Understanding Game Genres: From Roguelikes to Metroidvanias Explained

Walk into any gaming discussion and you will hear a cascade of genre terms: Roguelike, Metroidvania, Soulslike, Battle Royale, Immersive Sim. For newcomers, this vocabulary can feel like a foreign language. But these terms exist because gamers love to categorize — and knowing them helps you find exactly the kind of game you are in the mood for. Here is a complete breakdown of every major game genre and sub-genre.

Action Games

First-Person Shooter (FPS): You see through the character's eyes and shoot things. Examples: Call of Duty, Doom, Overwatch. Third-Person Shooter: Camera behind the character. Examples: Gears of War, Fortnite, Resident Evil 4. Hack and Slash: Melee combat against hordes of enemies. Examples: Devil May Cry, God of War (original series), Bayonetta. Beat 'Em Up: Side-scrolling brawlers. Examples: Streets of Rage 4, TMNT: Shredder's Revenge.

Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

Japanese RPG (JRPG): Story-driven, party-based, often turn-based. Examples: Final Fantasy, Persona, Dragon Quest. Western RPG (WRPG): Open-ended, choice-driven, character customization. Examples: The Witcher 3, Skyrim, Baldur's Gate 3. Action RPG: Real-time combat with RPG progression. Examples: Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Diablo IV. Tactical RPG: Grid-based, turn-based strategy. Examples: Fire Emblem, XCOM 2, Final Fantasy Tactics.

The "Roguelike" Spectrum

A true Roguelike follows the formula of the 1980 game Rogue: turn-based, grid-based, permadeath, procedural generation. Examples: Tales of Maj'Eyal, Caves of Qud. A Roguelite borrows permadeath and procedural generation but is real-time and has meta-progression (unlocking permanent upgrades between runs). Examples: Hades, Dead Cells, Slay the Spire. A Roguelike Deckbuilder adds card-based combat. Examples: Slay the Spire, Monster Train.

Metroidvania

Named after Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. A 2D (usually) action-platformer with an interconnected map where new abilities unlock previously inaccessible areas. Key features: ability-gated exploration, backtracking, a map that fills in as you explore. Examples: Hollow Knight, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.

Soulslike

Games inspired by the Dark Souls series. Key features: high difficulty, stamina-based combat, checkpoints that reset enemies, experience points dropped on death (recoverable once), cryptic storytelling through item descriptions and environmental details. Examples: Lies of P, Nioh 2, Remnant II.

Battle Royale

Large number of players drop onto a shrinking map, scavenge for weapons, and fight to be the last one standing. Examples: Fortnite, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG.

Simulation and Strategy

Immersive Sim: Systems-driven games where you solve problems however you want. Examples: Dishonored, Prey (2017), Deus Ex. Life Sim: Simulate daily life, relationships, farming. Examples: Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, The Sims 4. 4X Strategy: Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate. Examples: Civilization VI, Stellaris, Age of Wonders 4. Real-Time Strategy (RTS): Build bases and command armies in real time. Examples: StarCraft II, Age of Empires IV.

Horror

Survival Horror: Limited resources, emphasis on evasion over combat. Examples: Resident Evil 2 Remake, Silent Hill 2, Amnesia: The Bunker. Psychological Horror: Mind-bending, atmospheric, less about combat. Examples: SOMA, Layers of Fear, Alan Wake 2.

Indie Darlings

Walking Simulator: Narrative exploration with minimal mechanics. Examples: Firewatch, What Remains of Edith Finch. Cozy Game: Low-stress, wholesome, often with farming/crafting. Examples: Stardew Valley, Unpacking, A Short Hike. Boomer Shooter: Retro-style FPS inspired by 90s classics. Examples: DUSK, Ultrakill, Turbo Overkill.