Back in the early era of video gaming, there weren’t distinct categories like we have today. Instead, everything fell under the umbrella term “video game,” which people would play without any specific playing style being defined.
It was in the same way that there weren’t “genres” of sports, for instance.
Over time, the world of gaming has branched out, developing unique categories and styles based on gameplay and mood.
Various types of games significantly strengthened and crystallized their existence in popular culture, having previously been somewhat transient.
Interestingly, some of these games didn’t achieve massive success during their original periods, yet they served as a source of inspiration for many future games over the years.
10 Super Metroid
Metroidvania
Games like Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night served as the foundation for the development of the Metroidvania genre.
However, Super Metroid did come out first in 1994, so it’s the real progenitor of the genre.
The focus on free-roaming exploration, upgrading, and swift gameplay in Super Metroid ultimately led to the emergence of a gaming category, which, somewhat humorously, came to be known by an unusual name.
Although it doesn’t fall under the traditional category, Super Metroid significantly fostered the initial community of speedrunners, who have been a consistent presence alongside the Metroidvania genre for quite some time.
9 Rogue
Roguelikes
Back in 1980, Rogue first saw the light of day on microcomputers running Unix, becoming a haven for emerging programmers and game creators, where I, as a fan, got my start.
For many decades, dungeon exploration games with permanent character death were quite specialized and enjoyed by only a small group of players. However, this specific genre experienced a significant surge in popularity towards the end of the 2000s.
Of course, Rogue was an exceptionally difficult, unforgiving game, even amongst its contemporaries.
This is why we have separate distinctions for the subsets of the genre.
We have roguelikes, games that emulate its difficulty completely, and roguelites, which just take cues from the concept.
8 PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Battle Royale
When considering Battle Royale games, it’s likely that Fortnite comes to mind first. Given its popularity, that makes sense as Fortnite has proven itself to be a true powerhouse in the gaming world.
It’s plausible that Fortnite may not have achieved such widespread popularity without PUBG paving the way first.
Initially, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) started life as a detailed modification for the survival crafting game DayZ, inspired by the popular movie “Battle Royale”.
2017 saw its separation as a standalone release in a beta phase, during which it started shaping the fundamental principles of the genre within us.
7 Demon’s Souls
Soulslikes
Back in the ’90s, Action Role-Playing Games (ARPGs) were already making waves, so when Demon’s Souls hit the scene in 2009, it didn’t exactly feel like a groundbreaking event for me, a dedicated fan of the genre. However, as I delved deeper into its dark and challenging world, I began to appreciate how this game redefined and elevated the ARPG experience.
Yet, from this single game emerged not only a highly prosperous action RPG series, but also a distinctive category of tough-as-nails action RPG games.
Implying that your game is a “Soulslike” means you’re informing prospective players that they can expect unrelenting challenges and no leniency or respite from enemies, not even during game pauses.
As a gamer, I’ve noticed a new trend that’s got me excited – the rise of Soulslites. These games share many traits with roguelikes but they’re a tad more forgiving in terms of difficulty. They still offer the thrill and challenge, but it’s not quite as brutal!
6 Super Mario Kart
Kart Racing
Initially, racing video games primarily focused on the act of racing itself. You took charge of a virtual vehicle, strived for speed, and aimed to be the one who crossed the finish line first.
In 1992, the arrival of Super Mario Kart broadened our perception of what a racing game could be, paving the way for the popular sub-genre of kart racing.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can say that kart racing games were all about speed and winning from the start. But what really took it to another level was the incorporation of power-ups and course quirks. These elements not only spiced up the gameplay but also introduced unexpected challenges that required quick thinking and strategic moves. It’s no longer just about who can go fast; it’s about who can outsmart everyone else too!
In contrast to today’s intricately designed and realistic racing games, games such as Mario Kart 8 offer a more approachable introduction to racing-focused gaming experiences.
5 Doom
First-Person Shooters
Since the era of early vector graphics, games have experimented significantly with first-person perspectives. However, these early attempts pale in comparison to the advanced implementations that followed.
Speaking more specifically, Wolfenstein 3D can be considered the initial First-Person Shooter (FPS), but it was the original 1993 Doom that truly brought the FPS concept to life and made it popular.
The rapid rise to fame of Doom led to a whole category of games trying to emulate its greatness, humorously labeled as “Doom imitators” during that period.
One could argue that the numerous clones and the meticulous improvements in gameplay and graphics they fostered are what ultimately shaped the expansive First-Person Shooter (FPS) genre that we cherish today.
4 Street Fighter 2
Fighting Games
It’s commonly believed that the first Street Fighter sparked the trend for fighting games, but truth be told, it wasn’t particularly noteworthy.
Indeed, it was Street Fighter 2, along with its numerous variations and updates, that truly ignited the era of popular fighting games.
Besides boasting a diverse array of characters and their unique move sets, Street Fighter 2 was pioneering as it introduced the concept of combo sequences for the first time in the world of fighting games.
Back in the day, I was just another gamer lost in the sea of arcade games. But then came Street Fighter 2, and it blew my mind! It wasn’t just about winning or losing; it was the stunning combinations of punches, kicks, and fireballs that made each match a thrilling spectacle. If it weren’t for Street Fighter 2, today’s fighting games wouldn’t be nearly as exciting.
3 Devil May Cry
Hack And Slash
As a gamer, by the time of the PlayStation 2 era, labeling a game as a 3D action game typically meant it offered a blend of combats, platforming, and perhaps a dash of puzzle-solving. In these games, combat was more of an additional feature rather than the main attraction.
2001 marked a significant shift with the debut of the original Devil May Cry, frequently hailed as the prototype for third-person action games categorized as hack-and-slash, character-action, or spectacle fighters.
In games like Devil May Cry and its associated genres, simply beating up opponents until they collapsed wasn’t satisfactory; instead, stylish and skillful combat was emphasized.
It was about doing it in a precise, flawless, and above all else, stylish manner. It’s a genre that makes you really feel like an unstoppable force of nature.
2 Parappa The Rapper
Rhythm Games
Earlier consoles such as the NES attempted to incorporate musical elements into their games, yet lacked the sophistication necessary for proper implementation.
1996’s Parappa the Rapper demonstrated that the PlayStation was capable of handling the required mechanics, and indeed, it delivered on this promise.
Instead of producing generic sounds like “beeps” and “boops”, Parappa the Rapper focused on synchronizing with a real music track and delivering rhymes at appropriate moments.
In essence, Parappa paved the path for future music-centric video games, as colorful instructions continue to stream across tracks even today.
1 Grand Theft Auto 3
Open-World Sandbox
Back in the day, when I was playing the first couple of Grand Theft Auto games, they were billed as open-world experiences. However, their bird’s-eye view left a lot to be desired when it came to the actions I could perform within that world.
The game that really put the open-world in open-world sandbox was Grand Theft Auto 3.
In the fully-developed 3D environment of Grand Theft Auto 3, you were free to ignore your main missions and engage in all sorts of whimsical activities that appealed to you.
Many different open-world sandbox games have emerged, inspired by the joyful, unruly nature of the original. Some of these follow a criminal theme, while others have devised alternative methods to encourage eccentricity and fun.
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2024-11-23 17:39