Two astrobots on a ruined mining world
Pitfall Planet is a two-player co-operative puzzle adventure set on a distant, forgotten mining world. Two astrobots, stranded and separated from their ship, have to cross the subterranean caves of the ruined planet and get past its many dangers. Each level is built around collecting all the ore, with hidden gems tucked away as well. The gems unlock HATS, so it pays to poke around every corner of a cavern rather than rushing to the exit.
How you and a friend play it
You are both equipped with grappling hooks, which is the tool everything else hangs off. You can pick up objects with them and throw them over gaps or cliffs, and you can pick up each other, which matters as much as any crate. Levels are built to need both of you: buttons, crates, lanterns, bouncy pads, rockets and tanks all have to be used in combination to get the ore and get out. Alongside the puzzles there are dangerous enemies to deal with, and a mysterious overworld to explore for more caverns and secrets. The game is local co-op, and it also supports Remote Play Together, so a friend can join from their own machine.
Before you start
Pick a control scheme before you settle in: controllers, keyboard, or two players sharing one controller all work. It is a strictly two-player game, so plan for exactly one friend. Expect some trial and error with the grappling hook throws, and expect to lose each other into pits of lava now and then — the game is built around that happening, and your astrobots come back fine. The tone is light and cartoonish, but the puzzles do ask you to coordinate, so talking through what each of you is holding and where it needs to go is half the game.