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When a 2D platformer leaps to 3D, the results can vary wildly. Mario stands as the poster boy for what the most successful 2D-to-3D transition looks like, as the plumber flourished in the third dimension. Conversely, Sonic the Hedgehog has often stumbled since making the same jump, and, in my opinion, never truly found his footing. Team Meat admirably tries its hand at reinventing Super Meat Boy in the same way, and the result hovers somewhere between the highs of Mario and the lows of Sonic. Super Meat Boy 3D is a respectable and often fun translation of the series\u2019 tight platforming, but its style of play sometimes clashes with the demands of a 3D world to frustrating degrees.<\/p>\n
Super Meat Boy 3D\u2019s dozens of levels have a linear 2D framework, but with depth that lets you move towards and away from the screen. Some levels put the camera above Meat Boy in an isometric view, behind him as you explore straight ahead, or take a traditional sidescrolling perspective. I fell in love with the original Super Meat Boy when it launched in 2010, thanks to its skin-tight controls, expertly tuned yet demanding platforming, and forgiving respawn system that eases the sting of failure. I\u2019m impressed with how well 3D adventure retains most of these traits \u2013 sprinting to hit long jumps to bounce off of walls, sliding down surfaces, all while navigating deviously placed hazards that require split-second reactions to avoid can be a blast.<\/p>\n