Difference between revisions of "List of video game genres"
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! Name !! Description !! Examples | ! Name !! Description !! Examples | ||
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| − | | [[Action video game|Action]] || Games which require fast reflexes. || ''[[Combat]]'', ''[[Vanguard]]'' | + | | [[Action (video game genre)|Action]] || Games which require fast reflexes. || ''[[Combat]]'', ''[[Vanguard]]'' |
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| [[Action role-playing game]] || Games which user RPG elements, but use heavy action elements. || ''[[Secret of Mana]]'', ''[[Borderlands]]'' | | [[Action role-playing game]] || Games which user RPG elements, but use heavy action elements. || ''[[Secret of Mana]]'', ''[[Borderlands]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Adventure video game|Adventure]] || Games where exploration of interesting environments plays a heavy role. || ''[[Colossal Cave Adventure]]'', ''[[King's Quest]]'' | + | | [[Adventure (video game genre)|Adventure]] || Games where exploration of interesting environments plays a heavy role. || ''[[Colossal Cave Adventure]]'', ''[[King's Quest]]'' |
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| − | | [[Artillery video game|Artillery]] || Players control tank-like entities and take turns lobbing shells at each other. || ''[[Scorched Earth]]'', ''[[Worms]]'' | + | | [[Artillery (video game genre)|Artillery]] || Players control tank-like entities and take turns lobbing shells at each other. || ''[[Scorched Earth]]'', ''[[Worms]]'' |
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| − | | [[Atmospheric video game|Atmospheric]] || Few game elements, more just for taking in the atmosphere. || | + | | [[Atmospheric (video game genre)|Atmospheric]] || Few game elements, more just for taking in the atmosphere. || |
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| [[Beat 'em up]] || Player uses martial arts to beat up many foes. || ''[[Kung Fu]]'', ''[[Karateka]]'' | | [[Beat 'em up]] || Player uses martial arts to beat up many foes. || ''[[Kung Fu]]'', ''[[Karateka]]'' | ||
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| [[Block games]] || Games which involve the manipulation of blocks. || ''[[Tetris]]'', ''[[Dr. Mario]]'' | | [[Block games]] || Games which involve the manipulation of blocks. || ''[[Tetris]]'', ''[[Dr. Mario]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Casual video game]] || A game that can be easily and repeatedly started and stopped and doesn't require intense interaction. || ''[[Bejeweled]]'', ''[[Little Inferno]]'' | + | | [[Casual (video game genre)]] || A game that can be easily and repeatedly started and stopped and doesn't require intense interaction. || ''[[Bejeweled]]'', ''[[Little Inferno]]'' |
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| [[Dating simulator]] || Simulates going on dates and having relationships with people. || ''[[HuniePop]]'', ''[[Katawa Shoujo]]'' | | [[Dating simulator]] || Simulates going on dates and having relationships with people. || ''[[HuniePop]]'', ''[[Katawa Shoujo]]'' | ||
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| [[Dungeon crawl]] || You work your way through a monster-infested dungeon. || ''[[Dungeon Master]]'', ''[[Diablo]]'' | | [[Dungeon crawl]] || You work your way through a monster-infested dungeon. || ''[[Dungeon Master]]'', ''[[Diablo]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Educational video | + | | [[Educational (video game genre)|Educational]] || The primary goal is to educate the player. || ''[[The Oregon Trail]]'', ''[[Reader Rabbit]]'' |
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| − | | [[Fighting game]] || Player uses martial arts to beat up specific foes. || ''[[Karate Champ]]'', ''[[Street Fighter]]'' | + | | [[Fighting (video game genre)]] || Player uses martial arts to beat up specific foes. || ''[[Karate Champ]]'', ''[[Street Fighter]]'' |
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| [[First-person shooter]] || 3D first-person perspective, player shoots at enemies. || ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'', ''[[Doom]]'' | | [[First-person shooter]] || 3D first-person perspective, player shoots at enemies. || ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'', ''[[Doom]]'' | ||
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| [[Graphic adventure]] || Adventure games which put heavy emphasis on their graphics rather than descriptions. || ''[[King's Quest]]'', ''[[Shadowgate]]'' | | [[Graphic adventure]] || Adventure games which put heavy emphasis on their graphics rather than descriptions. || ''[[King's Quest]]'', ''[[Shadowgate]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Hidden object video game|Hidden object]] || Games where you try to find hidden objects in a scene. || ''[[Where's Waldo (video game)|Where's Waldo]]'', ''[[The Enigmatis Collection]]'' | + | | [[Hidden object (video game genre)|Hidden object]] || Games where you try to find hidden objects in a scene. || ''[[Where's Waldo (video game)|Where's Waldo]]'', ''[[The Enigmatis Collection]]'' |
