Find a genre by the kind of experience you want. Each entry explains how it plays and points to an article for a closer look.
RPGs and progression
MMORPG
Persistent worlds where players develop characters and interact at scale.
Related reading
Action RPG
Real-time combat combined with character stats, equipment and build choices.
Related reading
Soulslike
Deliberate combat, exploration and learning enemy patterns through repeated attempts.
Related reading
Roguelike and roguelite
Replayable runs vary between attempts. Roguelites may carry some progress forward.
Related reading
Metroidvania
Explore connected maps where new abilities unlock previously inaccessible routes.
Turn-based RPG
Turns give players time to choose abilities, manage resources and plan ahead.
Related reading
Tactical RPG
Party progression combines with decisions about positioning, terrain and range.
Dungeon crawler
Explore passages, fight enemies and decide how far to go with the supplies available.
Idle and incremental
Automated production and cumulative upgrades drive progress between interactions.
Related reading
Action, shooters and horror
Extraction shooter
Enter a dangerous area, gather supplies and reach extraction to keep what you found.
Related reading
First-person shooter
The camera follows the character’s viewpoint. Aim, movement and positioning shape combat.
Related reading
Survival
Gather resources, build shelter and manage environmental threats to stay alive.
Related reading
Survival horror
Scarcity and vulnerability create tension as players decide whether to face or avoid threats.
Related reading
Looter shooter
Weapons and equipment earned in combat drive progression and change how you play.
Battle royale
Gather equipment and outlast rival players or squads as the playable area shrinks.
Hero shooter
Distinct hero abilities complement aiming and teamwork.
Hack and slash
Combat rhythm, combo execution and controlling groups of enemies take center stage.
Related reading
Stealth
Use cover, distractions and alternate routes to avoid detection.
Related reading
Horror
Atmosphere, sound and threats create fear through exploration, action or storytelling.
Related reading
Strategy, systems and simulation
MOBA
Teams coordinate characters with distinct roles to control the map and push objectives.
Real-time strategy
Manage economy, construction and units as the match unfolds.
Simulation
Experiment with systems and activities governed by rules that model real or fictional situations.
Related reading
4X strategy
Explore, expand, exploit resources and confront rivals while developing a civilization or empire.
Grand strategy
Politics, diplomacy, economics and warfare intersect in long-term decisions.
City builder
Plan neighborhoods, infrastructure and services to support a growing city.
Tower defense
Place defenses and invest in upgrades to stop waves of enemies.
Auto battler
Choose units, build synergies and adjust formations before automated battles.
Sandbox
Open systems give players room to create, experiment and set their own goals.
Related reading
Immersive sim
Interacting systems offer multiple solutions to the same obstacle.
Movement, puzzles and competition
Platformer
Jumping, movement and reading obstacles guide players through levels.
Fighting games
Duels reward spacing, timing and knowledge of each character’s moves.
Racing
Choose racing lines, control speed and compete for position or time on the track.
Rhythm games
Time actions to the music by following beats and sound patterns.
Puzzle
Read the rules, spot patterns and combine pieces or actions to solve challenges.
Related reading
Sports games
Sports become challenges of execution, strategy and individual or team competition.
Card games
Cards represent actions and resources. Deck choices and timing shape play.
Social play
Party games
Accessible rules and short rounds suit gatherings and casual competition.
Social deduction
Players interpret clues and conversations to uncover hidden roles or motives.
