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Steam Spring Sale: 4 fan-favourite platform games on sale for under US$15

Sable features the striking, stylised graphics and intricate puzzles typical of a platformer. (Image source: Steam)
Sable features the striking, stylised graphics and intricate puzzles typical of a platformer. (Image source: Steam)
Platformers, especially of the 2D variety, have sort of had a resurgence of late. Perhaps this is in response to the ever-increasing race towards realism at the expense of fun, or perhaps it's simply one of the effects of nostalgia. Either way, Steam's Spring Sale has plenty on offer for fans of the genre.

1. Hollow Knight - 50% off

Hollow Knight is a 2D platformer that sees players explore Hallownest — a sombre underground world filled to the brim with charm, history, and life. As you venture into the depths on a quest for salvation, you will meet friends and enemies, and discover clues about Hallownest that eventually reveal the sad tale of how things came to be the way they are. The gameplay is equal parts challenging and rewarding, with fast-paced combat, versatile mobility, and solid progression mechanics that enable further exploration and more advanced combat encounters, pushing you ever forward. 

Hollow Knight is on sale for US$7.49 during the Steam Spring Sale until March 23, 2023.

2. Neon Abyss - 66% off

Neon Abyss takes the gritty pixel aesthetic that's so pervasive in the indie platformer space lately, and elevates it with the addition of chaotic, ultra-violent weapons, over-the-top characters, and an abundance of pop-culture references — all bathed in a neon glow.

Neon Abyss is, ultimately, a game that doesn't take itself too seriously, despite the fact that it has a comprehensive weapons arsenal, a top-notch progression system, and a respectable roster of characters. Each character has their own signature moves, and the combination of bullet-hell and roguelike elements keep the gameplay fresh from run to run.

You can grab Neon Abyss for just US$6.79 during the Steam Spring Sale, on until March 23, 2023.

If you frequently find yourself playing platformers, you'll need a dependable controller, like the 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller, available on Amazon.

3. Sable - 55% off

As a change of pace from both a visual and gameplay perspective, Sable isn't violent or gritty, or even a platformer, really. Sable is a 3D adventure exploration game with strong puzzle-platformer mechanics and influences. Sable doesn't feature epic boss fights, or ask players to take out hordes of corrupted enemies. Instead, players join the titular character on a rite of passage — a journey across the desert on her hoverbike, where she must explore the world, gliding across chasms, climbing ruins and monuments of old, and help others travellers along the way. The main attractions of Sable are the beautiful, hand-drawn environment, relaxing sound track, and challenging puzzles scattered throughout the adventure. 

Sable is on sale for just US$11.24 during the Steam Spring Sale.

4. Dead Cells - 50% off

Dead Cells hits all the right notes for hardcore fans of the Metroidvania-style puzzle platformer, with a little bit of roguelite flavour sprinkled in. In Dead Cells, you explore an ever-changing castle, hacking and slashing your way through the numerous and varied enemies you come across. The fluid, skill-based combat is rewarding, and the weapons are both plentiful and versatile, while the progression system is always opening up new ways to explore the gloomy, meandering castle halls. Just don't die — or do — because every time you die, you'll have to go back to the start and do it all over again, with only your hard-earned permanent upgrades intact.

Dead Cells is discounted to US$12.49 during the Steam Spring Sale.

Source(s)

Steam (1, 2, 3, 4)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2023 03 > Steam Spring Sale: 4 fan-favourite platform games on sale for under US$15
Julian van der Merwe, 2023-03-20 (Update: 2023-03-20)