genre taste testers
i don't usually like jrpgs but persona 5-
did you only have handheld systems as a child? are you biased towards one particular style of game? is your name bombad?
if you answered "yes" to any of the above, then this list is for you!
here i've chosen 3 titles per category to represent a variety of different genres. honorable mentions may be in notes. keep in mind that this isn't necessarily about what's popular or top-rated - the goal here is to have an eclectic enough selection of games so that there's something for everyone
suggestions, recommendations, and revisions are appreciated!
did you only have handheld systems as a child? are you biased towards one particular style of game? is your name bombad?
if you answered "yes" to any of the above, then this list is for you!
here i've chosen 3 titles per category to represent a variety of different genres. honorable mentions may be in notes. keep in mind that this isn't necessarily about what's popular or top-rated - the goal here is to have an eclectic enough selection of games so that there's something for everyone
suggestions, recommendations, and revisions are appreciated!
85 Games
2d platformer
easily the most accessible game in the franchise, and arguably the slickest too
definitely check out the other megaman games if you enjoy mmx
easily the most accessible game in the franchise, and arguably the slickest too
definitely check out the other megaman games if you enjoy mmx
2d platformer
fairly unconventional and difficult due to its really weighty physics. kinda love or hate, but unique enough to mention
check out yoshi's island, rayman, and kirby's adventure too. they don't play similarly, but are all pretty left field
fairly unconventional and difficult due to its really weighty physics. kinda love or hate, but unique enough to mention
check out yoshi's island, rayman, and kirby's adventure too. they don't play similarly, but are all pretty left field
2d platformer
fast, frantic, and challenging; ninja gaiden doesn't fuck around, and it'll kick your shit in repeatedly until something finally clicks and you start beating its ass instead
for a similar dynamic but much slower gameplay, check out castlevania and ghosts 'n goblins
fast, frantic, and challenging; ninja gaiden doesn't fuck around, and it'll kick your shit in repeatedly until something finally clicks and you start beating its ass instead
for a similar dynamic but much slower gameplay, check out castlevania and ghosts 'n goblins
3d platformer
features meticulously crafted levels brimming with life, and an overall atmosphere that's mathematically engineered to be as cheery and uplifting as humanly possible
features meticulously crafted levels brimming with life, and an overall atmosphere that's mathematically engineered to be as cheery and uplifting as humanly possible
3d platformer
while bfbb is from the peak era of spongebob, it's not just comedy and nostalgia that makes it worthwhile
super tight controls and great level design keep this game relevant. make sure to play the original as the remake has a lot of wonky imperfections and invisible walls
while bfbb is from the peak era of spongebob, it's not just comedy and nostalgia that makes it worthwhile
super tight controls and great level design keep this game relevant. make sure to play the original as the remake has a lot of wonky imperfections and invisible walls
3d platformer
unparalleled atmosphere. the actual game design isn't the greatest in the world, but it's plenty competent and everything else far outweighs that
check out the sequel as well
unparalleled atmosphere. the actual game design isn't the greatest in the world, but it's plenty competent and everything else far outweighs that
check out the sequel as well
run 'n gun
pretty damn hard and has somewhat unwieldy controls, but once you get past that it's fucking nuts
one of the few games where even its diehard fans will usually tell you to play on easy mode (if only to have unlimited lives)
pretty damn hard and has somewhat unwieldy controls, but once you get past that it's fucking nuts
one of the few games where even its diehard fans will usually tell you to play on easy mode (if only to have unlimited lives)
run 'n gun
the quintessential pick. incredible spritework, fantasic animations, great weapons - fucking play this game
check out alien hominid too - it's heavily inspired by metal slug
the quintessential pick. incredible spritework, fantasic animations, great weapons - fucking play this game
check out alien hominid too - it's heavily inspired by metal slug
run 'n gun
contra except way more stylized and a hell of a lot more mechanically interesting. pretty hard, but has a mode that lets you gradually power yourself up
contra except way more stylized and a hell of a lot more mechanically interesting. pretty hard, but has a mode that lets you gradually power yourself up
2d fighter
fun just to mash buttons in! the super personable cast and simple controls make this a pretty easy sell to anyone interested in its aesthetic
fun just to mash buttons in! the super personable cast and simple controls make this a pretty easy sell to anyone interested in its aesthetic
2d fighter
takes a different approach from most fighting games by being very focused on neutral. basic attacks hit like trucks and characters die very quickly