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| − | | [[Horror video game|Horror]] || Scary video games with a horror theme. || ''[[The 7th Guest]]'', ''[[Resident Evil]]'' | + | | [[Horror (video game genre)|Horror]] || Scary video games with a horror theme. || ''[[The 7th Guest]]'', ''[[Resident Evil]]'' |
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| − | | [[Humor video game|Humor]] || Games which feature a lot of humorous content. || ''[[Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter]]'', ''[[The Stanley Parable]]'' | + | | [[Humor (video game genre)|Humor]] || Games which feature a lot of humorous content. || ''[[Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter]]'', ''[[The Stanley Parable]]'' |
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| [[Japanese role-playing video game|JRPG]] || RPGs that follow design styles of early Eastern games, especially from Japan. || ''[[Dragon Warrior]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' | | [[Japanese role-playing video game|JRPG]] || RPGs that follow design styles of early Eastern games, especially from Japan. || ''[[Dragon Warrior]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' | ||
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| [[Massively multiplayer online game]] || Online game that can handle a very large number of simultaneous players. || ''[[Ultima: Online]]'', ''[[EverQuest]]'' | | [[Massively multiplayer online game]] || Online game that can handle a very large number of simultaneous players. || ''[[Ultima: Online]]'', ''[[EverQuest]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Maze video game|Maze]] || Games where the player must solve or traverse a maze. || ''[[Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Maze Craze]]'' | + | | [[Maze (video game genre)|Maze]] || Games where the player must solve or traverse a maze. || ''[[Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Maze Craze]]'' |
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| [[Metroidvania]] || Player explores a large world and finds items that unlock more of the world. || ''[[Super Metroid]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'' | | [[Metroidvania]] || Player explores a large world and finds items that unlock more of the world. || ''[[Super Metroid]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Military video game|Military]] || Primarily based on military elements. || ''[[North & South]]'', ''[[Call of Duty]]'', | + | | [[Military (video game genre)|Military]] || Primarily based on military elements. || ''[[North & South]]'', ''[[Call of Duty]]'', |
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| − | | [[Mystery video game|Mystery]] || Games which require the player to solve a mystery. || ''[[The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes]]'', ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'' | + | | [[Mystery (video game genre)|Mystery]] || Games which require the player to solve a mystery. || ''[[The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes]]'', ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'' |
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| [[Multi-genre video game]] || The game incorporates several different genres || ''[[TRON]]'', ''[[ActRaiser]]'' | | [[Multi-genre video game]] || The game incorporates several different genres || ''[[TRON]]'', ''[[ActRaiser]]'' | ||
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| [[Rogue-like]] || Games similar to ''[[Rogue]]'', top-down lo-fi dungeon crawlers with permadeath. || ''[[Rogue]]'', ''[[Nethack]]'' | | [[Rogue-like]] || Games similar to ''[[Rogue]]'', top-down lo-fi dungeon crawlers with permadeath. || ''[[Rogue]]'', ''[[Nethack]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Runner video game|Runner]] || The player constantly moves forward through an often procedurally-generated and endless map avoiding obstacles. || ''[[Canabalt]]'', ''[[Alto's Adventure]]'' | + | | [[Runner (video game genre)|Runner]] || The player constantly moves forward through an often procedurally-generated and endless map avoiding obstacles. || ''[[Canabalt]]'', ''[[Alto's Adventure]]'' |
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| − | | [[Sandbox video game|Sandbox]] || Player is allowed to create and modify the game environment. || ''[[Minecraft]]'', ''[[Terraria]]'' | + | | [[Sandbox (video game genre)|Sandbox]] || Player is allowed to create and modify the game environment. || ''[[Minecraft]]'', ''[[Terraria]]'' |
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| [[Scrolling shooter]] || A 2D shooter where the player moves through a larger environment. || ''[[1942]]'', ''[[Defender]]'' | | [[Scrolling shooter]] || A 2D shooter where the player moves through a larger environment. || ''[[1942]]'', ''[[Defender]]'' | ||
