10 Unique Gaming Playstyles That Deserve More Attention!

Summary

Rare playstyles like high-skill all-rounders bring depth to games.
Tankers, necromancers, and ambush characters offer unique playstyles.
Uncommon strategies like dodge tanking and consumables only can enhance gameplay.

As a gamer, I find that the world of gaming is incredibly diverse, with numerous genres and subgenres at my fingertips. Each game presents me with a multitude of playstyles, allowing me to immerse myself in different roles. For instance, in an MMO, I might choose to specialize in a particular class, while in a single-player RPG, I could devise my unique strategy for progression. In essence, every game offers me multiple paths to explore and conquer.

Although the multitude of games and the numerous ways people engage with them often highlight popular playstyles, there are several less recognized strategies that tend to go unnoticed. Often, these methods are either overlooked or difficult to harmonize within the game’s mechanics. However, they frequently contribute significantly to gameplay diversity or offer unique experiences for players to fully explore their games. Unfortunately, these underutilized playstyles sometimes receive little attention from developers and players alike. Yet, they all merit a bit more recognition and appreciation.

10. High-Skill All-Rounders

Useful In A Wide Variety of Genres

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve noticed that a versatile, high-skill character or weapon is quite exceptional, especially outside the realm of fighting games. These all-rounders excel in various aspects, but they demand a high level of mastery to be used effectively, making them suitable only for the cream of the crop players. Characters like Kazuya Mishima from Tekken, Demoman from Team Fortress 2, and Akuma from Street Fighter are some of the standout examples of this category.

In many games like “Call Of Duty” and “Team Fortress 2,” certain characters, weapons, and techniques can be challenging to manage effectively due to their unique abilities. For instance, quickscoping in “Call Of Duty” is a topic of frequent discussion because it essentially removes a sniper’s usual vulnerability, but at the expense of having a steep learning curve. Similarly, the Demoman from “Team Fortress 2” has undergone significant adjustments in the past. When used skillfully, these characters and weapons can be incredibly potent.

9. Tankers And Pilots

Drive Vehicles In Multiplayer Shooters

In many modern multiplayer shooter games like Call of Duty and Space Marine 2, it’s uncommon for players to encounter vehicles because these games tend to emphasize quick, up-close combat rather than incorporating vehicles extensively.

In essence, classic game series and military simulation genres maintain the gameplay style we’re accustomed to. For instance, within the Battlefield series, many gamers primarily opt for vehicles. On the other hand, Halo showcases vehicles prominently in its “Big Team Battle” maps, giving players who excel in vehicle operation superior weaponry or tools.

8. Necromancer Builds

Only Appear In A Few RPGs

In many games, players may revive a single foe or cast themed spells, but authentic Necromancers as characters with the power to summon a swarm of the undead are not commonly found in RPGs. Summoning a large number of the dead is typically challenging to find.

Magic-wielding characters such as wizards, sorcerers, and various other magical beings are common in many fantasy role-playing games (RPGs). Titles like “Divinity: Original Sin 2” feature a Necromancer class that specializes in draining life force and occasionally summoning minions. In recent years, there has been a revival of this playstyle among gamers. For instance, the Necromancer subclass in “Baldur’s Gate 3” and the Witch from “Path of Exile 2” enable players to control swarms of ghouls, skeletons, and zombies.

7. Grenadier

Throw Things At Enemies In Shooters and RPGs

Since the Middle Ages, grenades have been a consistent element in battle scenes, often appearing in contemporary shooting games. However, incorporating them significantly into a player’s arsenal or game setup is uncommon in many video games.

In Battlefield 1, players can select a variety of grenade launchers and unique grenades from three out of the four infantry classes. Properly utilized, they are without equal in clearing the battlefields reminiscent of World War One’s trenches, allowing players to channel the legendary stormtroopers of that era. Meanwhile, the Fallout series empowers players to construct a character centered around explosives, making it particularly effective against certain factions such as New Vegas’ Brotherhood Of Steel.

6. Pacifists

Keep The Peace In Many Different Genres

In most games, there’s typically an element of challenge or opposition for the player to conquer. This is often achieved through battles, races, or smaller games within the game. It’s not common for a game to provide a more peaceful path for players to traverse.

Adopting a pacifist approach in games like Dishonored and Undertale may be tough for some players, but it often leads to rewards. These games actively discourage killing, necessitating it for optimal conclusions. In contrast, series such as Fallout offer more flexible scenarios where players can typically talk their way out of conflicts or rely on companions to shield them from danger in the wasteland.

5. Dodge Tanking

In Almost Every Genre

In multiplayer online games (MMOs) and role-playing games (RPGs), dodge tanking is a tactic where instead of relying on a big health reserve, players actively dodge incoming attacks. This approach became prominent in classic MMOs but has since lost popularity.

In both World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 11, there were character classes and skills that offered a chance to dodge incoming damage. This characteristic allowed damage-per-second (DPS) classes like Final Fantasy 11’s Ninja to function as tanks instead. Regrettably, this tactic is seldom observed in contemporary western role-playing games, though it remains feasible in numerous Japanese RPGs and Baldur’s Gate 3 with the appropriate equipment.

4. Melee

Get Up Close In Multiplayer FPS

In smaller game maps, melee combat is a classic element often found in Call of Duty games. The thrill of charging head-on, armed only with a knife, is both exhilarating and infuriating, as it can result in either a satisfying victory or an annoying defeat.

In the style of Battlefield 1, the Trench Raider class allowed players to hack through swarms of adversaries. Yet, this feature is seldom found in contemporary first-person shooter games. Titles like Apex Legends and Battlefield 2042 primarily emphasize long-range weaponry over close combat melee setups.

3. Ambush Characters

Stealth Gameplay In Multiplayer Shooters

In traditional and renowned games, as well as hero-based shooters (legacy and hero shooters), stealth characters and power-ups have been a common feature. However, in many contemporary releases, they are no longer widely used due to balancing issues. Stealth characters usually allow players to evade the enemy team’s boundaries, taking down opponents from unexpected angles.

Back in the day of arena shooters, games like Halo would sometimes let me vanish into thin air thanks to their active camouflage power-ups. In Marvel Rivals, stealth characters are more about supporting the team. The last game I remember having a similar role was Space Marine 2, where the sniper class could operate undetected.

2. Consumables Only

A Unique Way To Play RPGs

An often-overlooked approach among gamers is the strategy based on consumables-only. This refers to a gameplay style where players rely on grenades, thrown weapons, and potions instead of specific weapons or skills. This tactic is particularly noticeable in the Soulsborne series, and Elden Ring, the latest installment, offers numerous enjoyable and distinctive builds.

In several other games, such as Fallout, Skyrim, and Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s possible to create a build centered around throwing weapons or using consumables instead of relying on grinding for a single powerful weapon.

1. Kill Everyone

Full-Scale Slaughter In RPGs

Role-playing games frequently incorporate intricate, sprawling narratives with multiple possible conclusions. However, creating a game that allows for unpredictable character deaths at any moment is challenging to design and program. Few titles have dared to integrate such a feature.

In the realm of gaming, Fallout: New Vegas and Undertale are among the rare titles that enable players to assume roles typically occupied by the most malicious characters in the industry. Consequently, these choices often lead to the darkest outcomes for both games. In New Vegas, players find themselves aligning with Yes Man, who uniquely comes back to life if killed, leading to a grim version of his ending. On the other hand, a “kill everything” approach in Undertale culminates in a battle against the renowned Sans, serving as the last obstacle for the player’s relentless march.

2025-02-01 21:06