check out bushido blade to see this kind of concept executed in 3d to an even greater extreme
takes a different approach from most fighting games by being very focused on neutral. basic attacks hit like trucks and characters die very quickly
check out bushido blade to see this kind of concept executed in 3d to an even greater extreme
2d fighter
despite its source material being lost on most people, melty is one of the most accessible fighters you can get into thanks to its devoted community, fantastic netcode, and wide variety of character archetypes
despite its source material being lost on most people, melty is one of the most accessible fighters you can get into thanks to its devoted community, fantastic netcode, and wide variety of character archetypes
3d fighter
over the top and fun as hell. each character's a different kind of mecha parody, and there's a real pick-up-and-play nature to the gameplay that makes it accessible to anyone
over the top and fun as hell. each character's a different kind of mecha parody, and there's a real pick-up-and-play nature to the gameplay that makes it accessible to anyone
3d fighter
slick, stylish, and offers a fair amount of depth while still being pretty accessible thanks to its rock-paper-scissors countering system
why doa4 over the others? because it has a halo spartan in its character selection - that's why
also check out virtua fighter 5 for a similar brand of kinda-simple-but-very-technical gameplay
slick, stylish, and offers a fair amount of depth while still being pretty accessible thanks to its rock-paper-scissors countering system
why doa4 over the others? because it has a halo spartan in its character selection - that's why
also check out virtua fighter 5 for a similar brand of kinda-simple-but-very-technical gameplay
3d fighter
tired of playing as martial artists? here's a fighter where you can use weapons and also be darth vader. soulcalibur vi is newer, but you can't be darth vader in that so fuck it
tired of playing as martial artists? here's a fighter where you can use weapons and also be darth vader. soulcalibur vi is newer, but you can't be darth vader in that so fuck it
character action
disclaimer: start with kh1. it's more slow-paced and methodical, but fantastic nonetheless. don't listen to the reddit story takes without first giving it a shot yourself
anyway, kh2 builds upon its predecessor's foundation with far snappier combat, magic attacks that actually combo together, and drive forms which dramatically change the flow of gameplay
also includes a metric fuckton of superbosses to get destroyed by once the main game's over
disclaimer: start with kh1. it's more slow-paced and methodical, but fantastic nonetheless. don't listen to the reddit story takes without first giving it a shot yourself
anyway, kh2 builds upon its predecessor's foundation with far snappier combat, magic attacks that actually combo together, and drive forms which dramatically change the flow of gameplay
also includes a metric fuckton of superbosses to get destroyed by once the main game's over
character action
one of the best action games period. very challenging and hard to master, but still easy to pick up and play due to the combat being more based on agility and mobility than actual attacks
check out the sequel (ideally the 360 version) for more of the same but with the violence and ridiculousness amped up to 11
one of the best action games period. very challenging and hard to master, but still easy to pick up and play due to the combat being more based on agility and mobility than actual attacks
check out the sequel (ideally the 360 version) for more of the same but with the violence and ridiculousness amped up to 11
character action
campy, tough, and unforgiving. solid combat backed by the atmosphere of a late 90s toonami program
i actually don't care a ton for this one but my friend garv told me he wouldn't play wetrix unless i said good things about god hand
campy, tough, and unforgiving. solid combat backed by the atmosphere of a late 90s toonami program
i actually don't care a ton for this one but my friend garv told me he wouldn't play wetrix unless i said good things about god hand
puzzle
you may know this one as "dr. robotnik's mean bean machine"
argued by many to be the best puzzler period. there's nothing like creating a massive chain and sending a torrent of garbage to the other player
check out "twinkle star sprites" for a similar concept as a multiplayer shmup
you may know this one as "dr. robotnik's mean bean machine"
argued by many to be the best puzzler period. there's nothing like creating a massive chain and sending a torrent of garbage to the other player
check out "twinkle star sprites" for a similar concept as a multiplayer shmup
puzzle
trippy, entrancing, and mesmerizing. might be a little intimidating at first, but once you get into the groove it becomes hard to put down
then you realize an hour just passed
trippy, entrancing, and mesmerizing. might be a little intimidating at first, but once you get into the groove it becomes hard to put down
then you realize an hour just passed
puzzle
great multiplayer game. a super clever spin on the groundwork laid by the magical drop series - which got the developers sued and led to their bankruptcy!
