choice, just discouraged via Beef Gates(not unbeatable ones, though). This is good. It doesn't completely force you to play in one way only. I think games were at their best there when paths refused to be linear, but had optimal paths for the best/easiest way to do it. That's okay too.

Long story short, they should return, and it's okay to do some linear parts as long as a lot of what you can do is non-linear. That means side paths well before the main game is over. That means doing a little bit out of order here and there, doesn't have to be much either. Only time it should be impossible is if it's a scripted area you need to do(for instance, Koopa the Quick) or needs a power-up you don't have yet. That's okay too.

Sorry for the long rant, but I'm really supportive of this idea.

Even though they were more linear than the other 3D Marios, I heavily enjoyed Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2. I'd even put Super Mario Galaxy 2 in my top 10 favorite games ever.

I've been hankering for another 3D platformer for some time now, explorational or not. I've considered picking up something like Banjo-Kazooie or Donkey Kong 64, but the slowness and ugly graphics turn me away from them.

Seriously, 3D platformers as a whole aren't going to go anywhere. It's the explorational kind that's currently dead.

I can see Explorational 3D Platformers have a return to form as long as they both have multiple paths to the same goal, and for them to really crank up the stage design to take advantage of your character's movement and abilities.

Sorry to keep bringing up DK 64 (and no recent game in memory's really taken after DK 64, or maybe I just haven't played modern platformers in a while) but in that game, aside from the occasional mechanical platforms and vines and stuff to jump off of, in that game, you sort of just... run to the next objective. As much hate as linear games get (for arbitrary reasons IMO), there is one great thing about them: Because of the linearity, they HAVE to make really focused and challenging stages, so the best games in that regard have really engaging, satisfying stages and use of assets as a result.

edited 28th Apr '14 7:49:38 AM by Schitzo

Hmm. Does the Arkham series count as explorational 3D platformers?

No it doesn't. That's not the main focuse of the game.

@Schitzo: Challenge and linearity aren't mutually exclusive. See Dark Souls.

If we're looking at Nintendo, then there's one IP they can revive that would be perfect for this. Ice Climbers. Each level is a giant mountain, and you have to explore, jump, and hammer every nook and cranny to get the items and reach the top of the mountain.

Is there any reason why they shouldn't return? Do explorational 3D platformers come to life and beat people up or something? I don't understand the purpose of this question.

It just seems that explorational 3D platformers have become an object of ridicule of the Fifth Generation, and all 3D platformers nowadays are of the linear kind, alternate paths optional.