Named after the 1980 computer game Rogue, this genre uses procedural generation and permadeath. It also features a text user interface.

This broad category includes sandbox titles and world-building games. Simulators such as The Sims and Grand Theft Auto are part of this subgenre, too.

Horror games scare players with psychological tension and jump scares. Almost any survival title with a post-apoclyptic plot is considered a horror game.

Adventure

Adventure games are a genre of video game that combine exploration and narrative with puzzle-solving in a non-competitive manner. They are often called graphic adventure or point-and-click adventure games, but they also include many titles that don’t fit into either category.

The genre traces its roots back to the text adventures of the Colossal Cave system in the 1970s. Since then, the games have evolved to include graphics and a more interactive interface. The genre has become more focused on puzzle-solving and less oriented toward combat or action.

Many of the genre’s classic games are still adored to this day, especially those from LucasArts such as The Secret of Monkey Island, Leisure Suit Larry and Day of the Tentacle. More recently, the genre has expanded to include choice-based stories and walking simulators like the Phoenix Wright and Telltale Games’ Walking Dead series.

Action

Action video games put players in the heart of the action, challenging their hand-eye coordination and reaction time. The most popular action games are first-person shooters such as Call of Duty and Battlefield. The genre also includes platformers like Donkey Kong, and Naughty Dog’s Crash Bandicoot series.

Stealth games use cunning and precision to solve gameplay challenges, such as in the Dishonored and Metal Gear franchises. The sandbox genre, which emphasizes player choice and open environments, is another subgenre of the Action category.

Some argue that the Action genre should include fewer games that involve physical challenges and time pressure, while others see the genre as broad enough to include games with puzzles and other situational problems. These distinctions are not always clear-cut, as many games have elements from several categories.

Battle Royale

Battle royale video games pit dozens or even hundreds of players against each other in a fight for survival. They are popular because they provide an adrenaline rush as players scavenge for weapons and gear to outlast the others.

The genre grew out of mods for open-world survival games like DayZ and Arma III but reached its peak with PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, also known as PUBG, which was released in 2017. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon alongside its competitor, Fortnite, along with new releases such as Apex Legends.

Unlike most other video game genres, these games have a lot of variation. For example, Hunt: Showdown spawns players into creepy bayou settings while Fortnite has hosted massive in-game concerts for Travis Scott and Marshmello. But, the core gameplay is the same in each: 100 players drop onto a map where they have to survive until one last player is left standing.

Breakout

Breakout is a popular arcade video game that was developed in 1976. It was designed by Nolan Bushnell and was heavily influenced by Pong. The gameplay of breakout involves bouncing a ball off a paddle in order to destroy bricks on the screen. A second wall will appear if all the bricks are destroyed and when the player destroys this second wall, they win the game.

Breakout was ported to many video game consoles, including the Atari 2600. It also spawned a sequel called Super Breakout that was released four years later.

The gameplay of breakout is fast-paced and simple, which makes it a great game for all ages. It is also a good way to exercise your fingers and improve your reaction skills.

Doom Clone

Doom clones are games that share some similarities with the original 1993 first-person shooter by id Software. This genre of video games usually have the player take on hordes of warrior aliens and other monstrous creatures while using various weapons to kill them.

The 1993 game launched id Software into the elite circle of PC gaming developers and spawned a cult following of gamers eager to mod the game with new environments, weaponry, and near-impossible challenges. It also helped create the FPS genre as we know it today.

Even if Doom clones don’t look like the original, they still offer players an exciting gameplay experience. They’re also a great choice for people who are interested in beating up huge waves of enemies. Some notable examples include the Dynasty Warriors series and Breakout.

RTS

RTS video games require gamers to strategically manage resources and units in real-time. They usually take place in a live or multiplayer setting and often feature a top-down perspective. Some titles impose a limit on the number of simultaneous units, making resource management key to success.

RTS games typically generate drama by positioning players against another faction in a combative encounter. They often use units, buildings and technologies to create the foundation for a civilization or military force.

The most popular RTS titles include Age of Empires, Warcraft and Command & Conquer. However, the genre can be found across many settings, including historical backdrops and alien worlds. Some RTS titles even offer a twist by offering 4X gameplay (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate). Whether you’re looking for a game to challenge your strategic thinking skills or just want to build an army of tanks, the best RTS games are here to help.

RPG

Role-playing video games have been around since the early days of home computers. They have long been a favorite genre for gamers who enjoy character and stat-based gameplay, and they have many sub-genres.

For example, Action RPGs have a more action-oriented focus and can have either real time or turn-based combat. The genre also includes sandbox RPGs which have more open world exploration and may take longer to complete than other genres of the game.

The most common element of an RPG is that the player is immersed in some kind of story or world and can make decisions which influence how it unfolds. This is a direct result of the original pen-and-paper role-playing games which had a human who played as the Game Master, creating outcomes and situations that would play out.