Video games have a very wide array of genres that cover basically every player taste or preference there is. Whether it is action-packed shooter titles or immersive role-playing, each genre delivers something unique to the audiences that keeps them coming back for more. In this guide, we will be going over the most popular game types and genres, as well as what makes each so special and what tons of gamers enjoy about them.
17 game types and genres we love
First-Person Shooter (FPS)
FPS games are one of the most played genres and mainstays of the gaming industry due to their fast-paced action and immersive gameplay. Players view the game world through the characters’ eyes, and they are able to fight and move through 3D space. Many FPS games include multiplayer modes, where players battle, and sometimes outwit, each other in intense battles.
Key Features:
- 1st-person view: Players enter the game world through a first-person perspective.
- Playstyle: Predominantly revolves around combat, typically using firearms or other long-range weapons.
- Example: Call of Duty, Counter Strike, Overwatch, Valorant.
Third-Person Shooter (TPS) Genre
In a third-person shooter, the player can see their character from the outside. This enables a more strategic play style, with players designing their movements to take advantage of cover. TPS games usually mix an action touch with an option for storytelling and wandering within the game.
Key Features:
- Perspective: The player will view his character from outside, usually from behind.
- Gameplay: A mixture of shooting mechanics with movement strategy and storytelling
- Some examples are Fortnite, Gears of War, Resident Evil 4, and Uncharted.
Adventure Games
Adventure games are a narrative-driven genre that involves exploration and puzzle-solving. Players take the role of a protagonist in a fictional story, often in the form of an adventure (usually with one or more challenges faced on the way to unveiling the plot). The following games carry some great stories and have very immersive gameplay.
Key Features:
- Narrative Priority: A focus on storytelling as part of the gameplay experience.
- Solve-Puzzle: Players will need to solve puzzles in the game.
- Some examples are Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, God of War Ragnarök, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Role-playing games (RPGs)
In role-playing games, players take on roles and develop characters, usually in a fictional setting. There are dozens of sub-genres within the RPG umbrella, such as action, sandbox, tactical, and roguelike RPGs. RPGs these days provide robust narratives, upgrades, and hours of gameplay.
Key Features:
- Character Development: Players can customize and develop their characters.
- Storytelling: Often features complex narratives with branching storylines.
- Some examples are The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Sub-Genres of RPGs:
- Action RPGs: Focus on combat and fast-paced action, such as Dark Souls and The Legend of Zelda.
- Sandbox RPGs: Emphasize exploration and open-world gameplay, like The Elder Scrolls series.
- Tactical RPGs: Combine RPG elements with strategic turn-based combat, similar to XCOM.
- Roguelike RPGs: Feature procedurally generated content and permanent death, such as Darkest Dungeon.
Strategy Games
Strategy gameplay involves players deciding how to face certain challenges and manage resources to achieve a specific goal. Such games can be either real-time or turn-based and typically include elements of building, management, or commanding armies. Strategy games are all about critical thinking and making tactical decisions.
Key Features:
- Resource Management and Strategy: The players have to manage the resources and plan the strategies.
- Types: Real-time strategy (RTS), turn-based strategy (TBS), grand strategy games.
- Some examples are Starcraft II (2010), Civilization VI (2016), Europa Universalis IV (2013).
Sub-Genres of Strategy Games:
- RTS (Real-Time Strategy): Players make real-time decisions, such as Starcraft.
- TBS (Turn-Based Strategy): Players take turns making a move (e.g. Civilization).
- Grand Strategy: Deal in the scale of entire nations or empires over expansive periods of time — think Hearts of Iron.
Sports Games
Sports games are not hard to guess as they are all about various types of sport. They try to replicate the sport as closely as possible. Many of these games will include official squads and individuals, enabling fans to play their preferred sports virtually.
Key Features:
- Realism: These games aim to simulate the rules and behavior of a real sport.
- Competition: Players can battle with AI or other players.
- Some examples are FIFA, NBA 2K, and Madden NFL.
Sub-Genres of Sports Games:
- Simulation: Realistic physics and controls attempt to recreate genuine gameplay, such as FIFA and NBA 2K.
- Arcade: The gaming experience is stripped down for ease of play and fun-focused. Ex: NBA Jam, NFL Blitz.
- Management: Manage teams by trading, drafting, and training. Example: Football Manager, Out of the Park Baseball
MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arena games)
MOBA games are a mixture of strategy and action where two teams play against each other to destroy a base. Each player plays a different hero with unique abilities, and the idea is to group up and win as a team.
Key Features:
- Cooperative Objectives: Various forms of collaboration between players.
- Character skills: Each character has skills and become stronger over time.
- Some examples are League of Legends, Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm.
Racing Games
Racing games emphasize speed and competition, providing various racing genres ranging from track-based circuits to off-road competitions. Vehicles in these games include cars, motorcycles, and even vehicles from the far future.
