Mark of the Ninja? Is that Cinematic enough?

Got some candidates that haven't tried yet:

The War of the Worlds
Deadlight
Mark of the Ninja
The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn
Residue

The rules are not fixed, any nice game is welcomed 😉

Would Assassins Creed count? Devil May Cry? Metal Gear?

Errmmm...I guess Karateka couldn't make it into this category because the guy couldn't hang on to ledges or jump?

And I think Assassin's Creed et al couldn't make it because the screen scrolls (moves in 3D) and the perspective (trail / follow) is different?

Malik wrote:

Errmmm...I guess Karateka couldn't make it into this category because the guy couldn't hang on to ledges or jump?

Definitely should be considered, at least as an early example. Being "cinematic" was the whole point with those little animated cut-scenes, character gestures, musical cues, the whole "wordless storytelling" bit.
On the other hand, one could argue over how much of a "platformer" it is. ;)

Trine and Trine 2 must count.

I just found "The Swapper" it looks like it could be good.

The Bridge
Magnificent game!

tomb raider?

We don't have an official definition of Cinematic Platformers, but according to Wikipedia, the games have "multi-screen stages that do not scroll".

Applying strict rules will exclude many games. It is hard to find a game that is strictly only one genre. You can make any game and it may be whatever you like so may have features of any genre you like.

Nosferatu has screen scrolling. Also Limbo that is even given as en example in the wiki. Also Abe's Oddysee remake will have same level design as the old one but will have screen scrolling (that requires some slight redesign of some puzzles).

onEscapee and I think Weird Dreams don't have grabbing ledges.

PoP, and many others have life bar. Excluding PoP would be.. strange.. 😉

Hence I don't want to exclude anything.

One major dividing rule applied here for now may be dividing games to 2D and 3D. So the 3D ones will be:
Tomb Raider
Prince of Persia
Assassin's Creed
Actually Prince of Persia fluently evolved into 3D. Don't know how rare 3D games of that kind are. Tomb Raider evolved too. Devil May Cry looks to be a simple hack'n'slash game and I think we should have games that are at least a bit more than simple hack'n'slash here. Don't know that game so cannot tell much more. Looks worth checking at a first glance though. Though I am not sure if it has anything more unique than lots of other 3D TPP games. Maybe if you mention a game please at least short tell why you include it here. Like: Assassin's Creed - lots of climbing/jumping/ledge grabbing.

Malik wrote:

We don't have an official definition of Cinematic Platformers, but according to Wikipedia, the games have "multi-screen stages that do not scroll".

By that definition, Donkey Kong would be one.

sliderider wrote:

Malik wrote:

We don't have an official definition of Cinematic Platformers, but according to Wikipedia, the games have "multi-screen stages that do not scroll".

By that definition, Donkey Kong would be one.

🤣

In addition to other considerations :

- usually distinguished by their relative realism compared to traditional platformers […]
Show full quote

- usually distinguished by their relative realism compared to traditional platformers

- focus on fluid, lifelike movements, without the exaggerated physics found in nearly all other platform games

- Jumping abilities are typically roughly within the confines of an athletic human's capacity.

- many cinematic platformers feature the ability to grab onto ledges

- or make extensive use of elevator platforms

- Other distinguishing characteristics include step-based control, in which an action is performed after the character completes his current animation, rather than the instant the button is pressed

- they almost never have limited lives or continues

- multi-screen stages that do not scroll

But I must admit, there's no proper definition for this genre and ironically, this sub-genre article within the topic at Wikipedia does not have citations or references.

Other than the "cinematic" feel of the game, with most games having story propelling cut scenes, in-game/game graphics or in-addition/ external rendered. I might add, the whole game plays like one big story, instead of disconnected levels compilation.

....And, unfortunately, Donkey Kong can't grab on to or hang from ledges, and neither can the would-be Mario in that game.

I'll stop before robertmo gets annoyed...😁

2D Platforms genre is one of my most favourites.

Mobygames 2D Cinematic Platformers

yes it is difficult to define "cinematic platformer" 😀

Maybe He-Man and Impossible Mission on C-64 apply also?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5e4EMpvF0

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, maybe?

Project Firestart for the C64 is a very cinematic side scroller, but there's no platforming.

Malik wrote:

Mobygames 2D Cinematic Platformers

Cross-referencing, MobyGames suggests these be added to robertmo's list
- 4D Prince of Persia (DOS) (Prince of Persia hack)
- Cruel World (DOS) (Prince of Persia hack)
- Fiend Hunter (TurboGrafx CD)
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (GBA)
- SOS (SNES)

while robertmo suggests these be added to MobyGames' list:
- Bermuda Syndrome
- Limbo
- Weird Dreams

robertmo wrote:

Got some candidates that haven't tried yet:

...
Residue

Never heard of that one. I know the others.

Maybe he's talking about this game :

peterferrie wrote:

robertmo wrote:

Got some candidates that haven't tried yet:
...
Residue

Never heard of that one. I know the others.

In this case decided to mention some other candidates haven't tried:
The Cave
Vessel
The Swapper
Shadow Complex
Rochard
Unmechanical
Gunpoint