The highly anticipated return of gaming’s most iconic slab of meat, Super Meat Boy 3D, aimed to revitalize the series following the mixed reception of Super Meat Boy Forever. While it largely achieved its goal of rehabilitation creatively, the player engagement numbers reveal a different picture.
On Metacritic, the game landed a respectable 7.5/10, a solid score but falling short of the groundbreaking impact the original platformer made 15 years ago. Interestingly, Steam players responded more warmly, with 87% positive reviews, frequently commending its successful translation of the original’s essence into a 3D environment.
Despite favorable reviews, this enthusiasm didn’t translate into significant player interest. At its peak, Super Meat Boy 3D only saw 621 concurrent players—a mere fraction of the original game’s audience. In fact, more people are currently playing the classic 2D version than the new 3D iteration. Its availability on Game Pass might somewhat mitigate the situation, but the franchise continues to primarily rely on the legacy and name recognition of Edmund McMillen.
Despite the underwhelming online presence, developer Sluggerfly achieved a notable creative triumph. Reviews are filled with enthusiastic comments, with many hailing it as “the first good installment since 2010,” praising its departure from the repetitive runner style. Particular acclaim is given to the satisfying feel of the jumps and the precision of its controls, which are noted to be almost on par with the original.