Video games are popular worldwide and are one of the biggest sources of entertainment. You must have heard about games, such as GTA, Resident Evil, Valorant, Call of Duty, Red Dead Redemption II, and more. These are some popular video games that have millions of players. But do you know that they all belong to different video game genres? Yes, the video game has over 50 gaming genres and subgenres, each with its own characteristics, gameplay, plot, and storylines. If you are new to gaming and searching for the best and most interesting gaming genres, you are in the right place. This blog will cover everything you need to know about video game genres.
Top 10 Video Game Genres
Let’s check the most popular video game genres played by millions of players daily. Furthermore, we will also cover their subgenres for better understanding.
1. Action
Action is among the most popular video game genres. The genre requires hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and strategy. Moreover, in this genre, the players have to control the character, fight with enemies, collect objects, and use abilities and weapons. The players need to maintain their health to fight with enemies and win the game.
Sub Genres:
Platform games: Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Bros, Shovel Knight
Shooter games: Sniper 3D, Apex Legends, Combat Arms
Fighting games: Tekken 8, The King of Fighters XV, Street Fighter 6
Stealth games: Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Mark of the Ninja, Alien: Isolation
Survival games: Minecraft, Palworld, Sons of the Forest
2. Puzzle
Puzzle is a gaming genre that demands skills, such as pattern recognition, problem-solving, and logical thinking. Moreover, the games include levels from easy to hard, and the players need to win the levels to unlock the next one. The players have to rely on trial and error to win puzzle games.
Sub Genres:
Physics puzzles: Poly Bridge, Brain it On!, Filled Glass 3 Portals
Matching puzzles: Candy Crush, Bejeweled
Logic puzzles: Sudoku, Nonograms, Arithmetic puzzles
3. Role-Playing Games
Role-playing is a video game genre in which the players have to play the character’s role. They have some ability and special weapons to fight the enemies. Furthermore, the players may also explore different worlds, fight with enemies, and more. The game includes a strange storyline, and the players are responsible for character development.
Sub Genres:
Action RPG: Final Fantasy, Diablo IV, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Open-world RPG: Red Dead Redemption 2, Dragon’s Dogma II, No Man’s Sky
Japanese RPG: Dragon Quest, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Persona 5 Royal
4. Sports Games
Sports games are a gaming genre. It includes team sports, track and field, extreme sports, and combat sports. In this genre, the player plays the game like real-world sports. Furthermore, the players have to face physical and tactical challenges while playing the games.
Sub Genres:
Sports-based fighting: Fight Night, UFC, WWE 2K
Competitive: Ball Jacks, Rocket League
Arcade: NBA Jam, NFL Blitz
5. Strategy Games
Strategy games demand thinking, planning, and resource management before execution. The player uses a lot of activities to achieve the goal. Moreover, in some strategy games, the player gets control of the game under their command. It is a popular video game genre.
Sub Genres:
4X: Civilization, Endless Space
Real-Time tactics: Company of Heroes, Tooth and Tail
Grand strategy: Europa Universalis IV, Crusader Kings 3
6. Sandbox
Sandbox is a video game that depends on the player’s choice. Players can play the game as they want. In this game, the players have the freedom of movement and progression. It is mainly a game played by kids, as they can build whatever they want.
Sub Genres:
Creative: No Man’s Sky, Garry’s Mod, The Sims 4
Open-world: Grand Theft Auto V, Just Cause 3, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
7. Adventure Games
Adventure games belong to popular gaming genres. In this game, the player plays the role of protagonist. The players have to explore the world and solve puzzles by interacting with other people to win the game. Moreover, the player may face challenges or time constraints. The gameplay is interesting as it involves solving puzzles.
Sub Genres:
Point-and-Click: The Abandoned Planet, Blade Runner, The Secret of Monkey Island
Visual Novels: Zero Time Dilemma, Clannad, To Heart
Interactive movies: Until Dawn, Detroit: Become Human, The 7th Guest
8. Survival Games
Survival games are among the best video game genres. In survival games, the storyline is based on a player who is separated from his/her teammates and now has to survive alone. Furthermore, the player has minimum equipment, health, and weapons. Unexpected attacks can occur, so the player has to make a shelter and collect resources for survival.
Sub Genres:
Survival Sandbox: Rust, Valheim, The Long Dark
Survival Horror: Resident Evil, Alien: Isolation, Alan Wake
Simulation: This War of Mine, Don’t Starve, Green Hell
9. First Person Shooters
First Person Shooters is a game that requires hand-eye coordination and reflexes. In this game, players can choose a character and shoot using different guns. Moreover, the players have weapons and abilities to fight against the enemies. The game has protagonist and antagonist teams where players can choose from which team they want to play.
Sub Genres:
Military FPS: Call of Duty, Battlefield 1, Titanfall, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Hero FPS: Valorant, Apex Legends, Rogue Company, Gigantic
Immersive sims: System Shock, Prey, BioShock, Deus Ex
10. Racing Games
Racing games is a gaming genres in which the players have to race branded vehicles on the track. The players participate in the racing competition and leave the competitors behind. The main goal of the game is winning the competition and unlocking rewards.
Sub Genres:
Simulation: Assetto Corsa, iRacing, Automobilista 2
Arcade: Cruis’n Blast, The Fast and the Furious: Super Bikes, Daytona USA
Futuristic: Wipeout, F-Zero, Fast RMX
The Last Line
You must have played many video games, but do you really know their genre’s names? Well, now you know. Video games have so many genres and subgenres that have exciting gameplay and plots. Furthermore, some of the popular video game genres are action, puzzles, role-playing, sports, strategy, survival, and other games. Each of these genres has subgenres that enhance your gaming experience. So, what are you waiting for? Find your favourite genre, download the game, and start playing.
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