Video Gaming Genres: Your Next Adventure Awaits
The wild, wonderful world of video games spans multiple platforms, with a variety of experiences across a plethora of genres. The depth of the gaming industry can be seen through all the unique journeys available to us. From scoring a Stanley Cup winning goal to saving the world from the clutches of evil aliens and more. I’m here to provide you with an overview of each genre, covering the classics, what’s trending and upcoming titles you should keep eye on.
Action genre
When I think “action” it conjures up images of Hollywood blockbuster films with big explosions and pulse pounding sequences. Action games are cut from the same cloth, testing your mettle, reaction times and your trigger finger. Some of the franchises that have become staples of the action genre are titles like Call of Duty, Death Loop and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
If you enjoy fast paced gameplay that will test your skill, you’ve arrived at the right spot! Below you’ll find some top action game recommendations, along with a full action genre spotlight to help deliver an adrenaline rush.
Call of Duty: Vanguard
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 3.8/5 (76%)
Experience the World War II combat like never before with Call of Duty: Vanguard. You’ll play a pivotal role and change the face of history through a deeply engaging single player campaign. Along with thrilling multiplayer and zombie modes, the action and thrills keep on coming.
Purchase Call of Duty: Vanguard
Halo Infinite
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.6/5 (91%)
Experience an epic adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring. When all hope is lost, Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armour of humanity’s greatest hero.
Action-adventure genre
The action-adventure genre is far and away one of my favourites, melding high octane action with great stories and puzzle elements. Classic franchises like Assassin’s Creed, God of War and Uncharted are some best in class examples of action-adventure experiences. Modern blockbusters like The Last of Us Part 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury are stellar experiences, that are “must play” games.
The massive survival horror genre is a subcategory of the action-adventure realm, it’s not for the faint of heart! Games that will terrify like Little Nightmares 2, The Medium and Resident Evil Village will provide plenty of thrills and chills. Check out all my top picks in Best Buy’s action adventure spotlight.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.9/5 (98%)
An inter-dimensional adventure awaits with Ratchet and Clank as you take on an evil robotic empire. Take advantage of a new explosive arsenal, meet new characters and use dimension hopping mechanics to take down the baddies.
Buy Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)
Deathloop
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.6/5 (91%)
It’s up to you stop villains who are manipulating time travel. Every time you die the game hits reset and you are looped back through the experience. Learn from your mistakes or be doomed to repeat them over and over again.
Adventure games
These games are all about puzzles and plot, forgoing heavy action sequences that require hair-trigger reflexes. The name of the game here is the story and exploration experience, they come first and foremost. Games like Myst, The Secret of Monkey Island and Outer Wilds follow the adventure game formula.
Life is Strange True Colors
Release Date: Available Now
Embrace your hidden powers to help reveal the dark truth behind a family tragedy. The popular Life is Strange series continues with new characters, settings and supernatural abilities. Your choices will shape the outcome of the game as you unravel mysteries around Haven Springs.
Buy Life is Strange: True Colors
Role-playing games
Role-playing games, or RPGs, let you build your own character to varying degrees, some let you pick a class or build your appearance from scratch. Based off the classic board game Dungeons & Dragons, RPGs use similar rules to put you in the shoes of a hero and their party. You can use the unique attributes of characters like melee, magic and ranged attack skills to navigate through enemy encounters. RPGs traditionally have massive maps to explore with side quests and a sprawling main story. Like a great novel, if you are looking for an experience to lose yourself in, RPGs are the gaming equivalent.
Some of my most unforgettable adventures have come within the RPG genre. Games like Final Fantasy VII, Cyberpunk 2077, Skyrim, and The Witcher III are some of the best stories I’ve ever experienced in any medium.
Here are some highly recommended RPGs to adventure through:
Elden Ring
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review
The Golden Order has been broken. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between. The fantasy action-RPG is developer FromSoftware’s largest game to date, set within a world full of mystery and peril, hailed by many is one of the greatest games of all time.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.3/5 (86%)
One of the greatest space epics of all-time is returning with Mass Effect Legendary Edition. The comprehensive collection includes Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 remastered in 4K Ultra HD along with all extra promotional items. Get ready to lead an elite squad to save humanity from an alien threat.
