Weirdest Video Game Genres

Highlights

Video games cater to diverse fantasies worldwide, with dating sims seen as abnormal in the West and non-linear games seen as odd in the East.
Idle games, while their appeal is difficult to explain, thrive on the allure of numbers increasing, offering long-term satisfaction to players.
Avant-garde games challenge traditional gaming norms, exploring art and sparking conversations about the definition of video games.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the world of video games has certainly evolved in ways I could have never imagined back when I was playing Pong and Pac-Man. One genre that particularly piques my interest is the Utsuge (pronounced OO-tsoo-gay) genre, a form of interactive storytelling that seems to be specifically designed to tug at one’s heartstrings and leave players feeling emotionally drained.

Video games thrive or falter based on their capacity to captivate common desires, such as becoming a mighty warrior, a resourceful explorer, or a charming romantic. Like people’s preferences for food and music, what’s considered normal can vary greatly. In the Western world, dating sims are often seen as unconventional, yet violent, revenge-themed murder games are generally accepted. Conversely, expansive, open-ended games that prioritize player freedom might not garner much enthusiasm in certain Eastern cultures.

Instead of highlighting cultural differences, an odd gaming genre should transcend the rational expectations of any location and leave one pondering, “What makes this appealing?” It’s common for people across cultures to find pleasure in uncommon activities. Besides providing escape or fulfilling subconscious desires, video games often succeed due to their novelty factor. After all, unique games can offer some of the most unforgettable gaming experiences. However, these genres may exist primarily to challenge (or possibly because their developers found it amusing).

Idle Games

Games So Fun They Play Themselves

Platform: PC
Released: 2024-04-23
Developer: Pony, Sky, AestheticSpartan, O’Brian
Genre: Casual

I’ve always found myself captivated by the simple joy of seeing a tally climb higher, just like admiring sunsets or delightful treats shaped like animals. It seems this is what makes our minds sparkle with excitement, and it’s no surprise why games such as “Cookie Clicker” or “Banana” have become so popular. The core gameplay of these titles revolves around clicking the main object, which causes a count to ascend. In “Banana‘s” case, the number’s increase not only boosts your progress but also enhances the opportunity to collect rare accomplishments and unique, banana-themed in-game goods.

In idler games, where instant actions play second frole to long-term planning, people find enjoyment. These games offer a sense of progress, even when played in the background, making them ideal for busy individuals. They can be either mindless or meditative, providing either a simple number increase or delving into psychological aspects, but their enduring popularity remains a topic that often sparks curiosity, skepticism, or confusion about what keeps players engaged.

Avant-Garde / Art Games

What Is A Video Game? What Is A Game? And Who’s Asking?

Platform: PC
Released: 2008-03-21
Developer: Tales of Tales
Genre: Art game

People who have ventured into game studios or delved deeply into video games with an appreciation for aesthetics, philosophy, or human experiences, can attest that video games are indeed a form of art. The debate lies in whether they are great works of art or not. Some creators challenge the definition of a “game” to express art, or at least stimulate discussions about it. Unconventional games like “The Graveyard” often face rejection from audiences accustomed to action, progression, and exploration, and perhaps rightfully so.

The Graveyard is famed for its simplicity and straightforwardness. Yet, other intriguing games, often referred to as “psychedelic walking simulators,” such as LCD Dream Emulator and Proteus, are just as puzzling due to a different reason. These games rely heavily on their unique environmental designs, but the player is largely left to form their own conclusions about what they’re doing and why. This could be because there are other games like Viewfinder or Manifold Garden, which introduce mind-bending gameplay mechanics as well. These types of ambiguous games may seem strange or on the fringe. However, many appreciate their sense of emptiness and lack of clear direction for the value they offer.

Job Simulators

Jobs That People Pay Real-Life Money To Do

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Released: 2021-05-19
Developer: FuturLab
Genre: Simulation

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by the allure of certain jobs, despite their potentially grim realities. For instance, who wouldn’t dream of soaring through the skies in a military jet or cruising around in that iconic big red truck? Yet, in the vast world of gaming, there’s an intriguing contrast. While games like “Ace Combat” and “Surgeon Simulator” stir our adventurous spirits, they coexist with titles that might not seem as exciting at first glance. Take “PowerWash Simulator,” for example, where the thrill lies in cleaning grime from flagstones and heavy machinery. Or consider “Papers, Please,” a game that delves deep into the intricacies of bureaucracy, a far cry from the adrenaline rush of high-octane action games. Some gamers, myself included, might choose to forgo real-life escapades like travel, sports, or even a touch of fresh air to mow a virtual lawn in “Lawn Mowing Simulator.”

It is an odd quirk of human nature that some of the most grueling professions create superfans with their simulation iterations (Medieval Dynasty, Truck Simulator, Garbage Truck Simulator). While dangerous or mundane in the real world, perhaps the reason for their popularity is that, contrary to popular belief, humans actually like to work. However, unlike most jobs in the real world, which offer crushingly little compensation (and increasingly worsening conditions), job sims offer players a chance to grow, progress, and consent in the tasks they get to do instead of existing only as an asset to increase someone else’s bank balance high score.

Utsuge (Melancholy Games)

Depression And Misery (Guaranteed!)

Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Released: 2020-12-25
Developer: Omocat
Genre: RPG, Utsuge

In various game categories, whether users are meant to play or create their own entertainment, there’s always an endeavor to evoke a favorable emotion or provide a distinctive experience. For instance, completing a horror game can leave players feeling relieved upon seeing the credits. On the other hand, certain games are designed with the intent to sadden or distress the player: these are known as utsuge. Unlike most cathartic games that let players discharge their anger against defined (often flat) antagonists, utsuge titles work in reverse.

After captivating players with lovable characters for countless hours, usually in visual novel or dating sim settings, these games ultimately expose the player to heart-wrenching tales. These stories often involve uncurable illnesses, addictions, severe mental health issues, physical abuse, and other tragic events. Essentially, there’s no happy ending; one can only choose to disengage. Unlike a cathartic movie or TV series that allows audiences to confront and release suppressed emotions, a compelling game within the utsuge genre, such as OMORI or Narcissu, seems to excel in creating an intense, prolonged contemplation of a character’s emotional state and fostering feelings of melancholy. The genre might appear unusual at first, possibly because it provokes a disquieting resonance with our inherent human tendency (at times) to endure hardship.

Editing-Based FMV / Interactive Film Games

The Most Cinematic Video Game Genre

Platform: PC, Quest 2, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Released: 2022-03-23
Developer: NotGames
Genre: Interactive Film, Government Simulation

Back in the 80s and 90s, full-motion video (FMV) games were the talk of the town due to advancements in memory storage tech. Real people’s footage was used in these games, but gamers started losing interest as they craved more immersion and control over their characters. The pre-rendered humans looked realistic, yet sometimes crossed into the unsettling ‘uncanny valley’. It turns out that filming endless hours of footage with real actors for limited player interaction wasn’t cost-effective.

In the past, older games based on Full Motion Video (FMV) often had lengthy loading times, but this issue has been addressed in modern titles. For instance, Not For Broadcast places you in charge of managing real-time footage, requiring you to make quick decisions about what content to broadcast within a two-second delay. You must balance maintaining viewership while adhering to an authoritative government’s guidelines (or face the repercussions for failure). Similarly, games like Her Story and Immortality heavily incorporate video and movie footage editing as key gameplay components, hinting at a growing sub-genre of interactive films that focus on editing.

2024-08-01 03:34