Niche Video Game Genres (And The Best Game To Start With)

Highlights

Lesser-known niche video game genres like 4X Strategy have great games for first-time players to explore and enjoy.
From Strategy Puzzle games like Pikmin 3 to Rail Shooters like Star Fox 64, there are unique genres with engaging gameplay to try.
Platforms like Super Smash Bros. Melee in the Platform Fighter genre and Hades in Roguelike RPG offer difficult yet replayable experiences.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I must say that these three games have left an indelible mark on my gaming journey. Each one represents a unique corner of the vast video game universe and offers a distinct flavor that continues to tantalize my taste buds for different reasons.

Passionate video game enthusiasts often find themselves gravitating towards specific types of games more than others. For some gamers, it’s all about the thrill of competitive fighting games, while others are drawn to MOBAs, first-person shooters, or even relaxing farming simulations. This strong preference can sometimes make us overlook lesser-known, niche genres that aren’t as widely popular.

It’s fortunate that there are excellent video games within these lesser-known gaming categories, even for beginners. Some of these may be timeless classics that shaped their respective genre’s future, while others are modern titles that elevate familiar gameplay mechanics to new levels. Here is a list of underrated video game genres you should explore, along with recommended games for those eager to delve deeper into them.

10 4X Strategy: Civilization VI

Explore, Expand, Exploit, & Exterminate

Niche Video Game Genres (And The Best Game To Start With)

4X games are a type of strategic game that emphasize four main aspects: exploration, expansion, exploitation, and conquest. These games typically involve creating an empire or army, often through real-time strategy play, where players progressively build their unique nation to become one of the dominant forces in either a historical or fictional setting.

The Civilization series by Sid Meier, particularly Civilization VI, stands out as a prominent representative of the 4X genre. This latest installment in the franchise is both current and user-friendly. You can find it on all modern gaming platforms, offering gameplay reminiscent of well-known board games such as Risk or Settlers of Catan, but with a focus on chronicling human history’s development.

9 Strategy Puzzle: Pikmin 3

The Player Is In Control Of These Puzzles

When most people think of a puzzle game, they probably think of Tetris or Portal, not Pikmin. However, the Pikmin franchise occupies the unique subgenre of strategy puzzle games, which combine aspects of real-time strategy games with the ingenuity and problem-solving of puzzle-solving. In the series, the Wii U and Switch title Pikmin 3 does this best.

Strategy games involving puzzles have been popular for some time now, with the PC franchise “Lemmings” being a well-known example. Among these, Pikmin 3 seems to draw the most influence from the strategy genre. In this game, players command an entire squad of the eponymous plant beings to navigate various settings, vanquish flesh-eating creatures, and gather juice to recharge their spaceship for a safe return voyage.

8 Rail Shooter: Star Fox 64

The Path Is Predetermined, But Survival Isn’t

Shooter games can be categorized into two main types you might know: first-person and third-person shooters. However, rail shooters have been in existence for a longer period. Similar to the shoot-em-up genre, rail shooters guide players along a predetermined route. Instead of moving around an environment, players focus on directing gunfire and dodging incoming projectiles.

“Star Fox 64 is undeniably one of the most renowned rail shooter games in its category, pioneering the transition of this subgenre into three-dimensional environments. Nintendo has continued to refine and expand the genre with other titles such as Pokemon Snap (a photography game) and Kid Icarus: Uprising on the 3DS. Nevertheless, Star Fox 64 continues to be the most straightforward embodiment of the rail shooter concept available today.”

7 Clicker: AdVenture Capitalist

Don’t Tire Out Your Keyboard

Release Date: May 30, 2014
Developers: Hyper Hippo Entertainment
Platforms: Web browser, PlayStation 4, Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS

Players may recognize “clicker games,” a type often referred to as “incremental games.” Examples include the browser-friendly titles such as “Cookie Clicker” or “Make It Rain“. These games offer straightforward gameplay, where players repeatedly click a single button. Each click is much like RPG grinding, boosting the player’s power with each individual action.

In simpler terms, the most engaging example within this subcategory could be described as “AdVenture Capitalist,” a game accessible on mobile devices, computers, and PlayStation 4. This game starts players at a humble lemonade stand and eventually transforms them into a successful business magnate. While the interest of some players may wane over time, progressing through “AdVenture Capitalist” is undeniably entertaining.

