It is hard to argue that thePChas the biggest catalog of video games out there. That is because there are so many independent developers who are able to release their games on a variety of platforms at very little cost. This also allows players to get a wide variety of games, includingcollect-a-thons.
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Collect-a-thons are typically 3D platformers where the goal is to collect enough of a specific object to unlock new levels and keep advancing. That said, the collect-a-thon can also be a handful of other genres, as long as collecting is central to the gameplay loop. Given that definition, there are plenty ofcollect-a-thon games on PC.
10Cozy Grove
Simulators tend to have collecting items be a primary objective when looking to complete a game. However, few simulators are pure collect-a-thons quite likeCozy Grove, an indie game that is synced up to real world time and provides new quests each day.
The premise ofCozy Groveinvolves being a Spirit Scout who is on an island taking care ofvarious animal spiritswho have deep stories that are worth unfolding. The collect-a-thon element of the game comes in the quests, as the main way to satisfy a spirit is getting a bunch of items that they are requesting.
9Placid Plastic Duck Simulator
Idle games are a unique type of collect-a-thon as the player is tasked with essentiallyjust hanging out in the gameas the objects comes to them. But there is a nice vibe that a game like this can have, which is the primary idea ofPlacid Plastic Duck Simulator.
The game takes place in a nice swimming pool where the game starts with a player getting one rubber duck. Every five to 10 minutes, another rubber duck will show up. The idea here is to hang out long enough at the pool to get the entire collection of ducks swimming around.
8Cookie Clicker
One of the most popular idle games to come out on PC isCookie Clicker, a game that has continued to evolve over time since its introduction to the world in 2013. While it was always known as a browser game, it came to Steam in 2021 to join a litany of other idle games on the platform.
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WhileCookie Clickerstarts out with the player needing to click on a giant cookie to earn more cookies, players can use their cookies earned to purchase upgrades to their clicking structure that allows for automatic earning of more cookies. The game’s endless nature is what makes this take on the collect-a-thon incredibly addicting.
7Demon Turf
In terms of indie 3D platformers, one game that has garnered quite a community for how fun it is to run through each of its levels isDemon Turf. While there aren’t a ton of collectibles on each stage, collecting a stage’s battery will help advance the game forward while each level also has some hidden collectibles for completionists.
The unique aspect of the platforming experience inDemon Turfis the use of checkpoints. Players can choose when they want to place a checkpoint down for themselves, but they only have a limited amount of them for each level. This adds a layer of strategy when looking to tackle each of thesecolorful yet darkstages.
6New Super Lucky’s Tale
While the original version of the game was exclusive to Xbox One and PC,New Super Lucky’s Talestarted its journey on Switch before arriving on PC and other consoles shortly after. The delightful game overhauls the story and controls from the original to make a tighter and more polished experience.
Players take on therole of Lucky Swiftailas he attempts to protect the Book of Ages on behalf of his sister Lyra. The collect-a-thon element ofNew Super Lucky’s Talecome in the form of coins as there are hundreds of them that can be collected every level as well as pages that help form a clover that unlocks a level’s boss fight.
5Ty The Tasmanian Tiger
A game that came out inan era filledwith delightful 3D platforming collect-a-thons,Ty the Tasmanian Tigerwas one that flew under the radar compared to most other massive names in the space. However, its rerelease on modern platforms allows people to experience the Australian game on current hardware.
InTy the Tasmanian Tiger, players take control of the titular character as he looks to free his family from a realm called the Dreaming. To do this, he must collect Thunder Eggs that are used to achieve the winning condition of the level and activates access to a boss fight that players must win to advance further.
4A Hat In Time
Many indie collect-a-thons have been inspired by classic platformers of the past. One delightful 3D platformer calledA Hat In Timepulls inspiration from many hits as the base game takes place across four non-linear levels with very little combat but epic boss fights.
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After losing the “Time Pieces” that serve as the fuel to her spaceship, Hat Kid goes on adventure to retrieve them all after they were scattered on a planet. Along with collecting currency and Time Pieces, players can collect Relics and Rift Tokens that each have their own gameplay mechanics.
3Tinykin
Sometimes, the primary goal of a game is to just explore and collect objects. InTinykin, players wander around large levels that are meant to be individual rooms in a house and pick up a variety of objects along the way that contribute to advancing deeper into the game,including many hidden secrets.
Milo is an astronaut who has landed on Earth only to not have a way to get back home.Tinykinis about gathering pieces that would eventually become a ship while also interacting with the various insects that call this house their home. A key part of the platforming and puzzle-solving comes with using little creatures called Tinykin that each have their own abilities.
2Lil Gator Game
Running around colorful environments is a big part of collect-a-thons, but they usually aren’t tied with a hilarious yetemotionally impactful storyabout growing up. That is the general premise ofLil Gator Game, which a game centered around Lil Gator trying to convince their big sister to stop doing homework to play games outside.
As part of trying to sway her, the player will go around and talk to a bevy of other kids who could help set up their local playground into a full-blown pretend town.Lil Gator Gamehas collect-a-thon elements that include breaking various monster standees and finding various cosmetics and tools.
1Spyro Reignited Trilogy
When thinking about all the beloved mascots that made old school platformers so popular, it’s hard to make a list of them and not include Spyro the Dragon. And thanks to developers at Toys for Bob, the original Insomniac Games trilogy was remade and released as one package calledSpyro Reignited Trilogy.
The typical loop in each of the games in theSpyro Reignited Trilogyinvolves Spyro going into a level, collecting the many gems that make up each level, as well as freeing various dragons that have been trapped in these levels. There are also a ton of challenges that utilize Spyro’s moveset.
