Some games are so stellar that they come to be known as shining examples of their respective genres. For instance, if somebody mentioned that they enjoyed a certain JRPG and asked for other recommendations of similar games, it wouldn’t be long before the legions of Persona 5 fans appeared to extol the game’s many virtues. That would be the longer, more involved Persona 5 Royal version, naturally.
Every Persona 5 Game, Ranked
Players can explore a wide range of titles stemming from the success of Persona 5.
Some titles are so beloved that they become the yardstick by which all subsequent games in the genre are measured. Not necessarily the games that established that genre, but the ones that now seem to define it. Here are some titles that have done just that, for genres from the kart racer to the farming sim and metroidvania.
10
Hades
The Roguelike Redefined
Supergiant Games was already known for the excellent presentation and unique gameplay of its titles, and was plain from the likes of Bastion and Pyre. The full release of Hades in 2020, however, seemed to change things forever for the roguelite/roguelike (the distinction between the two is rather blurred, partially because of the game and the paradigm shift it represented) genre.
Traditionally, roguelikes are punishing, permadeath-enabled experiences, leaving the concept of a nuanced plot behind in favor of repeated runs and non-stop action. Hades certainly has that action, as well as the prerequisite combat that’s involved enough to be varied without being especially deep, but it tells a story that’s engrossing and refreshing too. Personality and personification is key, with Zagreus developing bonds with the House of Hades’ residents, his Olympian relatives and even bosses. Through changing dialogue and events, the game will react to lots of different things you do (bosses will, for instance, remark on a previous loss or victory before you fight again), and presentation-wise, everything from the detailed visuals to the voice acting is top-notch. It’s clear to see the love that Supergiant has poured into the game, and there’s absolutely no doubt that Hades (and its sequel) have become the roguelikes to beat. There have been lots of genre entries since that resemble it in terms of gameplay and visuals, such as Dandy Ace, but these mythological masterpieces will be very difficult indeed to match or surpass.
9
Baldur’s Gate 3
Perhaps The Greatest CRPG Ever
Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t just a superstar of a CRPG. It’s become a great specter on the horizon that every RPG is going to have to reckon with going forward. In its freedom to explore, the scope of its world and the opportunities to experiment with builds, it was a remarkable success, and one that keeps players engrossed through multiple (often entirely different) playthroughs. These are the traits that define the most impactful RPGs of all time, such as The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.
For some, Dungeons & Dragons is a difficult sell. This fantastical world, though, had those who had never thrown a 20-sided die in their lives suddenly all but consigning their every decision to them. This journey to eradicate a mind-parasite sticks in the brain forever (much like the parasite itself), and quite how a prospective Baldur’s Gate 4 is going to top it is difficult to imagine.
8
Doom
An FPS Of Legend
The 1990s was a decade of legendary games. Among them, Doom is one of the most memorable and influential. Landing with a demon-busting bang in 1993, the relentless pace, thundering soundtrack and visceral combat that made it so controversial also ensured its popularity.
Did Doom: The Dark Ages Feel Like Doom? – 6 Months Later
Doom: The Dark Ages pulled in millions of players and tons of high scores. But all this time later, it feels like an odd addition to the previously established trilogy of Doom and Doom Eternal. We explore what exactly about the gameplay itself makes it so different, and then we get to all the crazy goodness of dragons and mecha.
Doom was not the first FPS, but its formula went on to inspire a huge range of genre entries, including the acclaimed Quake. It’s all about roaming a larger area, blasting hordes of foes out of the way to obtain keys to access more of that area, and repeating. From the 2016 reboot onwards, it was clear that no series does it quite like Doom, even after all these years. Lots have been and will be compared to it all the same, though.
7
Stardew Valley
The Face That Launched A Thousand Farming Sims
Often in video games, we enjoy activities that we’d never partake in during our day-to-day lives. Fishing, for instance, or even hard work like farming. Today, though, farming simulators have become incredibly popular, with a wide range of takes on the genre from Harvestella to Atomicrops. One humble indie title, created by a single dev, had a monumental impact on the rise of the genre: the mighty Stardew Valley.
Originally released in Februry 2016, ConcernedApe has tirelessly and expertly grown this cozy masterpiece into one of the most beloved indie titles in recent memory. It’s the charm of every interaction, the small town events, and the satisfaction of growing what was a small abandoned plot into a profitable and successful farm, while building an adorable life for yourself in the process. That combination of RPG elements, Animal Crossing-esque village life and such varied gameplay makes Stardew Valley an almost untouchable yardstick in the genre.
6
Super Mario Kart
The Definition Of A Kart Racer
Speaking of which, it’s often stated that Super Mario Kart was the very first kart racer. Sega’s Power Drift is one title that predates it, but the thing is, it’s proven little more than a footnote compared to the outrageous success that the Mario Kart games have enjoyed over the years since the series debuted in 1992. Appearing on a diverse range of Nintendo systems since, it remains one of Nintendo’s hottest properties, with an appeal to suit casual players and world record setting masters alike.
