Big Hops (2026)

Big Hops is the result of a pure love for 3D platforming. At a time when the absolute value of two-dimensionality is being rediscovered, Chris Wade and Luckshot Games remind us how delightful it can be to explore a three-dimensional world with all its variables. A title that knows how to entertain without reservation and, net of a large number of tributes to the classics we all love, also manages to introduce some tasty winning ideas. The first little surprise of 2026, and at a very competitive price too. A must-have for fans of this glorious genre.

For any fan of 3D platformers, or even someone who has very little experience but has more than a passing interest, I can absolutely recommend Big Hops. This goes doubly if you enjoy the "play your way" style of gameplay offered by games like Dishonored and Breath of the Wild. Although I wouldn't expect a deep connection between the stories or characters, there's still a fair amount of joy to be found in exploring its world and uncovering secrets.

Big Hops is a welcome addition to the 3D platforming genre, taking us on a long, cartoonish adventure with creative mechanics, tools for traversal and entertaining narrative. The overall experience offers a pleasant level of freedom and experimentation, making it accessible to the general public and appealing to speedrunners.

Ultimately, the tragedy of Big Hops is that it’s clearly so close to being a remarkable game. The gameplay mechanics and level architecture are fantastic, and I hope the team at Luckshot can bring over that same philosophy and design ethos to something a little more refined. Even if Luckshot fixes the crashes and frame rate issues, Big Hops has little to offer outside of its great gameplay mechanics. That’s not nothing, but it’s also not enough.

Big Hops is one of those games that simply makes you smile. It’s incredibly well put together, with movement that feels as good as anything else in the genre right now. The balance between story, exploration, and gameplay is spot on, and the sheer pleasure of moving through its worlds rarely wears thin. Plus, I was smiling the entire time I played it. It’s early in the year, but Big Hops has already put itself firmly on my radar as a game-of-the-year contender. It’s a reminder of how magical a great platformer can be when it gets the fundamentals right. Don’t let this one hop past your Steam library.