This thread is to see what genre you think has the most replay value. First, I'm going to go through some definitions just to clarify the game genres. There's 12 of them, but I'm only going to list 11 later on, since one of them (Educational games) is a special case.
Action - A game in which the player collects items, fights enemies (using power ups, or special weapons), and moves through a series of (sometimes suspended) platforms and obstacles in a side-scrolling or overhead view. Also known as a "Platform Game".
Adventure - A game where the player is presented with a narrative, and must make certain choices to proceed with the game.
Educational - *A game where the player learns a skill or subject. This is a special genre, typically meant for kids 12 and under, but can be expanded to training games such as military war games and simulations.
Fighter - A game where the player fights an opponent in an arena-like setting using fencing, boxing, wrestling, or martial arts techniques.
Parlor - Traditionally, a game that can be played indoors. These include card games, board games, and trivia.
Puzzle - A game that emphasizes logic, or organization of objects on the screen to solve a given problem.
Racing - Any game that involves moving from start to finish in the shortest amount of time.
Role Playing Game - A game in which players assume the role of character(s), and perform quests or tasks, as well as battling enemies in a seperate battle screen to progress through a narrative.
Shooter - A game where the player shoots a projectile at a moving or stationary target. The player often has a choice of several (usually long range) weapons to use.
Simulation - A game that allows the player to simulate reality within given parameters.
Sports - A game in which a player or players compete in a traditional sports game.
Strategy - A game in which the player makes short and long term decisions that affect the outcome of the game. These games are generally empire or army building games.
Note: Education Games are a special case. They have a wide variety of genres in of itself, and replay really can't be assessed.
Note about hybrid-genres - Many genres can easily be added to other games, usually
unintentionally. A few examples:
Strategy - This can be affixed to almost any game. Puzzles, Action, Fighters, Sports, and so on have some sort of strategy element.
Fighter/Action - The two are almost interchangable as games like "Double Dragon" involve both fighting and action (platform) elements.
Role Playing Games - For what it's worth, just about any game (except for games of "Logic & Luck" - puzzles, parlor and educational games in some cases) can be considered a RPG due to the fact that the player essentially takes control of a character.
Simulations - Sometimes sims find their way, even accidently, into other games. The most common may be a political simulation element in strategy games as you trade and negotiate treaties with other factions.
Puzzles/parlor - These are popular in role-playing games, especially as side-games.
I also grouped the genres into classes.
Main Group: Interactive Story. Platform/Console and Situational games give some sort of
interactive storyline, whether it's an ongoing story, or one that is being created (dynamically) as the game progresses.
Platform/Console - Action, Adventure (these games are the "classics" of the 80s)
Situational - Strategy, RPG, Simulation (these put the player in a certain setting - general, adventurer, designer/architech)
Parent Group: Recreational. These are games of skill and luck. There are two main groups.
Main Group: Tournament. Games of brawn.
Arena - Fighter, Shooter
Competition - Sports, Racing
Main Group: Skill. Games of brain.
Parlor - Classic (card games), Puzzle
Educational - Tutorial (like Typing Tutor), Training, Edutainment (Oregon Trail, Where in the
World is Carmen Sandiego, etc.).
Now, to put these in order in terms of replay value. First, let's assume a few things.
1 - These genres are 2D, not 3D (isometric is ok). An adventure game, for example, may be far better in 2D than in 3D. Conversly, a shooter is far better in 3D than in 2D. An extreme sports (sports sub-genre) game where the player performs stunts is also better in a 3D environment.
2 - These genres are single player only (with AI). No MP element.
3 - Assume that these games are not hybrids - they are their pure selves. Some modern versions of genres have changed.
Examples of games:
Action - Super Mario Brothers, Megaman, Metroid, Legend of Zelda
Adventure - Myst, Shadowgate, King's Quest
Fighter - Mike Tyson Boxing, Tekken (although 3D, it plays as if it were 2D)
Parlor - Solataire, Chess, Uno, Monopoly, Jeopardy
Puzzle - Sudoku, Numbers (ordering 1-15), Tetris, Pipe Dream
Racing - Super Mario Kart, F-Zero
Role Playing Game - Final Fantasy series, Dragon Quest/Warrior series, The Elder Scrolls, etc.
Shooter - Gallaga, Asteroids, Duck Hunt, Centipede, Zaxxon (3D shooters like Doom, Quake, Unreal
Tournament don't count)
Simulation - SimCity, The Sims, Lemonade Tycoon
Sports - Baseball, Football, Soccer, Basketball
Strategy - Civilization, Warcraft, Starcraft, Age of Empires
----------------------------
In my opinion, these (assuming decent enough features to keep the player interested) are the games with the most to least replay value:
Simulation - The last of the "Big Three". This is a genre that I find myself playing hours upon hours on. Not only does it present fun scenarios to try out, I really enjoy creating my own worlds (or cities) such as in Sim City. These are fairly open-ended games, sometimes without a real goal, meaning, the game doesn't really end. The user interface should allow more than enough options for game play. Playability: 9.8 out of 10.
