The Most Creative Environments in Platformer Level Design

10 March 2025

If you've ever played a platformer, you know the essence of it lies in its level design. Sure, tight controls and fun mechanics are essential, but the environments? That's where the real magic happens. The world you're leaping, swinging, and bouncing through can make or break the experience. And let's be honest, some platformers go above and beyond, delivering imaginative and jaw-dropping levels that stay with you long after you've powered down your console.

So, what makes a platforming level truly creative? It’s not just about aesthetics (although they matter). It’s about how the environment interacts with the gameplay, how it tells a story without saying a word, and how it makes you feel like you’re exploring something that could only exist in this specific game. Let’s dive into some of the most creative environments in platformer level design, and why they resonate so strongly with players like you and me.

Why the Environment Matters in Platformers

Here’s the deal: platformers are all about movement. Running, jumping, climbing—heck, even flying sometimes. But if the levels you’re navigating are dull or uninspired, those mechanics won’t mean much.

A great environment is like a dance partner. It responds to your actions, challenges you, and surprises you. It’s not just a backdrop, it’s a living, breathing part of the experience. The best platformers lean into their environments, making them as much a part of the gameplay as the protagonist's abilities.

Think of it like this: would Super Mario Bros. be as memorable without the colorful Mushroom Kingdom? Would Celeste hit as hard without its snowy, emotion-filled mountain? The answer’s a big fat “no.”

The Pillars of Creative Environments

Before we jump into the examples, let’s talk about what makes an environment truly creative in platformers. In my book, it boils down to these key factors:

1. Theme and Atmosphere

The setting needs to feel unique. A lava world is cool and all, but unless it’s doing something special—like, I don’t know, having rivers of molten cheese instead of lava—it’s not groundbreaking.

2. Gameplay Integration

The environment shouldn’t just be pretty; it needs to do something. Maybe the ground crumbles when you walk on it, or the trees come to life and whisk you away.

3. Storytelling through Design

The best environments tell a story without words. Every broken bridge, eerie cave, or sun-kissed hill should make you feel something.

4. Imagination Over Realism

Platformers thrive on bending the rules of reality. Floating islands, gravity-defying castles, underwater cities—if it makes you say “Whoa, what is this place?” they’re doing something right.

Iconic Examples of Creative Platformer Environments

1. Clockwork Mansion – Rayman Legends

Let’s kick things off with a banger. Rayman Legends is already a masterpiece, but the Clockwork Mansion level takes things to another level.

This environment is a mechanical fever dream. You’re navigating through interconnected gears, conveyor belts, and rotating platforms. The kicker? The level syncs with a thumping, rhythmic soundtrack that acts as your guide. Miss the beat, and you might find yourself plummeting into the abyss.

It’s a perfect marriage of art, mechanics, and music, and it’s impossible not to get swept up in its flow.

2. The Mountain – Celeste

If you’ve ever played Celeste, chances are you’ve felt the weight of its environments. The game’s central setting, the titular mountain, is as much a character as Madeline, the protagonist.

Each chapter of the mountain represents a different emotional battle—whether it’s self-doubt, depression, or fear. The environments are challenging, sure, but they also feel deeply personal.

The wind howls against you. The terrain shifts and crumbles. It’s like the mountain itself is testing your resolve. And when you reach the summit? Man, it’s euphoric.

3. Seaside Kingdom – Super Mario Odyssey

Let’s talk about vibes. The Seaside Kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey isn’t just a water level. It’s a wildly imaginative coastal paradise with sparkling waters, giant faucets spewing carbonated water, and a towering octopus boss guarding the whole show.

What makes this environment so special? The sheer playfulness of it. You can swim, run on the beach, bounce on umbrellas, and even possess a squid to jet around like your life depends on it.

It’s the kind of level that makes you pause just to take it all in. It’s not just fun to play—it’s fun to exist in.

4. The Lost City – Crash Bandicoot Series

The Crash Bandicoot series always had a knack for inventive levels, but The Lost City stands out as a fan favorite. This ancient, jungle-covered ruin is packed with crumbling pathways, booby traps, and secrets galore.

What makes it shine? The interplay between light and shadow. Platforms vanish into the darkness, glowing fireflies reveal hidden areas, and the ominous atmosphere keeps you on edge.

It’s not just about precision platforming; it’s about adapting to the unpredictable.

5. Bollwerk Ruins – Ori and the Blind Forest

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Ori and the Blind Forest. This game is a visual masterpiece from start to finish, but Bollwerk Ruins takes the cake.

Imagine a hauntingly beautiful ruin where crumbling architecture meets glowing bioluminescent flora. The environment constantly shifts as the story unfolds, with collapsing bridges and deadly traps requiring quick thinking and quicker reflexes.

It’s the kind of level that feels alive, constantly challenging you to adapt and appreciate its intricate design.

What Sets These Environments Apart?

What do all these examples have in common? They’re memorable because they transcend being just obstacles. They’re artistic, emotional, and interactive.

When done right, the environment becomes more than just scenery—it becomes a character itself. And that’s what makes these levels so unforgettable.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Platformer games live and die by their level design, and creative environments are the soul of the experience. The best ones don’t just look cool—they pull you in, challenge you, and make you feel something.

And you know what the best part is? There are no rules when it comes to creativity in platformers. Whether it’s a haunted mansion, a floating fortress, or a surreal dreamscape, the possibilities are endless.

So, the next time you’re hopping around a platformer, take a second to appreciate the world around you. Who knows? It might just be the most creative environment you’ve ever experienced.