Toys For Bob leads say they are more than happy for Spyro: A Realm Beyond to share the 3D platformer spotlight as the genre goes through a resurgence thanks to games like Astro Bot and more.
Kinda Funny Gamescast spoke to Spyro: A Realm Beyond associate creative director Lou Studdert and studio head Paul Yan. As part of that, the duo was asked how they feel about 3D platformers outside of Toys For Bob and if we're entering a so-called "Golden era" for the genre. Studdert says, "I don't know about golden era, but it's a resurgence. Definitely." This return for the genre is something he says "warms my heart because that is totally my genre of choice." He also singles out the announcement of Rayman Legends Retold, calling it "awesome," and that 2024's Astro Bot was "game of the year."
Studdert adds that he "couldn't be more happy" explaining, "It is so great because these are the experiences that, you know, the reason that I play games is because I grew up with those experiences."
Studdert calls the platformer "the purest form of video game in my mind," saying that it's "about the fantasy of controlling a different character and the fun and joy that comes in the responsiveness and how you interact with the world. And it's like you can layer other things on that, but to me, that's like the source of what makes a fun video game is just exploring a space and having a unique character and a unique way of doing that."
While AAA platformers are still very rare compared to the amount we got in the PS2 days, Studdert also shouts out "a ton of really amazing indie platformers," which has helped the genre remain relevant today. He says, "It's the more the merrier. It's phenomenal. I love seeing it." And in cases like Wario Land, Banjo-Kazooie, and Mystical Ninja, indie games like Pizza Tower, Yooka-Laylee, and Bakeru are probably the closest we'll ever get to those series' return.
