Best Video Game Trends That Are Beloved

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Video games have always followed trends. While players enjoy seeing the industry change, some popular trends can feel repetitive after a while.

The gaming industry thrives on creating experiences that truly connect with players, which is why certain styles and ideas remain beloved worldwide. These enduring trends help ensure that fantastic, unique games continue to be made and enjoyed.

Remakes Of Classic Games

Fans Love Seeing Their Favorite Games With A Fresh Coat Of Paint

Honestly, I totally get why big game studios are making so many remakes lately. Developing games is crazy expensive and takes forever now. It just makes sense for them to work on stuff people already know and love instead of taking a huge risk on something completely new. Trying to get players excited about a brand new game is tough when there’s so much competition!

Fans actually appreciate this trend, as it lets them revisit beloved, classic games with updated graphics and gameplay. We’re seeing this with big projects like the remake of *Final Fantasy 7*, the beautifully remastered classic RPGs in HD-2D, and updated versions of iconic survival horror titles – proving this approach to gaming is here to stay.

The Indie Boom

Creative Developers Not Restricted By Publishers Craft Unforgettable Experiences

As making big-budget video games became increasingly structured, it limited the creativity players were hoping for. That’s why it’s been so encouraging to see independent game development flourish.

Games like *Braid*, *Fez*, and *Minecraft* were incredibly successful and paved the way for independent, or ‘indie,’ games to become popular. Today, many of the most original and inventive video games are created by independent developers, offering fresh experiences that can reignite the passion of even long-time gamers who may be disappointed by what’s currently offered from major game studios.

The Return Of Hardcore, Challenging Games

Dark Souls Paved The Way For This Trend

Challenging games existed before *Dark Souls*, but it really changed how video games were made. It brought back the feel of older, classic games – games that were difficult and allowed players to explore and figure things out on their own, without a lot of help.

Hidetaka Miyazaki’s work on this game was key to popularizing the challenging style found in the Soulsborne series, and ultimately helped create the Soulslike genre. Today, many developers are embracing difficult gameplay, offering a welcome alternative to the growing number of easy-to-play games designed for mass appeal.

Cross-Platform Gaming

A Trend That Needed To Come Into Reality Sooner Rather Than Later

People used to really focus on games you could only play on certain consoles. Now, most gamers just want to be able to play their favorite multiplayer games with friends, regardless of what platform everyone is using.

More and more games are letting players on different systems – like PCs and consoles – play together. While it’s tricky to ensure a fair experience for everyone, the goal is to allow controller users to connect and compete with players worldwide, no matter what system they’re using. This is increasingly common, and we expect most popular multiplayer games to offer this feature soon.

Esports Gaining More Legitimacy

Competitive Games Are Becoming Far More Popular Than Ever

Esports has exploded in popularity, transforming from a niche hobby into a major player in the world of sports. The massive amounts of money involved demonstrate its continued growth and success.

Many video games, from established franchises like *Counter-Strike* to unexpected hits like *Rocket League*, are designed to become esports. While some, such as *Overwatch* and *Dissidia Final Fantasy NT*, haven’t found lasting success in the esports world, these failures are relatively uncommon.

The Resurgence Of The JRPG Genre

Fans Of The Golden Age Love Seeing This Comeback

The PlayStation 1 was a golden era for Japanese role-playing games, offering some of the most beloved experiences in the genre. But as gaming changed, players began to prefer faster-paced, action-focused games, and interest in traditional JRPGs waned.

For a long time, fans of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) felt underserved. That’s why they were so excited to see developers like Square Enix and Atlus create new games that appealed to their tastes. These games quickly became very popular, and the positive reception and strong sales of titles like *Persona 5*, *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, and *Octopath Traveler 2* prove that the JRPG genre is thriving.

Gaming Subscription Services

Despite Some Issues, Stuff Like PlayStation Plus And Game Pass Make Gaming More Accessible Than Ever

A subscription service for video games like Netflix didn’t seem likely to succeed, but Xbox proved everyone wrong with Game Pass. This launch was a huge turning point for Xbox, especially when they were struggling to compete with other consoles.

While some developers worry that putting their games on Game Pass might lower their perceived value, it’s a clear benefit for players. The service offers a great way to experience a wide range of games – from timeless favorites to brand new releases – without spending a lot of money, making modern gaming more accessible to everyone.

The Rise Of The Roguelike Genre

This Indie Trend Is Now Worming Its Way Into The AAA Space

The rise of independent game development has brought several genres to the forefront, including roguelikes. These games are popular because they let developers significantly increase how long players spend playing without needing to create a huge amount of new content like levels.

Games like *The Binding of Isaac* and *Cave Story* first made this style of gameplay popular, and then bigger titles such as *Hades* and *Slay the Spire* built on that foundation. Now, even major, high-budget games are trying it out, as demonstrated by successful examples like *Elden Ring Nightreign* and *Returnal*, proving the genre’s potential.

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2025-09-29 03:40