Genre

A genre that combines real-time action combat (no turn-based waiting) with RPG progression systems like leveling up, skill trees, and equipment upgrades. The player directly controls combat rather than selecting moves from a menu. Examples span from Diablo and Path of Exile (isometric ARPGs) to The Witcher 3 and Elden Ring (third-person ARPGs). The genre dominates modern mainstream gaming.

A multiplayer game genre where a large number of players (typically 60–150) compete to be the last player or team standing. Players are dropped onto a map, scavenge for weapons and equipment, and are funneled into ever-shrinking safe zones to force confrontation. The genre was popularized by PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) in 2017 and exploded with Fortnite. Other examples include Apex Legends, Warzone, and PUBG: Battlegrounds.

First-Person Shooter — a genre of action game where the player experiences the game from the protagonist's perspective (first-person view) and the core gameplay revolves around shooting. FPS games range from realistic military shooters (Call of Duty, Battlefield) to hero-based tactical shooters (Valorant, Overwatch) to arena shooters (Quake, Unreal Tournament). The genre is one of the most popular in both casual and competitive gaming.

An action game subgenre focused on fast-paced melee combat against large numbers of enemies. The player character uses powerful attacks and combos to defeat waves of foes with satisfying visual and audio feedback. Examples include Devil May Cry 5, Bayonetta, God of War, and Dynasty Warriors. Hack-and-slash games prioritize spectacle and combat feel over deep narrative or exploration.

Japanese Role-Playing Game — a subgenre of RPGs developed primarily in Japan, typically featuring turn-based or semi-real-time combat, anime-influenced art styles, linear story progression, and party-based gameplay. Defining series include Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Persona, Tales of, and Xenoblade Chronicles. JRPGs are known for elaborate stories, character development arcs, and often dozens of hours of gameplay.

A genre of 2D action-adventure games that combine exploration with ability-gating: areas of the map are locked behind abilities your character does not yet have. Progress requires backtracking to previously visited areas after gaining new powers. The name is a portmanteau of Metroid and Castlevania, the two series that defined the genre. Modern examples include Hollow Knight, Ori and the Blind Forest, and Blasphemous.

Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game — a genre where thousands of players share a persistent online world, progressing characters, completing quests, and engaging in player-vs-player or cooperative content. The genre was defined by EverQuest and World of Warcraft. Other major MMORPGs include Final Fantasy XIV, Guild Wars 2, Elder Scrolls Online, and Lost Ark. MMORPGs are known for their time investment, social guilds, and end-game raiding.

A game design approach where the player can freely explore a large virtual world without being funneled through linear levels. Open-world games typically feature a main quest alongside side quests, collectibles, and emergent gameplay. Examples include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Elden Ring. The genre grew rapidly after the success of Grand Theft Auto III (2001), which demonstrated open-world design at scale.

A subgenre of role-playing games characterized by procedurally generated levels, permadeath (starting over when your character dies), and turn-based gameplay. The term comes from the 1980 game Rogue. Modern examples include Hades, Dead Cells, and Enter the Gungeon. Roguelikes emphasize replayability — each run feels different because the dungeon layout, item drops, and enemy placement are randomized.

Hades is one of the best roguelikes ever made, with a compelling story that rewards repeated runs.

A game that borrows elements from roguelikes (procedural generation, permadeath) but adds persistent progression between runs. When you die, you keep some currency, unlocks, or upgrades that make future runs slightly easier. Examples include Hades, Dead Cells, and Risk of Rain 2. The distinction from a pure roguelike is the meta-progression layer that softens the harshness of full permadeath.

A game genre emphasizing player freedom and creativity over structured objectives. Sandbox games provide tools, systems, and a world for players to interact with however they choose. Minecraft is the defining sandbox game. Others include Terraria, Valheim, and No Man's Sky. The term is also used loosely to describe open-world games with high player agency, like Grand Theft Auto V.

A subgenre of action RPGs inspired by FromSoftware's Dark Souls series, characterized by difficult enemy encounters, methodical stamina-based combat, loss of currency (souls/echoes/runes) on death, and sparse narrative delivered through environmental storytelling and item descriptions. Examples include Elden Ring, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Lies of P, and Lords of the Fallen. The genre rewards patience, pattern recognition, and learning from failure.