Overdone vs. Underrated Game Genres
Tired of seeing the same old game genres dominating the market? You’re not alone. It feels like every year, we’re bombarded with endless sequels and reboots, but the excitement is starting to wear thin. But what if there’s a way to shake things up? There are fresh, untapped genres out there just waiting for their moment to shine. So, first, let’s look at 10 games that have overstayed their welcome, and 10 we need more of.
1. Battle Royale
Battle Royale games hit their peak in 2017 with “PUBG,” followed by “Fortnite,” creating a tidal wave of copycat titles. These games rely heavily on the same survival mechanics: fight for your life, gear up, and be the last one standing. It’s become so repetitive that even some of the biggest names in the genre are struggling to keep players engaged.
PUBG is still the best Battle Royale game… by jackfrags
2. Call Of Duty Clones
Call of Duty clones, like “Apex Legends,” flooded the market for years, but let’s be real—most of them missed the mark. They had the gritty visuals, the fast-paced gunplay, and the “epic” set pieces but without the polish, innovation, or personality that made “Call of Duty” stand out. The result? A graveyard of forgettable FPS games that felt like bootleg action movies.
3. Open-World RPG
Open-world RPG fatigue is real. You must have come across games like “Fallout 3” that recycle the same mechanics—fetch quests, filler content—making them feel like endless chores. Their massive worlds should excite, but instead, they overwhelm. Players want adventure, not oversized to-do lists disguised as epic journeys.
4. Survival Games
“ARK: Survival Evolved” thrust players into brutal survival scenarios. While the game is popular, the genre often feels like it’s stuck in a loop of repetitive tasks. Farming resources, building defenses, and surviving threats—how many more of these mechanics do we need to keep things fresh?
ARK: Survival Evolved Announcement Trailer by ARK: Survival Ascended
5. Mobile Match-3 Games
Mobile match-3 games, such as “Candy Crush,” became a mobile gaming staple with their simple, addictive mechanics. These games are practically designed for quick sessions but tend to lack depth. With millions of players worldwide, could a genre based on puzzles evolve into something more intellectually stimulating?
6. Platformers
From “Super Mario" to “Celeste,” platformers have long been a staple of gaming. But their simplicity is starting to feel dated—jump, run and repeat. While these games are beloved classics, many platformers lean heavily on nostalgia, which can make it tough for newer titles to make a lasting impression.
Top 19 Mario Games (Every Platformer Ranked From Worst to Best) by jamiethepayne
7. MMOs (Massively Multi-Player Online Games)
The MMO boom peaked in the early 2000s, with “World of Warcraft" becoming a cultural phenomenon. Since then, these massive, persistent worlds have seen little innovation, with many modern MMOs sticking to the same grind-heavy mechanics. Plus, let’s be honest—slow-paced gameplay just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Is World of Warcraft the Best Casual MMORPG? by Kyle Blane
8. Zombie Games
Zombie games have been a cornerstone of the horror genre since “Resident Evil" brought the undead to the forefront in 1996. Titles like “Left 4 Dead” and “Dead Rising" followed suit, pushing the zombie apocalypse theme further. But now, that theme has become a well-worn trope, and gamers are starting to crave something fresh.
THE HORROR FACTORY OF ZOMBIES | RESIDENT EVIL 4 GAMEPLAY #13 by Techno Gamerz
9. Sports Simulators
Every year, franchises like “FIFA,” “Madden,” and “NBA 2K” push out minor updates with little more than roster changes and occasional graphical tweaks. The annual release cycle leaves little room for significant innovation, which makes it hard to stay excited about the next iteration.
10. Fighting Games
Fighting games like "Mortal Kombat X” keep raising the stakes with intense combos and special moves. But at what point does the genre start feeling repetitive? The same one-on-one battles, familiar characters, and well-worn strategies often return with only minor tweaks, making it seem like the genre is stuck in a cycle of rehashing its greatest hits.
Mortal Kombat X Gameplay 4K 60FPS by MKIceAndFire
1. Turn-Based Strategy
Turn-based strategy games, such as “XCOM” and “Fire Emblem,” are cherished for their tactical depth, where every move counts. Unlike real-time strategies, these games give players the chance to pause and carefully consider their next step, offering a slower, more calculated experience that’s perfect for gamers seeking a mental challenge.
Fire Emblem Engage | Single-Player Turn-Based SRPG | Announcement Trailer by Turn Based Lovers
2. Indie Games
Indie developers are making waves with games like “Hades” and “Celeste,” where creativity takes center stage, standing out against the sea of cookie-cutter titles. The indie scene thrives by pushing boundaries and experimenting with bold, unique concepts that bigger studios often shy away from.
The Greatest Indie Game of all time | Hades by Dirtball Jones
3. Visual Novels
Visual novels like “Danganronpa” and “Phoenix Wright" are known for their immersive storytelling, where the player’s choices directly impact the narrative. With a focus on emotion and complex plots, these games prioritize storytelling over traditional gameplay, offering a unique, narrative-driven experience.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy - 1st 30 Minutes of Gameplay (PS4) by PS360HD
4. Simulation Games
Simulation games offer deep, sandbox-style experiences where players control and shape their own worlds. Titles like "The Sims" let players build homes, manage relationships, and guide virtual lives, while "Forza Horizon" delivers an open-world racing experience with realistic driving mechanics.
Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 - Car Driving Simulator Gameplay HD by AndroidWonderland
5. Co-Op Action Games
The demand for cooperative multiplayer experiences has skyrocketed. These games, like “Destiny 2,” provide players with the chance to tackle challenges together, often requiring teamwork and coordination. As solo experiences become more isolating, co-op action games might hold the key to more social, engaging gameplay.
6. Puzzle Games
Puzzle games combine mind-bending challenges with immersive worlds, offering players a unique blend of logic and creativity. Titles like "Fez push" the genre’s boundaries by introducing dimension-shifting mechanics. Plus, the potential for innovation is endless—imagine a puzzle game that mixes RPG elements, offering a completely unique experience.
The Perplexing Puzzles of Fez by Super Bunnyhop
7. Rhythm Games
Rhythm games like “Beat Saber” and "Guitar Hero" transform music into gameplay. Players follow beat patterns and rhythms, which makes the games deeply engaging. If you haven’t yet explored the genre, you might be missing out on an exciting intersection of rhythm and action, where music literally shapes gameplay.
Cassidy James Blaede on Unsplash
8. Stealth Games
Stealth games like “Hitman” and "Assasin's Creed" emphasize avoiding detection rather than direct confrontation. The genre has been underappreciated in the past few years, but its ability to reward thoughtful strategy and planning offers unique gameplay that can be more engaging than a simple combat-heavy experience.
9. Point-and-Click Adventures
Point-and-click games like “Monkey Island" are deeply rooted in gaming history, blending puzzles with narrative in a way no other genre does. The genre’s focus on exploration and interaction creates the perfect foundation for immersive storytelling and unforgettable adventures.
Monkey Island is a giant among point-and-clicks by Lochmarne Goat
10. Hybrid Genre Games
Hybrid games integrate elements from different genres, creating standout experiences that attract a wide range of gamers. "Rocket League," for example, merges high-speed racing with competitive sports, which turns soccer into an adrenaline-fueled battle of rocket-powered cars. The success of hybrid games could lead to even more cross-genre innovation in the future.
Rocket League (2021) - Gameplay (PC UHD) [4K60FPS] by Throneful
