I've been a gamer for the vast majority of my life. This means I've played a wide range of games and developed a preference for genres in the industry. Of all of the possible game genres I have chosen five to be my top genres in the industry.
1. 4X Strategy
eXplore, eXpand, eXterminate, eXploit. This genre is built around conquering and expanding your power while thwarting your opponents to rise to the top . Within the last five years this genre has become one of my go to genres to fill my time and play with those around me. When I see a new 4x strategy game announced I start to research and look at the game itself. Out of the games on my Steam wishlist, the majority of them are 4x games. This is also the genre that I sink the most time into.
The strategy genre has several subgenres: turn-based, real-time, and grand. These sub-genres have different gameplay styles and mechanics that change the strategies a person needs to adopt. For example, turned based allows more short term planning while influencing a long term plan. The time between each turn allows reassessment of a current situation. Real-time strategy means quick thinking and quick actions or reactions, while not throwing your long-term plan. Development of your power is unique to each game with loose general strategy. Management is key in real time strategy. Focusing too much in one area can leave you vulnerable in another and catching up for a good portion of the game.
2. Indie
Indie games are unique little gems. They take on daring storylines, game mechanics, and art styles you wouldn't see in AAA titles. Indie covers a wide range of other genres; but, the core value of indie is small developers making great games that are unique. One such game comes to mind, Journey. Indie games like Journey manage to touch the emotions in a non-typical way, leaving a lasting impression. Journey's non-traditional approach to storytelling amplified said emotional impact. It brings me great joy to experience these games and their unique vision of other genres. Risky game mechanics you wouldn't see in AAA titles find their way into these games. These mechanics can be revolutionary and change the way people think about other genres and the mechanics they should adopt.
3. Simulation
Between simulation and RPG’s (Role Playing Games) I would prefer to play something in the simulation genre. This comes into close relation with my love for 4x. Long term planning and dealing with situations as they arise is so satisfying to me. Two of my favorite simulation games are The Sims and City Skylines. The Sims is for some pretty obvious reason. Being able to act like a God for a group of people and command nearly every whim is kind of nice. It also makes for some hilarious situations.
City simulations have been around forever and City Skylines is by far one of the best city simulations to hit the market. The city sim sub genre is only getting better as it ages. Creating a city from the ground up has a certain satisfaction to it. There are so many other kinds of simulation games. There are political, economic, life, etc. Honestly, you name it and it probably exists.
4. RPG’s
One of my favorite forms of video game storytelling is through an RPG. As your character, or group of characters, progresses through the story you uncover abilities and grow in strength. Your characters eventually grow to the point where they can take on the main villain(s). Not only do your characters grow, you grow to love them as well. Some of my favorite characters ever have been from RPG's. As an avid reader, this does hurt to say. These are stories and characters that I will share and watch my family grow to love one day.
These games have environments that you can immerse yourself in. The natural surroundings of this genre can be just as important as the story itself. The location of characters and quests bring just as much to the story and meaning of the game. In games like Skyrim and the Witcher 3, the locations have their own “being” and story like the characters you interact with. My two favorite RPG’s fall into the JRPG (Japanese RPG) genre, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy.
5. Puzzle
Honestly, who doesn’t love a good puzzle. This genre is more of a time killer than something I crave to play. Puzzles are good at making the “juices” flow. I rank this genre here over others because it has helped me when I get stuck working on papers. Sitting down and playing a puzzle game tends to put things into perspective and makes the writing process so much easier.
Leave a comment with your favorite game genre. Let's have a discussion on what game genres and why are favorites among the gaming community.
