Game Genres

Game Genres

RPG (Role Playing Game)

RPG: RPG stands for ‘Role Playing Game’ This genre is becoming vastly popular given the new popularization of Japanese influences, the Japanese are certainly most famous for the production of RPG games (From Otome to murder mystery etc.)

In RPG games it is rather self-explanatory, you do not play as yourself, but usually a set character who is already designed for you etc. It isn’t like a lot of games where you are able to do what you like and customize your player and basically be yourself. You are generally given a backstory or a feel of your characters personality or situation in RPG games and proceed to play as the character. Hence it being called a role play game.

RPG games are directed at almost all audiences. From younger girls to older boys. It depends on the kind of games you want to play. It has a vast range, more common for the female audience would be the romance RPG games like Amnesia. And for males more so Fallout.

Game: Mad Father

Platform: PC

Mad Father: Mad father is an RPG suitable for most audiences, more so teenagers I would have thought; and given the game play as well, I suppose it is slightly more directed at females. I only assume this given the very cute art style that ranges from detailed to pixel.

In this RPG game you journey as a young girl, trying to save her father from death as the ghosts of the people he has brutally murdered come back for revenge. As well as an RPG it does contain puzzle and strategy solving elements.

Fantasy

Fantasy: Fantasy is a very popular genre among earlier gamers as some of the most classic games of which people have played, are fantasy, and probably the most loved series of all would be Final Fantasy. Bust concerning fantasy, the genre seems to be dying out a lot recently. Replaced by other games such as Call of Duty and more violent games than ones that have a story with depth and consistency. Fantasy games usually contain imaginative characters and scenery as well as enemies and are generally full of story.

Fantasy very much like most of the other genres are suitable for everyone, though more so teenage males given the more in depth story and action packed game play. Although I can see why the style would heavily appeal to a female audience.

Game: Final Fantasy 7

Platform: PlayStation

Final Fantasy: Although Final Fantasy does have the potential to be labelled as a Role Play Game it is more so along the lines of, well, fantasy. This series generally follows Cloud Strife, the main protagonist of the game, infamous for the buster sword. Former soldier and mercenary, follow him as he unwraps the secrets of his past as the plot thickens and reluctantly join the Eco terrorist group AVALANCHE to destroy the evil Shinra Corporation harvesting the precious life stream from the earth.

Comedy

Comedy: Comedy games are very popular among everyone in the gaming community as they are very easy to play. And I don’t mean easy as in game play, but due to the light-hearted nature of these games, everyone enjoys playing them  Although sometimes comedy can be done to death concerning certain games such as ‘Naughty Bear’ though is executed perfectly in other such as ‘lollipop chainsaw’

Comedy games are for anybody, well, I say anybody, some people parents are sensitive to toilet or dark humour on occasion because face it, some people can’t handle being amused. Now, I’d sad this genre is targeted toward anyone and everyone.

Game: Dead Rising

Platform: Xbox 360

Dead Rising: I know it doesn’t sound like it but this game is real funny, you journey as Frank West through the zombie apocalypse, full of sass and witty remarks there’s no better person to be when you’re about to die. The comedy elements almost solely come from Frank but that isn’t a bad thing. Although other characters do contribute, it is more so their stupidity which I find to be hilarious. But there are also a series of ridiculous concepts and Easter eggs that add to this experience. As utterly ridiculous and well executed this game is you have to scratch your head at some points and face plant as you start to question why you even bother trying to save anyone in this game.

Simulation

Simulation: Simulation is quite a lot like an RPG in some ways (though it is very much dependent on the game.) But Simulation games cover a variety of subjects from driving to farming and there’s even a goat simulator (Don’t ask me why anyone would buy that because I honestly have no idea whatsoever.) In short, the player acts out tasks that are simulated into a game, like driving games when you turn the remote and the screen turns with you etc. But a very popular new Simulator that is heavily influenced by anime and Japanese culture, is taking the internet by storm. And that is Yandere simulator.

Simulators are also directed toward a very large audience as you can near enough do whatever you’d like in them. There are so many that it can really cater to all interests that anyone may have. There’s probably a simulator for any gamer out there, considering there is one where you are a goat I honestly don’t see why not.

Game: Yandere Simulator

Platform: PC

Yandere Simulator: Yandere simulator is a rising game popular among almost the entire gaming community. It is directed toward all audiences and all gamers as it contains humour, violence, gore, extra features, motives etc. I find it to be suitable for both males and females as it is honestly just a game that covers everything.

This simulator is in short, weird. You simulate a Yandere girl (Very popular in anime, like Yuno from Future Diary.) Yandere meaning sick and in love. (Yan: To be sick, messed up and deredre: To be in love.) And in this simulation you must kill any female (or even male students) who get close to your senpai. So you simulate a very crazy female student that carries all of the anime stereo types with her.

Romance/ Otome

Romance/ Otome: As previously stated, Japanese games and culture is becoming a heavy influence in the western world lately, and this is promoting girls to play more games, because a lot of game that Japan produce are Otome games or ‘Romance.’ In most romance games you play a female or male and chose a member of the opposite (or same gender, wherever you swing.) And take a route with them through a story that will general have more than one potential outcome.

These are obviously generally more directed to the female community. Although males do play, it is heavily directed toward teenage girls who are really mopey because their boyfriend isn’t the imaginary hot guy on the computer screen.

Game: Amnesia

Platform: PS Vita

Amnesia: Playing as the female protagonist Heroine, you journey through a chosen world in search of your memories. Sounds pretty cool right? Well here comes the romance, you chose a male to journey with in their own world (The options are diamond, heart, clubs, spades and joker world.) But once you have chosen a male you must hide the fact you don’t have your memories as your invisible friend helps you keep that a secret for some reason, just don’t ask me why; I haven’t finished the game and it’s confusing me.

