In this blog, we’ll explore a world where nostalgia and modernity collide and stunning visuals and compelling stories come to life in the classic 2D format. We’ve curated a list of the best 2D games, ranging from emotional and atmospheric adventures to heart-pounding action!
Table of Contents
Rain World
The indie adventure platformer Rain World plunges you into an eerie yet captivating world where your mission is to survive. Playing as a nomadic slugcat, you must navigate a fractured ecosystem where you are both a cunning predator and potential prey. Armed with only your wits and a trusty spear, you embark on an unforgettable journey through an industrial wasteland.
Visually stunning, the game draws inspiration from the golden age of 16-bit classics, capturing the nostalgia and charm of retro gaming. However, don’t let the pixelated aesthetic fool you; the gameplay is modern and challenging.
Cult of the Lamb
We couldn’t compile a list of the best 2D games without mentioning Cult of the Lamb. This action roguelike dungeon crawler caught our eye with its cute art style, and it won us over with its dark humor and addictive gameplay. Play as a possessed lamb on a divine mission to found your own devoted cult!
But the road to cult supremacy isn’t easy. You’ll need to gather precious resources, build unique structures, and perform sinister rituals to appease the gods overseeing your efforts. With your trusted followers by your side, you will venture into diverse and mysterious regions, ready to spread the word and become the one true cult that will reign supreme. The fate of your cult rests in your hooves!
Sea of Stars
There were a lot of notable game releases in 2023, and the turn-based RPG Sea of Stars made it straight to our list of the best 2D games. This game invites you to enter a world where the sun and the moon hold the key to unraveling a spellbinding tale. You play as two children of the solstice who use the powers of the sun and moon to perform eclipse magic.
If you fondly remember classic RPGs from the Super Nintendo era, Sea of Stars is the perfect game for you. It evokes nostalgia for legendary retro RPGs like Chrono Trigger with its top-down perspective and turn-based combat. Its combat system is unique — you must synchronize your actions with character animations to maximize damage output and minimize incoming damage.
Ori and the Blind Forest & Ori and the Will of the Wisps
These two Metroidvanias will hit you hard, so make sure you have some tissues handy when you play them. Set in the heart of the dying Nibel Forest, the first game tells the compelling story of a young orphan destined for greatness.
Featuring hand-painted artwork, Ori and the Blind Forest takes you on a breathtaking journey through a lush, vibrant world. Every screen you explore offers a cascade of vibrant colors and meticulously crafted backgrounds, providing a visual feast for the eyes. It’s more than just a game. It’s a work of art. You’ll find yourself pausing to take in the beauty of the landscapes.
The sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, delivers on all fronts and then some. It will take all your courage to reunite a fractured family, repair a world in turmoil, and uncover Ori’s true purpose. The graphics and original orchestral soundtrack are as immersive and beautiful as its predecessor. These two breathtaking masterpieces are among the best 2D games we’ve ever played, and they will stay with you long after you put down your controller.
💡 Tip: Also check out our blog about the best Metroidvanias!
Vampire Survivors
Let’s go straight from emotional, atmospheric gameplay to the action-packed, roguelike, bullet-hell experience of Vampire Survivors. Nightmarish creatures have overrun the game world, and your only chance is to mow down thousands of these abominations and cling to life until dawn. It’s a relentless battle where your choices lead either to salvation or doom.
The minimalist gameplay is incredibly addictive. As you traverse this dark realm, collect gold during each run to unlock upgrades and increase your chances of survival. But remember: Death is inevitable. All you can do is hold on for as long as possible.
Sonic Superstars
Prepare to lace up those iconic red sneakers and embark on an electrifying adventure through the mystical Northstar Islands in Sonic Superstars! This thrilling twist on the classic 2D Sonic high-speed action platformer will take you on a wild ride. Play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, or Amy and harness the extraordinary powers of the Chaos Emeralds to move and attack in dynamic new ways.
Jump into action with full 3D graphics that breathe new life into the beloved 2D Sonic universe. Sonic Superstars features a dazzling new setting and gameplay mechanics to challenge even the most seasoned Sonic fans. It’s a wild, twisting, looping journey you won’t want to miss, and you’ve never experienced classic Sonic like this.
Cuphead
If you thought Dark Souls was difficult, know that we probably struggled just as much with the indie platformer Cuphead. This hand-drawn masterpiece pays homage to 1930s cartoon classics while delivering an unforgettable—and sometimes frustrating—gaming experience.
