There is a massive amount of video game genres to choose from, so many that you may feel like they’re redundant. To that, I wouldn’t say you’re wrong. There are a lot to choose from yet some are chosen more regularly than others. Why? Well, when you think about it most games that are trying to be a “unique” genre tend to fail at delivering what they sought out to do in the first place. If a game can’t deliver the genre that they were going for then most likely us gamers will avoid it like the plague. Don’t get trapped by genres that don’t actually deliver the content they want, stick to these top 10 most played video game genres of 2015 that are sure to deliver.
10. Survival Horror
Walking through the woods to hunt animals for food to sell at a local town before venturing out to a volcano in search of hidden treasure guarded by a dragon or maybe trying to survive in a world overrun by zombies; there’s always something to do in these games. The video game genre has truly pulled many of us into a virtual world where adventure is around every corner, just waiting to be discovered. Some games that would be considered to fall under this title are as follows: Resident Evil, H1Z1, DayZ, Left 4 Dead, and more.
These titles are always being improved because as we grow technologically we find out how to accomplish much more. Now is the time to invest in an open world game because they’re taking the markets by storm and quickly rising to the top. The difference between these and your standard MMOs and roleplaying games is that they don’t have a set goal. You need to find your own adventure, make your own story. Instead of using recycled quest mechanics, you are your hero and you walk your own path.
9. Sports
Well, if we’re going to sit on our asses playing games we might as well pretend we’re being active - right? Being able to choose your favorite teams and swap out rosters at any given time, makes us feel better after our team just lost a major tournament. Popular games such as Madden, FIFA, NBA 2K, which all fall under EA Sports mostly keep this genre alive and kicking with up to date roster data and changes every year.
It makes sports enthusiasts truly feel like they need the next game to come out and delve in for hours on end.
8. Fighting
Scorpion about to perform a bloody fatality
“Finish Him!” the call that every fighter game fan knows. From Mortal Kombat to Street Fighter, the core concept stays the same. Side view of your characters duking each others lifepoints down. The game has a lot to do with timing and combinations of moves to perform devastating attacks.
This genre is fast paced and is sure to give any avid player carpal tunnel. Any fan would know though that it’s a small price to pay to experience such adrenaline and thrilling gameplay.
7. Real Time Strategy
A Space Marine in the Warhammer 40k universe
Bringing chess onto the virtual battlefield doesn’t please the masses but bringing an army at your command to face other armies and opponents works wonders. With the more well known names like Dawn of War and Age of Empires this genre boasts a lot of reputation.
What reels people in is it’s charm of creating armies, developing them and upgrading their arsenal, making pacts with others, teaming up and backstabbing when it works best for you or forcing everyone into total domination.
6. Strategy
Build your deck of cards and battle it out with other players in Hearthstone
With the growth of computer card games reviving this genre with names like Hearthstone and Magic: The Gathering, many companies have joined the bandwagon creating many different forms of card games. At heart, if you enjoy collecting in games with a Pokemon mindset of “Gotta Catch Em All” you’ll enjoy this genre. It brings skill mixed with collecting to form a concept that is able to be glorified through graphics showing off what the cards are doing to make it feel more alive.
There’s a reason why this genre has become one of the most played video game genres, and we wouldn’t want to see it any other way.
5. Racing
Too fast and too furious, most of us have daydreamed at some point of speeding down alleys and driving like a maniac, unfortunately there are some legal liabilities to doing so and that’s where the Racing genre comes in. Nothing quite beats sitting back in your computer chair or on a couch, turning on your platform of choice and hearing engines rev up as you hear the beeping countdown to start your virtual race.
Get buckled in, it’s going to be a crazy ride. Racing games are here to stay, with the upgrades of graphics to the diverse playstyles that have been made up revolving around them to the core of just trying to land first place among your friends. You’re bound to find fun somewhere, even if it’s simply the scenery around you.
4. Third Person Shooter
Rainbow Six Vegas, Warframe, Gears of War and Grand Theft Auto are just some of the titles that fall under this category. This video game genre tends to attract the casual players moreso than hardcore simply because it doesn’t have the ability to lure in a strong competitive community. Don’t brush the title to the side, though, it still has one of the largest playerbases around. The ability of adding fun game modes and more story driven content to these games is uncomparable.
While this genre may not attract much competitive play, many find it more fun simply because it’s faster paced and tends to be enjoyed as a game and less of a challenge. If you’re looking for a challenge, this genre still tends to bring in challenges to keep you busy, like performing certain tasks and timed events.
3. RPG
This video game genre has always had a huge following. Something about playing out a story and finding out all the hidden gems and following a path that continually increases in difficulty just brings this genre to life. Some of these titles include The Witcher series, Dark Souls franchise, Dragon Age, Final Fantasy, Mass Effect series, World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2 and more. These titles have been around for a long time and will stay around for a lot longer. If you haven’t yet gotten a chance to launch one of these games you’re truly missing out. With so many people enjoying these games, it’s rare to find someone who hasn’t.
Another way that the roleplaying genre is brought to life is through Action Roleplaying games. As many gamers are veterans to this dungeon crawling birds eye game genre, it’s still one of the most played video game genres in 2015. Relentlessly slaughtering mobs for their loot and exploring the darkest parts of dungeons where nobody can hear you scream are huge selling points for these games. When you’re able to feel as though that next room or next turn may expose a hoarding of treasure and the ability to relax while doing so allows you to be comfortable, you know a genre has accomplished what it has set out to be.
2. First Person Shooter
With major titles in this genre such as Call of Duty, Battlefield, and Counter Strike this genre has stood the test of time. This is one of the oldest genres around, dating back to DOOM days. Games under this title have a huge amount of different playstyles to choose from. Whether you want to be a casual player or a hardcore one, this is one of the most played video game genres simply because it keeps you interested. This is one of the major points that truly sets this genre apart from the rest.
The addition of being unable to check corners in third person and having to peek carefully adds an element to these games that truly intimidates players. What type of player are you? Do you enjoy running around taking as many people down with you or do you like to attempt to survive it out and hide in a corner waiting for your prey?
1. MOBA
Finally we reach the motherload of the gaming population. It’s no question that the MOBA genre, a relatively newer one at that, is the most played. With major titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, Strife, Heroes of Newerth and many more the difference in playerbase is substantial. Games are popping up left and right for this name, although many end up failing, theres a reason they’re being made so substantially.
Something attracts us gamers about loading into a game that everyone is on an even level playing field and challenges our raw skill. The competitive aspect this genre brings also challenges us and makes you want to improve. Nothing quite feels as accomplishing as destroying your opponents base knowing full well that you’re better and nothing quite motivates you as losing knowing that you need to improve, seeking revenge.
With all of these genres to choose from, it’s hard to choose a single one to play but that’s the great part of being a gamer. You don’t have to choose just one! However, if you were to choose a favorite, what would your favorite genre be? Share your opinion in the comments below!