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| [[Single screen video game|Single screen]] || Games which take place in a single screen. || ''[[Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Yars' Revenege]]'' | | [[Single screen video game|Single screen]] || Games which take place in a single screen. || ''[[Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Yars' Revenege]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Sports video | + | | [[Sports (video game genre)|Sport]] || Games related to sports. || ''[[Tecmo Bowl]]'', ''[[Ice Hockey]]'' |
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| − | | [[Strategy video game|Strategy]] || Games where you must find a good strategy within a rule set. || ''[[Civilization]]'', ''[[Command & Conquer]]'' | + | | [[Strategy (video game genre)|Strategy]] || Games where you must find a good strategy within a rule set. || ''[[Civilization]]'', ''[[Command & Conquer]]'' |
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| [[Text adventure]] || Adventure games which predominately use text to describe the game world. || ''[[Zork]]'', ''[[A Mind Forever Voyaging]]'' | | [[Text adventure]] || Adventure games which predominately use text to describe the game world. || ''[[Zork]]'', ''[[A Mind Forever Voyaging]]'' | ||
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| [[Tower defense]] || You setup and upgrade defenses to stop an onslaught. || ''[[Desktop Tower Defense]]'', ''[[Rampart]]'' | | [[Tower defense]] || You setup and upgrade defenses to stop an onslaught. || ''[[Desktop Tower Defense]]'', ''[[Rampart]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Traditional video game|Traditional]] || A video game which simulates a traditional style game. || ''[[Chess Master]]'', ''[[Solitaire (Microsoft)|Solitaire]]'' | + | | [[Traditional (video game genre)|Traditional]] || A video game which simulates a traditional style game. || ''[[Chess Master]]'', ''[[Solitaire (Microsoft)|Solitaire]]'' |
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| − | | [[Trivia video game|Trivia]] || Games based around answering trivia questions. || ''[[You Don't Know Jack]]'', ''[[Trivia Crack]]'' | + | | [[Trivia (video game genre)|Trivia]] || Games based around answering trivia questions. || ''[[You Don't Know Jack]]'', ''[[Trivia Crack]]'' |
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| [[Turn-based strategy]] || Strategy games which give you time to think in between moves. || ''[[Civilization]]'', ''[[X-COM: UFO Defense]]'' | | [[Turn-based strategy]] || Strategy games which give you time to think in between moves. || ''[[Civilization]]'', ''[[X-COM: UFO Defense]]'' | ||
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| [[Western role-playing video game|Western RPG]] || RPGs that follow the design style of early Western RPGs. || ''[[Ultima]]'', ''[[Wizardry]]'' | | [[Western role-playing video game|Western RPG]] || RPGs that follow the design style of early Western RPGs. || ''[[Ultima]]'', ''[[Wizardry]]'' | ||
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| − | | [[Word game]] || Games based around playing with words. || ''[[Text Twist]]'', ''[[Wordtris]]'' | + | | [[Word game (video game genre)]] || Games based around playing with words. || ''[[Text Twist]]'', ''[[Wordtris]]'' |
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 15:34, 15 July 2020
This is a list of video game genres. These genres span game mechanics, themes, perspectives, and play styles. There is also a video game genre category.
| Name | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Games which require fast reflexes. | Combat, Vanguard |
| Action role-playing game | Games which user RPG elements, but use heavy action elements. | Secret of Mana, Borderlands |
| Adventure | Games where exploration of interesting environments plays a heavy role. | Colossal Cave Adventure, King's Quest |
| Artillery | Players control tank-like entities and take turns lobbing shells at each other. | Scorched Earth, Worms |
| Atmospheric | Few game elements, more just for taking in the atmosphere. | |
| Beat 'em up | Player uses martial arts to beat up many foes. | Kung Fu, Karateka |
| Block games | Games which involve the manipulation of blocks. | Tetris, Dr. Mario |
| Casual (video game genre) | A game that can be easily and repeatedly started and stopped and doesn't require intense interaction. | Bejeweled, Little Inferno |
| Dating simulator | Simulates going on dates and having relationships with people. | HuniePop, Katawa Shoujo |
| Door game | Games based around bulletin board system doors. | Legend of the Red Dragon, Usurper |
| Driving | Games where driving a vehicle is a major element (though not racing). | SkyRoads, Truck Simulator |
| Dungeon crawl | You work your way through a monster-infested dungeon. | Dungeon Master, Diablo |
| Educational | The primary goal is to educate the player. | The Oregon Trail, Reader Rabbit |
| Fighting (video game genre) | Player uses martial arts to beat up specific foes. | Karate Champ, Street Fighter |
| First-person shooter | 3D first-person perspective, player shoots at enemies. | Wolfenstein 3D, Doom |