don't let the plagiarism deter you, but check out magical drop 3 while you're at it
great multiplayer game. a super clever spin on the groundwork laid by the magical drop series - which got the developers sued and led to their bankruptcy!
don't let the plagiarism deter you, but check out magical drop 3 while you're at it
racing
some of the best drifting mechanics in the genre. stylish as all hell and boasts a soundtrack that absolutely fuckin cums
some of the best drifting mechanics in the genre. stylish as all hell and boasts a soundtrack that absolutely fuckin cums
racing
00s as fuck. maybe the best feeling cars of any game? an absolute must-play if you like racist games
00s as fuck. maybe the best feeling cars of any game? an absolute must-play if you like racist games
racing
extremely fast, sleek, and exhilarating. the different hovercrafts handle like butter and the environments are killer
check out f-zero as well. most notably gx
extremely fast, sleek, and exhilarating. the different hovercrafts handle like butter and the environments are killer
check out f-zero as well. most notably gx
i don't recommend playing columns
shoot 'em up
hard as fuck, but not because there's a million bullets everywhere - rather than overwhelming you with shit on the screen, rsg encourages familiarizing yourself with its large assortment of weapons and figuring out when the right time is to use each one
play ikaruga as well - rsg's spiritual successor
hard as fuck, but not because there's a million bullets everywhere - rather than overwhelming you with shit on the screen, rsg encourages familiarizing yourself with its large assortment of weapons and figuring out when the right time is to use each one
play ikaruga as well - rsg's spiritual successor
shoot 'em up
i could put anything by cave on here, but espgaluda is always my first recommendation due to its distinct graphical style and fun transformation mechanics
i could put anything by cave on here, but espgaluda is always my first recommendation due to its distinct graphical style and fun transformation mechanics
shoot 'em up
visually and musically a spectacle. absurdly difficult but proof that you can still enjoy a shmup even when you're getting your ass handed to you
visually and musically a spectacle. absurdly difficult but proof that you can still enjoy a shmup even when you're getting your ass handed to you
stealth
superb sound design. genuinely comes across as a horror game at times due to how reliant you end up being on the sounds of your enemies
superb sound design. genuinely comes across as a horror game at times due to how reliant you end up being on the sounds of your enemies
stealth
more arcade-y than a lot of other stealth games, and a hell of a lot more cinematic, but still an essential piece of the genre for good reason
more arcade-y than a lot of other stealth games, and a hell of a lot more cinematic, but still an essential piece of the genre for good reason
stealth
methodical and plotting compared to something like metal gear, but a hell of a lot more dynamic and interesting in terms of actual stealth
methodical and plotting compared to something like metal gear, but a hell of a lot more dynamic and interesting in terms of actual stealth
beat 'em up
not the most technically marvelous game in the world, but if you're playing a brawler you probably don't give a shit about that in the first place
in that regard, splatterhouse delivers on gratuitous violence, b-movie tier campiness, and... a surprisingly captivating narrative?
also winnie the pooh voices the terror mask
not the most technically marvelous game in the world, but if you're playing a brawler you probably don't give a shit about that in the first place
in that regard, splatterhouse delivers on gratuitous violence, b-movie tier campiness, and... a surprisingly captivating narrative?
