There was a time when games were merely RPG, novelty or arcade. But the video game industry has grown, and game categories have morphed into more than a dozen types. Be confused no more. Below are the most common types of video games explained.
Platformer
Platformer games are those where you move from left to right. In a platformer game, the player typically has to move left and right, and he can get some bonuses like fireballs or invulnerability. Most of the time, the player’s goal is to finish a stage. In the early 1980s and 1990s, the most popular ones were Super Mario and Adventure Island.
Gambling Games
Online casino games can be casual games or real-cash games. On mobile, there are thousands of casino games that you can play for free. In these games, you must bet in-game coins, which you can receive daily or buy. These in-game coins are not real-life currency. One of the most popular of all time is WSOP poker, as it allows you to play with other real people in real time. However, you cannot bet real cash in these games.
If you want to play casino games with real money, you must look for a licensed casino online. Most of them also operate sports books. In real-cash games, you must register for an account in a casino online and then find your account with real money. You will also win real money.
Here are some of the most popular casino games:
- Video slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Poker.
Shooting
Shooting games cover everything—from shooting ducks to zombies. Today, many shooting games, especially in the mobile world, involve snipers and zombies. One of the most popular shooting games today is Hitman, but only in the mobile version. The original PC version of Hitman is rather an action-stealth one.
Another genre of shooting game is MMORPG, where the players have to “shoot” other players. For the RPG version, the player has to accomplish missions.
Fighting
Fighting games are those that require players to fight after choosing a character. Although shooting games make players fight, shooting games really do not qualify in this genre. Fighting games pit one player against the other. Players need some serious skills to control the characters, and it can take years for a player to learn all the moves. Those who spend a lot of time can win no matter who their character is.
Here are some examples of fighting games:
- Mortal Kombat
- Tekken
- Injustice.
Today, fighting games have also adapted a rich storyline. A player does not always have to fight against another person. He can go through the story mode and fight other enemies as he progresses at each level.
Action Adventure
An action-adventure game is a combination of fighting, shooting and travelling. These games also have missions, and most of the time, the player has an option to choose what he wants to do.
Here are some of the most popular action-adventure games:
- Skyrim
- Legend of Zelda
- Tomb Raider
- Assassin’s Creed
- Batman Arkham series.
Some people confuse RPG with action-adventure. It is understandable because both of these genres overlap. In essence, however, most role-playing games allow you to customize your character. Pretty much, the two can be the same.
Simulation
Simulation games are those that try to mimic real life. In a simulation game, you either do what a real-life character does, or you build something like a city or a zoo. Flying planes and helicopters and driving cars also count as simulation games. The best ones are the Sims, Zoo Tycoon, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Railway Empire.
However, cars have taken their own genre, which is called racing games. Despite this, many car games have also morphed into simulations because players can modify their cars, buy cars and earn in-game money to upgrade their rides.
Sports
Sports games are those that attempt to simulate real-life sports. The most popular, of course, are boxing, MMA, soccer and basketball. Sports is its own category, but it can also be classified as RPG or adventure. In most sports games today, you can create a character and model it after you.
Many sports games today also have a mission. For example, you can start as a rookie. As a rookie, your skill levels are poor. Your job is to develop that player until the character becomes a champion. In some games like NBA, you can even build your own team and make a powerful franchise or dynasty.
Puzzle
Puzzle games are simple ones which include scrabble, Candy Crush, and any other thing that requires some problem-solving skills. Most of these games are arcade games. Because of the success of Candy Crush, there are many companies that are trying to imitate its formula. Most of these games make money from ads and are only available on mobile.
Summary
There are many types of games that you can play. To each his own. Take note that not all games are available on mobile, as some of these games require high processing power. Mobile games should give you enough options, but if you want to move up, buy a PC or a gaming console to get a better experience.
