Genre Definitions
This page will define all of the main genres used with game pages on RetroAchievements. Subgenres may also be added in the future.
Action-Adventure
- Combines the skill-based gameplay of action games with the puzzle-solving & exploration elements of adventure games
- Gameplay focuses on environments/environmental interaction & exploration
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
- Action: Action focuses entirely on the physical skill, without the puzzle/exploration
- Adventure: Adventure focuses entirely on the puzzle/exploration, and requires little-to-no physical skill
- Action RPG: Stats play a much higher role in action RPGs, and noticeably affect the action gameplay (such as higher damage output)
Action
- Focuses on physical skill-based gameplay
- Challenges players’ hand-eye coordination, reflexes, reaction time, etc.
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
- Action-Adventure: Action-adventure incorporates puzzle or exploration elements, whereas action focuses solely on skill-based gameplay
- Arcade: Arcade games are simpler and shorter, and gameplay sessions are much more defined, revolving around one or two core mechanics
- Platforming: Both genres require skill, but platformers are much more focused on movement and navigating through an obstacle-filled environment
Adventure
- Story/narrative-focused games
- Has elements of puzzle solving and/or exploration
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
- Action-Adventure: Action-adventure incorporates skill-based gameplay, whereas adventure focuses solely on the puzzle/exploration elements
Arcade
- Simple action/skill-based gameplay
- Usually has defined levels, lives, and numerical score
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
- Action: Action games are larger and more complex, whereas arcade games are smaller in scope and mechanics
Board and Card
- Games that follow a similar format or share elements with physical tabletop games
Educational
- Games whose focus is to teach subject-based knowledge of either traditional academic disciplines such as language and math or general life skills
Fighting
- One-on-one, close-quarters combat gameplay
- Skill-focused, requiring the player to master attacks and movement (both offensive and defensively); usually has special moves and/or combos
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
- Beat ‘em Up: In beat ‘em ups, players face off against a large amount of enemies, which are much weaker than the player, whereas in fighting games, players face off against an even matchup (in amount and skill)
- Sports (Fighting): Fighting sports games aim for a much more realistic fight with more defined rules that are specific to each sport
Horror
- Games which are designed to scare or unsettle the player, or are based on elements of horror fiction
- Achieved through visual, narrative, or mood at minimum; gameplay can be used as an element to accentuate the “horror/fear” tone but is not required
Literature
- Games that consist solely of words or reading with little-to-no interactive elements
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
- Visual Novel: Visual elements and/or sound play a much larger, more integrated part of a VN, whereas literature is presented in a book-like or text dump format
Platforming
- Games which require the player to navigate between one point to another, navigating through obstacles, the environment, and/or enemies
- Focuses on precise, skill-based movement, including running, jumping, climbing, etc.
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
- Action: While platforming is action-based, it focuses much more on movement through an environment and obstacles compared to other action games
- Run & Gun: Run & gun includes elements of platforming, but utilizes shooting as large part of overcoming enemies and obstacles, rather than movement
Puzzle
Games which challenge skills related to puzzle and problem-solving, such as logic and pattern recognition
Focuses mainly on the mechanical aspect of puzzle-solving; story elements are either secondary to the gameplay or nonexistent
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
- (Action-)Adventure: In (action-)adventure games, puzzles are integrated within the story or environment; puzzle games focus specifically on the puzzle gameplay
- Strategy: Strategy focuses on lateral thinking, involving more complex, tactical decision-making. Puzzle games have simpler rules and mechanics, with more direct gameplay and a focus on logical thinking.
Racing
- Vehicular games where players navigate around various tracks and opponents in a speed-based race
Rhythm
- Music-based games which challenge the player’s sense of rhythm
- Gameplay revolves around synchronization of the player’s inputs with a musical track, with a focus on precision or accuracy
Role-Playing Game
- Games revolving the development of a character or party of characters and the growth of their stats or abilities
- Characters have defined levels and attributes (ex. strength, charisma, etc.) which affect the character’s gameplay (ex. damage against enemies or ability to persuade another character)
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH:
- Strategy: Both involve managing characters, but strategy involves managing several somewhat similar units, whereas RPGs involves managing a few unique characters
Shooter
- Action-oriented games focusing on ranged weapons
- Most commonly guns, but can include any ranged weapon, such as grenades or bows
Simulation
- Games meant to emulate a real life activity or theme
- Though degrees of realism varies, it should still resemble the activity/theme it represents in terms of gameplay
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH:
- Action/Arcade: Simulation gameplay is highly tied with its theme, and action or arcade usually is independent of it. If the theme or premise of the game can easily be switched and the gameplay remains the same, it’s likely an action or arcade game. If you cannot change the theme without completely changing the gameplay, then it’s likely a simulation game.
Sports
- Games based on a real-life sport or physical recreational activity
Strategy
- Games which challenge skills relating to planning, analysis, logistics, and/or tactical thinking
- Though there is a defined “win” state, there are multiple ways to reach it; gameplay decisions are open-ended
- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH:
- Puzzle: Puzzle games have simpler rules and mechanics, with more direct gameplay and a focus on logical thinking. Strategy focuses on lateral thinking, involving more complex, tactical decision-making.
- Role-Playing Game: Both involve managing characters, but RPGs involve managing a few unique characters, whereas strategy involves managing several somewhat similar units
Other
- Games that do not fit in any other genre category