also winnie the pooh voices the terror mask
beat 'em up
noteworthy for being entirely 2d unlike most brawlers. this means the actual combat mechanics are a lot more detailed and versatile than those games too
remake is objectively better than the og by the way. the pixel art is in line with the snes version's style, and the unlockable characters are a hell of a bonus
also this version has couch co op
noteworthy for being entirely 2d unlike most brawlers. this means the actual combat mechanics are a lot more detailed and versatile than those games too
remake is objectively better than the og by the way. the pixel art is in line with the snes version's style, and the unlockable characters are a hell of a bonus
also this version has couch co op
beat 'em up
probably the top dog as far as old arcade-style brawlers go. just feels really nice to slam foot soldiers around and toss 'em at the screen
probably the top dog as far as old arcade-style brawlers go. just feels really nice to slam foot soldiers around and toss 'em at the screen
first person shooter
the quintessential boomer-shooter. kickass weapons, great levels, cool monsters, awesome atmosphere - you can't go wrong with doom 64
unless you're playing it on a nintendo 64 and can't see shit i guess
the quintessential boomer-shooter. kickass weapons, great levels, cool monsters, awesome atmosphere - you can't go wrong with doom 64
unless you're playing it on a nintendo 64 and can't see shit i guess
first person shooter
the pinnacle of arcade-y fps games. the campaign is short and sweet with little to no filler between, the multiplayer is absolutely legendary, and forge mode is one of the most revolutionary features for any game to have period
the pinnacle of arcade-y fps games. the campaign is short and sweet with little to no filler between, the multiplayer is absolutely legendary, and forge mode is one of the most revolutionary features for any game to have period
first person shooter
feels comparable to a source game like half life 2, except the guns have a lot more weight to them and everything feels about 100x better all around
it's really truly fucked up that this came out in 2005 and there hasn't been a shooter with better enemy ai since
feels comparable to a source game like half life 2, except the guns have a lot more weight to them and everything feels about 100x better all around
it's really truly fucked up that this came out in 2005 and there hasn't been a shooter with better enemy ai since
rhythm
as basic as basic gets. it's almost like a program for songs to load into rather than an actual game with any kinds of gimmicks or twists
if you want a pure rhythm game with none of the additives, then this is for you
as basic as basic gets. it's almost like a program for songs to load into rather than an actual game with any kinds of gimmicks or twists
if you want a pure rhythm game with none of the additives, then this is for you
rhythm
pretty much everything i said about djmax except the opposite. sc5 is campy, narratively driven, and gimmicky as fuck. it's the kind of game you'll know your thoughts on just by glancing at it
pretty much everything i said about djmax except the opposite. sc5 is campy, narratively driven, and gimmicky as fuck. it's the kind of game you'll know your thoughts on just by glancing at it
rhythm
a catch-all for taiko no tatsujin in general. such a fun, cute little game that's utterly sadistic and fucking impossible once you get to the higher levels
a catch-all for taiko no tatsujin in general. such a fun, cute little game that's utterly sadistic and fucking impossible once you get to the higher levels
horror
point and click to control a nigh helpless woman as she evades a serial killer who wields a giant pair of 6ft scissors
extremely influential. definitely largely to blame for amnesia and the games like it
point and click to control a nigh helpless woman as she evades a serial killer who wields a giant pair of 6ft scissors
extremely influential. definitely largely to blame for amnesia and the games like it
horror
a fantastic narrative wrapped in an oppressive, disgustingly grimy, downright fucked up world with easily the most frightening atmosphere of any horror game i've played yet
for a similar style of gameplay but way more of a b-movie "action horror" vibe, check out resident evil
a fantastic narrative wrapped in an oppressive, disgustingly grimy, downright fucked up world with easily the most frightening atmosphere of any horror game i've played yet
for a similar style of gameplay but way more of a b-movie "action horror" vibe, check out resident evil
horror
the alien is downright terrifying. most horror ai is dogshit, but this thing wants you fucking dead at all costs
by the way, you can play through the finale of the first alien movie in one of the dlcs. that alone is worth the price of admission on a decent sale
the alien is downright terrifying. most horror ai is dogshit, but this thing wants you fucking dead at all costs
by the way, you can play through the finale of the first alien movie in one of the dlcs. that alone is worth the price of admission on a decent sale
jrpg
a simple little game that's escalated tenfold by having some of the most charming writing in the medium
granted a lot of that is because the localizers basically did whatever random shit they wanted, but hey it's fun
a simple little game that's escalated tenfold by having some of the most charming writing in the medium
granted a lot of that is because the localizers basically did whatever random shit they wanted, but hey it's fun
