The Meat Boy franchise can be considered one of the most successful series, boasting a dedicated fan base. From the early conceptual prototypes (Meat Boy) to the first game that turned Meat Boy into a superstar and redefined the “Precision Platformer” genre (Super Meat Boy), all titles offer a thrilling platformer experience with a unique visual style. At the end of this March, prepare yourself for a brand-new entry in the Meat Boy series titled Super Meat Boy 3D.
The leap from 2D to 3D: A risky jump or an inevitable evolution?
Super Meat Boy 3D marks a major turning point for the brand as it moves the platforming experience from traditional 2D to a fully 3D environment. Set after the events of the previous game (Super Meat Boy Forever), after years of confrontation, the relationship between Meat Boy, Bandage Girl, and the villainous Dr. Fetus has become an inseparable “destiny.”
The story begins when Dr. Fetus discovers an ancient device (or a reality glitch) that allows him to warp space from 2D into 3D. He kidnaps Bandage Girl and imprisons her in a new dimension that is more complex and dangerous than ever before. The player’s main mission is to rescue Bandage Girl and stop the madness of Dr. Fetus.
While the previous 2D versions focused on pixel-perfect timing and an extremely fast pace, the 3D version focuses on spatial control and camera angle precision.
Players will still feel the signature fluidity of controlling Meat Boy. Movement speed is very fast, but friction has been fine-tuned so players don’t “slide” too much when jumping on small platforms in the 3D environment.
The wall jump mechanic remains the soul of the game. Unlike previous entries, in a 3D environment, players can jump between parallel walls or climb up 90-degree corners, creating much more diverse movement routes than the traditional horizontal plane.
As the game transitions from 2D to 3D, the developers have fully utilized the Z-axis to create “mind-bending” traps. First, instead of just moving up and down, saw blades can now rotate around pillars or charge directly from behind the character, forcing players to observe both the foreground and background. Not only that, some levels require players to find switches to rotate the structure of the entire 3D room to reveal the path forward.
Unlike Forever (which was an auto-runner), Super Meat Boy 3D returns to full manual control. You have complete authority over your direction, speed, and jumps. This restores the freedom and high level of personal challenge that made the series famous.
Overall, the gameplay of the 3D version is a blend of the blistering speed of the old Super Meat Boy and the spatial intricacy of modern 3D platformers. It is not for the impatient, as players will surely “die” thousands of times before reaching the finish line.
If you have experienced previous games in the Meat Boy franchise and want a completely fresh take on the series, this will be a wise choice for you. Remember to use our comparison tool to purchase Super Meat Boy 3D at the best promotional price!