Key Features:
- Speed and Competition: Emphasizes racing against others or the clock.
- Vehicle Variety: Includes different types of vehicles and racing modes.
- Some examples are Mario Kart, Need for Speed, Gran Turismo, and Forza Motorsport.
Sub-Genres of Racing Games:
- Simulation: Realistic driving physics and true-to-life handling. Ex: Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport.
- Arcade: Exciting speed and stunts over realism. Ex: Need for Speed, Mario Kart.
- Futuristic: Future and sci-fi vehicles and settings. Ex: F-Zero, Wipeout.
Simulation Games
Simulation games provide a platform to play different professions or experience different environments by replicating real-life tasks or situations. And these games could include everything from cultivating farms to creating sprawling cities.
Key Features:
- Realistic Simulation: One of the primary goals of these games is to simulate real-world activities.
- Some examples are Farming Simulator, SimCity, Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Sub-Genres of Simulation Games
- Flight Sims: Piloting aircraft with real-world arcade flight models. Example: Microsoft Flight Simulator, Ace Combat.
- Business/City: Creation and management of businesses, cities, parks, etc. Ex: SimCity, Restaurant Empire.
- Vehicle Driving: Operating realistic automobiles, including cars, trucks, and trains. Ex: Euro truck simulator, Forza Horizon, etc.
- Life Sims: Making custom avatars and playing out everyday life. Ex: The Sims, Animal Crossing.
Puzzle Games
Puzzle games pit players against a series of challenges and tasks that require them to use logic and reasoning to find a way to solve the puzzle or fully complete a level. These games can be calming or quite difficult, depending on how simple the puzzles are.
Key Features:
- Problem-Solving: Players have a single task of solving puzzles themselves.
- Some examples are Tetris, Portal, Professor Layton.
Sub-Genres of Puzzle Games:
- Puzzle Physics: Puzzles about mechanics and physics. Ex: Portal, Half-Life 2.
- Match Up Puzzles: Matching tiles or game pieces, such as Candy Crush or Bejeweled.
- Solve Logic Puzzles: Players use deductive and critical thinking. Ex: Baba Is You, The Witness.
War Games
War games combine strategy and action genre elements while focusing on military conflict. Players experience historical battles or fictional scenarios, controlling troops and resources.
Key Features:
- Military Focus: These games focus on military operations and strategy.
- Some examples are Call of Duty: WWII, Battlefield 1, and Hearts of Iron IV.
Fishing Games
Fishing games imitate the things that we do when we go fishing, with realistic environments and also realistic fishing mechanics. They can be relaxing and provide a rare mix of simulation and leisure.
Key Features:
- Fishing Simulation: Games try to emulate the fishing experience.
- Some examples are Fishing Sim World, Rapala Pro Fishing, and fishing side quests in Monster Hunter: World.
Survival Games
In survival games, players must use limited resources to endure in hostile environments. Players have to take care of health, hunger, and other survival parameters while being hunted down by the environment or other players.
Key Features:
- Survival Mechanics: Resource management comes into play to stay alive.
- Some examples are Minecraft, Don’t Starve, Subnautica.
Sandbox Games
With their open-world nature, sandbox games allow players to explore and interact freely. These titles usually involve more creativity, either through building or interacting with the world.
Key Features:
- Open-World Exploration: Players can explore and interact with the game world freely.
- Some examples are Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V, and The Sims.
Action-Adventure Games
Action-adventure games blend combat, action sequences, and exploration with puzzle-solving. Environments encourage exploration and often hide secrets for inquisitive players. Check our Action Games section for more fun.
Key Features:
- Combination of Action and Exploration: Games combine fast-paced action with exploration and puzzle-solving.
- Some examples are Uncharted, The Last of Us, and Assassin’s Creed.
Fighting Games
Fighting games face two players against each other in close-quarters combat. Players use combos, special moves, spacing, and psychology to defeat the competition.
Key Features:
- Duel mode: Players battle each other one-on-one.
- Some examples are Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Tekken.
Platformer Games
Platformers are 2D or 3D games that require the player to run, jump, and climb through dangerous courses. Players will need to time their movements and avoid hazards and enemies with deftness.
Key Features:
- Platforming Mechanics: Players jump and climb over obstacles.
- Some examples are Super Mario Bros, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Limbo.
Conclusion
No matter your taste in video games, you can find a genre that will please you. Whether you are fond of the high-octane thrills of shooters, the tactical complexity of strategy, or the narrative richness of RPGs, every genre gives particular experiences that are well-favored by gamers worldwide. With technology progressing and new trends being introduced, the gaming field is changing, and provides new and exciting opportunities for the players.
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Sources:
- www.pixune.com/blog/video-game-genres/
- www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/video-game-genres
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