Survival Horror

Horror: This genre is a very much you love it or you hate it kind of deal and is certainly not for those who are complete wusses. Now, with horror there is a very large fan base, but again, there really is no in between so hasn’t much of a larger following in comparison to other genre based games, like Call of Duty kind of first person shooters aimed at 12 year olds. Horror games have a wide range of monsters, creatures and the like they can use in order to instill fear on the unsuspecting gamer. And as much
as I love this genre it’s hard to get it right. Many producers think jump scares equal quality, but this isn’t the case.

Horror is certainly not directed specifically toward the female audience. I’m not being sexist, it’s just true. I found myself unable to even play the Silent Hills demo without my female friends in the room either screaming or looking as if they were going to cry. I’d certainly say they are more so for the male audience who can stomach it.

Game: Silent hill 2

Platform: PlayStation

Silent Hill 2: Journey through Silent Hill as James Sunderland and discover why you’re there. With messed up barely human creatures around every turn, it’s hard not to grimace at these enemies. Though monsters aren’t the only thing you’ll have to face, they may be scary but this game bring you face to face with your own fear. This disturbing game isn’t terrifying just because it’s full of other worldly monsters, but also because the atmosphere throughout the entire game with have your spine tingling and any gamer would be on the edge of their seat the whole way through.

Action

Action: Action games cover a large spectrum of gaming, almost every game within the industry contains some kind of actions so anything can really be classed as such, even from DanganRonpa to Ratchet and Clank. Action games tend to have a heavy deal of interactive game play where you usually battle to defeat enemies and bosses. Like every game ever you are given a motive and you must follow that through by battling through a world or a level in order to achieve your goal. That’s what it is normally like anyway.

Concerning the audience action games are suitable for, I’d say anyone. It covers such a wide range I honestly don’t see anything restricting someone from playing a game in the genre. It just covers so many games, you will find action in almost every game you’ve ever played. Although I figure that some won’t be suitable for a younger audience, but come on, these games are awesome.

Game: Bio shock

Platform: Xbox 360

Bio shock: Bio shock is an action game filled with missions and great game play and action scenes. As big daddy you can either save the little sister who you meet and help you along the way, or you can harvest the young girls in order to obtain ADAM (you monster.) This style is very heavily steam punk based and has a very original style to it. The action element comes from battling other big daddies and those who are infected with ADAM. The fight scenes are very well done and the game play is very original. With plot twists everywhere I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love this game.

Rhythm

Rhythm: Music games in the west aren’t particularly common unless you’re drunk on a Saturday and are next to an arcade about to dance platforms. Although this genre is not particularly popular or famous, it is a very big thing in the east. Music games rely on a number of things, tactics to speed to difficult choices. It covers a very large spectrum of game play. (Actually I was lying, rhythm games are kind of popular in the West, though is almost exclusively guitar Hero.)

Guys will not play this. No man I don’t think has ever played this. I personally hate this game though a deal of girls I have met online that live in Japan, can confirm that LoveLive! School Idol Festival is VERY popular. Originally an anime, there are arcades and bars solely dedicated to the idol group. But in short concerning music games, no one has to fall under a certain age range or gender category, they just have to like music.

Game: LoveLive! School Idol Festival

Platform: Phone

LoveLive! School Idol Festival: I… I don’t know where to start with this game. You tap the screen in order to get the points and get your music to line up and sound perfect. There’s a lot of pink… and singing… And… That’s about it. There are also collectible stickers within the game and a story mode where you are also a manager of sorts. There really is no structure and any music game, and this is just very very solid proof of that. Although it does have a story mode, I don’t see why.

Adventure

Adventure: Adventure games are some of the earliest that were released on Play Stations and Xboxes, basically any platform you are able to think of. And these adventure games remain some of the most famous up to date and have almost evolved, like The Legend Of Zelda and Mario. Classics and they are still some of the most famously played games up to date. Adventure games generally follow an imaginary world where you venture through as an optional or non optional character. The most classic objective is to save a princess (I’m looking at you Mario.)

Age range wise, these are generally very child friendly games, although occasionally there are some with… How should I put this? Questionable morals. Anyway, most adventure games are very much suitable for a wide range. And they appeal to everyone, especially the classics.

Game: Pokemon

Platform: Nintendo

Pokemon: Pokemon is a true Nintendo classic, probably played by everyone at some point or another this series remains strong with numerous games as well as it’s own TV show and a center dedicated to it in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. In this game you play as Ash, a young Pokemon trainer. And as the famous catchphrase goes, the aim of the game is that you gotta catch ‘em all.

Point and Click

Point and Click: Point and click mainly means plan out carefully in order to obtain the desired result. And this usually determines how you end the game. From taking over castles to ensuring everyone stays alive there are a very large deal of point and click games out there. It involves brain power and making sure you plan out every little detail perfectly. Point and click can have a deal of action in it though. Very much like the walking dead game where you play as Clementine or Lee and have to point and click in order to avoid walkers etc.

Suitable for all I imagine. Although some of these games can be gory. So obviously, again, younger gamers won’t be able to play them but aside from that there are ones targeted specifically at boys and others for girls. And the same goes for age ranges. It just really depends on the content in this situation rather than the genre.

Game: Until Dawn

Platform: PlayStation 4

Until Dawn: This is a very new game, taking the community by storm. This game was a dig deal production a few years ago but eventually faded away so when it returned, we expected a lot from it and sure enough, it lived up to the hype. No doubt about it. Play as every character and plan how to get each one of them to survive the night. Though not as easy as it sounds, not at all. To survive you must think of the consequences of every action you make because every right choice you think you’re making, it’s probably wrong.