Strategy - The next of the "Big Three". There's always something fun about launching a surprise attack on an unsuspecting foe with a massive army on their doorsteps, or using strategic terrain to your advantage while luring an enemy into a trap. The possibilities with this type of game are almost endless. Also, AI and user interface start to play a huge part. Playability: 9.2 out of 10.
Role Playing Game - These games are built to be huge. VERY huge. We are now getting into what I call, "The Big Three". Sure, the basic RPG has you talking to NPCs for clues on your next quest, and battling slimes or imps. However, there's tons of mini-games to be played, and may even focus on numerous stats, classes, and jobs. There's potentially hundreds of combinations for characters, and sometimes even interaction with NPCs based on how your character acts in the game. These games pride themselves on having you spend 50-100 hours from start to finish, then coming back for more to find secret items, or to max out a different character. Playability: 8 out of 10.
Sports - This is a genre that had a lot of potential (Earl Weaver Baseball comes to mind), but it seems that 99% of the games fail to live up to the expectation of fully imersing in all aspects of a sport - from player to commishioner, and even minor things like stadium design, city location, franchaise economics - but that gets more into a simulation. Most games focus on the actual sport itself, giving some thought to trading, standings, and adjusting player rosters. Some games do come close though, like the Out Of The Park baseball game, but unfortunately, this has no actual game - just a bunch of algorithms to simulate the game. So, if we want the actual game, then we're stuck with 80% of the games that have limited features. It still has good playability, though. Playability: 6.9 out of 10.
Action - For some reason, these are just all around classics. While the levels may be limited, and there's always a goal to reach, there are sometimes different - subtle - ways to reach it. Some games give variety to characters in "suits" such as Super Mario III (Tanooki Mario, Frog Mario, Hammer Brother Mario), vehicles - usually animals, such as Donkey Kong Country, or Little Nemo. These give a fun personality to the game, which also helps boost the playability factor.
Playability: 5.7 out of 10.
Racing - This genre just barely lost to Action games in that it has slightly less variety. Sure there's powerups, and weapons that make other racers spin out (auto-racing), or crash (bike racing). Tracks are also limited, and it winds up being pretty much one way to play. The AI also tends to take the same route each games (sometimes it will diverge to avoid an obstacle or another player), much less it already knows the track well before you do, giving it an advantage early on. Playability: 5.3 out of 10.
Fighter - Like a shooter, it's based on reflexes. It does add the element of skill, and button combinations for a variety of jumps, kicks, punches, flips and so on. The eye candy is also nice, especially when one scores a direct hit that makes the opponent fly furiously off the screen. Playability: 4.1 out of 10.
Shooter - Not to be confused with modern shooters, in which 3D adds a whole new element of gameplay, and is virtually a "new" sub-genre. Action/Shooters like Contra fall more into the platform realm. The basic shooter is shooting up/down/left/right, or straight ahead with a laser gun. Often, it's more of a game of reflexes than actually being out to kill your opponent, as more modern shooters are. Playability: 3.5 out of 10.
Parlor - These are usually short little games like Solataire, Minesweeper, Battleship, Uno, Poker, etc. The amount of possibilities in cards being dealt, or places where objects are placed gives it enough variety. The games can be repeatitive, though. Playability: 2 out of 10.
Puzzle - I know, I know, Tetris has staying power, but it's a fluke in the puzzle realm, as well as the Tetris clones. In fact, it's kind of invented a genre of its' own (Dynamic/matching Puzzles). But, we're talking about static puzzles, ones like moving blocks into certain targets, or moving a marble past obstacles (remember Marble Madness?). These games have a limited number of levels, and once the player figures them out, there's really not much more they can do to add variety. Level editing helps, but then again, the player will already know the solution before they even play it. Some provide enemies on the screen and other obstacles, but that's diverging into an Action/Puzzle hybrid. Playability: 1.5 out of 10.
Adventure - Often limited in the options that the player can select. Some may have options to freely explore, like King's Quest, but when presented with a set of options, there is usually only one correct way to go. There is nothing worse than the player playing 3 hours into the game, only to select a funny looking rock to explore that turns out to be a trap door. "You fall through a pit and die! Game Over! Please try again!". It's almost like the game is insulting you. (Games made in the early 80s would do this - insult the player) Playability: 1.0 out of 10.
If you want, you can include hybrids. Atleast include if it's 3D and/or multiplayer.