jrpg
warning: even the random encounters will mutilate you if you ignore the tutorials
once you're past the learning curve however, resurrection of frieza one of the finest jrpgs around. sports an incredibly likable cast and a really addictive/unique battle system to boot
warning: even the random encounters will mutilate you if you ignore the tutorials
once you're past the learning curve however, resurrection of frieza one of the finest jrpgs around. sports an incredibly likable cast and a really addictive/unique battle system to boot
jrpg
short and sweet. come for the intriguing narrative; stay for the kickass music (shoji meguro is a god) and solid dungeons
...leave in 20 hours cause it's short af
short and sweet. come for the intriguing narrative; stay for the kickass music (shoji meguro is a god) and solid dungeons
...leave in 20 hours cause it's short af
wrpg
diablo is practically a subgenre in and of itself. it sounds pretty simple and lame on paper, but killing enemies, gaining new abilities, and finding all sorts of loot is a pretty addictive gameplay loop
i'd recommend checking out diablo 1 first, but it's not necessary by any means
diablo is practically a subgenre in and of itself. it sounds pretty simple and lame on paper, but killing enemies, gaining new abilities, and finding all sorts of loot is a pretty addictive gameplay loop
i'd recommend checking out diablo 1 first, but it's not necessary by any means
wrpg
still the best star wars game (save for maybe the og battlefront 2) and a kickass rpg in its own right
be sure to play the sequel too. it's rough around the edges but in some ways it surpasses the original
still the best star wars game (save for maybe the og battlefront 2) and a kickass rpg in its own right
be sure to play the sequel too. it's rough around the edges but in some ways it surpasses the original
wrpg
definitely something to kick back and immerse yourself in. the combat's bland and uninteresting, but that's not what you play something like this for
sidenote: og fallout has one of the best antagonists in gaming period
definitely something to kick back and immerse yourself in. the combat's bland and uninteresting, but that's not what you play something like this for
sidenote: og fallout has one of the best antagonists in gaming period
point and click
deliberately cruel and nearly impossible to "win" without a guide. makes sense considering it's based on a short story which is just as fucked up
hate. hate. hate. hate
deliberately cruel and nearly impossible to "win" without a guide. makes sense considering it's based on a short story which is just as fucked up
hate. hate. hate. hate
point and click
great story. funny as fuck. generally avoids making puzzle solutions too cryptic, but there's a few dickhead design choices nonetheless
great story. funny as fuck. generally avoids making puzzle solutions too cryptic, but there's a few dickhead design choices nonetheless
point and click
one of the first cd rom games of this sort. groundbreaking adventure/puzzle game
check out its nine million different sequels too
one of the first cd rom games of this sort. groundbreaking adventure/puzzle game
check out its nine million different sequels too
14 Comments
diablo 2's setting is like a simple high fantasy town that's in the process of being hit by some dark fantasy shit. i'd compare it more to oblivion except on a smaller scale. i mostly opted for it over an elder scrolls title because i figured it'd be a little more left field, but also because of the massive impact it left on the genre itself
myst is a filter pick yeah, but that's kind of a filter genre lmao. i was gonna place something like sam & max there instead but i didn't want two heavily comedy-driven games. re1 i wouldn't place over clock tower because mechanically it has a lot more in common with silent hill. i did just add it as an honorable mention sorta deal tho
i'm mostly pushing for less common things (hence no mario) but i'm also trying to sum up the history and diversity of each genre at the same time. halo and mgs are mostly there because they're such revolutionary titles. it felt contrarian for the sake of it to put say, splinter cell over mgs. i actually considered using rayman instead of ninja gaiden or dkc, but i ultimately decided against it because i felt the former was too unique, and the latter was more offbeat
i'll probably add a few more genres. towards the end it was getting real late and i wanted to go to bed so i cut it a little short
myst is a filter pick yeah, but that's kind of a filter genre lmao. i was gonna place something like sam & max there instead but i didn't want two heavily comedy-driven games. re1 i wouldn't place over clock tower because mechanically it has a lot more in common with silent hill. i did just add it as an honorable mention sorta deal tho
i'm mostly pushing for less common things (hence no mario) but i'm also trying to sum up the history and diversity of each genre at the same time. halo and mgs are mostly there because they're such revolutionary titles. it felt contrarian for the sake of it to put say, splinter cell over mgs. i actually considered using rayman instead of ninja gaiden or dkc, but i ultimately decided against it because i felt the former was too unique, and the latter was more offbeat
i'll probably add a few more genres. towards the end it was getting real late and i wanted to go to bed so i cut it a little short
I will play Wetrix with you now chandler.