Purchase Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.4/5 (88%)
Players will need to catch, survey, and research wild Pokémon in an ancient Sinnoh region. You can choose Rowlet, Cyndaquil, or Oshawott as your dependable partner. Along the way, a mystery surrounding the Pokémon known as Arceus will begin to unfold. Experience the legendary adventure today!
Purchase Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Simulation games
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to fly a plane, run a city or control an entire country, the sim genre might be for you. Some of the most popular franchises out there like The Sims, Farming Simulator, Tropico and Microsoft Flight Simulator offer something for everyone.
This genre helps fulfill fantasies of being a pilot, farmer, chef and beyond! Feel free to check out all my recommendations in the full Video Gaming Genres Spotlight:Simulation article.
Here are some fun sim experiences to check out:
Farming Simulator 22
Release Date: Available Now
If you’ve dreamt of embarking on your own agricultural adventure, Farming Simulator 22 lets you build your own farm. Players have more freedom than ever before growing crops and raise livestock. You’ll have access to over 400 machines and tools for true-to-life farming while seasonal cycles keep you on your toes with ever-changing weather and environments.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.4/5 (88%)
Looking to carve out your own little piece of paradise? The sunny shores of Animal Crossing: New Horizons await! The simulation game takes you to a deserted island where you can personalize your own little utopia. Make it your new island home all your own by customizing your character, home, decorations, and more. Book your getaway today!
Strategy games
The strategy genre is essentially a game of chess, you need to carefully plan your next move to outwit your opponent. This virtual game of wits comes in a variety of shapes and forms from ancient battle fields to those in the distant future. Sci-fi military titles like Starcraft, are all about resource management and massing your forces.
In games like Sid Meier’s Civilization series you can change the course of history. You can do this on the battlefield or by developing a civilization, if you enjoy carefully calculating your next move strategy games could be a great fit. Check out the recommendations below, or the full overview of strategy games at Best Buy.
Gears Tactics
Release Date: Available Now
It’s Gears of War liked you’ve never experienced before with fast paced turn-based action. Battle back the Locust Horde as Gabe Diaz, humanity’s last hope against a ruthless, unforgiving enemy.
Pikmin 3 Deluxe
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.1/5 (82%)
It’s a race against time as you strategize and command tiny plant-like Pikmin to explore a new world to find food for their home planet. Help the tiny creatures overcome obstacles, defeat hostile enemies and make it back to their ship before time runs out.
Sports titles
Sports games are massively popular, carrying the thrill and excitement of real life teams. If you are a fan of the NHL, NBA or NFL you’ll feel right at home with their virtual counterparts. Each year sports games go through a refresh adding better graphics, new gameplay mechanics and features that continue to get closer to the real thing. If you are hitting the ice, court or gridiron all your favourite players await.
If you are ready for the bright lights, Best Buy has an all-star line up of sports titles.
NHL 22
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.1/5 (82%)
Lace up your skates NHL 22 hits the ice with a host of new features. Establish your legacy with Superstar X-Factors system allows you to compete higher, unleash your players’ abilities to reach the top. Line up for puck drop, the battle for Lord Stanley’s Cup is just beginning!
Nintendo Switch Sports
Release Date: Coming Soon – April 29th, 2022
Get ready to Swing, kick and spike your way to victory in Nintendo Switch Sports—a collection of 6 sports games that will put you right in the middle of the action. In a reimagining of the WiiSports included are Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, Tennis, Badminton and Chambara. The physical release of the game will include a Leg Strap accessory, the same one in Ring Fit Adventure! Additionally, a seventh sport will be added this fall via a free update, Golf! For more info on Nintendo Switch Sports see Jon Scarr’s full deep dive here.
Preorder Nintendo Switch Sports
An experience for everyone!
No matter what type of experience you are looking for, the wide variety of gaming genres has something fun in store for you. From action to deep thinking strategy games there is something out there that will perfectly fit your style of play. I love to dabble in all of the genres experiencing the gems each has to offer. The best part of the video game industry is there is always a unique, new experience on the horizon looking to evolve the gaming landscape. I hope the overview above helps to get you started, or broadens your video game horizons.
Let us know what your favourite games and genres are in the comments below!
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