If you're a fan of 2D platformers, Bionic Bay is a must-try.

      I don’t envy anyone aiming to create an exceptional 2D puzzle platformer in 2025. The genre is quite saturated, and it can often seem challenging to find new ways to innovate. While titles like Neva and Planet of Lana are visually stunning, neither introduces groundbreaking gameplay. It's a lofty goal if you're aiming to create something fresh, but Bionic Bay achieves it remarkably well.

      At first glance, the new title from publisher Kepler Interactive fulfills many criteria. It possesses a moody aesthetic reminiscent of Limbo. The adventure leads players through a series of 2D levels filled with biomechanical intrigue, featuring eerie atmospheres and strategically placed traps that result in numerous fatalities. What distinguishes Bionic Bay from the many games that share this description is its clever item-swapping puzzle mechanic and a quicker tempo typically found in action-oriented games. These elements contribute to making it one of the most refined games of its type that I’ve experienced in the 2020s.

      Like Limbo, Bionic Bay employs a minimalist storytelling approach. All I truly understand is that I am a man within some kind of factory. Am I in a human facility or on an alien planet? I can’t say for sure, but what is clear is that I am constantly in peril. The levels are dark and atmospheric, embodying the tone established by PlayDead in titles like Inside, which later influenced new studios like Somerville and Cocoon. Each level presents a daunting challenge, with my tiny character navigating large machinery, silhouetted by stark lighting. Every scene is visually striking, as developer Psychoflow Studios embraces monochromatic landscapes that seem both technical and otherworldly.

      That aspect is the “easy” part of creating a puzzle platformer (though it’s quite challenging). The greater hurdle is ensuring the game feels distinct from those that inspired it. Here, Bionic Bay excels. It primarily revolves around a swapping function. When I encounter an object, I can press a button to mark it, and when I hit another, I swap positions with it. It’s a straightforward idea, yet one that Psychoflow Studios exploits effectively. I can utilize this ability to navigate through tight spaces by swapping with an obstructing box. This mechanic also paves the way for physics puzzles, where I launch an object to a high platform and switch with it at its peak to reach my destination. It leads to some humorous deaths, as I often ended up crushing myself by swapping beneath a collapsing tower of crates. This innovative mechanic continually evolves through each level, placing it closer to something like Portal rather than Limbo.

      But that's not the only feature in its arsenal. Later, I acquire a time-slowing ability that allows me to maneuver through rapidly spinning fan blades and buzzsaws. In several levels, I gain the capability to project objects away with a powerful punch, which can be combined with my other abilities. Some notable puzzles have me slowing time, striking a piece of metal, jumping on it, and then riding it across a gap. Bionic Bay achieves a lot in about 10 hours, a significant feat for a minimalist platformer like this.

      What I appreciate even more is the pacing of the gameplay. While titles like Limbo tend to be slow and methodical, Bionic Bay has a quicker rhythm akin to Katana Zero. In the early levels, I find myself dashing, air dashing, and solving puzzles without pausing. I only slow down as I reach the latter half, where some puzzles become more intricate. This pacing is ideal for a game of this nature, allowing players to tackle position-swapping puzzles dynamically instead of relying on convoluted setups that require extensive spatial reasoning.

      This brisk pace is intentional, encouraging players to move quickly. Bionic Bay includes an online mode where players can race through levels and attempt to achieve high scores on leaderboards. Such a feature is typically absent in similar games, highlighting its desire for players to engage and solve puzzles fluidly.

      As someone who has grown somewhat fatigued with games of this genre, Bionic Bay has rekindled my enthusiasm for 2D puzzle platformers. While it retains a familiar tone and style, I appreciate how it transforms intricate puzzles into something thrilling. It feels like an action game, even when I’m merely swapping my position with a crate to evade lasers. Sometimes, a small twist like that is all the genre needs to feel refreshing again.

      Bionic Bay is set to launch on April 17 for PS5 and PC.