this fool sleeps
also damn i didnt realise columns fit in so many genres
also damn i didnt realise columns fit in so many genres
I'm happy for the Fallout 1 rep here, especially since the older titles in the series are neglected for like New Vegas. Good list!
could you recommend me a wrpg that doesn't look ugly as shit
you could check out divinity 2. i haven't played it but it looks pretty colorful and decently flashy with its battles
fair enough on your general reasoning. glad re1 could make the cut as an honorable cause that's kinda big. i'll still lobby for rayman origins over dkc, or at least an honorable because it's particularly good to cater to modern sensibilities while also not being baby easy or too vanilla.
also glad to know about diablo 2! i've had that on my bucket list for a long time but pushed it back a few times cause i was under the impression that it was a lot darker in setting, which is pretty anti-me
No disrespect but reeling at those FPS picks ngl
Reading this list on mobile was a trip lmao
i'd argue doom 64 has the best level design/weapons of the original games (an opinion only further reinforced by me getting a friend into it even though they hated doom 1) and i'd also push for halo being the pinnacle of arcade-style shooters. as for fear: you're gonna seethe, but i'd argue it's very similar to half life 2 except with all the killer and none of the filler - no shit pacing, no boring 3d puzzles, and no weapons that feel like nerf guns - moreover the ai is damn near immaculate and far outshines any other fps before or after its 2005 release
also yeah mobile is cucked. they should really change the grid layout so that it actually works at least on landscape mode or something
also yeah mobile is cucked. they should really change the grid layout so that it actually works at least on landscape mode or something
the fact that a spongebob game is generally considered one of the best 3d platformers is so sad. the genre is such a wasteland lol. its getting 1% better. id argue for mirrors edge being a great genre taste tester for 3d platformers because it offers such a different unique perspective from almost everything else in the genre
@jeffbackloggd it's really not a condition of the state of 3d platformers. it's just a really damn good game. licensed games can be good
Lynxelot
2 years ago
myst is also a gigafilter choice for a point and click, though i don't know the genre well enough to suggest anything better (maybe a nancy drew game like curse of blackmoor manor? I curse myself for not having played old sierra titles to see if they'd work either...). as i don't have a lot of better ideas, i'd push for the resident evil 1 remake to take clock tower's spot for accessibility and it being fairly likely for someone to try, and replace myst with clock tower. (as i've also not played i have no mouth i'm not really sure if there'd be overlap there, though)
i'm not sure whether you're intentionally trying to push for less mainstream titles but stuff like mgs1, banjo-kazooie, kh2, and halo 3 seem super out of place compared to most other stuff on here (admittedly putting re1 here would be kinda eh too but sh2 is so whoooo knows). also-also not sure whether you're intentionally skewing toward older games, but personally i'd rather throw something more recent like rayman origins or celeste in for 2d platformers than dkc1 or mmx, particularly the former if you'd want to achieve an 'unusual, tough, but fair' concept in that slot while not also keeping all three games within one decade of each other.
i also noticed simulators seem to be a notable missing genre here as well as rts and metroidvania (crappy genre name but ye). while the latter has gotten notably popular in recent years it's probably one of the biggest cases of 'haven't played anything besides the most well known few' syndrome that i've seen around so it might be worth adding in