Action - A game in which the player collects items, fights enemies (using power ups, or special weapons), and moves through a series of (sometimes suspended) platforms and obstacles in a side-scrolling or overhead view. Also known as a "Platform Game".
Adventure - A game where the player is presented with a narrative, and must make certain choices to proceed with the game.
Educational - *A game where the player learns a skill or subject. This is a special genre, typically meant for kids 12 and under, but can be expanded to training games such as military war games and simulations.
Fighter - A game where the player fights an opponent in an arena-like setting using fencing, boxing, wrestling, or martial arts techniques.
Parlor - Traditionally, a game that can be played indoors. These include card games, board games, and trivia.
Puzzle - A game that emphasizes logic, or organization of objects on the screen to solve a given problem.
Racing - Any game that involves moving from start to finish in the shortest amount of time.
Role Playing Game - A game in which players assume the role of character(s), and perform quests or tasks, as well as battling enemies in a seperate battle screen to progress through a narrative.
Shooter - A game where the player shoots a projectile at a moving or stationary target. The player often has a choice of several (usually long range) weapons to use.
Simulation - A game that allows the player to simulate reality within given parameters.
Sports - A game in which a player or players compete in a traditional sports game.
Strategy - A game in which the player makes short and long term decisions that affect the outcome of the game. These games are generally empire or army building games.
Note: Education Games are a special case. They have a wide variety of genres in of itself, and replay really can't be assessed.
Note about hybrid-genres - Many genres can easily be added to other games, usually
unintentionally. A few examples:
Strategy - This can be affixed to almost any game. Puzzles, Action, Fighters, Sports, and so on have some sort of strategy element.
Fighter/Action - The two are almost interchangable as games like "Double Dragon" involve both fighting and action (platform) elements.
Role Playing Games - For what it's worth, just about any game (except for games of "Logic & Luck" - puzzles, parlor and educational games in some cases) can be considered a RPG due to the fact that the player essentially takes control of a character.
Simulations - Sometimes sims find their way, even accidently, into other games. The most common may be a political simulation element in strategy games as you trade and negotiate treaties with other factions.
Puzzles/parlor - These are popular in role-playing games, especially as side-games.
I also grouped the genres into classes.
Main Group: Interactive Story. Platform/Console and Situational games give some sort of
interactive storyline, whether it's an ongoing story, or one that is being created (dynamically) as the game progresses.
Platform/Console - Action, Adventure (these games are the "classics" of the 80s)
Situational - Strategy, RPG, Simulation (these put the player in a certain setting - general, adventurer, designer/architech)
Parent Group: Recreational. These are games of skill and luck. There are two main groups.
Main Group: Tournament. Games of brawn.
Arena - Fighter, Shooter
Competition - Sports, Racing
Main Group: Skill. Games of brain.
Parlor - Classic (card games), Puzzle
Educational - Tutorial (like Typing Tutor), Training, Edutainment (Oregon Trail, Where in the
World is Carmen Sandiego, etc.).
Now, to put these in order in terms of replay value. First, let's assume a few things.
1 - These genres are 2D, not 3D (isometric is ok). An adventure game, for example, may be far better in 2D than in 3D. Conversly, a shooter is far better in 3D than in 2D. An extreme sports (sports sub-genre) game where the player performs stunts is also better in a 3D environment.
2 - These genres are single player only (with AI). No MP element.
3 - Assume that these games are not hybrids - they are their pure selves. Some modern versions of genres have changed.
Examples of games:
Action - Super Mario Brothers, Megaman, Metroid, Legend of Zelda
Adventure - Myst, Shadowgate, King's Quest
Fighter - Mike Tyson Boxing, Tekken (although 3D, it plays as if it were 2D)
Parlor - Solataire, Chess, Uno, Monopoly, Jeopardy
Puzzle - Sudoku, Numbers (ordering 1-15), Tetris, Pipe Dream
Racing - Super Mario Kart, F-Zero
Role Playing Game - Final Fantasy series, Dragon Quest/Warrior series, The Elder Scrolls, etc.
Shooter - Gallaga, Asteroids, Duck Hunt, Centipede, Zaxxon (3D shooters like Doom, Quake, Unreal
Tournament don't count)
Simulation - SimCity, The Sims, Lemonade Tycoon
Sports - Baseball, Football, Soccer, Basketball
Strategy - Civilization, Warcraft, Starcraft, Age of Empires
----------------------------
In my opinion, these (assuming decent enough features to keep the player interested) are the games with the most to least replay value:
Simulation - The last of the "Big Three". This is a genre that I find myself playing hours upon hours on. Not only does it present fun scenarios to try out, I really enjoy creating my own worlds (or cities) such as in Sim City. These are fairly open-ended games, sometimes without a real goal, meaning, the game doesn't really end. The user interface should allow more than enough options for game play. Playability: 9.8 out of 10.