| Flight simulator | Simulates flying an airplane or similar flying craft. | Microsoft Flight Simulator, Red Baron |
| Full motion video game | Games which incorporate pre-filmed video sequences | Night Trap, The 7th Guest |
| Graphic adventure | Adventure games which put heavy emphasis on their graphics rather than descriptions. | King's Quest, Shadowgate |
| Hidden object | Games where you try to find hidden objects in a scene. | Where's Waldo, The Enigmatis Collection |
| Horror | Scary video games with a horror theme. | The 7th Guest, Resident Evil |
| Humor | Games which feature a lot of humorous content. | Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter, The Stanley Parable |
| JRPG | RPGs that follow design styles of early Eastern games, especially from Japan. | Dragon Warrior, Final Fantasy |
| Licensed | Video games that are based on a licensed brand. | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure |
| Light gun game | Games which require the use of a light gun. | Duck Hunt, Area 51 |
| Management simulator | Simulates a management duty. | SimCity, Theme Park |
| Massively multiplayer online game | Online game that can handle a very large number of simultaneous players. | Ultima: Online, EverQuest |
| Maze | Games where the player must solve or traverse a maze. | Pac-Man, Maze Craze |
| Metroidvania | Player explores a large world and finds items that unlock more of the world. | Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night |
| Military | Primarily based on military elements. | North & South, Call of Duty, |
| Mystery | Games which require the player to solve a mystery. | The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney |
| Multi-genre video game | The game incorporates several different genres | TRON, ActRaiser |
| Multi-user dungeon | Multiple players connect to take place in a persistent online world. Smaller than an MMO. | The Shadow of Yserbius, DragonRealms |
| Platform shooter | Platformers where shooting enemies is a major part of game play. | Mega Man, Contra |
| Platformer | Side view 2D environment with gravity where the player moves up and down over multiple platforms. | Pitfall!, Super Mario Bros. |
| Pornographic | Contain erotic imagery. | Princess Maker 2, HuniePop |
| Puzzle | Requires logical thinking and reasoning rather than reflexes. | Minesweeper, Solitaire |
| Racing | Games where you race against opponents or the clock. | OutRun, Mario Kart |
| Rail shooter | Player's movement is on a fixed "rail," but they control where they can shoot. | Star Wars (original arcade game), Lethal Enforcers |
| Real-time strategy | Strategy games where the action happens in real-time as opposed to turn-based, and resource management plays a big role. | Dune II, WarCraft |
| Real-time tactics | Strategy games where the action happens in real-time as opposed to turn-based, but focus is on unit control rather than resources. | Myth: The Fallen Lords |
| Rhythm game | Player must perform actions in rhythm with music. | Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero |
| RPG | Player takes the role of a character and builds them up at they progress through a story. | Ultima, Final Fantasy |
| Rogue-like | Games similar to Rogue, top-down lo-fi dungeon crawlers with permadeath. | Rogue, Nethack |
| Runner | The player constantly moves forward through an often procedurally-generated and endless map avoiding obstacles. | Canabalt, Alto's Adventure |
| Sandbox | Player is allowed to create and modify the game environment. | Minecraft, Terraria |
| Scrolling shooter | A 2D shooter where the player moves through a larger environment. | 1942, Defender |
| Shooter | 2D environment, player shoots projectiles at enemies. | Space Invaders, Galaga |
| Simulation | Games which simulate a real life process. | Sim City, Microsoft Flight Simulator |
| Single screen | Games which take place in a single screen. | Pac-Man, Yars' Revenege |
| Sport | Games related to sports. | Tecmo Bowl, Ice Hockey |
| Strategy | Games where you must find a good strategy within a rule set. | Civilization, Command & Conquer |
| Text adventure | Adventure games which predominately use text to describe the game world. | Zork, A Mind Forever Voyaging |
| Tower defense | You setup and upgrade defenses to stop an onslaught. | Desktop Tower Defense, Rampart |
| Traditional | A video game which simulates a traditional style game. | Chess Master, Solitaire |
| Trivia | Games based around answering trivia questions. | You Don't Know Jack, Trivia Crack |
| Turn-based strategy | Strategy games which give you time to think in between moves. | Civilization, X-COM: UFO Defense |
| Visual novel | Games that are primarily illustrated stories, but often have a small amount of interaction. | Doki Doki Literature Club!, The Portopia Serial Murder Case |
| Western RPG | RPGs that follow the design style of early Western RPGs. | Ultima, Wizardry |
| Word game (video game genre) | Games based around playing with words. | Text Twist, Wordtris |