The SNES original established the foundations of a solid kart racer. A cast of beloved characters, each noticeably different in terms of their stats, nicely varied tracks with music that remains an earworm throughout, and effective weaponry with which to cause chaos. The series has introduced diverse wrinkles from gliders and kart customization since, and dramatically increased the character roster too, but these principles continue to define what makes a good kart racer today.
5
Resident Evil
“Enter The Survival Horror”
Was Resident Evil the first survival horror game? Really, it depends on your perspective. It certainly bundled up the elements of restricted inventories, similarly limited ammo, static camera angles and rather obtuse puzzling that would come to define the genre. It even introduced the term “survival horror” itself (the quote above being from a loading screen). It absolutely wasn’t the first horror game, though, or the first to have some of these traits.
Alone in the Dark is well known as another contributor to the genre’s formation, albeit one that hasn’t had the same impact as the series has gone on than Capcom’s counterpart. Future titles would take an array of different approaches, such as the more psychological approach of the Silent Hill games’ horror, but Resident Evil was the trailblazer.
4
The Sims
A Legendary Life Sim
The Sims was introduced in the year 2000, a breakthrough experience that allowed for the creation of custom homes and the Sims who inhabit them. It’s not (typically) about controlling them directly, but rather selecting objects in their home or environment to interact with and then informing them of what they should do. The joy of The Sims is the freedom to play your way: You can carefully construct every Sim and even home to your precise liking and micromanage their lives, or you can simply wing in. As the series has progressed, elaborate aspirations for Sims, career paths, and family-building options have been added, as well as content packs that allow players to do everything from scuba dive to have a midlife crisis. There are also all kinds of ways to kill a Sim, for those curious about such things. Versatility is the key to a satisfying life sim, after all.
The Sims 4: All Skill Cheats
Skill cheats allow Sims 4 players to adjust their Skills without spending in-game hours working on them.
There were, again, titles that predated the first Sims game. Little Computer People, first launched for the Commodore 64 in 1985, is a particularly intriguing example. This was more of a passive title that saw a small character inhabit a little house in the game, but their actions were largely autonomous. The Sims was the game that popularized the concept of taking control, and taking care, of your tiny charges.
3
World Of Warcraft
Mainstream Monster-Mashing
Some genres are more inviting than others for newcomers. It’s easy to grasp the basics of a kart racer, for instance, but familiarizing yourself with the finer points of the defensive benefits of terrain in a turn-based tactical RPG will take time. Similarly, the MMORPG is a nuanced beast full of potential years’ worth of content, encompassing questing, guild activities, and all manner of other activities besides. It’s easy to become overwhelmed if you’re new to the genre.
World of Warcraft‘s Azeroth certainly isn’t lacking in things to do, but nor is the game as complex to get to grips with as titles that came before it. Streamlining concepts seen previously in the likes of EverQuest, it provided clearer quest objectives and some more traditional RPG elements, ensuring that the experience was nuanced and varied while not leaving the player to struggle with unfamiliar systems and a lack of guidance.
2
Hollow Knight
A Bargain Of A Metroidvania
Now, you don’t often hear that players would have gladly paid more for a given game. This can certainly be a very expensive hobby. In the case of Hollow Knight, though, fans will marvel at the atmospheric music, the lovingly-crafted areas, and the all-around stunning package, and then question the low asking price.
Hollow Knight is challenging and mysterious. It’s also as full of atmosphere as it is of content, with a brilliant line in rewarding exploration and balancing offense and defense in its fast-paced combat. The macabre, quiet, and ever-threatening world of Hallownest feels very much like Zebes in Super Metroid in these respects, as though the creation of Hollow Knight was all about crafting a modern-day take on the classics that inspired the genre. The absolute furor over the game’s sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong makes it all too clear that the original struck a chord, and makes it very difficult for any new metroidvania to escape comparison with it.
1
FIFA/EA Sports FC
The Beautiful Game
Football (that is, soccer) games run the gamut from the more tactical sims to the sillier, arcade takes like Mario Strikers: Battle League Football. They’ve existed in various guises for decades, but the series formerly known as FIFA utilized the fact that, funnily enough, a lot of football game players are football fans. The franchise blended a realistic take on the sport with licenses (the deal for which has now ended) for the players, teams, and contests beloved by players all over the world, making it a flagship franchise.
This push for realism has caused controversy over its history, with Ultimate Team and variations thereof resulting in microtranctions. This is now the era of EA Sports FC, but different as it may be, it carries a formidable football game legacy with it.
The Tallest Players in EA Sports FC 26
The tallest players in FC 26 are able to win more aerial duels, both while attacking and defending. The tallest keepers are also highly prized.
