Games That Feel Completely Different Depending On Playstyle

Some games force you to play a certain way, offering a single, straightforward path to the finish. This is common in many action-adventure games that don’t let you make choices. Other games, like open-world ‘sandboxes’, are much more flexible, meaning each player can have a unique experience.

I actually find those kinds of games more fun to discuss. It’s really cool when you share experiences with friends, then discover they tackled the game in a totally different way. Plus, games like that offer a lot of replay value because there are so many different ways to play them.

The Sims 4

Play A Wholesome Family, Or Remove The Pool Ladder

It’s no surprise The Sims 4 appears on any list of top life simulation games. Unlike many titles, it doesn’t have a set goal or force you to play a certain way – there’s no right or wrong approach. Some players enjoy meticulously managing their Sims’ lives and building multi-generational families, while others create wonderfully chaotic scenarios, like filling basements with artists controlled by a quirky cult leader (a well-known reference for longtime players!).

And it goes even further than that. Some players spend almost all their time in Create-a-Sim, enjoying the vast amount of custom content and happily creating Sims to share online. Others are primarily builders, focusing on the game’s detailed building tools and rarely playing with Sims in Live Mode at all.

RimWorld

A Chill Colony Sim, Or A Descent To Madness

RimWorld has become incredibly popular for a few key reasons: its open-ended freedom, the huge variety of ways to play, and the fact that it doesn’t require a powerful computer. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the hobby, you’re likely to have fun with this engaging colony simulator. While it is possible to ‘beat’ the game, many players choose to focus on building and surviving rather than reaching an ending, and that’s perfectly fine too!

What really sets RimWorld apart is how much its mood can change the way you play. It can be a relaxing, heartwarming experience, almost like The Sims. But it can also get incredibly intense, with scenarios involving slavery or even cannibalism. If that sounds similar to the most extreme Sims gameplay you’ve seen, you’ll understand why RimWorld is so popular. Each playthrough is unique, and no two players will have the same experience.

Project Zomboid

A Grueling Zombie Survival Tale, Or Lonely Sims

I finally started playing Project Zomboid recently, and I was really surprised by how much you can customize your experience. I’d always liked the game’s retro, *The Simslike look, but the gameplay options are incredible. You can change all sorts of settings, including the types of zombies that appear – or even remove them completely! That means you can explore a peaceful, zombie-free world if you prefer.

You can start with a gentler introduction to the zombie apocalypse, like I did, practicing with slower zombies and even taking care of farm animals. It’s surprisingly relaxing and feels more like scavenging than surviving. But for a real challenge, some players dive into the hardcore mode where a single bite means instant death. In that version, zombies are incredibly smart and numerous. Ultimately, the game’s extensive customization options make it enjoyable for all kinds of players.

Prey

Using Alien Powers Will Have A Major Gameplay Impact

When you’re talking about how different people like to play games, you have to mention immersive sims. They don’t have quite as much open-ended freedom as survival games or full-on simulators, but they’re getting more popular because they let you be really creative. One of the best examples of this is Prey. The way you choose to build your character actually changes the whole game! If you go all-in on those alien Neuromods to get cool powers, the security systems on the space station will see you as a threat and come after you.

As you’d probably guess, other people who survived will become enemies if they see you using your alien abilities. Also, your choices throughout the game will shape how the story ends – things like which missions you complete and who you help are all remembered and influence the final outcome.

Fallout: New Vegas

Your Choices, Stats, And Skills Affect Everything

Role-playing games, or RPGs, really show how different playstyles can change a game’s experience, and Fallout: New Vegas is a perfect example. It took the RPG elements of the Fallout series to the extreme, with even small things like low character stats impacting conversations and how characters respond to you. Having certain skills also unlocked unique dialogue options and quests you wouldn’t normally have access to.

Things like repairing items or talking your way through situations add depth to the game. Plus, your relationships with the different groups and the choices you make create a complex web of consequences. That’s what, in my opinion, makes New Vegas a truly exceptional RPG. You could play as a purely good character and finish the game without violence, or you could simply shoot your way through every problem – and those are just the simplest approaches.

Undertale

Your Actions Have Surprisingly Deep Effects

Let’s talk about Undertale. Unlike New Vegas, it’s a unique and creative indie RPG that really stands out in how it tells its story. What makes Undertale special is that you can approach situations in different ways – often without the game explicitly telling you that you can – and those choices dramatically affect the ending you get.

You have a real choice in this game: you can play through and save everyone, or choose to eliminate every character you encounter. The way the story unfolds changes dramatically depending on your choices, and if you opt for a violent path, that decision will impact future playthroughs. It was a remarkably innovative game for its time, and it still sparks interesting discussions among players who compare their different experiences, even long after it came out.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Murder Hobo Or Kill No One, And Everything In Between

When it comes to RPGs with lots of different ways to play, Baldur’s Gate 3 really stands out. Similar to New Vegas, it has a lot of depth – many factors influence how each playthrough unfolds. It begins with character creation: you can play as the Dark Urge, fighting against or giving in to its impulses, or choose one of the pre-made characters, which I definitely suggest trying. Even your combat approach – from creating incredibly powerful builds to using fun strategies like ‘Barrelmancy’ – makes every game feel fresh and unique.

Even if you play as the original character, your choices about your character’s race, class, and background, as well as your decisions during the game, will heavily influence what you can achieve. It often feels open and free-form. For instance, sparing Minthara in the first act means she might join your party later on. Your companions also make their own choices, and you can influence them based on your relationship with them. You could lead Shadowheart down a darker path, or even side with Mizora over Wyll, despite her unfair agreement. Basically, if you can imagine doing something, you can probably do it, and just like a traditional tabletop RPG, everyone will have a different experience and a unique story to share.

Elden Ring

Become A Master Of The Bonk, Or A Glintstone Connoisseur

Unlike games like New Vegas and Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring doesn’t focus heavily on player choices impacting the story. While some quests offer different outcomes and endings, the game doesn’t clearly signal how your decisions will change things. I’m highlighting Elden Ring not for its narrative, but for its incredible buildcrafting system. The weapons and character stats you choose dramatically change how you experience the game’s dungeons and boss battles, offering a very different playthrough each time.

Players generally choose between characters who excel in close combat and those who use magic. Close-combat fighters can inflict huge damage and status effects, while magic users prefer to attack from a distance and rely on skillful dodging, as they’re often more fragile. The game also features customizable skills and summonable allies, making it a dream for players who enjoy creating unique builds and experimenting with different playstyles rather than focusing on the story.

No Man’s Sky

Explorer, Survivor, Builder

I previously talked about how customizable Project Zomboid is, and No Man’s Sky offers a similar level of freedom. It’s a true space sandbox game where you aren’t given specific objectives. You’re free to explore the universe, gather materials, or simply travel between star systems – the choice is entirely yours.

You have a lot of freedom in how you play. You can choose a challenging experience with permanent death, or switch to creative mode and focus on building huge, intricate space stations without worrying about resources or survival. It’s similar to Minecraft in that way. Everyone’s experience with No Man’s Sky will be unique – some players will enjoy collecting and caring for alien creatures, while others will prefer exploring the galaxy and attacking ships.

2026-01-11 14:39