Strategy - The next of the "Big Three". There's always something fun about launching a surprise attack on an unsuspecting foe with a massive army on their doorsteps, or using strategic terrain to your advantage while luring an enemy into a trap. The possibilities with this type of game are almost endless. Also, AI and user interface start to play a huge part. Playability: 9.2 out of 10.
Role Playing Game - These games are built to be huge. VERY huge. We are now getting into what I call, "The Big Three". Sure, the basic RPG has you talking to NPCs for clues on your next quest, and battling slimes or imps. However, there's tons of mini-games to be played, and may even focus on numerous stats, classes, and jobs. There's potentially hundreds of combinations for characters, and sometimes even interaction with NPCs based on how your character acts in the game. These games pride themselves on having you spend 50-100 hours from start to finish, then coming back for more to find secret items, or to max out a different character. Playability: 8 out of 10.
Sports - This is a genre that had a lot of potential (Earl Weaver Baseball comes to mind), but it seems that 99% of the games fail to live up to the expectation of fully imersing in all aspects of a sport - from player to commishioner, and even minor things like stadium design, city location, franchaise economics - but that gets more into a simulation. Most games focus on the actual sport itself, giving some thought to trading, standings, and adjusting player rosters. Some games do come close though, like the Out Of The Park baseball game, but unfortunately, this has no actual game - just a bunch of algorithms to simulate the game. So, if we want the actual game, then we're stuck with 80% of the games that have limited features. It still has good playability, though. Playability: 6.9 out of 10.
Action - For some reason, these are just all around classics. While the levels may be limited, and there's always a goal to reach, there are sometimes different - subtle - ways to reach it. Some games give variety to characters in "suits" such as Super Mario III (Tanooki Mario, Frog Mario, Hammer Brother Mario), vehicles - usually animals, such as Donkey Kong Country, or Little Nemo. These give a fun personality to the game, which also helps boost the playability factor.
Playability: 5.7 out of 10.
Racing - This genre just barely lost to Action games in that it has slightly less variety. Sure there's powerups, and weapons that make other racers spin out (auto-racing), or crash (bike racing). Tracks are also limited, and it winds up being pretty much one way to play. The AI also tends to take the same route each games (sometimes it will diverge to avoid an obstacle or another player), much less it already knows the track well before you do, giving it an advantage early on. Playability: 5.3 out of 10.
Fighter - Like a shooter, it's based on reflexes. It does add the element of skill, and button combinations for a variety of jumps, kicks, punches, flips and so on. The eye candy is also nice, especially when one scores a direct hit that makes the opponent fly furiously off the screen. Playability: 4.1 out of 10.
Shooter - Not to be confused with modern shooters, in which 3D adds a whole new element of gameplay, and is virtually a "new" sub-genre. Action/Shooters like Contra fall more into the platform realm. The basic shooter is shooting up/down/left/right, or straight ahead with a laser gun. Often, it's more of a game of reflexes than actually being out to kill your opponent, as more modern shooters are. Playability: 3.5 out of 10.
Parlor - These are usually short little games like Solataire, Minesweeper, Battleship, Uno, Poker, etc. The amount of possibilities in cards being dealt, or places where objects are placed gives it enough variety. The games can be repeatitive, though. Playability: 2 out of 10.
Puzzle - I know, I know, Tetris has staying power, but it's a fluke in the puzzle realm, as well as the Tetris clones. In fact, it's kind of invented a genre of its' own (Dynamic/matching Puzzles). But, we're talking about static puzzles, ones like moving blocks into certain targets, or moving a marble past obstacles (remember Marble Madness?). These games have a limited number of levels, and once the player figures them out, there's really not much more they can do to add variety. Level editing helps, but then again, the player will already know the solution before they even play it. Some provide enemies on the screen and other obstacles, but that's diverging into an Action/Puzzle hybrid. Playability: 1.5 out of 10.
Adventure - Often limited in the options that the player can select. Some may have options to freely explore, like King's Quest, but when presented with a set of options, there is usually only one correct way to go. There is nothing worse than the player playing 3 hours into the game, only to select a funny looking rock to explore that turns out to be a trap door. "You fall through a pit and die! Game Over! Please try again!". It's almost like the game is insulting you. (Games made in the early 80s would do this - insult the player) Playability: 1.0 out of 10.
If you want, you can include hybrids. Atleast include if it's 3D and/or multiplayer.
) and chess is in this catagory! Chess! All of these games are only as strong as the ai behind them though. For them to be really addictive they have to be played against another person imo.