Cuphead and Mugman are your heroes on an epic quest filled with humor and high-stakes action. These two lovable mugs have a debt to repay to the devil. Each boss encounter is a quirky puzzle requiring split-second reflexes and precision. If you’re a fan of color, humor, atmosphere, and unforgettable experiences, Cuphead is a must-play.
Noita
Noita is another title that shouldn’t be missing from any list of the best 2D games. This indie gem is a roguelike masterpiece that combines the best elements of action, RPG, and dungeon crawling. It features stunning 2D pixel graphics and dark humor.
Noita throws you headlong into a dangerous world where danger lurks around every corner. Permanent death is your ever-present companion, so you’ll need wit, cunning, and an arsenal of spells to survive. What sets Noita apart is its magic system. Craft spells on the fly by mixing elements to create an array of devastating abilities. Freeze enemies in place, melt obstacles into oblivion, or simply burn your way to glory — the choice is yours.
LIMBO
LIMBO is an indie masterpiece that showcases the power of minimalism in gaming. This puzzle platformer takes you on an unforgettable journey through a haunting, atmospheric adventure. Its game world, painted in shades of black and gray, is filled with surreal beauty and evokes an indescribable sense of dread and wonder.
Your purpose in this ominous realm is clear, yet shrouded in mystery. You play as a young boy who, uncertain about his sister’s fate, embarks on a harrowing quest to find her. The absence of dialogue and text allows the game’s atmosphere to tell its own story, creating a deep immersion. If you’re looking for a dark, atmospheric, and surreal adventure, LIMBO is an experience not to be missed.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping journey into the dark and twisted world of The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, where action meets roguelike in a pixelated, 2D, dungeon-crawler adventure. If you’re a fan of challenging games with immense replay value and killer soundtracks, this indie gem will become your new obsession.
Play as Isaac, a young boy who must navigate the labyrinthine depths of his basement while facing grotesque monstrosities, sibling rivalry, and a deeply unsettling quest for survival. The game’s roguelike elements ensure that every playthrough is unique, with randomly generated levels and bizarre treasures that grant Isaac extraordinary powers. It’s a game that demands strategy, quick reflexes, and an unwavering will to survive.
Bread & Fred
The next game features adorable penguins and some of the funniest Steam reviews ever. In Bread & Fred, you play as the titular penguins, who are arguably the cutest pair of flightless birds ever. But don’t let their cute looks fool you—this game is not for the faint of heart. It’s a precision platformer that requires pinpoint timing, precise jumping, and an almost telepathic sense of cooperation between you and your partner (or Jeff the Rock).
Your mission? Conquer the treacherous snowy summit by navigating a relentless blizzard of challenges. There’s just one catch: Bread and Fred are attached to each other. You won’t just fall together. You can harness the power of momentum to swing and launch each other across gaps that no single penguin could ever dream of clearing. Teamwork and timing are the keys to success. But beware — it’s a long way down when you both go airborne!
Super Meat Boy
The last game on our list of the best 2D games is none other than Super Meat Boy, a precision platformer. In this pixelated adventure, you play as a brave animated cube of meat determined to rescue his bandage-wrapped girlfriend from the clutches of an evil fetus wearing a dapper tuxedo. Yes, you read that right! This game takes quirkiness to a whole new level!
Our meaty hero leaps into action without hesitation, scaling walls, hurdling over oceans of menacing buzz saws, and braving crumbling caves and pools of treacherous old needles. With practice, determination, and a little luck, you’ll conquer this 2D masterpiece, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel is worth every challenge!
Honorable mentions
Do you think some games should be on our list of the best 2D games but aren’t? We have some bonus recommendations that we’ve already discussed in other blogs. Check out our list of the best open-world games to learn more about the survival game Terraria, and our blog about pixel games to learn more about Dave the Diver and other 2D gems.
Of course, we also have to mention Stardew Valley. You can read about it in our blog post about game recommendations for kids. If you’re looking for some 2D Soulslikes, check out our blog post about the best ones, which includes some of our favorites, such as Hollow Knight and Blasphemous II.
Immerse yourself in these 2D worlds with PLITCH!
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Whether you want to unlock Godmode in Ori and the Blind Forest, get unlimited lives in Cuphead, or enjoy free cooking in Cult of the Lamb, we’ve got you covered. We’re always up to date with the latest patches.
Want to learn more about PLITCH? Check out this blog and our YouTube channel!
Happy Gaming!
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