Knytt Stories

(Note: On Linux Mint, follow the instructions on egomassive.com in the link: Install the original Knytt Stories, then merge in the Knytt Stories Plus files. This lets both versions share levels and saves. Why do this? Plus had performance issues sometimes and couldn't install new levels, but if you set up both in the same folder then you can install levels in the original and run them in Plus, or if Plus has performance issues you can switch to the original, if the level allows it.)

Basically Knytt but with more platformer genre obligations (powerups, keys) that make exploration feel a bit rote rather than free. Even so, the other new features and diverse art styles and music give it broader evocative power than the first game. There's over a thousand custom levels, but unfortunately, most of the well-built ones seem to be enemy-dense platforming challenges with near-zero exploration or atmosphere. For recommendations, see the ones that I finished.