6 Cooking Simulation: Overcooked!

Safer Than An Actual Kitchen

Cooking simulation games might be popular, but they’re still niche given how different they can be from one another. Franchises like Cooking Mama take players through the steps of making dishes, while Dave the Diver combines cooking mechanics with deep-sea exploration. However, few games capture the experience of cooking better than Overcooked!

In “Overcooked!”, multiple players take on the role of chefs in a bustling kitchen, creating a cooperative gameplay experience that can mirror the chaos of a busy restaurant kitchen as players give each other orders to strive for top scores. The sequel, “Overcooked 2”, builds upon the original recipe and is another exciting addition to the series that’s definitely worth exploring.

5 Party Games: Super Mario Party

Gather Friends, But Be Prepared To Lose Them

Most people who have dabbled in video games might have tried out ‘Mario Party’ at some point. But the concept of party games has roots that go way back into the history of gaming. Games like the trivia-focused ‘You Don’t Know Jack’ from the early days and ‘Crash Bash’ from 2000 fall under this category. However, it is ‘Mario Party’, with its board game-style format and iconic minigames, that stands out as the most recognized among them all.

The game titled “Super Mario Party“, launched in 2018 on the Nintendo Switch, offers a fresh perspective on its classic series. It preserves the essence of earlier games but introduces innovative character dice blocks and allows you to gather allies during gameplay who can aid with dice rolls and minigames. If you’re seeking an ideal addition to your party events, “Super Mario Party” fits the bill perfectly.

4 Visual Novel Adventure: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

A Story Worthy Of Attention

Visual Novels are unique categories of video games, primarily focusing on narratives presented through art and dialogue, with minimal interactive gameplay. However, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney stands out by pushing the boundaries of visual novel games, blending storytelling elements from visual novels with point-and-click adventure game mechanics. This fusion offers players a more immersive, hands-on experience.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney places players directly into the role of its namesake attorney, where they engage in crime investigations, courtroom trials, and challenging witness cross-examinations. Originally released, this game has been updated for modern consoles, making it an excellent visual novel adventure to captivate new gaming enthusiasts.

3 Platform Fighter: Super Smash Bros. Melee

All-Star Line-Ups Await Players

Platform fighters diverge from traditional fighting games such as Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, where two characters engage in combat on a flat arena. Instead, platform fighters like Super Smash Bros. are known for allowing multiple players to fight simultaneously, often on stages equipped with platforms and hazards.

The classic game, Super Smash Bros. Melee, is highly favored among fans who appreciate a dose of nostalgia, and serves as inspiration for numerous spin-offs like Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, MultiVersus, and indie titles such as Rivals of Aether. These replicas often attract a following, particularly in competitive gaming circles. However, it’s tough to match the vibrancy and enthusiasm found within the dedicated Melee community.

2 Roguelike RPG: Hades

As Difficult As It Is Replayable

Role-playing games within video games come in various forms, yet roguelikes stand out for their versatility. Roguelike RPGs blend the character progression and power-ups from traditional RPGs with dungeon exploration, randomly generated levels, and a permanent death feature. This results in an experience that’s always fresh but also consistently unique each time you play.

Indie games such as “The Binding of Isaac” and “Spelunky” paved the way for the roguelike genre’s popularity. However, none have been refined and fully-fledged like “Hades.” This game seamlessly merges the roguelike style with hack-and-slash combat. Although it might be challenging to finish, that’s what makes it enjoyable: dying and then trying again, this time more skilled and better prepared.

1 Metroidvania: Super Metroid

Feel Like A Real Adventurer

Among video game genres, one of the more specialized is known as “Metroidvania,” a term derived from combining elements of the games “Metroid” and “Castlevania.” Unlike traditional 2D platformers such as “Super Mario Bros” or “Sonic the Hedgehog,” which focus on reaching the end, Metroidvanias emphasize exploration, flexible world design, and role-playing game features like character advancement or power-ups.

Several games excel in this specific genre, yet none are as legendary or definitive as the classic game Super Metroid. This game isn’t just one of the best video games ever made; it also demonstrates the full potential of the “Metroidvania” genre. From its intricate storytelling to the gradual growth of the player’s power as they advance through the game, Super Metroid showcases the best aspects of this genre.

2024-08-07 11:04